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WEEKEND GETAWAY BY ANNIE LUST
It’s hard to think of anything but the university when you hear the words Bowling Green, but you don’t want to overlook the lively city itself. At its founding in 1832, Bowling Green was part of a massive wetland called the Great Black Swamp. Initially, the city’s growth was slow because of the difficult marsh conditions, but the wetlands were drained in the 1850s, allowing a bustling town to grow. Today, BG offers something for everyone — from the foodie to the history buff. Events, parades and plenty of local attractions make this a delightful destination for a mini vacation.
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EXPLORE There is so much variety in the fun things to do in Bowling Green. Snook’s Dream Cars is a must-see for car or history enthusiasts. It features a recreated 1940s-era Texaco gas station, a showroom of extensive automobile memorabilia and a car collection presented within period scenes ranging from a 1930s general store to a racetrack from the 1960s. Visit Carter Historic Farm, a Depression-era working farm and living history center, to experience rural agricultural life in the 1930s and 1940s. Bowling Green is a haven for winter sports, offering both Slater Family Ice Arena, where you can skate, play or watch hockey, and Black Swamp Curling Center, where anyone, young or old, can try their hand at curling. The university offers no shortage of exciting things to do, but one of the most interesting is the Bowling Green State University Planetarium. The 114-seat public science theater offers a 40-foot dome with video that can immerse you in the cosmos. The city hosts two nationally known events in warmer months: the National Tractor Pulling Championships in August and the Black Swamp Arts Festival in September.
