Visiting Western Kentucky

Get away to Western Kentucky for fall adventure. Visit sites like John James Audubon State Park and the Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens, both filled with spectacular fall colors. The weather is always nice underground – Kentucky’s Cave City and Mammoth Cave National Park are ideal for a visit in fall or any time of  year. Bowling Green, off Interstate 65, is about 30-miles from Cave City. Home of Western Kentucky University, Hilltopper Athletics and the National Corvette Museum offer entertainment for everyone - be sure to see 100 years of Chevrolet at the National Corvette Museum before it ends on December 31st. Or head west to Paducah, the thriving arts and cultural hub anchoring far western Kentucky.

Paducah, the county seat of McCracken County, is located on the Illinois state line at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River. Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Downtown Paducah Zombie Walk, Saturday October 29th. This community event begins at 9th Street and Broadway with a walk toward the river. Paducah's Zombie Walk is a fun way to get in the spirit of Halloween and enjoy fall in Western Kentucky.

For more traditional fall celebrations, check out Wurth Farms on South Friendship Road or Schmidt Farms on Cairo Road during October. Bring friends and family for hayrides and choose those perfect pumpkins at the local pumpkin patches. Through early November visit Paducah’s Downtown Farmers’ Market for fall's biggest selection of locally produced agriculture and homemade products.

Bowling Green is home to the Historic Railpark and Train Museum, which hosts the Hobo Times Exhibit through the end of 2011. Highlighting the subculture of Hobo’s, the exhibit features Hobo Quilts and Hobo Nickels along with hands-on exhibits and activities for visitors. Fall and winter brings the Museum’s Goblin Fest in October, and in December, the Festival of Trains and Polar Express Story Time. Bring the kids dressed in their PJ’s for Polar Express Story Time followed by a mug of hot chocolate with cookies.

Fall and winter are the time to enjoy WKU Hilltopper athletics in Bowling Green. Catch the excitement of football at Houchens Industries – LT Smith Stadium through Saturday, November 26th when the Hilltoppers meet Troy in the 2011 regular season’s last game. Men’s and Women’s basketball begins in November at EA Diddle Arena, which also hosts Lady Topper fall volleyball. Grab a red towel and come out to cheer for your favorite Western Kentucky University athletic team.

Madisonville hosts Kentucky’s largest Veteran’s Parade. The 2011 celebration is November 6th featuring music, exhibits, fun and food with the downhome hospitality of the Madisonville and Hopkins County community. Join the 47th annual parade themed “Freedom is not Free” in Madisonville - about an hour and a half drive northwest of Bowling Green.

Western Kentucky Hotel Map