Over the past few years, we’ve been telling you about the frightful amounts of fall fun visitors can have when they come to Bowling Green, Kentucky, the childhood home of horror film director John Carpenter.
This year, though, we’re taking the scare level back to a G-rating as we provide a glimpse into the more family-friendly aspects of a fall trip to Kentucky’s third-largest city. And by G-rating, we mean you’ll find the three best G’s of the season … gourds, goodies and ghosts.
To us, the perfect weekend getaway in Bowling Green with your little goblins includes these highlights:
GOURDS
Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery: Since 1966, the Jackson family has been welcoming visitors to their farm. Running every Saturday (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (from 1 to 5 p.m.) in October, the orchard’s Pumpkin Festival means hayrides to the pumpkin patch, corn maze and pick-your-own apple orchard; games; pony rides; a petting zoo; and an array of fantastic food. (Insider tip: Do NOT miss the caramel apples.)
Scarecrow Trail at Lost River Cave: The cave, which runs underneath downtown Bowling Green and is visited via a boat (yes!) is a fantastic experience all year round … but especially in this season when we’re all ready to have a little fun in the dark. But there’s also above-ground entertainment here in the form of walking trails, which get even more perfect in the fall.
That’s when local families, businesses and organizations create themed scarecrows to greet visitors. Between October 4 and 26, from dawn to dusk, you can see about 90 scarecrows and vote on your favorites. And this is no trick but all treats: The trail is totally free, though you’re welcome to make a donation if you’d like.
GOODIES
Chaney’s Dairy Barn: If you crave seasonal flavors and also want to hang out with some big, fuzzy creatures (we’re talking about cows here, not monsters), you won’t want to miss one of the region’s most popular agritourism destinations. Chaney’s offers a self-guided farm tour so families can get a glimpse at how milk gets from cows to grocery stores. They also have a stellar playground, and this time of year, there’s a cow-themed corn maze. There’s a restaurant on site (go for the gourmet grilled cheese – you’re at a dairy farm, after all), but let’s face it, all that is just a prelude to the reason you’re really here … the fresh ice cream. You can choose from more than 50 flavors and won’t go wrong with a single one, though we suggest you lean into fall and make at least one of your scoops (because nobody does a single here) either apple pie or pumpkin.
Meltdown Ice Cream & Soda Fountain: Not to be outdone by what you’ll find on the farm, this iconic ice cream parlor in the heart of downtown also offers an array of seasonal flavors. Starting this month, those include Hello, Pumpkin (self-explanatory); Apple Butter Biscuits, which is sweet cream with apple butter swirl and biscuit cookies; and Pumpkin Un-roll, a cream cheese ice cream with pumpkin roll cake and pumpkin butter swirl. With flavors like that, you’ll want to go for THREE scoops! The shop also offers fall-themed ice cream floats, of course!
That’s Hello, Pumpkin on the left and Apple Butter Biscuits on the right. Credit: Carrie Cavitt
GHOSTS
UnSeen BG Tour: These themed history tours are always a hit with visitors, and this year brings the debut of a new ghostly tour that’s family-friendly, “Phantasms Around Fountain Square.” Guides take participants on a 1.5-mile walking tour that explores the haunted history in and around the city’s iconic Fountain Square. Tours depart at 7 p.m. on weekends throughout October.
Dr. Smith’s Spooky Stories: If you want to check out what most people consider the most haunted spot in town, you need to head to Western Kentucky University, nicknamed “The Hill.” That’s where Dr. Tamela Williams Smith, who’s had an interest in the paranormal since she was a student there, shares the stories she’s learned by conducting interviews with at least 100 students, faculty members and staff. The university is home to an array of unexplained phenomena, and this year Dr. Smith has adapted her standard “Hilltop History and Haunts Tour” to create a more kid-friendly ghost adventure, too.
White Squirrels: Are they ghosts? No! But do these tiny rodents look like they’re ready to trick-or-treat? They sure do. Bowling Green’s favorite animals are the rare white squirrels found in abundance here. A great place to see them is on the campus of Western Kentucky University, where they’re revered.
To start scaring up some G-rated fun for your family on a fall visit to Bowling Green, check out www.visitbgky.com.
This is not a ghost.
