Bowling Green offers rural charm close to major Virginia cities
Acres of farmland and rolling landscapes surround the town center of Bowling Green, an incorporated community of Virginia within driving distance of Richmond, Ashland and Fredericksburg. The area is known as the “cradle of American horse racing” since it helped establish the sport during colonial years, and it later became the birthplace of eventual Triple Crown winner Secretariat. On an everyday basis, though, the rural landscape offers a retreat from the busy nearby cities for its residents. “Bowling Green has a quaint, small-town feel,” says Elizabeth Jones, a Realtor with Elizabeth Jones Homes and Nest Realty. “They have a really active downtown with craft fairs and farmers markets, so you get to have that little, small-town feel that people that move to Virginia from other states really look for while being away from the hustle and bustle of northern Virginia.” Locals also have proximity to Kings Dominion and the State Fair of Virginia, and can revel in the great outdoors at the Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area.
Newer homes in Maury Heights and Brookwood
Bowling Green mostly consists of single-family homes in a rural Virginia landscape. Some date to the latter half of the 20th century and typically take the form of ranch-style homes, with occasional split-levels and colonial-style homes mixed in. These often cost between $300,000 and $600,000. Newer construction with traditional and Craftsman architecture is more common, and those homes are usually priced between $400,000 and $440,000. “The affordability factor is definitely great there,” Jones says. “There are a lot of Virginia ramblers.” Many newer homes date to 2020 or later and are part of the Maury Heights and Brookwood communities.
Students attend Caroline County Public Schools for education
Caroline County Public Schools serves the area, earning an overall rating of C from Niche. Bowling Green Elementary School gets a C-minus, and Caroline Middle School receives a C. Caroline High School has a C-plus, and the athletic program is especially known for its baseball teams. “Caroline County has a pretty impressive baseball program,” Jones says. “The baseball stadium is right there next to downtown and it’s pretty impressive. It’s a cool, old stadium with big cement seats, and local teams like Little League use the stadium, too.” Nearby, The Carmel School is a private, faith-based Christian school and receives an A-minus from Niche.
Drivers can go west to hop on Interstate 95
Bowling Green has no public transportation, so residents rely on their cars to get around. U.S. Route 301 runs through the community, intersecting with Virginia Route 207 around the town center. Interstate 95 is accessible about 10 miles west of Bowling Green, where the highway runs roughly parallel with U.S. Route 1. “It’s navigable to 95 … so you can still get to where you need to go pretty easily but still get that small-town feel,” Jones says. Ashland is about 20 miles south, with Richmond about 45 miles in the same direction. Fredericksburg sits less than 25 miles north. Richmond International Airport is over 40 miles away. Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is one of the closest hospitals, around 19 miles north.
International restaurants around Bowling Green’s town center
Bowling Green’s town center sits on the east side and encompasses several restaurants. “There is a small downtown in Bowling Green,” Jones says. “You’re going to have a few Mexican restaurants … It’s really a one-street town, for the most part.” Diners can find international fare at spots like Los Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant or Roma Ristorante Italiano, a local franchise with a location in Bowling Green. The Heist serves food and drinks while hosting live music. About 20 miles south, the town of Ashland offers a variety of quaint restaurants, including IL Forno Bar + Grill and the Iron Horse Restaurant. Grocery shoppers can head to Food Lion on the west side of Bowling Green’s town center.
Experiencing nature at the Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area
The Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area is the largest recreational spot in Bowling Green. Visitors can hike almost 10 miles of trails, canoe on the Mattaponi River, and fish, hunt and camp in more than 2,500 acres of preserved land. “The Mattaponi River is really close to Bowling Green, and I know that for Virginia, as a statewide endeavor, they like to have access points to the river,” Jones says. Robert Farmer Park features basketball courts and a playground. Behind Caroline High School, Caroline Recreation Park has sports fields, a skate park and trails.
Amusement parks, resorts and Virginia’s annual State Fair
Several attractions are within driving distance of Bowling Green. About 20 miles south, The Meadow Event Park hosts the annual State Fair of Virginia, which typically draws more than 200,000 visitors each fall. The Kings Dominion amusement park is also about 20 miles south. In 2026, a Kalahari Resorts & Conventions location is set to open about 15 miles west in Spotsylvania. Baseball fans can go to Fredericksburg Nationals games, more than 20 miles north. Fort A.P. Hill is less than 3 miles from the town center. Other landmarks in Bowling Green include one of the country’s oldest Masonic Lodges.
