South Central Kentucky Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

About 3.5 miles into the Mammoth Caves Railroad Trail (staying at the Visitors Center) is Sloan's Crossing Pond. Beautiful! #outdoors #kentucky #hiddengem #nationalpark
About 3.5 miles into the Mammoth Caves Railroad Trail (staying at the Visitors Center) is Sloan's Crossing Pond. Beautiful! #outdoors #kentucky #hiddengem #nationalpark
Abandoned
Absolutely mesmerizing... This, from the "Domes and Dripstones" tour.
Welcome to Kentucky. Travelling back to New Brunswick (April 2016) Google says this is in Portland Tennessee which is 5 miles from Franklin Kentucky.

Where to stay in South Central Kentucky

Default Image

College Hill Historic District

If you're spending some time in College Hill Historic District, Barren River Imaginative Museum of Science and Brims Children s Museum are top sights worth seeing.

College Hill Historic District
On a road trip with my daughter we made a side trip to the square in Bowling Green. I really liked this statue mainly due to the fact I was there with her and she has a true love for reading. Fountain Square Park is well done and a beautiful quick side trip.

Downtown Bowling Green

While visiting Downtown Bowling Green, you might make a stop by sights like Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center and Bowling Green Ballpark.

Downtown Bowling Green
Default Image

Eastland Park

While there might not be top attractions in Eastland Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like CrossWinds Golf Course and Carroll Knicely Conference Center.

Eastland Park
Default Image

Shawnee Estates

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Shawnee Estates and surrounding area, you can visit Lost River Cave and Carroll Knicely Conference Center.

Shawnee Estates
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green

3 out of 5
1953 Mel Browning Street Bowling Green KY
The price is ₹6,878 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
₹6,878
₹7,801 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bowling Green. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,107 reviews)
We love the mattress at La Quinta!

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green
Drury Inn & Suites Bowling Green

Drury Inn & Suites Bowling Green

3 out of 5
3250 Scottsville Road Bowling Green KY
The price is ₹9,636 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
₹9,636
₹10,929 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bowling Green. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,111 reviews)
It was a great stay and the hotel and staff were very friendly.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Drury Inn & Suites Bowling Green
Holiday Inn University Plaza-Bowling Green by IHG

Holiday Inn University Plaza-Bowling Green by IHG

3 out of 5
1021 Wilkinson Trce Bowling Green KY
The price is ₹8,279 per night from 24 Jan to 25 Jan
₹8,279
₹9,390 total
24 Jan - 25 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bowling Green. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free local area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Always have a great experience with our stay at this Holiday Inn.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Holiday Inn University Plaza-Bowling Green by IHG
See all 1,422 properties in South Central Kentucky
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Maple Retreat at Park Mammoth

The Maple Retreat at Park Mammoth

3 out of 5
1 Jagni Lp Park City KY
Stay at this golf cabin in Park City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cave Valley Golf Club and Park Mammoth Golf ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
Very Accommodating
Very Accommodating, I didn’t realize when I booked that the one we booked did not have a TV. They let us switch to one that was bigger and had multiple TV at no additional charge.

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

The Maple Retreat at Park Mammoth
Kozy Haven Log Cabin Rentals

Kozy Haven Log Cabin Rentals

3 out of 5
1561 Hwy 55 S Rd Columbia KY
Stay at this family-friendly cabin in Columbia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a picnic area.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (43 reviews)
Small cozy cabin. Very clean. Only here overnight. Dog is happy, friendly precocious cat hanging around.

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Kozy Haven Log Cabin Rentals
See all properties in South Central Kentucky
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

Journey toward the center of the earth as you discover the world’s largest known cave system, one of Kentucky’s great hidden secrets.

Mammoth Cave National Park
If you like the Corvette this is the place for you. The assembly plant is across the street and also offers tours.

National Corvette Museum

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Visit the top-notch restaurants or cosy cafes in this family-friendly area.

National Corvette Museum
1.7 mile trail and u can see the Cumberland falls and Eagle Falls I one trip...great few

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park

Explore the great outdoors at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, a lovely green space in Jamestown. Stroll along the lakeside or seek out the fishing spots.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
Old Friends at Kentucky Downs is a Thoroughbred Horse retirement farm, Sadly when these beautiful animals are no longer of value in the racing industry many of them do not fair well. Fortunately there is a place like Old Friends where more more than a hundred of these fine animals have retired in horsey style luxury. This is a must see if you are in Northern Kentucky!!

Kentucky Downs

Why not try your luck with a visit to Kentucky Downs during your time in Franklin? While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the cafes and restaurants.

Kentucky Downs
Dinosaur World, if it must be labeled a tourist trap, it's most definitely a high end tourist trap with over 150 life size fiberglass dinosaur sculptures spread along a wooded path over 20 acres.

Dinosaur World

You can take time to visit Dinosaur World during your travels to Cave City. You can seek out the horse riding in this walkable area.

Dinosaur World
On a road trip with my daughter we made a side trip to the square in Bowling Green. I really liked this statue mainly due to the fact I was there with her and she has a true love for reading. Fountain Square Park is well done and a beautiful quick side trip.

Fountain Square Park

Fountain Square Park is just one of the places to see in Bowling Green, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area or seek out the bowling alleys.

Fountain Square Park

Cities near South Central Kentucky

Nestled in the middle of mennonite country hidden treasure reign.

Scottsville

View from Indian Fort Overlook Berea Pinnacles.

Berea

Our two zipline tour guides were perfect, though we got the impression that they aren't normally the ones directing people through the treetops. They described the place as a pumpkin farm, but let me tell you, folks, it is so much more than that! Sitting on 200 acres of land, they also had a rock climbing wall, corn maze (of Luke Bryan!), activities geared towards kids, and so on and so forth. Highly recommend if you're near Nashville!

Springfield

Stunning view of the Rockcastle River.

Somerset

Explore a world of travel with Expedia