Summer is the perfect season to dedicate more time to fun activities. Businesses and organizations throughout Bowling Green have created events to fill up the entire summer with entertainment from amusement parks, music, and even ziplining.

Attend a free concert series

The BB&T Concerts in the Park is a free local series occurring every summer, presented by BB&T and the Downtown Redevelopment Authority. The concerts take place every Friday starting June 25 until Sep. 10 at Circus Square Park. This year’s lineup includes Dizzorderly Conduct, Live Wire, and Fatbox. 

Visit a museum

Bowling Green has several museums that can cater to anyone’s interests from art to cars, including the famous National Corvette Museum, the Kentucky Museum, Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum. 

Visit Lost River Cave

Lost River Cave has the only underground boat tour in Kentucky where the guides share stories of Native Americans, Civil War troops, and the notorious Jesse James. The Flying Squirrel Zipline is another fun activity to do while visiting Lost River Cave, people are able to zip through treetops and the valley’s largest hole surrounded by nature. Gem mining is available for any child. The Butterfly Habitat is a seasonal exhibit opening Memorial Day and closing Labor Day and is the perfect opportunity to learn more about monarchs, painted ladies and more. 

Visit Chaney’s Dairy Barn

Chaney’s Dairy Barn is something every Bowling Green native seems to cherish. Tours are available and anyone can purchase their famous ice cream, or stay for a whole meal to try the soups and hot sandwiches. During the summer, Chaney’s Dairy Barn hosts “Ice Cream & a Moovie” which is a free showing of a children’s movie including “Frozen,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and “Coco.” 

Splash around at Beech Bend Amusement Park & Splash Lagoon

Beech Bend has exciting roller coasters and refreshing water rides to offer. The 2021 season opened May 8 for each weekend until May 26, which is when the park begins to open daily until Aug. 3. The park has 40 rides including the Micheal Jackson’s Sea Dragon ride and the Kentucky Rumbler, an incredibly twisted roller coaster.

Catch a Hod Rods Baseball game

The Bowling Green Hot Rods bring affordable family entertainment to the state-of-the-art downtown ballpark, tickets start at eight dollars for adults, and children under two get in for free. The season takes place from April through Sep. and during that time frame, the Hot Rods play roughly 70 games.

Shop at Flea Land or other local consignment stores

Flea Land is Kentucky’s largest indoor flea market open every weekend. Flea Land offers over 85,000 square feet filled with vendors selling products. There is an antique mall located at Flea Land that is open daily, along with a food court so shoppers can grab a bite to eat. Bowling Green is home to several consignment stores including Elite Repeats, a women’s clothing and accessories consignment shop or Consignment Corner, a consignment shop with hundreds of booths. Consignment Corner sells everything from furniture, vintage clothing, WKU apparel and random collectible items. 

Go to a Parks and Recreation summer event

Throughout the summer, the Parks and Recreation of Bowling Green is hosting tennis camp sessions for youth and adults. Each session is $50 and is aimed to help people of all ages develop better tennis skills. 

Visit Russell Sims Aquatic Center

Starting May 30, the Russell Sims Aquatic Center will be open for children and people of all ages to splash around on. The center is open every weekday and Sundays from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. and from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Go to an event at the Warren County Public Library

The Public Library is hosting free events for all ages including “Do More Art,” which is targeted for teens to help destress by creating art, drive in storytimes, book discussions, and more. Throughout the summer, the library is hosting  a “Summer Celebration of Wild Adventure” which is a series of children’s events from puppet shows, a performance by The Wulfe Bros. and meetings with children’s book authors. 

The Public Library is hosting events at the Capitol Art Center throughout the summer. Movie showing, author discussion and more will take place specifically at the Capitol.

Digital News Editor Debra Murray can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @debramurrayy