Home Page
Meeting & Event Planners Travel & Tour Operators Sporting Event Planners Media & News Room
BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY
Trip Itineraries
Request a Visitor's Packet

 Search Site

Kentucky's Cave Region

Sign up for our "What's Happening" and E-Newsletter!
Email:

 

Age 8-12 Activities

Ballance MotoX
Open March through November
(270) 792-RACE • www.ballancemotox.com

Bowling Green's newest attraction is the first state-of-the-art motocross facility in the southeast. The natural terrain 1.3 mile lighted track was designed by six-time GNCC National Champion Bill Ballance. Riding schools for quads and dirt bikes are available for all skill levels by highly trained instructors. Call or visit website for more information, directions and schedule of events. Hours and prices vary by event.

Ballance MotoX

Barren River Imaginative Museum of Science
Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday 1-4pm. Groups by appointment.
1229 Center Street
(270) 843-9779 • www.brimsbg.org

Visit a unique "hands-on" science museum and experience the force of a mini-tornado with the BRIMS Blaster! Have a hair-raising experience with the van de Graff Electrostatic Generator. Operate one of the largest interactive transportation exhibits in the country featuring HO gauge trains in a model railroad. Measure air flow with the new wind tunnel. Suspend your body with the help of Magic Mirrors. These and over 50 more exhibits await your visit.

BRIMS

Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon
Open daily Memorial Day to mid-August, weekends only in May and September, Sunday 11am-7pm, Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-8pm.
Gate Admission (includes Splash Lagoon, Mini Golf & Petting Farm) $10 - 54" and above, $6 - under 54"
Unlimited-ride armbands (includes gate admission plus all attractions except go-carts and games) $24 - 54" and above, $21 - under 54"
(270) 781-7634
www.beechbend.com

The amusement park offers more than 40 rides including the most twisted wooden roller coaster in seven states, the new Kentucky Rumbler. Other favorites include Wild Mouse Spinning Coaster, antique cars, a miniature golf course, giant swimming pool, water slides, interactive children's water play pool, games and go-carts. Individual ride tickets available.

Wild Mouse

Bowling Green KOA
1960 Three Springs Road, Just off I-65 exit 22
(270) 843-1919
www.bgkoa.com

Whether you just want a place close by to get away or a place with activities, the KOA is the place to go! KOA's goal is to provide an excellent camping and recreational experience. With miniature golf, paddle boats, Escape fun boats, fishing and many other activities to enhance your visit. Come join the fun!

KOA

Chaney's Dairy Barn
Open Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 12:30-5:30pm. Extended hours and walk-up window in the summer.
9191 Nashville Road
(270) 843-5567 • www.chaneysdairybarn.com
Chaney's
Open Monday-Saturday 12pm-8pm
830 Fairview Avenue • (270) 842-6020

Rolling farmlands, Jersey cows and premium homemade ice cream are only the beginning at Chaney's. Settle in for lunch or dinner daily and enjoy homemade soup, sandwiches and desserts. Choose from a wide selection of Kentucky made products in our gift shop. Catering, parties, farm tours available - call ahead for meeting space, concession trailer and tour appointments. Enjoy our outdoor pavilion and take a swing in our batting cage.

Chaney's Dairy Barn

GM Corvette / Cadillac XLR Assembly Plant
Public Tours Monday-Friday at 9 am, 11:30 am and 1:15 pm ONLY • I-65, exit 28
Reservations (270) 745-8019 • Information (270) 745-8419 • Tours are $5 per person
www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant.com

Group tours by reservation only. Free for school groups 4th through 8th grade, active military and GM employees and retirees. Tours closed on holidays. Tour times subject to change without notice, call before traveling long distances. Every Corvette made today in the world is produced in Bowling Green. Here you can see the step by step production of America's favorite sports car along with Cadillac's XLR. No cell phones, cameras, electronic devices, purses, backpacks or fanny packs allowed. Closed toe shoes only. Children must be seven years or older and school groups must be 4th grade or above.

GM Corvette Assembly Plant

Historic Railpark and Train Museum
401 Kentucky Street
Open Tues.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 1-4pm. Closed Mondays.
(270) 745-7317 • www.historicrailpark.com

Long before interstates, people resting in
Bowling Green arrived at the L&N Passenger Depot. This 1925 structure has been restored and revived to house a two-story museum where visitors can learn the history of the tracks by asking questions of a “real Railroader” like a Pullman Porter, an L&N Cook and a Conductor through state-of-the art interactive galleries. Housing one of the region’s largest model railroad displays inside, outside is where the Historic Railpark displays a 1911 L&N Presidential office car, a 1949 Pullman Standard dining car, a 1953 Luxury Pullman sleeper and a Chessie Class Caboose. Two rare additions are being restored, a 1921 L&N Railroad Post Office Car and a 1953 E8A Diesel Locomotive.

Historic L&N Depot and Railpark

Jackson's Orchard and Nursery
Open Monday-Saturday, mid-April through August and seven days a week September-November.
1280 Slim Island Road off Richardsville Road, KY 185
(270) 781-5303
www.jacksonsorchard.com

The Jackson family invites you to visit their orchard and nursery to select your favorite spring plants during April and May. Try our delicious apples, peaches, honey, pumpkins, freshly made apple cider and many more in-season specialties throughout the year. We'll even mail your favorite products anywhere in the USA.

Jackson's Orchard

Kentucky Library & Museum
Museum Galleries Open Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 1-4pm
Library Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 9:30am-4pm. Closed on WKU holidays.
1906 College Heights Blvd, just off 68/80
(270) 745-2592 • www.wku.edu/Library/kylm

Kentucky Museum houses rich collections and offers exciting and educational exhibits that invite visitors to revisit the past to learn about Kentucky history and heritage. The Kentucky Library houses rich collections of genealogical materials, published works, manuscripts and folk life information. Public programs include workshops, lectures, family events and prearranged guided tours.

Kentucky Museum & Library

Lost River Cave and Valley
Open seven days a week 9am-5pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Boat tours subject to weather so call ahead. I-65 exit 22, left at stoplight #9, right on Nashville Road.
(270) 393-0077 or (866) 274-2283 • www.lostrivercave.com

Kentucky's only Underground Boat Tour and the enchanting Butterfly Habitat await you at Lost River Cave and Valley. Daylight disappears from view as you board the boat on the river that Ripley's Believe It or Not claims is the shortest, deepest in the world. A comfortable 57 degrees year round, the boat tour offers a visit into the timeless world of a Kentucky Natural wonder. The walking tour along the river's edge will bring alive stories of Native Americans, Early European settlers, Civil War troops and the notorious Jesse James. Enjoy Treetop Bridge, nature trails, bird watching stations, picnic area, gemstone sluice, Old Mill Gifts and the rock climbing wall.

Lost River Cave

National Corvette Museum
Open 8am-5pm, 7 days a week year-round except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
I-65, exit 28
(270) 781-7973 or (800) 53-VETTE • www.corvettemuseum.com

This 68,000 square foot showcase to America's Sports Car features over 75 Corvettes. Visit the mid-century barbershop and service station, or make a stop on Route 66 to see the cars that shaped our country's history. You'll see classics in mint condition, one-of-a-kind prototypes that never went into production, racetrack champions and modern-day wonders of engineering and design. Interact with educational hands-on exhibits, enjoy a film in the Chevy Theater and see rare collections and memorabilia. Sit behind the wheel of a Corvette and register to drive one home. Enjoy shopping in the Corvette Store which offers a wide selection of apparel, collectibles home and gift items. New this year... Pit Crew Challenge!

National Corvette Museum

N-tense Sports
Open Friday 3-7 pm (store only), Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 2-7pm
2101 Morgantown Road
(270) 796-4120
www.ntensesports.com

Try the fastest growing sport in the world! An excellent place for the whole family to enjoy the fun. To come on a day other than Saturday or Sunday, or to schedule a group party, call our field hotline: (270) 792-6246.

N-tense Sports

Otte Golf & Family Fun Center
5800 Scottsville Road
(270) 781-6072
Open Daily 9am-10pm

Truly a great place for the whole family. Otte Golf Center offers a driving range,
batting cages, miniature golf, pro-shop, golf lessons and club fittings.

Otte Golf Center


Race World
Open March-Memorial Day and Labor Day-November Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 12-11pm and Sunday 12-10pm. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day Tuesday-Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 12-11pm and Sunday 12-10pm.
I-65, exit 22, 255 Cumberland Trace
(270) 781-RACE • www.raceworld-bg.com

Race World, a one-of-a-kind attraction featured in Southern Living as "where you don't just watch the races, you ride the races." Offering the entire family something to remember. Two race tracks with scale stock cars themed after your favorite driver. A fully complemented game room with the latest in electronic entertainment and one of the most famous Dale Earnhardt race cars on display; the actual car that had the flat tire while leading the Daytona 500 with 1/2 a lap to go. Closed all rain days.There's not an age limit, but you must be at least 53 inches tall to race alone. For our younger racers there are also double cars complete with two steering wheels so the whole family can race against each other.

Race World

Riverview at Hobson Grove
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm. Closed holidays and during January.
1100 W. Main Avenue
(270) 843-5565 • www.bgky.org/riverview

Built by Atwood and Juliet VanMeter Hobson on a hill overlooking the Barren River, Bowling Green's historic landmark has been restored to its original splendor and is listed on the National Register. An official site on the Civil War Discovery Trail, as it was used for storage of Confederate munitions when the Rebel forces held Bowling Green, Riverview is an elegant interpretation of a prosperous Victorian home of the 1860 to 1890 period. Come experience the life of a 19th century family and their servants. Seasonal and holiday tours are offered throughout the year to highlight celebrations of the era. Gift Shop features Victorian items.

Riverview

Russell Sims Aquatic Center at Preston Miller Park
Open Memorial Day to Labor Day
2303 Tomblinson Way off Veterans Memorial Blvd.
(270) 393-3271
www.bgky.org/bgpr/aquatics.htm

Largest water playground in South Central Kentucky. Features include zero-depth entry, splash playground, 50-meter pool, two water slides, diving boards and concessions.

Aquatic Center

Shaker Museum at South Union
March through November, Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm
December through February, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Closed Sunday and Monday.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Day, New Year's Eve & Day.
850 Shaker Museum Road, Just off US 68/KY 80, Auburn
(800) 811-8379
www.shakermuseum.com

A short drive west of Bowling Green takes you to the historic site of the South Union Shaker Village. The Shaker society, an innovative, hard-working religious group, was established in 1807 and closed in 1922. The village site is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is filled with original furniture, crafts, textiles and manuscripts. Nearby Shaker Tavern, built in 1869, provides bed and breakfast accommodations.

Shaker Museum

Southern Lanes
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-2am, Sunday 12pm-midnight
2710 Scottsville Road
(270) 843-8741
Visit their web page here

At Southern Lanes there's plenty of fun for everyone! Your complete family entertainment center includes 34 lanes, 18 hole indoor mini golf, indoor fast pitch baseball and softball batting cages, 24 billiards, party rooms (3 new), game room with redemption tickets, semi-separate lounge, pro shop and snack bar. Join us Thursday and Friday nights at 9:30 pm for Cosmic bowling! Birthday party packages, corporate and group pricing available.

Southern Lanes

Splash Lagoon (at Beech Bend Park)
Hours vary. Call or visit website.
(270) 781-7634
www.beechbend.com

The all new Splash Lagoon is tons of fun and features 3 water slides, a children's interactive splash pool and a giant "Leisure Pool." New restrooms and dining facilities are also part of the new Splash Lagoon. The Raging Rapids water slides consist of one open family tube ride, one partially open/partially enclosed tube ride and one completely enclosed body slide. All three slides boast a length of greater than 400 feet and start from a 45 foot tower. Lotta Watta Island----the children's interactive splash pool features a four level interactive play structure and two slides.

Splash Lagoon

Bowling Green Public Library

Main Branch
1225 State Street
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 781-4882
Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Home Teaching Meets the Library (H.T.M.L)
Every third Thursday of each month, 10:30 a.m.
Open to all home school groups.

Kids at Main
Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.

Family Night
One Tuesday a month, 6:30 p.m.
Open to all families.

Smiths Grove Branch
127 South Main Street
Smiths Grove, KY 42171
(270) 563-6651
Hours: Monday: Noon - 8 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

After School @ the Grove
Thursday, 3 to 4 p.m.
After-school activities for grades K-6

Graham Drive Community Library
305 Graham Drive
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 781-1441
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday Noon-8 p.m.

Graham Explorers Troop
Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
All ages welcome

Bob Kirby Branch
175 Iron Skillet Court
Bowling Green, KY 42104
(270) 782-0252
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday Noon-8 p.m.

Kirby Kids
Monday, 3:30 p.m.
For elementary school age children, grades K-6.

Spanish Explorers
Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
For elementary school age children, grades K-6.

Teen Activities
Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
For teenagers, ages 12-17

 

Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau • (800) 326-7465 • Bowling Green, Kentucky • Location Staff
Ky Unbridled Spirit
Kentucky Caves, Lakes & Corvettes Region