Plum Springs home to GM Bowling Green Assembly and tourist attractions
About 4 miles from the center of Bowling Green, the Plum Springs neighborhood is home to one of the city’s major employers: the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly. Over 1 million Corvettes have been built here since the company opened in 1981. “It’s really motivated a lot of development in that area,” says Steven Arndell, Realtor with Keller Williams First Choice Realty. This is clear, with newer housing like the Northridge community making up most of the market in recent years. The National Corvette Museum (NCM) is less than half a mile from the assembly, with heavily visited exhibits like the Skydome. At the NCM Motor Sports Park, people can watch races or test drive a Corvette. Other companies are based nearby, including Magna, a manufacturing company.
Northridge’s new traditional homes make up most of the market
Most of the housing in the area is in Northridge. New traditional homes built after 2000 are on flat, grassy lawns in front of a line of pine trees. “It’s good, affordable housing, especially for first-time homebuyers,” Arndell says. Sidewalks are along some roads, but not all. The rest of the area is filled with ranch styles and manufactured houses built between the mid-20th century and the 2010s. While those closer to the heart of Plum Springs are close to each other, many are on wide fields along country roads dotted with oak trees. Prices generally range from $150,000 to $350,000. Some land is available, starting at $55,000 for nearly a quarter of an acre.According to FEMA, some properties along the Barren River are at risk of flooding and may require flood insurance. There is a relatively high risk of tornadoes.
Local restaurants include homestyle cooking and barbecue
While most of the area is rural or industrial, there are some restaurants in the heart of Plum Springs. Laura’s Stockyard Café offers homestyle cooking. Catfish is one of the more popular items on the menu, available most Fridays. Puerto Vallarta serves Mexican food, and Arndell recommends Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q. “I love their brisket,” he says. Locals can get some groceries, like fresh produce, at the Dollar General Market. IGA and Kroger are nearby grocery options, along 31 W Bypass. Target and Lowe’s are about 9 miles away, near Greenwood Mall.
The National Corvette Museum hosts events for car enthusiasts
The National Corvette Museum hosts several events throughout the year. The Michelin Bash allows car enthusiasts to go on tours, attend seminars by Corvette experts and participate in a museum-judged car show. Every five years, people from across the country drive to the NCM for the Corvette Caravan, which ends in a four-day festival with food and drink vendors.
Students attend Warren County schools, with Western Kentucky University nearby
As part of Warren County Public Schools, students in Plum Spring can start at Bristow Elementary School before heading to Warren East Middle School. The athletics department at Warren East High School has won several titles, including the District Championship for boys’ basketball in 2023. All three schools earn a B from Niche. Western Kentucky University is about 4 miles away, with 94 undergraduate majors and 75 minors.
Beech Bend and Weldon Peete Park offer outdoor recreation
The National Corvette Museum is not the only racetrack in the area, with a dragstrip at Beech Bend. The park also features an amusement park with rides, bumper cars, mini golf and the Splash Lagoon Water Park. “It’s actually a favorite tourist attraction for people out here,” Arndell says. Other nearby recreation options include Weldon Peete Park, where ample fishing, hiking and biking are available. Trails include the Low Hollow Mountain Bike Trail, which is nearly 3 miles long and is designed for beginners and intermediate cyclists. Bowling Green Country Club members have access to an 18-hole golf course, an Olympic-sized pool and tennis.
Access to the interstate lets people drive into Bowling Green
Residents rely on their cars to get around and can take U.S. Route 68 about 4 miles to downtown Bowling Green. Interstate 65 is also nearby, leading about 65 miles to Nashville. The Medical Center at Bowling Green is the closest hospital, about 3 miles away.
