AROUND BG THINK YOU KNOW B OWLING GREE N?
W H AT ’ S I N A N A M E ? W E LCO M E to B OW L I N G GREEN, KY! Our community is a place where you can thrive. There are unlimited ways to experience the beautiful Bowling Green region. As your guide, we aim to give you a sampling of where to Eat, Play, and Shop. This is just your jumping off point and a glimpse of what Bowling Green has to offer. Check out the next few pages to learn how you can bounce around BG!
Many big names call Bowling Green home. Here are some of our favorites!
Hometown of great filmmaker John Carpenter, famous for his Halloween series. There are 17 BG locations that inspired him. Household name Duncan Hines gained popularity from his travel guides Recommended by Duncan Hines and cake mixes.
Check out the SOUNDS OF BG Born in Bowling Green, ragtime icon Ernest Hogan was the first African-American entertainer to produce and star in a Broadway show, The Oyster Man in 1907. Sam Bush, three-time Grammy Award winning vocalist and mandolinist, is known as the “Father of Newgrass.” Chris Carmichael is a composer, recording artist, and singer/songwriter who lives in Bowling Green. He has won 7 Grammy Awards and worked with Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and more! And don’t forget our Grammy-winning Rolling Stone rockers Cage the Elephant, a few hometown guys.
uare Fountain Sq
In the 1820’s our first printed paper was aptly named Spirit of the Times and that rich tradition lives on today as Bowling Green continues to grow while still honoring its rich history.
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USA Today recognized Chaney’s Dairy Barn for the best ice cream in the state.
Featured in Southern Living, Country Living, and Garden & Gun, check out The Pie Queen of BG; your taste buds will thank you!
Did you look under there? We just made you say underwear! Speaking of underwear, BG is Home to Fruit of the Loom Global Headquarters.
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We’ll race you! BG is the Home of America’s most iconic sports car - The Corvette.
It’s easy to bring home the bacon in BG. Tyson Foods makes enough bacon each year to wrap around the world 12 times!
STAY IN THE KNOW: BG DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
@downtownbgky BG WORKS
@bgkyworks BGACC
@bgchamber VISIT BGKY (CVB)
@VisitBGKY
W RK HERE
We aren’t just another pretty face; we get down to business. Let us be the place for your business aspirations.
GOING CORPORATE? Houchens Industries, one of the world’s largest employee-owned companies is headquartered here. We are also the global headquarters of Fruit of the Loom.
ARE YOU HIGH ENERGY? Join the racing ranks of Holley Performance Products, the global leader in aftermarket performance products.
20.8 Minutes Average Commute Time 1 hour 10 min from Nashville, TN; 1 hour 53 min from Louisville, KY
WANT TO SPREAD YOUR WINGS? There are over 60 international companies from 14 countries located in South Central Kentucky. Start here and let the world be your oyster!
3.5% Historic Unemployment Rate
MORE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDED? Forbes ranked us among the best places to start a business. Join our diverse group of locally-owned businesses to find success with your bright idea.
ARE YOU MOTIVATED BY SEEING THE TANGIBLE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR? South Central Kentucky boasts a manufacturing sector that is twice the national average. We have everything from Snuggle fabric softener to Delta faucets to Tyson bacon – that’s right, we said bacon!
COME FOR A Weekend OR AN EdUcation AND STAY FOR A Lifetime WITH OUR DIVERSE
BUSINESS SECTOR HOLDING YOUR NEW CAREER!
$800-$1499 Average Range of Property Tax
TWO TOP EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: Western Kentucky University with 18,171 Students; Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College with 4,482 Students
LIVE HERE People • 128,652 people in Warren County • 302,859 people in South Central Kentucky • 18.3% growth rate over the last 10 years • 32% growth was attributed to new Americans
VIBRANT LIFESTYLE
Outdoors
Our parks cover over 800 acres of land and include playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, disc golf, and more: • Mammoth Cave National Park boasts 53,000 acres, multiple hiking trails, Blueway National Trail, and mountain biking • Two lakes within a 30-minute drive (Barren River and Rough River)
Cost of Living Sports • Cost of living index 89% • Median household income $52,270 • Median home value $167,600
25 Park Locations!
Bowling Green is the ultimate choice for amateur, youth, and recreational sports:
• 7 golf courses • 3 recreation centers • Hot Rods baseball (minor league feeder team for the Tampa Bay Rays) • Home to the Mid-South Conference which hosts over 300 collegiate events per year
Arts & Leisure
Quality entertainment in Bowling Green:
• 1800-seat, state-of-the-art Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center and Capitol Arts Theatre • National Corvette Museum and NCM Motorsports Park • Downing Museum at Baker Arboretum • Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon and Raceway • Downtown festivals and more!
GET OUTDO RS We are ranked 1st in the state and 8th in the nation for disc golf – check out one of the three courses
South Central Kentucky is an outdoor adventure mecca!
WILLING TO BRANCH OUT?
Fun Day Trips
We are home to seven golf courses, all with PGA pros! • Grab Fido and head to the Bark Park, part of H.P. Thomas Park • Lace up your sneakers and hit the walking trails at Kereiakes Park or the Riverwalk • Try your hand in our state-of-the-art indoor tennis center at Buchanon Park • Hiking more your pace? Explore Lost River Cave • Don’t forget to suit up and hit the water and the slides at Russell Sims Aquatic Center • Going all in? Beech Bend Amusement Park and Splash Lagoon Water Park will keep the kid in you alive
Drop in the Boyce General Store for a trip back in time and mom’s home cooking – BG’s Pie Queen will have something delectable for you Rent a boat or grab your kayak and explore your way around Barren River Lake State Park South Central Kentucky is home to the world’s largest cave system plus miles of hiking and biking trails – Mammoth Cave National Park Make sure to catch a meal with John and Sebrina at Paradise Point Marketplace If antiquing is your thing, Smith’s Grove Antique District will be right up your alley
FUN THINGS TO DO • BEECH BEND AMUSEMENT PARK & SPLASH LAGOON • CHANEY’S DAIRY BARN (Best Ice Cream Parlor in Kentucky by USA Today)
• JACKSON’S ORCHARD • NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM (USA Today Best Attraction for car lovers)
• RUSSELL SIMS AQUATIC CENTER
Food Trucks! • BOURBON & BREWFEST • CONCERTS IN THE PARK SERIES - Summer Downtown
• DUNCAN HINES FESTIVAL • HOLLEY LS FEST EAST • INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Brewfest BOUrbon &
Internationa
l Festival
FESTIVALS & CITY-WIDE EVENTS
D OW N TOW N , B OW L I N G G R E E N
in Fountalayers eP Squar
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FOUNTAIN ROW
SHAKERAG DISTRICT
RIVERFRONT DISTRICT
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Teresa’s
2 Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q 3 Ski Daddy’s 4 Lisa’s 5th Street Diner 5 Local Taco 6 Tra Di Noi 7 Garcia’s Grill 8 Lunch Box Café 9 G Dogs 10 Danny’s Pasta 11 Pastiche Provisions 12 Hickory & Oak 13 Café Kindness 14 Gerard’s 1907 Tavern 15 The 30 Bird 16 Alley Pub & Pizza 17 440 Main Restaurant 18 The Bistro 19 Thai Thai 20 Meltdown Ice Cream 21 Mellow Mushroom
DRINK
P L AY
SHOP
26 Spillway Bar & Grill
43 Riverview Golf Course, Hobson House Museum, & Disc Golf
57 S&M Woods & Wares 58 SoKY Marketplace
27 White Squirrel Brewery 28 The Derby Stage 29 3 Brothers 30 Donna’s 31 Spencer’s Coffee Downtown 32 Cliffs of Moher Irish Pub 33 Micki’s on Main 34 Brew Co Underground 35 Dublin’s Irish Pub 36 The Copper Bar 37 Tidball’s 38 Hilligan’s
45 Riverwalk at Mitch McConnell Park 46 BG Skate Park 47 BG Hot Rods 48 SKyPAC 49 The Spot 50 Circus Square Park 51 Capitol Arts Center 52 WARCO Public Library
39 Hideout
53 Public Theater of Kentucky
40 Alley Cat Bar & Grill
54 Barre Co.
41 Spencer’s Coffee
55 Ogden Park
42 Blue Holler Brewery
56 African American Museum
PHOTO OP
22 Oriental Steakhouse
27 White Squirrel Brewery Anna’s Greek Restaurant 23 69 Balloon-A-Gram 24 The Bike Rack Bistro 73 Fountain 25 Boba Lounge & Cafe
44 Historic RailPark & Train Museum
Square Players
59 Morris Jewelry 60 The Pots Place 61 Capitol Books 62 Barbara Stewart Interiors 63 Mary Jane’s Chocolates 64 Becky Brooks Vintage 65 BG Pipe & Cigar 66 Golden Farley 67 Back Down South 68 Candle Makers on the Square 69 Balloon-A-Gram 70 Umoja International Market 71 Consignment Corner 72 Beverly Hills Bargain Boutique
GAT E WAY & B G G LO BA L
Love BGKY
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GATEWAY DISTRICT
BG GLOBAL MARKETPLACE
GAT E WAYGAT D I SETWAY R I C T& B G G LO BA L E AT 1
Cambridge Market & Cafe
2 Sho Express
P L AY
SHOP
9 Hot Yoga
15 Howard’s Cycling & Fitness 16 FHG Clothiers
3 Novo Dolce
10 True Fables Pottery 11 Mind Bender Escape Rooms
4 El Mazatlan
12 Board & Brush
18 Deemer Floral Company
5 Burger & Bowl
13 Kereiakes Park Disc Golf Course
19 Steel Mill & Co. Boutique
6 Riley’s Bakery 7 Great American Donut Shop 8 The 30 Bird
14 The Paint’n Place
17 Embellish Home
20 Nutrition Center 21 Dixieland Boutique 22 Heart Strings & Chatters
P H OTO O P
23 Michelle’s Consignment Boutique
27 Cemetery Chapel
24 Rian’s Fatted Calf Meat Shoppe
28 Eiffel Tower Replica
25 Lulu’s Fine Home Furnishings 26 The Junkery
B G G LO BA L M A R K E T P L AC E E AT 1
La Placita Antojitos
2 Behar Cafe 3 Taqueria Los Vazquez 4 Que Pasa Michoacana 5 Los 3 Volcanes 6 Zogam Khai 7 Ebenezer Restaurant 8 ConCon’s 9 Mex Out
DRINK
SHOP
10 Valentino Coffee & Bar
15 Abby’s International African Market 16 African International Market
P L AY 11 Downing Museum & Baker Arboretum 12 Lampkin Park 13 Preston Miller Park & Russell Sims Aquatic Center Disc Golf Course, Outdoor Gym, Sand Volleyball Courts, Water Park
14 Conundrum Workshop
17 Annie African Market and Design 18 S. Kivu African Market 19 Carniceria Cuatepec Meat Shop 20 Mercadito Hispano 21 LungDam Market Inc. 22 Jasmine International Store 23 Teeltui Zuasiam Asian Market 24 Mercadito Latino 5 Estrellas 25 Almadina International Market
A R E A 231
Aviation He
ritage Par
Racehorse Mural at Thoroughbred Square
k
E AT
DRINK
SHOP
2 Amigos Kitchen
15 Pub by Novo
37 Mellow Matt’s Music & More
2 JD’s Kitchen & Bakery
22 BG Shakery
38 Flowers on the Corner
3 Griff’s Deli
39 Nat’s Outdoor Sports
4 Montana Grille
23 Cue Time Cocktails & Billiards
5 Toro
24 Finish Line Sports Bar & Grill
6 Double Dogs
25 Q Coffee Emporium
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7 Groovy Gus Mini Donuts 8 India Oven 9 Geno’s Italian Deli
P L AY
10 Mr. B’s Pizza & Wings
26 Covington Woods Park
11 Rafferty’s
27 Paul Walker Golf Course
12 Cocomo Confections
28 Bowling Green Athletic Club
13 Beet Box
29 Cross Winds Golf Course
14 Speeza
40 Bowling Green Farmers’ Market 41 Musician’s Pro 42 Replay Toys 43 Pappagallo 44 The Purple Door Boutique 45 BG Home Furnishings 46 MacKenzie’s Flowers 47 The Pink Lily Boutique 48 Fruit of the Loom Brand Shop Outlet
15 Pub by Novo
30 Lovers Lane Disc Golf Course
16 Garcia’s Grill
31 Ellis Walker Gallery
50 Kenzie Parker
17 Bruster’s Ice Cream
32 Regal Theaters
51 Flea Land
18 Samurai Steak & Sushi 19 El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
33 Southern Lanes 34 BG Skate
20 Shin Yuki
35 Basil Griffin Park
21 Doug’s Motor City Bar & Grill
36 Phil Moore Park
49 Jewelry Barn
P H OTO O P 52 Mini Corvette at Holiday Inn 53 Racehorse Mural 54 Aviation Heritage Park
LO S T R I V E R
Lost River Cave
E AT 1
Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant
2 Gigi’s Cupcakes
P L AY
SHOP
14 Preston Miller Park & Russell Sims Aquatic Center
17 Lost River Gift Shop 22 Community Farmers Market
Disc Golf Course, Outdoor Gym, Sand Volleyball Courts, Water Park
3 Fuel Nutrition
15 Chuck Crume Nature Park
23 Goodwill
4 Shogun Bistro
16 Be Happy Yoga and Salt Cave
24 Saigon Asian Market
5 Simply Ramen 6 Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant 7 Sam’s Gyros 8 Que Pasa Tacos 9 Lost River Pizza
DRINK 10 Overtime Sports Bar
25 Chaney’s Dairy Barn
17 Lost River
Park, Trails, Cave Tour, Zip Line, Butterfly House
P H OTO O P
18 Vertical eXcape
17 Lost River Bridge
19 Michael O. Buchanon Park
+ Butterfly Wings
Basketball Courts, Volleyball Courts, Batting Cages, Tennis Complex, Racquetball, Pickleball, Football/ Soccer Field, Indoor Playground
22 Community Farmers Market 25 Chaney’s Dairy Barn
20 Bark Park 21 Regal Theaters
11 Preservation Tasting Room 12 Good Stuff Coffee 13 Q Coffee Emporium
Dairy Chaney’s
Barn
Commun Farmers maity rket
I T’S TIME TO MAKE B OWLING GREE N YOUR HOME