Museums & History
Aviation Heritage Park
1630 Three Springs Road (Map & Directions)
Bowling Green, KY
A memorial to all distinguished aviators who have called South Central Kentucky home, Aviation Heritage Park currently features a F-4D Phantom II #550, a plane with historic significance. Brigadier General Dan Cherry, a Bowling Green native, was at the controls on April 16, 1972 when he shot down a North Vietnamese Mig-21 during the Vietnam War. Tune in to FM Station 89.3 at the Park to hear more about the aircraft and their pilots! Address listed is physical address only. Visit aviationheritagepark.com for contact info.
Barren River Imaginative Museum of Science
1229 Center Street (Map & Directions)
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-843-9779
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.
Hours: Thur.-Sat. 10am-3pm, Sun. 1-4pm. Groups by appointment.
Duncan Hines Scenic Byway
Bowling Green, KY 42104
270-782-0800 / 800-326-7465
This 82-mile route, which runs through Warren and Edmonson counties, passes many historic homes and churches. Beginning in Bowling Green at the former home and office of author Duncan Hines, it then runs through several small towns and Mammoth Cave National Park where it crosses the Green River by ferry. Along the route are stately mansions, quaint homes, antique shops, one-room school houses, an old train depot, historic cemeteries, Civil War battlefields, an old grainery and a stagecoach stop which was once the home of Patrick Henry's sister. This drive takes a look at life in rural Kentucky.
Eloise B. Houchens Center
1115 Adams Street (Map & Directions)
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-842-6761
This lovely, old Greek Revival mansion was built in 1904 by Francis Kister, onetime Mayor of Bowling Green and co-builder of St. Joseph Catholic Church. In 1976 it was listed as a Historic Home to be used for the purpose of restoration, preservation and a cultural and educational center. Reasonably-priced meeting rooms available.
Hours: Tours Mon., Wed., Fri. 10am-2pm and by appointment.
Historic Downtown Bowling Green
Bowling Green, KY
270-782-0222
Downtown offers many one-of-a-kind restaurants, a wide array of unique shops, historical tours, memorial sites, charming Fountain Square Park and the new Circus Square - an outdoor ampitheater complete with refreshing water feature the kids are certain to enjoy.
Hours: The Downtown Redevelopment Authority Office is open Monday through Friday, 8am until 4:30pm and offers visitor information and brochures.
Historic Railpark and Train Museum
401 Kentucky Street (Map & Directions)
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-745-7317
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.
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 1-4pm. Closed Mondays.
Historic Walking Tours
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-782-0037
Bowling Green is fortunate to have eight areas placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was named a 2006 Dozen Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for HIstoric Preservation. Composed of commercial, religious and governmental structures built between 1837 and 1940, the Downtown Commercial Historic District represents Bowling Green's historic business core. Four late nineteenth-early twentieth century residential neighborhoods are represented by the St. Joseph Historic District, Upper East Main Street Historic District, College Hill District along with the Magnolia Street Historic District.
Hours: Tours can be scheduled in advance by calling the Landmark Association.
