Paducah, Kentucky is a historic river town situated in western Kentucky where the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers meet. It was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803, and then later established as a town in 1827.
Paducah became a huge coal transport hub in the 1800’s due to its access to the rivers and railroads nearby. It was also a significant Civil War location and was once known as the “Gateway to the Confederacy.”
Along with a rich history, Paducah has also been designated as one of nine UNESCO Creative Cities in the US and is home to the National Quilt Museum.
My husband and I did a quick weekend getaway to Paducah to celebrate our second anniversary. I appreciated the historic, unique charm that this town has to offer! And if you’re a Civil War history nerd (like my husband), you will definitely love Paducah!
There are a ton of quirky museums, antique shops, historic sites, and restaurants to explore in Paducah. Whether you’re just in town for a quick stop or planning a long weekend getaway, this post has the 16 best things to do in Paducah, Kentucky!
Best Time to Visit Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is a great place to visit year round, but spring and fall are the best times to visit. It will be hot and humid in the summer and cold in the winter.
If you visit in the fall, you might be able to catch the Paducah Barbeque on the River Festival.
Visiting in mid-April brings the Dogwood Trail, a 2-mile lighted trail of Dogwood, Japanese Maple, Red Bud, and Cherry Trees on the west side of the town.
We visited in early May and it was very pleasant!
How to Get to Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is located in western Kentucky along the Ohio River. The main highway to get to town is I-24. but US Highways 60, 62, and 45 will get you there as well.
Saint Louis, Louisville, and Nashville are the closest airports. I assume you either live close by and won’t be flying, or will be flying as part of a longer road trip through the midwest or south when planning a trip to Paducah.
Here are some drive times from large, nearby cities:
- Louisville, Kentucky: 216 miles / 3.5 hours
- Nashville, Tennessee: 137 miles / 2 hours
- Saint Louis, Missouri: 174 miles / 3 hours
- Lexington, Kentucky: 255 miles / 4 hours
- Memphis, Tennessee: 203 miles / 3.5 hours
- Evansville, Indiana: 128 miles / 2 hours
- Springfield, Illinois: 238 miles / 4 hours
Paducah makes a great weekend getaway if you live near one of the above cities!
Related: 13 Top Things to Do in Brown County, Indiana (From a Local!)
16 Best Things to Do in Paducah, Kentucky
1. Floodwall Murals
Paducah experienced a devastating flood in 1937 that submerged nearly 95% of the town underwater. 27,000 people had to be evacuated and it caused millions of dollars in damage.
After the flood, a petition was sent to the US Congress to build a floodwall to protect Paducah. A worst-case scenario test was run by the Army Corps of Engineers after the wall and dams along the rivers were constructed to ensure that flooding like in 1937 would never happen again.
The Floodwalls have been painted with 60 different murals by Robert Dafford and depict Paducah’s history. Grab a coffee and go for a walk to admire the artwork!
2. National Quilt Museum
One of the more unique things to do in Paducah is visiting the National Quilt Museum. The museum opened in 1991 and has attracted over 1 million visitors since then. The US Congress declared it a “National” museum in 2008.
There are over 250 exhibits in the museum and there are numerous opportunities throughout the year to learn about quilting.
The cost of the museum is $15 per adult and the Museum is open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00 and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00. Children are free.
3. Paducah Riverwalk
Another great way to enjoy Paducah is walking the riverfront and watching the boats.
There are multiple benches and steps to sit on to enjoy the view, or keep walking upstream to where the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers meet!
We enjoyed a nice walk along the river after dinner.
Related: 10 Best Places to Visit in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
4. Explore Historic Downtown
Downtown Paducah has been recognized by Architectural Digest as one of the best and most beautiful Main Streets. There are 20 square blocks that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
One of the best things to do in Paducah is walk around to see the architecture! Most of the buildings were built between 1870 and 1930.
Paducah also has a downtown Farmer’s Market mid-April through November from 7:30 to 3:30.
5. Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland
Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden is a wacky toy museum and outdoor art studio located in the neighboring town of Calvert City. The museum features over 3000 toys and trains in what used to be a gas station and diner.
It’s open from 8:00 to 5:00 daily and can be a weird, fun place to spend an hour or two on a road trip! It is free to enter but donations are welcomed.
We personally passed on this place, but if you have kids or enjoy quirky attractions, you’ll likely enjoy it!
6. Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park is located across the river in Metropolis, Illinois.
The history of Fort Massac begins with the Native Americans taking advantage of the strategic location overlooking the Ohio River. The French built a fort on the site in 1757 during the French and Indian War, but it was abandoned a few years later after the war and was burned to the ground.
In 1794, President George Washington ordered the fort to be rebuilt and it was used for over 20 years to protect US military and commercial interests in the Ohio River Valley.
Now, Fort Massac remains as a state park situated on 24 acres. A replica of the fort is located on the site for visitors to explore.
Related: The Ultimate 7-Day West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary (Full of Hiking and History)
7. Whitehaven Welcome Center
The Whitehaven Welcome Center isn’t just any boring welcome center you find off the highway. This restored 1860’s mansion was the home of Alben Barkley, a Paducah native who served as Vice President under Harry Truman.
The lobby and restrooms are open 24/7 and tours of the home are offered Monday through Saturday until 4:00.
It is definitely worth a stop to admire this piece of history with period-correct furnishings and artifacts!
8. William Clark Market House Museum
The William Clark Market House Museum once served as Paducah’s public market and is over 100 years old.
It is the oldest museum in Paducah, named after William Clark from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Lewis and Clark discovered the area in 1803 and William Clark returned later to help establish the town in 1827.
The museum has an interactive timeline of Paducah’s history dating back to the first settlers. There are guided tours, but you can also explore at your own pace.
It’s open from 10:00 to 4:00 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and costs $5 per person for admission.
9. Paducah Railroad Museum
Check out the Paducah Railroad Museum that showcases memorabilia from America’s railroads. There is also a locomotive simulator!
The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 to 4:00 and costs $6 per person.
If you’re planning a weekend trip, you probably won’t be able to visit the museum since it’s closed on Saturday and Sunday. But it might be worth a stop if you are in town during the week!
10. Bourbon Tasting
You cannot leave Paducah without doing a bourbon tasting!
There are a handful of great bourbon bars to try, but there is also a downtown walking tour that explains the history and significance of bourbon in Paducah. The “Forgotten Spirits” tour is 60 minutes long and features 9 stops in historic downtown.
As far as cocktail/bourbon bars go, here are a few recommendations:
- Barrel and Bond
- Foxbriar Cocktail Bar
- Freight House Restaurant
- Silent Brigade Distillery
- Johnson Bar
11. Lower Town Neighborhood Tour
Lower Town is one of Paducah’s oldest residential neighborhoods that dates back to before the Civil War. It was the home of prominent Paducah residents, like the mayor, lawyers, bank presidents, and other wealthy business owners.
The architecture here is really impressive! The city of Paducah has put together a Lower Town map with points of interest for a self-guided walking tour.
This was one of my favorite things we did in Paducah. I love walking around and discovering a new place with an iced coffee in my hand!
Related: The Greenbrier Bunker Tour: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
12. Bob Noble Park & Paducah Greenway Trail
The Greenway Trail connects historic downtown Paducah with several city parks via a walking/biking trail. It’s roughly 5 miles along the riverfront and makes for a great post-dinner walk.
You can access the trail by parking at Stuart Nelson Park, Bob Noble Park, the riverfront, or the Convention Center.
Related: New River Gorge Itinerary | How to Spend 1, 2, or 3 Days in New River Gorge National Park
13. Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum
Lloyd Tilghman was a West Point graduate who moved to Paducah to work as a civil engineer on the first railroad to connect Paducah to major cities in the south.
The house was built in downtown Paducah for Tilghman and his family in 1852 by Robert Woolfolk in the Greek Revival style. He lived there until 1861, when he moved away and the Woolfolk family moved in.
During the Civil War, the house was right across the street from the US Soldiers’ headquarters. The Woolfolk family was pro-succession, and later got banished to Canada for flying a Confederate flag and causing a riot in December 1861.
The history here is truly incredible! The house now operates as a Civil War Museum and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 April through November.
14. Go Antiquing
One of my favorite things to do in Paducah is antiquing! I love finding unique pieces from our travels to bring into our home.
There are a handful of antique stores in downtown Paducah:
- Paducah Antique Mall
- Curiosities
- Antique Galleria
- The Victorian Parlor
- American Harvest Antiques
15. Inland Waterways Museum (River Discovery Center)
The Inland Waterways Museum (formerly known as the River Discovery Center) is located in the oldest standing structure in Paducah. Enormous effort went into preserving and renovating this building into the museum we see today.
Learn about maritime history, the famous 1937 flood, and river traffic on the Ohio and Tennessee rivers.
The museum costs $12/person and is open Monday through Saturday 9:30 to 5:00 and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00.
16. Eat at Freight House
Freight House is Sara Bradley’s (from Top Chef) restaurant that features a fantastic farm-to-table menu. Her Jewish and Appalachian upbringing works to define the flavors of the “New South.”
This place gets fantastic reviews, so it’s definitely worth the splurge!
Freight House also has a great bourbon selection, so it’s a great place to eat and try some famous Kentucky bourbon!
Where to Eat in Paducah
There is a great selection of local places to eat and drink in Paducah!
Breakfast: Kirchoff’s Bakery, Gold Rush Cafe
Coffee: Etcetera Coffee House
Pizza: Max’s Brick Oven Cafe, Italian Village Pizza
Lunch/Dinner: Over/Under, Doe’s Eat Place, Stella’s
Upscale Dining: Freight House
Dessert: The Sugar Whisk, Forever Sweet Creamery
Local Beer, Wine, & Spirits: Paducah Beer Werks, Bond and Barrel, Foxbriar Cocktail Bar, Freight House, Dry Ground Brewing, Silent Brigade Distilling, Purple Toad Winery
Where to Stay in Paducah
I highly recommend staying in a bed and breakfast within walking distance of downtown. It is so nice to be able to walk and explore without worrying about parking your car.
Here are my lodging suggestions:
If you want a run-of-the-mill hotel experience, the Holiday Inn is located downtown right on the riverfront.
We stayed at The Respite, a cute bed and breakfast with event space located across the street from the Holiday Inn.
The 1857 Hotel is a gorgeous industrial-themed boutique hotel that is located in the heart of downtown.
Any of these places would make a great home base for exploring Paducah!
Other Nearby Attractions
Mammoth Cave National Park: Mammoth Cave is home to the largest cave system in the world. The best way to explore Mammoth Cave is by booking one or more of the guided tours.
Mammoth Cave National Park is just under 3 hours east of Paducah.
Fort Defiance State Park: Fort Defiance is located on the southernmost tip of Illinois near Cairo where the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers meet. It was known as Camp Defiance during the Civil War.
There isn’t a ton to do here, but watching the ships for a few minutes or doing a short hike to a scenic overlook can be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Fort Defiance is about an hour west of Paducah.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site: Wickliffe Mounds is a prehistoric archaeological site that dates back to 1100 A.D. There is a museum that displays artifacts found on the site.
Wickliffe Mounds is just across the river from Fort Defiance, just under an hour from Paducah.
Did this post help you plan your trip to Paducah? Which of these best things to do in Paducah, Kentucky are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below!
-Megan
