Recently I, along with a group of the top Macaroni Kid publishers from all over the country, was invited to Kentucky to learn more about all things family-friendly in Bowling Green. We had a jam-packed itinerary and I can't wait to share some of the highlights with you. Bowling Green really is "geared for fun" and especially for family fun. It also made for a great "girlfriends getaway" too - there was so much to do and we had an amazing time experiencing some of the local attractions. The small town feel of Bowling Green felt so familiar yet there were so many new experiences awaiting me - from Corvette's to Caves, distilleries to baseball - there were many new adventures to be had!
The Historic Railpark - You can take a guided tour of the railcars and a self-guided tour of the museum. Train-lovers will enjoy this attraction!
National Corvette Museum - You can learn more about America's Sports Car, see cars on display and even learn about the sinkhole that formed in February 2014. There is a fun KidZone for little ones, complete with a car assembly line! You can even sit in a Corvette and imagine yourself on the open road.
GM Corvette Assembly Plant - Watch a Corvette in the making at the GM Corvette Assembly Plant. Tours are about an hour and give you an inside look at what goes into making America's Sports Car.
There is definitely something for the car-lovers in your family in Bowling Green!
If all this touring makes you hungry, make a lunch stop at Mariah's for a Kentucky Hot Brown or some other delicious option from the menu.
If you get thirsty there are some great distilleries, breweries and wineries you can visit in Bowling Green, too!
If you are a museum-going family, there is no shortage of museums in Bowling Green. Located on Western Kentucky University's campus, the Kentucky Museum has engaging exhibits for your whole family - dress up in Civil War attire for a photo-op, see some Instruments of American Excellence (Judy Blume's manuscript, an American Girl doll) and learn more about Duncan Hines (yes, he was a real person!).
Leave time in your schedule to catch a Bowling Green Hot Rods baseball game. Visit their website for the game schedule and other team information. You'll also find this handy Ballpark A to Z tip sheet with information on things like baby changing areas, the kids play area and strollers in the ballpark.
Lost River Cave - Take an underground cave boat tour, hear the tale of the blue hole and enjoy a ride on Kentucky's only underground boat tour! Be sure to enjoy the additional family-friendly activities at Lost River Cave like the Butterfly Habitat, the Junior Tour Guide program, treasure mining and geocaching to name a few.
Chaney's Dairy Barn - A stop for lunch and ice cream at Chaney's Dairy Barn is a must. You can also sign up for a farm tour to see their robotic milking system in action and jump off some energy on the jumping pillow.
Boyce's General Store - Let me start by saying that I fear my description of this quaint and delicious Kentucky gem will not do it justice. Boyce's General Store, located in Alvaton, KY serves up the most delicious fish fry dinner you will likely ever enjoy! The fish fry is typically held on Friday nights but not to worry, the rest of the menu is amazing as well. As if that wasn't enough, you must taste some of The Pie Queen's baked goods (good luck deciding which one!). You'll find Boyce's General Store 10 miles past the city limits of Bowling Green in the same building it has stood since 1869. This small country store is full of southern hospitality and irresistible eats.
Fairfield Inn and Suites in Bowling Green housed us for our stay and our accommodations were very comfortable and complete with features like an indoor pool, fitness center and an outdoor seating area and fire pit.
For ideas on other fun spots in Bowling Green, be sure to check out www.visitBGKY.com
You can see more highlights from our trip on the Macaroni Kid National You Tube page.
The Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 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.
