Bowling Green, OH Road Trips

Bowling Green is primarily a college town. Bowling Green State University is known for its education, music, and aviation programs. As a result, many events have an educational bent, music and the arts are popular in town, and clear days are hallmarked with frequent flybys of propeller-driven airplanes. The city also functions as the county seat and the largest city of Wood County, Ohio. The only other large city in the county is the Toledo suburb of Perrysburg. It lies on the edge of the Toledo Metropolitan area and caters to locals in nearby towns and farms by offering shopping, education, and entertainment, much like the city of Findlay 30 mi (48 km) to the south. Because of this, Bowling Green is a melting pot between college and country culture. Bowling Green was settled in 1832 near the center of the Great Black Swamp, and was named by its settlers after Bowling Green in Kentucky. It got its start as a city thanks to the oil boom in the 1880s and the resulting clearing of the swamp. The college was established in 1910 as Bowling Green State Normal School to train teachers along side its sister college in Kent. By the 1930s it became a fully fledged university. During World War II the University helped train Navy personnel. After World War II ended, the influx of returning soldiers and their baby boomer children greatly increased the size of the university, as well as the surrounding city. While current events are university focused, many relics of the oil days remain in and around the Bowling Green area.

1 BGSU Planetarium. Tu 8PM, F 8PM, Sa 2PM, Su 7:30PM during the school year. An planetarium open to the public. Has regular educational showings for all ages, and holiday features. Most shows feature a regular star talk, then proceed with the show. Upstairs there is an observatory where public stargazing sessions are offered after weekend showings at the planetarium, or separately when events such as eclipses are ongoing. $1 (suggested donation). (updated Nov 2023) 2 Biology Greenhouse, ☏ +1 419-372-2375. Contains a tropical plant collection, and a desert plant collection. Also houses a student projects room and an aquaponics lab. Tours are available if scheduled in advance. Free. (updated Jul 2021) 3 Fine Arts Galleries, ☏ +1-419-372-2786, [email protected]. Several galleries dedicated to showcasing student artwork. The Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery and Willard Wankelman Gallery are conventional art galleries.The Hiroko Nakamoto Gallery, created by an interior design alumna who survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing, is stylized as a traditional Japanese tea room, and is a work of art on its own. Outside the galleries, the Fine Arts Building houses many smaller displays down its corridors which are typically accessible even if the main galleries are closed. Free. (updated Jul 2021) 4 The BGSU Film Theater (Formerly Gish Film Theatre), Bowen Thompson Student Union (on the 2nd floor of the Student Union). A movie theater that often showcases classic and modern movies, as well as the occasional guest speaker.

1 Black Swamp Arts Festival (BSAF) (Downtown), ☏ +1 419-354-2723. Annually in early September - F 5PM-midnight, Sa 10AM-midnight, Su 11AM-5PM. Bowling Green's local artists come and share their work with the community to help celebrate the arts. Fine arts and crafts throughout the Downtown area. Children's activities, live music, demonstrations, and various art events all weekend. Free. Parking shuttle may require cash, but it is possible to park and walk for free. (updated Sep 2025) 2 Art Walk (Downtown), ☏ +1 419-354-4332. Annual event held the last Saturday in April. Stroll through the historic downtown and visit the many galleries and exhibitions featuring visual and performing arts from all ages. Artists' demonstrations, family activities and performances continue throughout the day. Has a raffle with prizes. Free. (updated Mar 2019) 3 Heritage Days, 13660 County Home Rd (Wood County Historical Center & Museum), ☏ +1 419-352-0967. Annual event held the second full weekend in June. Step back in time and get your hands on history with soap making, rope making, fresh butter churning, free blacksmith and farm demonstrations, farm-themed activities, farm animals, historic games, swap meet, kiddie pedal pull, Power of Yesteryear antique tractor show, BBQ and live music. All set amid the rustic historical museum grounds. (updated Mar 2019) 4 Wood County Fair, 13800 W Poe Rd (Wood County Fairgrounds), ☏ +1 419-352-0441, [email protected]. Annual event held the last weekend in July until the end of the first week in August.

Bowling Green's downtown area has a small town atmosphere with plenty of dining establishments to choose from, including sports bars (and other "bar" food), pizza, Italian, and family dining. The area near I-75 and the extreme north and south ends of Main Street have many chain restaurants. 1 Dairy Queen (Myles Dairy Queen), 434 E Wooster St, ☏ +1 419-352-8042. One of the first Dairy Queens in the United States from 1940. It's a bit different from a normal Dairy Queen chain restaurant as the interior is much older and the food portions are more generous. Locals call it as Myles Dairy Queen or just Myles (which may also refer to a former pizza pub in town). (updated Jul 2021) 2 Kermit's, 307 S Main St, ☏ +1 419-354-1388. M-F 6AM-7PM, Sa Su 7AM-3PM. Local mom & pop family diner with large portions. (updated Sep 2023) 3 Pisanello's Pizza, 203 N Main St (Across the street from the Library), ☏ +1 419-352-5166. 11AM-11PM. Sells solid pizza, subs, wings, and breadsticks. Has a ninja turtles pinball machine, psychedelic artwork, and a woody decor that screams 1980. $3.50 7" pizza, $6.75 10" pizza, $8.50 12" pizza, $11.25 14" pizza, $13.50 16" pizza. (updated Jul 2021) 4 South Side 6, 737 S Main St, ☏ +1 419-352-8639. 8AM-11PM. A tiny convenience store with a counter that sells gyros and Mediterranean food. Has many vegetarian options. Most orders are delivery, and the only place to eat on site is a small picnic site outside. The convenience store section has a selection of international beer, non alcoholic drinks, and snacks.

As a college town, Bowling Green has a number of pubs and bars. During the school year, and especially Thursday through Saturday, bar traffic is at its highest. During the day and during breaks, traffic slows down quite a bit. 1 Beckett's Burger Bar, 163 S Main St, ☏ +1 419-352-7800. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight. Sells burgers, mac & cheese, chicken, and sandwiches. Specialty drink is the "8-Ball" flavored vodka. Most of the menu is meat, but has some vegetarian and vegan options. $10-20. (updated Jul 2021) 2 Campus Pollyeyes (Pollyeyes), 440 E Court St, ☏ +1 419-352-9638. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-1AM. Unlike its parent restaurant Pagliai's, Campus Polleyes is a pizza pub. It is best known for their stuffed breadsticks, which are foot long breadsticks filled with cheese and pizza toppings. It delivers, and has a smallish dining area. They sell pizza and subs too, but they're not well-known for them. $7-18. (updated Nov 2023) 3 Red Sky Pizza & The Attic, 110 N Main St, ☏ +1 419-352-0090. (updated Nov 2023) 4 El Zarape (EZ), 1616 E Wooster St, ☏ +1 419-353-0937. 11AM-10:30PM. A Mexican restaurant and cantina near I-75 that focuses on good and speedy service. $5-15. (updated Nov 2023) 5 Pizza Pub 516 (Formerly Myle's Pizza Pub), 516 E Wooster St (on the south side of Wooster St by the railroad tracks), ☏ +1 419-352-1504, [email protected]. Su-W 11AM-12:30AM, Th-Sa 11AM-2AM. A pizza pub between BGSU and downtown Bowling Green. Sells pizza, subs, salads, and craft beers.

Thanks to the Interstate Bowling Green has more hotels then usual for a city of its size. As a result, these hotels are all near either the highway or the university which is adjacent to the highway. 1 Best Motel. The only motel on the south side of Bowling Green. Offers TV. (updated Mar 2019) 2 Best Western Falcon Plaza, 1450 E Wooster St (across Wooster Street from campus), ☏ +1 419-352-4671. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers Wi-Fi, a hot tub, exercise machines, a business center, exercise equipment, and an included breakfast. Has several handicap accessible rooms.. ~$100. (updated May 2019) 3 Holiday Inn Express, 2150 E Wooster St (go east from the I-75 exit), ☏ +1 419-353-5500, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Offers free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a business center, and included breakfast buffet and coffee. ~$110. (updated Mar 2019) 4 Fairfield Inn & Suites, 1544 E Wooster St, ☏ +1 419-352-0033. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Offers Wi-Fi, a pool, a fitness center, and free breakfast. Has accessible rooms for disabled guests. ~$120. (updated May 2019) 5 Hampton Inn, 142 Campbell Hill Rd, ☏ +1 419-353-3464. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A nice hotel that offers free Wi-Fi, a pool, a fitness center, a business center, and free breakfast. ~$150. (updated May 2019) 6 Hilton Home2, 1630 E Wooster St (Near the I75 offramp at BGSU.), ☏ +1-419-969-3500. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes Wi-Fi, breakfast, indoor pool, fitness center, and business center. ~$140. (updated Feb 2021)

The nearest major airport is the Detroit Metro Airport (DTW IATA) at just over an hour north of Bowling Green by car. Some passenger flights may also go to the closer Toledo Express Airport (TOL IATA) which is only a half hour north of Bowling Green by car. 1 Wood County Regional Airport (Bricker Field), 1261 E Poe Rd, ☏ +1 419-354-2908. Private pilots may land at this general aviation airport, and non pilots may charter flights here. This airport is on campus and offers a lounge, fuel, and an airport shuttle. The airport has some historic significance - During World War II the airfield was used to train pilots for the Navy. There is also a Korean War-era Lockheed T-33 jet on display near the lounge. While many organizations take pictures of their members on the wings of that jet, you should ask permission before attempting it yourself. (updated Nov 2023) Bowling Green is on I-75 at exit 181, and it is a quick 25 mi (40 km) drive south from Toledo, a 130 mi (210 km) drive north from Dayton, and an 80 mi (130 km) drive south from Detroit. Regional car services include: a city subsidized van service with low rates, B.G. Transit Reliable Taxi, Supercab, BG Airport Shuttle, and Bill's Limousine. A community group Bike BG offers slow bike rides throughout the city once a month. 2 Slippery Elm Trail (trail entrances at Montessori school and the black swamp nature preserve). Dawn to dusk. Goes 13 mi (21 km) south to North Baltimore, passing through the villages of Portage and Rudolph.

Bowling Green is next to Interstate 75, and its Main Street is also an important local highway (Old US 25). Outside of the downtown area and campus, it may be time consuming to go without a car. Free parking is available along both sides of Main Street in the downtown area. However getting a spot can be difficult during business hours and late at night from Thursdays to Saturdays. The city operates public parking lots in the downtown area. The university also offers public parking in many of its parking lots. These are both available for small fees, and may be free during certain hours, especially during the weekend. BGSU and the city both have parking enforcement units! BGSU uses automated plate readers and human patrols to quickly catch parking violations. Those parked illegally will almost certainly get caught, and the small fee at the kiosk is much better than a moderate fine. Most public parking lots that charge a fee have replaced their coin operated meters with an automated kiosk that lets you register your licence plate number, eliminating the need to go back to your car to place a permit on it. There are a few car rental agencies in town, and one on campus. 3 BGSU Shuttle Services, ☏ +1 419-372-0236, [email protected]. M-F during the school year. The shuttle service does not operate during breaks. The university provides a shuttle service, with some routes going off campus. The central hub of the bus service is the Centrex building. Shuttles are wheelchair accessible.

On campus you can use any of the blue emergency telephones in an emergency. These will immediately call dispatch and report your location, and flash an alarm. Drivers on Wooster Street should drive with caution. Many drive aggressively and jaywalking is common. Trucks often turn onto main street at a tight, low visibility, and busy intersection. Don't be afraid to slow down and yield, even if you are in the right. There are some unusual on demand crosswalks on Wooster. Slow down and drive with caution when the light blinks yellow, and fully stop when the lights blink red. Watch where you walk - Campus operations sometimes leaves manholes open to access the vast tunnel network under the campus, mind the signs and don't fall in. Bowling Green has a lot of nightlife, but please don't drink and drive. There is a free bus service from Thursday to Saturday from the downtown area to BGSU, which is close to many hotels. If the bus is not available, consider a designated driver, or use one of Bowling Green's taxis that can take you to your hotel safely. Be on guard for ticks in natural areas if you leave designated paths. Make sure to check for ticks when you return. Bowling Green experiences all manner of severe weather. The most common storms are thunderstorms with possible hail, but tornadoes during the summer pose the biggest threat. After a heavy rain, some areas will suffer from flash flooding. Bowling Green can also experience cold weather and rarely blizzards during the winter.