A Free Day of Fun in Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Downing Museum and Baker Arboretum
Those looking to explore art and the outdoors can head to the Downing Museum and Baker Arboretum! The Downing Museum displays work by Joe Downing, A Bowling Green Native and world renowned artist. His work, alongside that of rotating local artists, finds it home on the grounds of the Baker Arboretum. Discover more art sprinkled throughout the grounds, take a walk on the expansive property and explore blooms and  a variety of conifers any time of year.

The Aviation Heritage Park
Discover the aviation history of South-Central Kentucky at The Aviation Heritage Park. The museum displays various exhibits on local aviators from legends since passed to living American Heroes, history finds its home amongst the backdrop of 8 military aircrafts. Select dates bring special events so be sure to check their website for updated offerings such as flight simulations, open cockpit days and kids’ aviation camps.

The Kentucky Museum
Nestled on the beautiful and historic campus of Western Kentucky University is The Kentucky Museum. An ode to the culture of our state, this museum chronicles everything from ancient archeologic discoveries, art, music and much more that shaped our state. Be sure to check out their newest exhibit, Sonic Landscape: The Musical Legacy of South-central Kentucky, to learn about musicians such as Cage the Elephant, Nappy Roots and Sam Bush that shaped our regions musical soundscape.

Hardin Planetarium
Another outstanding free offering also found on Western Kentucky University Campus is the Hardin Planetarium. With rotating shows and unique special offerings throughout the year such as a show on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon Record, this attraction is the perfect introduction to our galaxy’s intricacies.

Concerts in the Park
On select Friday nights in the summer you can enjoy outstanding music and atmosphere at Circus Square Park. Local artists take the stage and listeners are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to the sounds of BG! Dance the night away in front of the stage or set up under the shade and enjoy a night of family friendly music. Food trucks and vendors are also on site for a bit of added enjoyment!

Fountain Row Fridays
Just a short few blocks away from Circus Square Park is Fountain Square Park where you can enjoy more local music situated on the downtown square. Music makes the perfect backdrop to shopping, outdoor dining and downtime enjoying the beautiful historic architecture of the square.

Free Movies at The Capitol
Another outstanding downtown offering is the Free Movies at the Capitol series! The Capitol is located on the square and hosts a variety of programming from concerts, speakers and authors to free movies! While some programming is ticketed, you can watch free movies in their historic theatre that range in focuses such as cult classics, family favorites, and newer feature films.

Warren County Public Library Events
If pottery classes, Lego club, yoga, story time, summer farmers markets, science labs pique your interest then you need to check out the offerings from the Warren County Public Library! These offerings are free enrichment opportunities that are not just made for community members, but visitors as well. Check out their full calendar of events here to stay in the know!

Ice Cream and a Moovie at Chaney's Dairy Barn
Chaney’s Dairy Barn is well known for their award-winning ice cream in flavors like cookie butter and banana pudding, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that they also know how to throw incredible family friendly events! Movies occur on select nights through the summer and are all family friendly features. While there is a cost associated with the ice cream of course, it is outstanding and affordable! So grab a scoop or two and enjoy a night under the stars. Click here to see the full Moovie schedule.

White Squirrel Watching at Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green is home to a unique and elusive population of white squirrels! While most of them call WKU campus home, some can be found in various pockets of town. Enjoy a leisurely stroll across the beautiful campus laden with historic architecture. We recommend visiting in the spring when WKU’s iconic cherry trees are in peak bloom! Their pink hues sprinkle throughout the entire campus like a scene out of a movie. Coming in the fall also provides the perfect time to catch an affordable D1 football game in the Houchens L.T. Smith Stadium.

Lost River Cave Playscapes & Trails
While Lost River Cave is home to a one-of-a-kind underground boat tour, they also have free offerings that get you up close with our unique karst region. Take a stroll on their nature trail that winds through the areas signature blue holes, brilliant hues from limestone are what cause the color! It’s hard to believe you’re so close to the city in the little slice of the outdoors that is the Lost River Cave property. The free fun doesn’t stop there, head to their outdoor nurture playscape for a more natural playground experience and keep a close eye on their calendar for special events like Storytime and other offerings throughout the year.

Visit a Local Park, Greenway or Trail
Bowling Green is home to a plethora of parks! From ones with disc golf and historic homes on the premise to places to play pickleball, basketball, baseball, tennis and everything in between, we are lucky to have such expansive outdoor offerings. Many parks feature trails but we also have greenways that run throughout our city that are ideal for walks and cycling. Those looking for a bit more off terrain options may also enjoy trails like the low hollow trail which is ideal for mountain biking. To learn more about trails in our area and the surrounding counties, we recommend checking out CaveCountryTrails.com for outdoors info in our six-county region.

Hiking and Stargazing at Mammoth Cave National Park
Did you know Mammoth Cave National Park is one of only a few dark sky parks in our area? That means from multiple vantages points you can view a light-pollution free sky and spend time picking out constellations such as the big and little dipper or Orion! While you are there take one of many day hikes through the park that range from paved to more challenging off-the-beaten paths.

Free Wine & Spirits Tasting at Purple Toad Winery
What’s better than sipping wine surrounding by the rolling hills of our region? Sipping free wine! That being said we do encourage you to buy a glass or a bottle of Purple Toad’s delicious offerings. Famous for their sweet wines and flavors like Black and Bruised, purple toad also carries a variety of dry wines, bourbon, agave spirits, moonshine and vodka! Free tastings allow for eight wine samples and three spirit samples.

Free Bourbon & Spirits Tasting at Balance Distilling Company
For those looking for the Kentucky experience, you can view the bourbon distillation process and sample Kentucky Bourbon at Balance Distilling Company located in nearby Smiths Grove. Again, we encourage you to take a bottle home but you can try their variety of award winning moonshines, gin, rum and their signature Mammoth Cave Bourbon at the distillery nestled on their family horse farm.

Night life in Downtown Bowling Green
You can have a good time for the low price of free at many of our local bars! Bars like Donna’s offer many live performance events from local bands to karaoke nights. Cliffs of Moher Irish pub is the perfect bar with a back deck ideal for playing cards and listening to music with friends. White Squirrel Brewery offers a variety of live music and unique events every night of the week and right across the street you can find Shake Rag Bar & Lounge where you can also catch live performances or relax on the back patio.

The Playground at Chaney’s
Chaney’s Dairy Barn has an incredible playground set against the backdrop of pristine farmland and their dairy farm. While the playground is free, they ask it remain reserved for patrons only, so grab a scoop of their famous ice cream or an affordable and delicious dinner from the kitchen. For under $10 you can also take a self-guided tour of the dairy farms automatic milking process, as well as add on a trip to their jump pillow, just ask to purchase tickets at the ice cream or kitchen register.

Jackson’s Orchard Playground
Jackson’s Orchard is well known for their delicious variety of apples, peaches and plums they grow on orchard grounds. While admission to the grounds come at no cost, for the price of $3 you can gain entry to their large farm-style playground for the entire day! Take a walk around the grounds, maybe even bring a book or activity and soak in the sun! Their Apple Kitchen also offers affordable dining options from BBQ sandwiches to chicken salad and their signature apple cider slushy, fried pies and soft serve mixed with fresh fruit inclusions.

Browsing Antique Stores
If you are looking to get the best bang for your buck shopping, Bowling Green is not shy of great locations for thrifting, consignment, antiquing and flea markets! Start at Flea Land, Kentucky’s largest indoor flea market to browse their seemingly endless row of booths. Head on over to Smiths Grove to discover the antique shops of Main Street, Sly Coffee & Vintage, The Foxhole, Smalls on Main and Marigold Vintage are all great locations to hunt for a bargain! Don’t forget to check out local antique stores like Vette City Antique Mall, Dibs On and Off Broadway and Consignment Corner for more hidden gem finds!