Coming back for homecoming as a WKU alum? Here are some spots that have opened up around town in the past couple of years, or have new additions!
Food & Drink
Lily May Bourbon Company
Located in downtown Bowling Green, Lily May Bourbon Company is a bourbon bar and restaurant that opened in late 2025. It offers its own signature wheated bourbon, cocktails, and food menu. With a welcoming atmosphere and a location right next to SKYPAC, it is a great spot to check out for lunch, dinner, or drinks downtown.
The Good Rind
The Good Rind is a specialty cheese shop and lunch spot that offers a curated selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and specialty food. Visitors can stop in for salads, sandwiches, and grab and go picnic boxes. Whether you’re grabbing lunch with a friend or picking up a spread for tailgating, The Good Rind is a must visit for your trip back to Bowling Green!
Salento - Sweet Milk - Mad Taco - Velvet Oak
Lovers Lane has welcomed several new additions to Bowling Greens dining scene! Stop by Salento Italia for comforting Italian favorites such as fresh pasta and pizza, or visit Sweet Milk for Southern style breakfast and lunch classics. Mad taco offers bold tacos, burritos, and margaritas in a fun atmosphere. You can also explore Velvet Oak, a liquor and tasting shop offering a variety of spirits, wines, and more.
Storybook Cafe
Need a calm morning before the big game? Storybook Cafe is the perfect place to slow down and stay awhile. This unique coffee shop and used bookstore combines fresh coffee, baked goods, and shelves full of pre-loved books. On select days, you can even trade in gently used books for store credit, making it a fun stop for book and coffee lovers!
Danny’s Italian
Looking to add a little taste of Italy to your homecoming weekend? Danny's Italian, located downtown, is a great spot to add to your list. Known for its wood fired pizza, fresh made pasta, and delicious dessert, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Whether you are catching up with old friends or enjoying a family dinner, Danny's is the perfect atmosphere and worth making time for.
Boca Tacos
Craving tacos? Boca Tacos is the place for you! With a wide menu offering anything from street tacos to quesabirras to loaded fries, and even soft serve margaritas. They offer specialty cocktails, margaritas, and tequila options that have become a fan favorite. They also offer refreshing nonalcoholic options such as cucumber lemonade, horchata, hibiscus tea, and pina fresca.
Atomic Kitchen
Step back into the 80s at Atomic Kitchen, a retro inspired restaurant in downtown Bowling Green. Filled with nostalgic movie memorabilia, throwback decor, and arcade games, it’s just as much an experience as it is a place to eat. The menu features creative burgers, sandwiches, and sweet treats, making it a fun spot to catch up with old friends and enjoy something new on your visit back to Bowling Green.
Attractions & Stores
The Shack Mini Golf
Looking for a fun activity to enjoy after the fun of homecoming is over? The Shack Mini Golf is a great spot to gather your friends for a friendly competition! This outdoor 18 hole mini golf course features waterfalls, a cave, and other fun course elements along with additional games like cornhole and ping pong. The Shack also offers a great food menu featuring favorites such as chili dogs, personal pizzas, and chocolate covered bananas.
Sonic Landscape
In the heart of The Hill, make sure to visit the Kentucky Museum and explore Sonic Landscape: The Musical Legacy of Southcentral Kentucky! This exhibit celebrates the region's music history through photographs, instruments, and stories from the artists who helped shape its sound. From bluegrass legends like Bill Monroe and Sam Bush to Bowling Green favorites like Cage the Elephant and Nappy Roots, it’s a fun way to discover the musical roots of the community you called home.
Purple Toad Winery & Distillery
One of Bowling Green’s newest spots to explore is Purple Toad Winery and Distillery. Just a short drive from campus, this tasting room offers free wine and spirit tastings, handcrafted cocktails, and a variety of wines to discover. Whether you’re catching up with friends over homecoming weekend or looking for something new to experience in your visit, Purple Toad is a fun addition to your BG itinerary.
Amothecary
Located on Fountain Square, Amothecary is home to curios galore. From entomology art pinned by the owner herself to a large collection of taxidermy. Amothecary also has a beautiful array of unique jewlery, candles and home decor. This store carries a little bit of everything and is just waiting to be explored!
Dove & Olive Boutique
Another shop located in downtown Bowling Green on Fountain Square, Dove and Olive is the perfect place to shop trending women's styles. From casual everyday clothes to statement dresses and Hilltopper red pieces perfect for hoco, Dove & Olive carries styles made for the modern woman. Stop by to upgrade your style just in time for the big game!
Old Favorites
While new places are always fun to visit, it’s nice to go back to a long time favorite. Read about these local staples and their new additions.
Spencer’s Coffee
Spencers Coffee is a local favorite coffee shop that has been a staple since 2001. While they are still serving long time favorites, they have a new fall menu featuring the harvest moon latte, pumpkin chocolate chip cookie, and their oatmilk chai cream pie. This is a great excuse to stop back by your favorite coffee spot and try their new items!
Aviation Heritage Park
Aviation Heritage Park is a Bowling Green favorite that continues to give visitors new reasons to explore local history. While it has been around for a while, they rotate exhibits and make additions often. They have expanded their exhibits including the Heroes Homecoming exhibit which celebrates the bravery and service of Southcentral Kentucky aviators. You can also explore the aircraft outdoors and step inside the museum to discover new stories and experiences. Best of all, admission is free, making it an easy addition to your homecoming week plans!
Hickory and Oak
A longtime downtown favorite, Hickory and Oak has something new for the next generation of Hilltoppers! The restaurant has introduced a kids menu, making it easier for families to enjoy a meal together while exploring Bowling Green. Known for its elevated take on southern flavors, Hickory and Oak is a great spot to visit on your trip back to Bowling Green.
Historic City Trolley Tours
Whether you’re a Hilltopper returning for homecoming or a first time visitor, BG Trolley Tours offer a fun way to see Bowling Green from a new perspective! While the tours aren’t too new, it does provide a great way to see what has changed around town. Operated by the Historic Railpark, these fully narrated tours take you past local landmarks while sharing stories about the city's history. This 90 minute experience is a great way to learn something new about Bowling Green.
Fountain Square Park
Fountain Square Park has always been a Bowling Green staple, but the surrounding square continues to offer new places to explore! While you’re back in town for homecoming, explore newer local favorites such as Thirsty's Drink Stop for a specialty soda, as well as Amothecary, a unique shop featuring fossils, insect art, and other unusual finds.
Need more ideas? Just head over to our Things to Do and Events pages for all kinds of fun activities. Then, make sure to find a hotel and some great restaurants.
Make sure to stay in the know on all things BG by subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter, and you can always Request a Visitors Guide to help you plan your next BGKY adventure.