Things to do in Bowling Green

Hop aboard the Bowling Green Trolley for a fully narrated tour highlighting the rich and vibrant history of our beautiful city! Learn how Bowling Green got its name, find out why the city was occupied by the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War, and discover how it emerged from the ashes of war to become a popular tourist destination and the home of one of America’s most iconic sports cars, the corvette! A complete tour is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. The tour departs from the National Corvette Museum.

Your experience begins as you pass by five historic train cars to enter the museum through the gift shop. Inside the gift shop, staff and tour guides will be waiting to tell you about the day's tour schedule and assist with anything you may need. The gift shop offers all kinds of train memorabilia, toy trains, puzzles, and anything else a train fan could want, as well as themed activities.  The museum has something for all ages. Vintage equipment and artifacts will stoke the memories of those old enough to have experienced this bygone era in the United States' transportation past. Children will be both entertained and educated by informative, interactive displays. Hear from a real L&N Cook, Pullman Porter, and Conductor. See what life was like for these employees as well as for the travelers.  Stroll through the museum at your own pace until it's time for your guided tour. Your guide will meet you on the first floor of the museum on the same wooden benches used for passengers in the depot since 1925. As you sit inside, hear about the history of the Louisville and Nashville railroad and more. In the next portion of your tour, you'll get to board the train cars, starting in an E8 diesel-electric locomotive. Then you'll move into the Railway Post Office, or RPO car. Next have a seat in the Duncan Hines Dining Car, and find out what meals were like for those eating, cooking, and serving on the trains. See what it was like to travel in first, second, and third class aboard the Towering Pine Sleeper Car. The last stop on your tour is the L&N Presidential Car, the oldest surviving passenger car from the L&N Railroad.

Riverview at Hobson Grove, the 1872 home of Atwood and Julia VanMeter Hobson, serves today as Warren County, Kentucky’s only historic house museum. Join a tour to learn about a typical “Kentucky House Divided” during the Civil War and how the quick thinking of Atwood Hobson saved his unfinished home from an invading army. Marvel at the meticulously restored decorative parlor ceilings, walls, and grained woodwork. Examine the many original furnishings and decorative objects belonging to the Hobson family. Take in the best views of Bowling Green from high atop the old Hobson House’s cupola. And hear the fascinating tale of determined local citizens who saved this historic treasure for future generations to enjoy. Nestled in beautiful Hobson Grove Park, life in 19th century South Central Kentucky comes alive on a visit to Riverview at Hobson Grove Historic House Museum. Please allow at least one hour for your visit, and don't forget to stay and enjoy the beautiful gardens. Tours are availble from the first Tuesday in March through the second Saturday in December. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10-4pm and Sunday, 1-4pm. Tours are given at the top of the hour until 3pm and start at the front door.

The Shakers were a religious community originally formed in Manchester, England in 1774. They later relocated to settle in South Union, Kentucky (19 kilometers from Bowling Green) in 1807 and stayed until 1922. They kept journals of their activities, and from these journals one can catch a glimpse of the history of their daily lives, their belief in work and worship, and their inventions and contributions. You will also hear of the birth of the seed industry, textile production, and what it was like to live during that period of time. A visit to this wonderful historic site takes one back in time, and perhaps provides a better understanding of the challenges which the Shakers faced at the time.