A new multi-jurisdictional tourism initiative that takes travelers on a journey to some of Kentucky’s unique claims to fame features Bowling Green as one of the destinations.

The Kentucky Capitals Quest passport program, which showcases everything from historic landmarks to local legends, was developed by Brooke Jung, the former director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Amy Rogers, the current executive director, said that the bureau received funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and the idea took off from there.

The initiative is a collaboration with 11 other convention and visitors bureaus across the state and includes Bowling Green for being known as the Corvette Capital of the World.

Visitors can pick up a passport at any of the 11 visitor centers along the Capital Quest route and collect a sticker for each destination visited. 

While in Bowling Green, tourists can visit the National Corvette Museum, book a Corvette track experience at the NCM Motorsports Park and take in the sights in downtown Bowling Green. 

“I think this is great for Bowling Green because we are located in the center of the quest off of I-65, and we’re kind of the connector for those traveling west to east or north to south,” said Madison Lindsey, marketing director for the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With Corvettes being pretty unique, we should get a lot of visitors starting the quest or ending the quest.” 

Lindsey said that since many people gravitate to anniversaries and special exhibits, the museum is the perfect place to be included in the program with the 10th anniversary of the NCM Motorsports Park and the “Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined” exhibit coming up on June 14, which celebrates ten years of progress since the sinkhole opened in the museum.

Other “capital” cities included in the program are Frankfort, the Historic Heartbeat of Kentucky; Hopkinsville, Batter Capital of the World; Lexington, Horse Capital of the World; London-Laurel County, Cycling Capital of Kentucky; Morehead-Rowan County, Muskie Fishing Capital of the South; Oldham County, Farm Tour Capital of Kentucky; Owensboro, Bluegrass Music Capital of the World; Paducah, Quilt Capital of the World; Somerset-Pulaski County, Houseboat Capital of the World; and Winchester, Beer Cheese Capital of the World. 

“The purpose of the initiative is to invite people to explore Kentucky,” Rogers said. “It’s absolutely amazing. It challenges people to get out of their own backyards and have unique experiences. It hopefully will make people say, ‘Hey, let’s grab this passport book and go on an adventure.'”

Lindsey said the program will appeal to those who enjoy road trips and who want to have more of a staycation in the state. 

“It’s also going to attract people interested in the history and curios of Kentucky,” Lindsey said. “Each destination is pretty unique, from beer cheese to horses, it’s amazing how different each area truly is.” 

Itineraries for each city are listed on the program’s website.

Road-trip themed prizes will be awarded depending on how many stickers one collects.

The prize for three stickers is a vehicle air freshener. If the full tour is completed and all 11 stickers are collected, participants will win a branded blanket, Rogers said. 

“It’s kind of like a picnic blanket,” Lindsey said. 

If six stickers are collected, visitors will be rewarded an incentive, such as discounted rates or tickets.

“This is an absolutely amazing initiative,” Rogers said. “It encourages people to get out and see how amazing our state it.” 

Lindsey said she encourages people to check out the program.

“We are really excited to see where this goes,” she said.

For more information, visit kentuckycapitalsquest.com.