Whether packing the kids up for a fun couple days, or meeting with friends to blow off some steam, this fun Northwest Ohio destination has you covered. Ample lodging and plenty of local fun spots make it an easy trip to plan. Here are 8 can’t miss hot spots:
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
When traveling to Bowling Green, you can’t miss a stop at the scenic Bowling Green State University. As the staple of the city, this bustling and beautiful campus is home to more than 19,000 students. Among the historic buildings located on campus, visiting the Wolf Center of the Arts is a nice way to spend an evening before meeting friends downtown for drinks. More of a sports fan? Taking in a Falcon sporting event makes for a great evening.
NIGHTLIFE
Order your favorite micro-brew, a fruity mixed drink, or your favorite cocktail. Whether you’re looking for a low key lounge with local music, or a trendy, open-air, rooftop hangout, Bowling Green has all the nightlife you need for a fun and adventurous evening. Located a short walk from BGSU, all the popular spots are within two blocks of the intersection of Wooster and Main.
If nighttime beverages are your thing, then be sure to check out these popular bars and taverns:
- Uptown-Downtown
- Beckett’s
- Reverend’s Bar
- Howard’s Club H
- Bar 149
- The Stones Throw Tavern
- Nate and Wally’s Fishbowl
- Ziggy’s
NATIONAL TRACTOR PULL CHAMPIONSHIP
Bowling Green isn’t labeled Pull Town USA for nothing. With 11,000 seats and more than 2100 campsites, the National Tractor Pull Championship is a can’t miss event. Every year over 300 pulling teams compete for the title of National Champion. Held in August every year, be sure to plan ahead because this is a popular event.
SIMPSON GARDEN PARK
This beautiful 11-acre garden, located in the middle of an urban setting, is a great place to bring the family for a nice afternoon of exploration and learning. Filled with native plants, easy to walk paths, and scenic ponds, this park is great for young and old alike. Looking for a place for your morning run? Give this park a shot! Be warned, you may not want to run anywhere else once you’ve been to Simpson Garden Park.
BLACK SWAMP ARTS FESTIVAL
The most attended festival of the fall The Black Swamp Arts Festival is a free three-day event. Filled with art displays to inspire any art fan, this festival also hails the label of the biggest art festival in the state of Ohio. More of a music fan? Visit one of the three separate stages for all your musical tastes. Make sure to come hungry and thirsty because this festival has over 20 different food vendors and a well stocked beer garden.
WOOD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
For the educational part of your trip you can’t miss the Wood County Historical Society’s Infirmary. Known as “The Poorhouse” or “The Home” this is one of the last county poorhouse sites in Ohio. Constructed in 1868 the building was home to the county’s sick, elderly, orphaned, and mentally ill. In 1975 the building became the home to the Wood County Historical Society. With events all year and an admission price of $7 or less it’s hard to pass up this unique historical experience.
DOWNTOWN
Exploring downtown Bowling Green is an afternoon all in itself. With locally owned restaurants and shopping lining the four block stretch of businesses there’s something for everyone. Be sure to stop at the famous Grounds for Thought Coffee House for wonderful eats and hot beverages. Also, if you have been searching for a hard to find book, record, or comic this is your place!
CAMPUS POLLYEYES
Home to the world-famous stuffed bread sticks Campus Pollyeyes is the most beloved pizza pub of BGSU students. A half block from campus, and two blocks from downtown, makes this locally owned restaurant an easy choice. Be sure to check out their unique menu of domestic, and imported beers. Not in the mood for world-famous pizza, bread sticks, and beer? Try one of these other great local dining spots:
- Becket’s Burger Bar
- Trotter’s Tavern
- Wings Over Bowling Green
- Mr. Spots
- The China
- Sam B’s
- Easy Street Cafe
- Two Foxes
- The Stones Throw
