US Military History Attractions in Bowling Green
Tennessee Tourism Sites Honor Veterans and Military Heritage
Nov 9, 2009
Located just an hour north of Nashville, TN along Interstate 65, Bowling Green is home to Western Kentucky University (WKU) as well as the National Corvette Museum. Known for its unique cave system, the college town also is recognized for hosting Kentucky's only underground boat tour at Lost River Cave. All of these venues (and more) are included in the Salute & Stay military attraction itinerary organized through the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Salute & Stay Includes Unique Variety of U.S. Military History Attractions
With tours of planes, trains, automobiles – and even caves – Bowling Green's celebration of U.S. military history is like no other. Salute & Stay offers engaging and interactive explorations into U.S. military history, including stops at some familiar Bowling Green landmarks as well as new sites like the Aviation Heritage Park, recent host of the traveling Wall That Heals exhibit, which brought thousands of visitors to Bowling Green to honor fallen Vietnam War soldiers.
The area's role in the Civil War is highlighted, as well as the sacrifices made by soldiers in the Korean War, the Vietnam War and World Wars I and II. Local hotels and attractions offer special rates and discounts to active and retired military personnel.
Included in the Salute & Stay itinerary are:
- Aviation Heritage Park – on display is a fully restored F-4D Phantom airplane, which was flown by Bowling Green native General Dan Cherry, who was recently featured on CBS Evening News. Cherry's reunion with Nguyen Hong My, the Vietnamese pilot whom he shot down while flying the Phantom in April of 1969, is an amazing story of reconciliation told via radio broadcast, which visitors can tune in to while touring the park.
- Lost River Cave– this first stop on Bowling Green's Civil War Discovery Trail includes entertaining stories of how Lost River Cave and Valley played host to Civil War soldiers. Visitors can explore the valley's beautiful hiking trails, go panning for gems and take an underground boat tour.
- Kentucky Library & Museum– Located on the campus of WKU, the Kentucky Library & Museum features artifacts, including John Hunt Morgan’s saddle. A simulated Civil War campsite, slave cabin, Victorian photo studio and more add to the experience. Nearby Ft. Lytle features remnants of the original fortification among embankments and trenches.
- National Corvette Museum – Visitors will enjoy the National Corvette Museum, a 115,000 square foot tribute to America's popular sports car, where they are welcomed by a military-themed scale model Corvette. On permanent display is one of Chuck Jaeger's pace cars, which was driven by the retired USAF General who was the first pilot to break the speed of sound.
The Historic Railpark and Train Museum, which currently hosts a Civil War Medal of Honor, is also a part of Salute & Stay, as is the Warren County Courthouse in Bowling Green’s historic downtown, which features a bronze memorial that pays tribute to each military branch. The 125-foot Guthrie Bell Tower on WKU's campus honors all who lost their lives in the line of duty. In addition, a veteran’s memorial in Fairview Cemetery remembers local fallen soldiers.
Convenient, Affordable Destinations Make Bowling Green a Must-Stop For Military History Buffs
Bowling Green is just a short drive from Nashville and Louisville, making it an ideal stop for travelers along Interstate 65. With enough attractions to satisfy visitors of all ages, it's worth a trip to explore the unique history and geography of a region that offers affordable travel destinations and unique interpretations of the area's culture and military history.
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