Road Trippin' to Paducah - A UNESCO Creative City!

 What a trip! ​ Our Executive Director shares her fun on the road in Paducah

I have the wonderful blessing to be able to travel around this beautiful Bluegrass Commonwealth and one of my favorite city's to visit is Paducah.  If you don't know, Paducah is located in the Southwestern section of the state.  In the KTG terms, we call it Western Waterlands, and it's situated right along the Ohio River.  It's a beautiful place full of rich history, engaging attractions and a haven for creative thinkers and doers.  It's one of nine Creative Cities in the United States, designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

​Once there, you can walk along the Wall to Wall Mural that borders the Ohio River at the edge of town. It was named Trip Advisor's Most Popular Tourist Attraction in Kentucky in 2014. I love visiting it each time I'm there and the best thing is its FREE!  There are several unique museums to visit, most within walking distance of each other. 

 I visited 3 while I was there - the River Discovery Center, where I was able to see an actual replica of the Belle of Louisville; The William Clark Market House Museum, where I was greeted by a wonderful host Ms. Penny Fields, who made me feel like a rock star and loaded me up with cookbooks and other fabulous historical items to read.  Go see her and tell her that Pamela from Kentucky Travel Guide sent you.  She will take excellent care of you and you will see the most amazing things!  I never leave Paducah without a stop in the National Quilt Museum. They have rotating exhibits and this time I fell absolutely, head over heals in love with the work of Danny Amazonas.  I could spend half the day there with my mind blown by the talent of the quilters.  Simply amazing!

Are you a Top Chef Fan? Foodie? Just love good food in a great atmosphere? If so, make sure you plan to enjoy a fabulous meal the Freight House, where Chef Sara Bradley, (runner-up on season 16 of Bravo's Top Chef) can be seen expediting the line, running food, interacting with the guests and doing a lot of smiling!  This farm to table gem served up the absolute best Shrimp and Grits this S&G aficionado has ever tasted. ​Chef Sara came by to tell me it was all in the spicy pork shank broth.  In any case, it wasn't only a winner in the creative plating, but the taste would keep me driving 3 and a half hours from Louisville to find things to do in Paducah around my meal - oh and my drink.  I enjoyed an Out with the Old Fashioned.  I'm a big buttermilk pie fan and this one hit a home run!  

​Just a hop down the road a little and you can visit Purple Toad Winery.  Steve Dossey and his crew are as friendly as can be and they have a wine for every palate.  In fact, they've won tons of awards and proudly display them behind the tasting counter.  There is plenty of room for a crowd and they offer live music and events on weekends.  Check them out and grab some of the goodies they have for sale in the tasting room. I seem to bring something new home each time I'm there.  

To make it short, plan to visit Paducah in your near future!  Upcoming events for September are Epic Fall AQS Quiltweek held in September 11-14th, the Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Show during September 19-21st, the ever popular and unique Dragon Boat Festival on September 21st and the not to miss Barbecue on the River held September 26-28th.  Check out the tourism website here for more information.  for a list of all of the fabulous things to see, do and experience when you plan your next adventure in a new Kentucky hometown! 

Wherever you go - tag us on FB KYTravelGuide, Tweet us on Twitter @KYTravelGuide and #kytravel  on Instagram.  We love to share in your window to the world as you Discover Your Next Adventure! 

Author

Pamela Denny is the Executive Director of The Kentucky Travel Guide.  Her favorite thing to do is...travel and explore cool places while meeting new friends...  A former hometown chef, mother of 3 and lover of all things uniquely Kentucky, she is passionate about helping others learn about the  extraordinary adventures they can find leading from Kentucky's backroads.  Drop her a line at Pamela@kytravel.com with suggestions and find her on Instagram at #kytravelgal.