Located sixty miles north of Nashville and 110 south of Louisville, Bowling Green is the third largest city in the state of Kentucky. It is home to Western Kentucky University, and is the birthplace of Duncan Hines. The city is a great detour on a visit to Nashville or en route to another town, but it actually holds it own as a destination itself. Here are a few family-friendly highlights:
Lost River Cave. The Lost River Cave is Kentucky's only underground boat tour. Children and adults alike will delight in the stunning rock formations in the cave and the 57 degree year-round temperature (an extra bonus in the grueling summer months!).
The Lost River Cave is also home to a Butterfly Habitat, where visitors can become immersed in Kentucky's native butterflies (open during the summer season only). If you have plans to visit the Lost River Cave, please note that tours are subject to weather, so call ahead before visiting.
The National Corvette Museum. This museum pays homage to America's Sports Car, the Corvette. The National Corvette Museum features over 70 Corvettes, including rare models, mint classics, and even a few racers. A must-see in the museum is the site of the 2014 sinkhole, an extraordinary event that temporarily destroyed the center of the museum. This section has reopened, with a viewing window that shows the cave below, as well as all-new Corvette Cave-in exhibit that outlines the events of the day. This museum is a must for the curious as well as the car lover.
Across from the Corvette museum is the General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant. Fun fact: every Corvette in the world is produced in Bowling Green. During hour-long the Corvette Assembly Plant tour, guests can see how a Corvette is made - from start to finish. This is a fascinating tour. The process is very detailed, as every Corvette is custom designed by its owner. Tours must be booked in advance, and closed-toe shoes are required. Tours are for ages 10 and up.
For simple fun, the Historic Railpark and Train Museum will thrill your train lover (like my son!). Guests have the opportunity to tour seven trains, including a 1949 Pullman Dining Car a 1911 Presidential Office Car, and more. The museum is also home to the region's largest model railroad displays, as well as vintage equipment and artifacts in the museum's exhibit area.
A trip to Chaney's Dairy Barn rounds out our list of highlights. At Chaney's, guests can dine on seriously great food and some seriously tasty homemade ice cream (the best in Kentucky, according to USA today). Then, visitors can tour the grounds. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the wagon ride to the farm and the demonstration of the robotic milker. And the Chaney family, who runs the farm and restaurant, and on hand to provide the tours with southern hospitality and a deep knowledge of their product.
It's not an attraction, per se, but it's definitely worth a mention. No trip to Bowling Green is complete without a side trip to the Boyce General Store. Located about ten miles outside of Bowling Green, the Boyce General Store is a restaurant in a general store. Originally opened in 1869, it's has the look and feel of a down-home store with vintage decor and furnishings. But the food. Oh, the food. When we visited we ate fresh fried catfish, seasoned to perfection. And since we live on the Gulf Coast, that's saying a lot.
But highlight? The pie. The pie needs its own paragraph....
The Pie Queen of Bowling Green and her husband are the owners of the Boyce General Store. The Pie Queen also makes some of the best pie ever. I am partial to lemon meringue pie, and it was seriously some of the best that I've tasted. Ever. Everything about it was good - the lightness of the lemon flavor, the crust, the height of the meringue... I think I'll just stop now before I gain ten pounds just thinking about it! The Pie Queen also makes cookie sandwiches are indescribably good. (the link goes to the the Pie Queen's Facebook page. You can see some the tasty goodness in pictures, or follow her on Instagram)
And finally, a family-friendly hotel is necessary when traveling with the kids. The all-new Fairfield Inn and Suites in Bowling Green fit the bill. The hotel is beautiful and clean without being pretentious and stuffy. It was also located a short drive away from most of the attractions listed, and the staff members were super friendly. An added bonus? FREE breakfast!
To say that I was surprised by all that Bowling Green offered is an understatement. There is so much more to do and see than meets the eye. If your're ever in the area, it's definitely worth a visit!
The Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors hosted Macaroni Kid for a three-day press trip. Accommodations and most meals and activities were complimentary. No other compensation was received in consideration of this article and all opinions are that of the writer.
Photo credits:
Corvette and Boyce General Store - courtesy of Joyce Evans
Historic Rail and Train Museum - courtesy of Harlisha Homer
Lost River Cave interior -courtesy of Lost River Cave
