Why You Need to See Kentucky’s Iconic National Corvette Museum

Kentucky is chock-full of hidden gems worth seeing for yourself, but if you haven’t been to the National Corvette Museum, it’s time to add it to the top of your bucket list.

The Chevrolet Corvette is the oldest continuously produced sports car in the United States. Known as "America's sports car," the first Corvette hit the market in 1953 after rolling off the line in Flint, Michigan. Today, new models are manufactured in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where you'll find a museum dedicated to the preservation of the car's history. I've visited this museum personally, and I can tell you it was one of the coolest places I've ever set foot in.

See Corvettes from All of History

The National Corvette Museum opened in 1994 and has since undergone several expansion projects. The museum owns an astounding number of cars on display and even features some on loan from other car enthusiasts. New exhibits are continually being added, including "An American Love Affair: 70 Years of Corvette," which opened in 2023 to celebrate the car's multidecade anniversary.

While touring the museum, you'll not only see an assortment of Corvettes but also learn about the people behind them. According to the museum, Harley Earl, the father of the Corvette, was inspired by Jaguars and MGs after World War II. He believed America needed its own sports car and convinced General Motors to create an affordable two-seater. Since its inception, several other car enthusiasts have been able to add their own flair to the car's legacy.

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Turning Tragedy into Triumph

One of the more unique exhibits at the museum is dedicated to preserving a piece of the building's own history. In 2014, a sinkhole opened up underneath the iconic Skydome, swallowing eight cherished Corvettes. The sinkhole was 40 feet wide, 60 feet long, and 30 feet deep. It captured global attention, but the area has since been reconstructed. Some cars were restored to their former condition, while others were left on display as a reminder of the tragedy.

Plan Your Trip to Bowling Green

The 115,000-square-foot museum is one that will take some time to comb through, so I suggest making a day out of it. The National Corvette Museum is located at 350 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is open every day of the week except Tuesday. You can learn more about their exhibits by visiting their website and Facebook page.