For our latest family road trip, we headed to Bowling Green, Kentucky and were blown away by how much there is to see and do! Known for its Corvettes, caves, and family-friendly attractions, this Southern gem is perfect for a weekend getaway filled with adventure, history, and small-town charm.
Disclosure: A huge thank you to Visit Bowling Green for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links. Read full disclosure policy here.
Things to Do in Bowling Green
Lost River Cave
Did you know you can go on an underground boat tour? Explore the natural beauty and history of Lost River Cave, home to Kentucky’s only underground boat tour. Learn about blue holes, Jesse James legends, and even the cave’s nightclub past.
Visit in October to stroll the free Scarecrow Trail, where creative scarecrows line the wooded paths.
The National Corvette Museum
Did you know every Corvette built since 1981 has been made right here in Bowling Green, Kentucky? No wonder the National Corvette Museum calls it home! Even if you’re not a big car person, this stop is super fun and surprisingly family-friendly.
Even if you’re not a die-hard car enthusiast, this museum is worth a visit. We found the exhibits are well-curated, interactive, and full of surprises. One of our favorites was the special exhibit, Pop Culture and Corvette featuring iconic cars from movies and TV shows. It was so cool!
NCM Motorsports Park
During our visit, we lucked out and caught a drift event happening at the NCM Motorsports Park. So, so cool! The free event was hands-down one of the coolest things that we’ve ever seen!
Even when drifting isn’t happening, there’s still plenty of excitement to enjoy. Head up to the second-floor rooftop of the NCM for a fantastic view of Corvettes and other cars zipping around the 3.1-mile track. If you’d rather be in the driver’s seat, sign up for a driving class and take a Corvette for a spin yourself!
For more high-speed fun that even young ones can enjoy, head to the NCM Kartplex. Drivers can race around the track and rack up as many laps as possible in 8 minutes. We all had an absolute blast!
Aviation Heritage Park
This free, hands-on museum and park lets visitors learn about the historic aircraft and rich aviation history. Don’t miss the two-story indoor museum on site, which is packed with fascinating exhibits highlighting regional aviation legends.
During our visit, we timed it with Open Cockpit Weekend, giving us the unique chance to peek inside the planes and even step into the cockpit of a NASA aircraft!
Visit Jackson’s Orchard and Nursery
During Octobre, Jackson’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival has hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and a petting zoo. Don’t skip the apple cider slushies or the fried pies with ice cream. We had peach pie with peach ice cream and it was amazing!
Explore Fountain Square
Downtown Bowling Green is full of charm, and the best way to experience it is by taking a stroll around the 19th-century Fountain Square Park. The square is lined with beautifully renovated historic buildings, cute local shops, and plenty of great places to eat. (Keep reading for a few of our favorite spots we tried!)
Tip: Check opening days before you visit. When we went on a Sunday, most places were closed.
Explore Murals and Art
We are always on the lookout for art and were happy to find murals around town.
Where to Eat in Bowling Green, KY
Spencer’s Coffee
Spencer’s Coffee is a local favorite with two Bowling Green locations. We stopped by the downtown spot, which had all the charm. Think exposed brick, high ceilings, and windows overlooking Fountain Square Park. My pumpkin mocha was perfection, and my husband enjoyed his matcha. If you’re craving more than coffee, they also serve up tasty breakfast dishes and pastries.
Providence Coffee House & Marketplace
Bowling Green definitely knows its coffee, and Providence Coffee was another fantastic find. We loved the cozy mix of indoor and outdoor seating, plus the fun nook filled with books and games. While waiting for your drink, take time to browse the shop’s selection of local goods, from handmade jewelry to home décor. Bonus: they were all decked out for fall when we visited!
Q Coffee Emporium
Perched on a hill, the bright and modern Q Coffee drew us right in. We loved the bright, spacious, and modern two-story setup, seasonal drinks, and tasty bites. The kids devoured the twice-baked croissant while my husband enjoyed his iced matcha and I sipped a pumpkin spice latte. Bonus: there’s outdoor seating and a bags game for a little extra fun!
Atomic Kitchen
I loved a good, themed restaurant and was stoked to see an 80’s themed restaurant in downtown Bowling Green. The menu is packed with clever names like The Wingman and The Smooth Criminal, but the food is no joke. We kicked things off with SpaceBalls (basically cheese balls on steroids!) before digging into smash burgers like The Kevin Bacon Jamburger and the DeLorean Double, both absolutely on point. The tallow fries and house-made chips? Totally addictive. While waiting for our food, the kids (and okay, me too!) had a blast playing free 80s arcade classics like Pac-Man and my all-time fave, Galaga. A really rad place!!
Chaney’s Dairy Barn
Chaney’s Dairy Farm is a must-visit in Bowling Green. Visiting Chaney’s Dairy Barn has been a longtime tradition for many locals looking for homemade ice cream and family fun. Their ice cream comes straight from their Jersey cows. Talk about fresh! We loved sampling a flight of flavors to try a little bit of everything. Hungry? Their sandwiches including cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and chicken salad sandwich, were all hits with the whole family. While you enjoy your treats, the kids can burn off some energy at the playground.
Had we had more time, we would have loved to check out the self-guided farm tours where and can go behind the scenes to see how milking takes place and learn about the day-to-day operations of a dairy farm.
Great American Donut Shop “GADS”
This local hot spot is a local favorite (especially with college students!) and it’s open 24/7. Not only were these donuts affordable, but they were delish. Love my salted caramel kruller!
Meltdown Ice-Cream & Soda Fountain
This too-cute ice cream parlor located in by Fountain Square serves up ice cream, ice cream flights, sodas, and more. Love that the ice cream is homemade. Step to the back and snap a pic with the cute mural.
Burger and Bowl
Craving a great burger or bowl without a wait? Burger and Bowl may be fast casual, but doesn’t skimp on the taste or quality of food. Absolutely loved our burgers and the bowls packed so much flavor. Definitely save room for a milkshake if possible.
Danny’s Pasta and Focaciarria
Craving fresh pasta without the fuss? This downtown gem lets you build your own pasta bowl just the way you like it. They also have specials already made if you’d rather not think about it. Don’t skip a slice (or two) of their focaccia pizza. Man, everything we tried was so good! If you spot cannoli or tiramisu, grab one before they’re gone!
Griff’s Deli
This aviation-themed deli was and after digging into our meals, we quickly understood why! Between the chicken salad sandwich (a must-try), hearty steak and chicken paninis, and the grilled chicken spud, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious.
Where To Stay In Bowling Green, KY
Our stay at Staybridge Suites in Bowling Green was the perfect home base for our weekend getaway. We loved the extra space in our two-bedroom suite complete with a living room and full kitchen giving everyone room to spread out. Mornings were a breeze thanks to the complimentary hot breakfast, which offered something different (and delicious!) each day. Other perks we appreciated include the free laundry, an outdoor pool with a grill, and even a DVD library.
