Skip to main content
DESTINATION

Bowling Green

Located between Confederate Tennessee and Unionist Kentucky, residents of Bowling Green at first refused to choose sides during the Civil War. On Sept. 18, 1861, however, rebel troops arrived and changed the town's neutral stance. Bowling Green was proclaimed the Confederate capital of Kentucky later that year. The Confederate army battled with disease rather than soldiers, and Union troops did not arrive until after the rebels evacuated the town.

The city is a cultural center for southern Kentucky and has a variety of industries, including automobile and clothing manufacturing, dairying, livestock raising and tobacco farming.

Visitor Centers

Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau 352 Three Springs Rd. Bowling Green, KY 42104. Phone:(270)782-0800 or (800)326-7465

Self-guiding Tours

The Bowling Green Civil War Discovery Trail Driving Tour features forts, memorials and other sites relating to the conflict.

In addition, several walking tours lead visitors to the city's historic sites, homes and buildings. Information is available for walking tours of the Upper East Main, College Hill and ShakeRag historic districts. The downtown Heritage Walk covers 18 markers. The 80-mile Duncan Hines Scenic Byway begins and ends at the Duncan Hines historical marker in front of the 1940 structure that Hines built as his home and office at 3098 Louisville Rd. (US 31W). Maps and brochures for all tours are available at the convention and visitors bureau and at the visitor center in the National Corvette Museum

Shopping

Belk, Dillard's, and JCPenney are among the more than 80 stores at Greenwood Mall, at I-65 exit 22.

Things to Do

Beech Bend Park

The Historic Railpark and Train Museum at L & N Depot

Kentucky Museum

Lost River Cave

National Corvette Museum

General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant

NCM Motorsports Park

Riverview at Hobson Grove

Statue of Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry

More Articles

THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

BACK TO TOP