Bowling Green, Paducah & Owensboro

Lost River Cave: Tucked away in the city of Bowling Green lies a natural wonder, a river that gets lost as it flows underground surrounded by over 60 acres of wooded trails. Kentucky’s only Underground Boat Tour and the enchanting Butterfly Habitat await you at Lost River Cave! Daylight disappears from view as you board the boat on the river that Ripley’s Believe It or Not claims is the shortest and deepest in the world. A comfortable 57 degrees year round, the boat tour offers a visit into the timeless world of a Kentucky natural wonder. The guided walking tour along the river’s edge brings alive stories of Native Americans, Early European settlers, Civil War troops and the notorious Jesse James.

Riverview at Hobson Grove: Enjoy spectacular views from the cupola while seeing how the Victorian upper class lived at Bowling Green’s historic house museum, Riverview at Hobson Grove. Built by Atwood and Juliet VanMeter Hobson on a hill overlooking the Barren River, this historic landmark has been restored to its original splendor and is listed on the National Register. An official site on the Civil War Discovery Trail, the house was used for storage of Confederate munitions when the Rebel forces held Bowling Green. 

Mammoth Cave National Park: As the world’s longest-known cave system with over 400 known miles of passageways, this natural wonder and World Heritage Site is just 30 minutes from Bowling Green. A variety of underground tours offer a glimpse at 350 million-year-old rocks and fascinating animals adapted to life in the dark. As the second-oldest tourist attraction in America, you will hear remarkable stories of human history including how African Americans played a vital role in developing both cave tours and the visitor experience.

Historic Railpark & Train Museum: 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 asking questions of a “real Railroader” through interactive galleries. Exhibits highlight the African American experience during segregation, the Civil War and the Railroad, the Business of the Railroad, and each showcases items used in the individual railcars.

The Lower Town Arts District, Paducah’s oldest neighbourhood, is famous for the award-winning Artist Relocation Program that prompted its colorful revitalization which continues today with the Paducah School of Art & Design campus. The Arts District is populated with working artists, students and artists-in-residence who add to the City’s vibrant artistic landscape. The work of Paducah’s resident artists can be viewed and purchased at various art galleries and collectives throughout the city including the Art Guild of Paducah, Yeiser Art Center, Bricolage Art Collective and Ochre.