We all know that there is plenty of fun to be had in Kentucky and that it’s a difficult task to narrow our state’s attractions down to even a top ten. But recently, USA Today took on this task and asked readers to vote for their favorite attraction in Kentucky. They did, indeed, come up with a top ten list and number one on the list was the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. This one-of-a-kind museum has always been a car-lover’s dream come true, but it turns out there is something there for everyone in the Bluegrass State. Curious to learn more about the National Corvette Museum, one of the best museums in Kentucky? Read on!
The National Corvette Museum is a sprawling property in Bowling Green that if you haven’t visited before, you’ve probably still noticed from the highway.
Facebook/National Corvette Museum
Facebook/National Corvette Museum It’s difficult to miss its distinctive features and you’ll almost always notice an influx of Corvettes on the road leading to this iconic museum. As a tribute to America’s Sports Car, the National Corvette Museum obviously attracts visitors from all over the world who have a fascination with the history and future of one of the most popular vehicles in the country. But even if you’re not a huge Corvette fan, you’ll still enjoy a trip to this interactive and intriguing museum.
Of course the main thing you’ll find when you walk through the doors of the museum is cars. Lots and lots and lots of cars—Corvettes to be exact. And you’ll see ones that come from every past generation.
TripAdvisor/HRTravelers
TripAdvisor/GeoffreyC738 The museum does a great job of showcasing the historic models of the Corvette by placing them in era-specific displays that allow you to imagine these cars in action. It’s not just a history of the Corvette, but a walk through our country’s own past. There are also many rare models and colors on display and you can choose to tour on your own or even take advantage of the audio tour that’s available. Exhibits do rotate, so each visit to the museum is unique.
The National Corvette Museum made international news in 2014 when a giant sink hole swallowed a part of the museum and several Corvettes. Repairs have long since been completed, but this infamous time is now an interactive exhibit you can experience at the museum.
Facebook/National Corvette Museum
TripAdvisor/GeoffreyC738
TripAdvisor/travelpr0123 The photo above shows the sinkhole when it first happened and then you can see the outside of the exhibit, which goes through the details of this scary experience. You can see, thanks to a tape on the floor, where the sink hole happened and also witness the damaged cars that were saved from the hole. They also have a spot set up on the floor where you can peak down and see 30 feet below into the former hole.
Aside from the exhibits, there are many other features of the museum that will keep you entertained.
Facebook/National Corvette Museum The Corvette Store has any type of souvenir you may want and is just an interesting place to browse during your visit.
Facebook/National Corvette Museum Save time for a meal at the Corvette Cafe and enjoy a classic burger, fries and milkshake, which just seem to go perfectly with a classic car museum.
TripAdvisor/MED1500 And there’s plenty for the kids to do, as well, with a dedicated area just for them. It’s interactive and fun and they’ll also enjoy the entire museum with something to look at throughout the entire space.
If you’re not satisfied with just looking at these iconic cars, then check out one of the opportunities to take one for a spin.
Facebook/NCM Motorsports Park Within the museum, you can ride in a simulator and drive your own Corvette around a virtual speedway. And just one mile from the museum is the NCM Motorsports Park, where you can view and even race a Corvette around a track.
With all there is to do at the National Corvette Museum and its ties to Kentucky and American history, it is no wonder it topped the list of best attractions in Kentucky.
Facebook/National Corvette Museum
Facebook/National Corvette Museum Whether you take a Corvette, minivan, or pickup truck, make plans to drive to this one-of-a-kind museum in Kentucky that’s surely one of the best destinations in the state.
The National Corvette Museum is indeed one of the best attractions in Kentucky and a fun and interesting destination for locals and visitors, alike. What do you think about this museum topping the list? If you don’t agree, we’d love to know what you think should be the number one attraction in Kentucky! Share with us in the comments!
Facebook/National Corvette Museum
It’s difficult to miss its distinctive features and you’ll almost always notice an influx of Corvettes on the road leading to this iconic museum. As a tribute to America’s Sports Car, the National Corvette Museum obviously attracts visitors from all over the world who have a fascination with the history and future of one of the most popular vehicles in the country. But even if you’re not a huge Corvette fan, you’ll still enjoy a trip to this interactive and intriguing museum.
TripAdvisor/HRTravelers
TripAdvisor/GeoffreyC738
The museum does a great job of showcasing the historic models of the Corvette by placing them in era-specific displays that allow you to imagine these cars in action. It’s not just a history of the Corvette, but a walk through our country’s own past. There are also many rare models and colors on display and you can choose to tour on your own or even take advantage of the audio tour that’s available. Exhibits do rotate, so each visit to the museum is unique.
TripAdvisor/travelpr0123
The photo above shows the sinkhole when it first happened and then you can see the outside of the exhibit, which goes through the details of this scary experience. You can see, thanks to a tape on the floor, where the sink hole happened and also witness the damaged cars that were saved from the hole. They also have a spot set up on the floor where you can peak down and see 30 feet below into the former hole.
The Corvette Store has any type of souvenir you may want and is just an interesting place to browse during your visit.
Save time for a meal at the Corvette Cafe and enjoy a classic burger, fries and milkshake, which just seem to go perfectly with a classic car museum.
TripAdvisor/MED1500
And there’s plenty for the kids to do, as well, with a dedicated area just for them. It’s interactive and fun and they’ll also enjoy the entire museum with something to look at throughout the entire space.
Facebook/NCM Motorsports Park
Within the museum, you can ride in a simulator and drive your own Corvette around a virtual speedway. And just one mile from the museum is the NCM Motorsports Park, where you can view and even race a Corvette around a track.
Whether you take a Corvette, minivan, or pickup truck, make plans to drive to this one-of-a-kind museum in Kentucky that’s surely one of the best destinations in the state.
And for more worth-the-drive attractions in the Bluegrass State, check out our roundup of the best day trips in Kentucky.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: National Corvette Museum, 350 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Museums in Kentucky November 17, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best museums in Kentucky? Kentucky has a robust resume of must-visit museums, from classic cars to historic sites to off-the-wall attractions. Here are some of our picks for the best museums in Kentucky:
Kentucky Paranormal Museum: Have you ever wondered about life on Mars? Or alien encounters? UFOs? Bigfoot? Conversations with the other side? Embrace your curiosity with a visit to the International Paranormal Museum and Research Center in Somerset, Kentucky. The International Paranormal Museum and Research Center is located in the basement of the Carnegie Community Arts Center, and this place welcomes the weird, and celebrates the creepy! Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum: Here in Kentucky, we know our fried chicken. Not to brag, but we’re kind of world-famous for it. And in the Bluegrass, the Sanders Cafe is a place that belongs on every Kentuckian’s bucket (of fried chicken) list — not simply because it’s the amazing restaurant that birthed a culinary legend, but also because it has its own museum that’s devoted to all things fried chicken! And at the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky, fried chicken fans can experience the birth of a legend. This only-in-Kentucky museum gives guests the full Kentucky-fried experience, offering visitors a delicious meal – with a side of history.
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Kentucky has a proud footprint in the music industry, in fact, with legendary icons like Loretta Lynn and Rosemary Clooney hailing from the Bluegrass State. And there’s a place in the state that honors the many Kentuckians who have made a significant contribution to the music industry. Celebrate Bluegrass Legends at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, an only-in-Kentucky attraction sure to make your Kentucky-loving heart swell with pride.
Lincoln Museum: No list of best museums in Kentucky would be complete without the Lincoln Museum. One of the Bluegrass State’s finest claims to fame, our 16th President was born in Kentucky and spend his first years in our state. You can visit sites that remember and honor Lincoln’s life and they can be found around the town of Hodgenville. In downtown Hodgenville, the Lincoln Museum has been named the best museum in Kentucky, so if you haven’t visited, you definitely want to add it to your list!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Museums in Kentucky
November 17, 2022
Sarah M.
What are the best museums in Kentucky? Kentucky has a robust resume of must-visit museums, from classic cars to historic sites to off-the-wall attractions. Here are some of our picks for the best museums in Kentucky:
Kentucky Paranormal Museum: Have you ever wondered about life on Mars? Or alien encounters? UFOs? Bigfoot? Conversations with the other side? Embrace your curiosity with a visit to the International Paranormal Museum and Research Center in Somerset, Kentucky. The International Paranormal Museum and Research Center is located in the basement of the Carnegie Community Arts Center, and this place welcomes the weird, and celebrates the creepy! Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum: Here in Kentucky, we know our fried chicken. Not to brag, but we’re kind of world-famous for it. And in the Bluegrass, the Sanders Cafe is a place that belongs on every Kentuckian’s bucket (of fried chicken) list — not simply because it’s the amazing restaurant that birthed a culinary legend, but also because it has its own museum that’s devoted to all things fried chicken! And at the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky, fried chicken fans can experience the birth of a legend. This only-in-Kentucky museum gives guests the full Kentucky-fried experience, offering visitors a delicious meal – with a side of history.
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Kentucky has a proud footprint in the music industry, in fact, with legendary icons like Loretta Lynn and Rosemary Clooney hailing from the Bluegrass State. And there’s a place in the state that honors the many Kentuckians who have made a significant contribution to the music industry. Celebrate Bluegrass Legends at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, an only-in-Kentucky attraction sure to make your Kentucky-loving heart swell with pride.
Lincoln Museum: No list of best museums in Kentucky would be complete without the Lincoln Museum. One of the Bluegrass State’s finest claims to fame, our 16th President was born in Kentucky and spend his first years in our state. You can visit sites that remember and honor Lincoln’s life and they can be found around the town of Hodgenville. In downtown Hodgenville, the Lincoln Museum has been named the best museum in Kentucky, so if you haven’t visited, you definitely want to add it to your list!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Kentucky has a robust resume of must-visit museums, from classic cars to historic sites to off-the-wall attractions. Here are some of our picks for the best museums in Kentucky:
- Kentucky Paranormal Museum: Have you ever wondered about life on Mars? Or alien encounters? UFOs? Bigfoot? Conversations with the other side? Embrace your curiosity with a visit to the International Paranormal Museum and Research Center in Somerset, Kentucky. The International Paranormal Museum and Research Center is located in the basement of the Carnegie Community Arts Center, and this place welcomes the weird, and celebrates the creepy!
- Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum: Here in Kentucky, we know our fried chicken. Not to brag, but we’re kind of world-famous for it. And in the Bluegrass, the Sanders Cafe is a place that belongs on every Kentuckian’s bucket (of fried chicken) list — not simply because it’s the amazing restaurant that birthed a culinary legend, but also because it has its own museum that’s devoted to all things fried chicken! And at the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky, fried chicken fans can experience the birth of a legend. This only-in-Kentucky museum gives guests the full Kentucky-fried experience, offering visitors a delicious meal – with a side of history.
- Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Kentucky has a proud footprint in the music industry, in fact, with legendary icons like Loretta Lynn and Rosemary Clooney hailing from the Bluegrass State. And there’s a place in the state that honors the many Kentuckians who have made a significant contribution to the music industry. Celebrate Bluegrass Legends at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, an only-in-Kentucky attraction sure to make your Kentucky-loving heart swell with pride.
- Lincoln Museum: No list of best museums in Kentucky would be complete without the Lincoln Museum. One of the Bluegrass State’s finest claims to fame, our 16th President was born in Kentucky and spend his first years in our state. You can visit sites that remember and honor Lincoln’s life and they can be found around the town of Hodgenville. In downtown Hodgenville, the Lincoln Museum has been named the best museum in Kentucky, so if you haven’t visited, you definitely want to add it to your list!
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Kentucky has a proud footprint in the music industry, in fact, with legendary icons like Loretta Lynn and Rosemary Clooney hailing from the Bluegrass State. And there’s a place in the state that honors the many Kentuckians who have made a significant contribution to the music industry. Celebrate Bluegrass Legends at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, an only-in-Kentucky attraction sure to make your Kentucky-loving heart swell with pride.
Lincoln Museum: No list of best museums in Kentucky would be complete without the Lincoln Museum. One of the Bluegrass State’s finest claims to fame, our 16th President was born in Kentucky and spend his first years in our state. You can visit sites that remember and honor Lincoln’s life and they can be found around the town of Hodgenville. In downtown Hodgenville, the Lincoln Museum has been named the best museum in Kentucky, so if you haven’t visited, you definitely want to add it to your list!
