Geared for Nostalgia Bowling Green Itinerary

Bowling Green is a great town brimming with all the Americana nostalgic vibes! From a quaint downtown with local shops, to vintage Corvettes at the National Corvette Museum, this list of nostalgic things to do in Bowling Green is for the visitor who yearns for the good 'ole days and prefers the vintage style!

Day 1

Fuel up at the hotel before heading out to browse collectibles, peek under the hood of Corvette's history, pose for photos at a 1921 gas station, stroll around the historic downtown square, and admire an art-deco theatre.

Stop 1

Start your day off at Flea Land and its adjacent 12,000 sq. ft. antique mall where hundreds of booths offer candy for the eyes with items ranging from collectibles and glassware to vintage gifts and accessories. Be sure to check out the huge display of automotive marketing memorabilia! Sometimes, the best souvenir is that one-of-a-kind trinket.

  • 1100 Three Springs Rd
  • (270) 843-1978

Kentucky's largest indoor, climate-controlled flea market (open Saturday & Sunday) features over 85,000 sq. ft. of selections including collectibles, crafts, clothing and specialty items. Additional 12,000 sq. ft. antique mall (open daily), food court, and covered outdoor market…

Stop 2

The next stop parks you at BG's flagship attraction, the National Corvette Museum, where you can get up close and personal with Corvettes from across the generations! Pick out your favorite style and read about that specific car's history and owners. Sorry, you can't take one for a test drive... unless you're picking up your new one and have scheduled track time at the NCM Motorsports Park! Have lunch at one of the fast-food spots around the museum or head into downtown BG to fuel up for the afternoon.

  • 350 Corvette Drive
  • (270) 781-7973

This home for America’s Sports Car, consistently ranked in the top three "Best Attractions for Car Lovers" in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice awards, features over 70 Corvettes showcased in periodic settings. See mint classics, prototypes, rare finds and racing champs in the…

Stop 3

Head downtown via US 31W South and turn left onto 7th Avenue to arrive at the next site, one of the Dixie Highway's original filling stations. This 1921 Standard Oil Station (header image above) now serves as public restrooms for the adjacent Circus Square Park.

Stop 4

Next, cruise the square like they did "back in the day" and admire historic buildings dating back to the Civil War that now house boutiques, eateries, bars, specialty shops and more. Sit a spell in charming Fountain Square Park and listen to the water gently splashing... don't forget to make a wish! 

  • 445 E. Main Avenue

Recently restored, the iconic fountain in downtown Bowling Green is a must-see for any newcomer to town! The park also underwent renovations with another phase expected soon, so Fountain Square Park is truly the polished gem of Bowling Green and one of the city's top spots for…

Stop 5

If your visit falls on the right date, you may be lucky enough to catch a performance or gallery showing at the Capitol Arts Center. Beginning as a theatre and movie house in the early 1900s, growing through razing and rebuilding and two renovations, the Capitol has maintained the integrity of the arts and history in this area.

  • 416 East Main Ave.
  • (270) 904-6040

Operated by Warren County Public Library, this historic theatre in the downtown district features a 750-seat auditorium and Capitol Books used bookstore. Throughout the year Capitol Arts Center hosts a full schedule of local and touring arts performances, concerts, films, and…

Day 2

Head out in the country for a home-cooked breakfast, explore our railroad history, meet the man behind the cake mix, and browse vintage movie posters to round out this trip down memory lane.

Stop 1

For some of the best breakfast to fuel up for the day, you'll need to include a Friday or Saturday morning in your trip to indulge at Wild Eggs!

 

  • 804 Campbell Lane Suite 100
  • (270) 599-1649

Wild Eggs offers a fresh, contemporary approach to traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch, offering items such as Eggs Benedict, Apple Bourbon Crepes, Chorizo Biscuits and Gravy and a 1/2 pound Reuben sandwich. The friendly service and unique, upscale food have made it a BG…

Stop 2

Travel back in time at your next stop to the glory days of railroad transportation. Hear tales from the tracks as entertaining docents lead you through vintage railcars, including the Duncan Hines Diner... you'll learn more about him at Stop 3!

  • 401 Kentucky Street
  • (270) 745-7317

Long before interstates, people visiting Bowling Green arrived at the L&N Passenger Depot constructed from Warren County limestone. This 1925 structure has been restored and revived to house a two-story self-guided museum where visitors can learn the history of the tracks by…

Stop 3

Venture a little further down Kentucky Street to explore more of the area's history with a stop at the Kentucky Museum. The quirky Duncan Hines Exhibit is what lands it a spot on this itinerary... yes, he was a real person born, raised and buried in Bowling Green!

  • 1444 Kentucky Street
  • (270) 745-2592

If you think the Bluegrass state is only horses and bourbon, then step into this 80,000 sq. ft. museum celebrating all aspects of South-Central Kentucky’s art, history, and culture. Current exhibits focus on issues such as women's role in politics, "Crazy Quilt Mania", the art…

Stop 4

All this talk about Duncan Hines means a bakery is in store! Head downtown to women-owned Little Fox Bakery and be sure to grab a few extra cupcakes or macarons to take home!

Stop 5

Call it a wrap after you are wowed by the collection of TV and movie memorabilia housed at Artistic Soul Studio, unless your visit is during one of the BG Hot Rods home stretches. If so, don't miss the chance at catching a Professional Minor League baseball game between April and September.

  • 1014 E. 11th Avenue
  • (270) 991-0614

Artistic Soul Studio is open by appointment only at this time, but it also features an Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtisticSoulStudio that offers shipping. Artistic Soul Studio features a large accumulation of posters, acquired from film festivals since 1990, over 1,500…

  • 300 8th Avenue
  • (270) 901-2121

Watch a Professional Minor League Baseball game while visiting BG! The Bowling Green Hot Rods bring affordable family entertainment to the state-of-the-art downtown ballpark. Affiliated with the Tampa Rays, they play around 70 home games each season, each one fueled for fun for…

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