Things To Do in Bowling Green
As one of the best college towns in America, Bowling Green has so much to offer. From fine dining to casual eateries, beautiful parks bursting with life and a variety of shops and stores, Bowling Green always has something new to discover!
Dine in Downtown BG
The city of Bowling Green has you covered when hunger strikes. Choose from beloved Mexican restaurants, Mediterranean street food, burger joints, sushi spots, iconic pizza shops and other local treasures.
Explore...
If you’re in the mood for a stroll, take advantage of the city’s beautifully maintained parks and nature preserves. Don’t miss the seasonal local farmer’s market and keep an eye on local event calendars. There’s something for everyone!
- Carter Park - 401 Campbell Hill Rd.
A popular warm-weather spot with free sand volleyball courts, a disc golf course, a newly-renovated accessible playground and a four-field softball complex that is walkable from campus. - City Park - 520 Conneaut Ave.
This local gem offers something for everyone, with basketball courts, a softball field, a public pool complete with slides and a lazy river, a skatepark, playground, inline rink, mature shade trees, public art and a robust lineup of seasonal events like music in the park and theatrical productions at the Needle Hall stage. - Conneaut Park - at the corner of Conneaut and Haskins
A year-round favorite, with a popular sledding hill for winter fun and wide open green fields perfect for summer sports, casual play or a picnic in the sun. - Ridge Park - 225 Ridge St.
A family-friendly green space near campus featuring a modern playground, open fields for play, shaded benches and a ball field with a backstop. - Simpson Garden Park - 1291 Conneaut Ave.
A peaceful 11-acre retreat in the heart of town, featuring accessible walking trails, pollinator-friendly habitats, an outdoor amphitheater and a stunning variety of themed flower gardens, including one of the largest public hosta collections in the country. - Slippery Elm Trail - 515 Sand Ridge Rd. (BG access point)
A 13-mile paved path perfect for walking, running, biking or skating, with multiple access points, scenic nature stops like Cricket Frog Cove and bike fix-it stations along the way. - Wintergarden/St. John's Nature Preserve - 615 S Wintergarden Rd.
A local favorite for birding and wildlife watching, offering miles of scenic trails through 120 acres of forest, prairie and wetland habitat, along with nature programs and volunteer opportunities for all ages.
- City Park - 520 Conneaut Ave.
This park features multiple landmarks on the historic register including structures built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the late 1930s and Needle Hall built in 1884. - Historic West Side Neighborhood (surrounded by W. Wooster, Haskins, Conneaut and Main Streets)
This charming residential area reflects the rapid growth Bowling Green experienced during the late 1800s natural gas boom, with many preserved Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Craftsman homes lining its tree-shaded streets. - Main Street Historic District - N Main St., Downtown
Lined with late 19th and early 20th-century architecture, this historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and features lively shops, restaurants, murals and night life that make it a vibrant center of community life. - Wood County Courthouse - 1 Courthouse Square
Completed in 1896 during Bowling Green’s natural gas boom, this Richardsonian Romanesque courthouse features intricate hand-carved gargoyles, allegorical stonework and a soaring 195-foot clock tower. Peregrine falcons have nested at the top of the tower for over 15 consecutive years, and BGSU hosts a live Falcon Cam each spring for a bird’s-eye view of the nest.
- Wood County Museum - 13660 County Home Rd.
This museum offers a comprehensive look at the region’s history with special themed exhibits, a gift shop and beautiful historic gardens.
Seasonal Events
- Black Swamp Arts Festival (Downtown Bowling Green, first full weekend after Labor Day)
One of Ohio’s premier cultural events, this free festival has been running for 30 consecutive years. It features over 150 juried artists, live music, a wide variety of food trucks and a popular beer garden. The festival draws about 40,000 visitors annually. - Bowling Green Farmers Market - 201 S Main St. (Wednesdays from 4–7 p.m. May through October)
This vibrant midweek market offers fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and local crafts. Located in the Huntington Bank parking lot, it features live music, food trucks and family-friendly activities, making it a popular community gathering spot. - Firefly Nights (Downtown Bowling Green, June, July and August)
A series of community festivals featuring live music, food trucks, vendors, games and family-friendly activities. - Porchfest (Eberly Avenue and surrounding streets, last Saturday in May)
Porchfest transforms the westside neighborhood into an open-air music festival. With nearly 20 bands performing, food trucks and community spirit.
Explore BG
- Snook's Dream Cars - 13920 County Home Rd.
An automotive museum displaying a collection of vintage cars, including classic models and memorabilia, offering a nostalgic experience for visitors.
Golf
- Bowling Green Country Club - 923 Fairview Ave.
A private 18-hole golf course offering a challenging layout, practice facilities and a clubhouse with dining options for golfers of all skill levels. - Stone Ridge Golf Club - 1553 Muirfield Dr.
An 18-hole public golf course set among 150 acres of rolling terrain. Known for its excellent course conditions and practice facilities, it’s a top destination for golf enthusiasts in Northwest Ohio.
Shop in Bowling Green
With lovely boutiques, specialty shops, supermarkets and big box stores, there’s very little you can’t find in Bowling Green. Visit some of our locally owned stores downtown and venture further up Main Street to pick up your groceries.
Bowling Green Dining
- Campus Pollyeyes - 440 E. Court St.
Home of the World Famous Stuffed Breadstick - Eric's Ice Cream Factory* - 215 E. Wooster St.
Exceptional homemade, handcrafted ice cream
Show your BGSU Admissions visitor badge for 10% off! - Grounds for Thought* – 174 S. Main St.
Hand-roasted coffee, pastries, used books, records and comics
Show your BGSU Admissions visitor badge for 25% off! - Juniper Brewing Company - 139 S. Main St.
Stop by for a coffee drink, sit down for a full lunch/dinner menu, or explore the locally brewed beverages - Easystreet Cafe* - 104 S. Main St.
Bustling cafe featuring burgers, sandwiches & other classic American eats in a convivial atmosphere
Show your BGSU Admissions visitor badge for 10% off! - Kabob It - 132 E. Wooster St.
Discover the taste of Mediterranean - Pisanello's Pizza - 203 N. Main St.
A Bowling Green staple since 1964, voted best pizza in Wood County for 25 years in a row! - Guajillo's Cocina Mexicana - 176 E. Wooster St.
Providing authentic Mexican food made with care and the freshest ingredients - Beckett's Burger Bar & Barrel Room - 163 S. Main St.
Voted best burger in Bowling Green, OH!
- The Clay Pot Bistro - 182 S. Main St.
Explore a variety of freshly made European entrees
- City Egg - 121 S. Main St.
Fast, casual, breakfast and lunch - The Curry Lounge - 434 E. Wooster St. Suite B.
Taste the richness and heritage of Indian cooking
- Novel Blends - 116 S. Main St.
Independent bookstore and coffee shop in downtown Bowling Green
- Flatlands Coffee - 138 N. Main St.
Craft coffee beverages, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, & smiles - The R.O.W. - 130 E. Wooster St.
The R.O.W. is BG's premier sports bar with food specials and lots of TVs for all of the big games
- D. P. Dough - 140 E. Wooster St.
Local chain open late for calzones - Sterling's Amish Deli - 133 E. Wooster St.
Cozy Deli offering sandwiches, Amish meats, cheeses, pies and more sourced locally from Ohio’s Amish country - China Village - 134 W. Wooster St.
Authentic Chinese cuisine - Call of the Canyon Cafe* - 109 N Main St.
Family-owned nook with Southwestern-inspired sandwiches, plus housemade sweets
Show your BGSU Admissions visitor badge for 10% off! - El Zarape - 1616 E. Wooster St. #1
"Where everyday is a fiesta!" - Trotters Tavern - 119 N. Main St.
A quaint little steakhouse known for the steak dinner - "Little Brown Jug"
- SamB's - 146 N. Main St.
Rich Bowling Green history and well known for it's upscale dining experience
- Mister Spots - 206 N. Main St.
Casual joint serving Philadelphia-style hoagies, steak sandwiches & signature wings - Old Town Buffet - 1216 N. Main St.
Extensive Chinese buffet - Ninja Hibachi Sushi Steak House - 1080 S. Main St.
Deliciously fresh sushi and hibachi options for lunch and dinner
- Falcon Family Restaurant - 1021 S. Main St.
- Pagliai's - 945 S. Main St.
50+ years of great pizza, sandwhiches, pasta and more - South Side 6 - 737 S Main St.
A taste of the Middle East, featuring their famous gyros
- Kermit's Family Restaurant - 307 S. Main St.
Homey diner serving breakfast all day - Pho N Thai - 1616 E. Wooster St. #06
Vietnamese cuisine
- Yala Kol - 1616 E. Wooster St. #09
Bringing you all the delicious food of the Mediterranean straight to your plate
Shop Downtown
- Ace Hardware - 136 S. Main St.
A full-service locally-owned hardware store providing tools, paint, home improvement supplies, gift and garden items – and expert advice to the local community. - Art-a-Site - 139 W. Wooster St.
A hands-on art studio offering classes and workshops for all ages, birthday celebrations, summer camps and private lessons. They also host "art after hours" events like painting parties for adults and children. - Art Supply Depo - 435 E. Wooster St.
A local, artist-led supply store offering expert advice, studio classes and workshops for all ages, and carefully curated high‑quality materials not found in big‑box stores. - Ben's* - 154 S. Main
Show your BGSU Admissions visitor badge for 20% off!
Family-owned since 1976, this downtown staple features party supplies, custom in-store framing, toys, candy, art and craft materials and hidden treasures. - The Busy Thimble* - 148 S. Main St.
Show your BGSU Admissions visitor badge for 20% off!
A locally owned fabric and yarn shop offering over 2,500 bolts of quilting cotton, yarns, quilting kits, DIY dye supplies and expert service. - Coyote Beads - 178 S. Main St.
A friendly bead and jewelry supply shop offering a vast selection of beads, specialty fashion items and tools for DIY jewelry makers and hobbyists. - For Keeps* - 144 S. Main St.
Show your BGSU Admissions visitor badge for 20% off!
A three‑story gift emporium offering an ever‑evolving selection of unique and often locally sourced gifts, home accents, jewelry, bath & body items and seasonal decor. - Goat Records - 126 W. Wooster St.
A locally owned record store offering a curated selection of new and used vinyl, CDs and cassettes. - Oak Grove Collective - 186 S. Main St.
A monthly pop-up market featuring regional vendors with handmade jewelry, candles, baked goods, home decor and more, each event is themed seasonally. - Rock'em Sock'em Retro - 127 S. Main St.
- A specialty comic book shop offering new releases, graphic novels, collectibles, gaming supplies and arcade games.
- Waddington Jewelers - 139 S. Main St.
A trusted local jeweler offering fine, custom and occasion jewelry. Known for personalized service and expert repairs, it’s a great spot to find meaningful gifts or celebrate milestones with quality pieces.
Other Grocery and Major Retailers
- Aldi - 1010 S. Main St.
- Kroger Marketplace - 1094 N. Main St.
- Meijer - 2111 E. Wooster St.
- Walmart - 131 W. Gypsy Lane Rd.
Updated: 06/12/2025 10:00PM