A Detailed Guide to Paducah, Kentucky – Things to do, Restaurants, and more!

Paducah, Kentucky, is a gem on the Ohio River in western Kentucky. We visited Paducah and were blown away by its small-town charm, architecture, interesting attractions, and history. This guide to Paducah, Kentucky, includes detailed information on the best attractions and restaurants, where to stay, and more. For our fellow boaters, make sure to check out our Boater’s Guide to Paducah KY at the end of this article!

Things to Do in Paducah, Kentucky

National Quilt Museum

You might be thinking, “Quilts…?” but take it from someone who’s been there; the National Quilt Museum is awesome! The quilt exhibits are works of art that can impress both the professional quilter and quilt novice. We often reveled in the fact that we were looking at quilts because many of the pieces looked like paintings. The level of detail the quilters add to the quilts is astonishing. The displays include quilts, tapestries, and other wall hangings made from traditional and new materials. They rotate many of their quilts, so even if you’ve visited the quilting museum before, I’m sure you’ll see new exhibits.

The National Quilt Museum is closed for maintenance on major holidays and the first week of January. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm and 1 pm – 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $15 per person with discounts for students, military/veterans, and people over the age of 62. Children under the age of 12 are free. You can book your tickets online or in person.

Floodwall Murals

The Floodwall Murals are a completely free attraction in Paducah that shares the town’s history and give context to it’s location at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. The Ohio River is one of the major midwest rivers that lead into the Mississippi River. After the Ohio Valley Flood of 1937, the US Army Corp of Engineers built the floodwalls between 1939 and 1949. and later painted in 1996 and finished in 2022 by the Dafford muralists. In 2013 the UN designated Paducah as a UNESCO Creative City. The murals are displayed chronologically from the original Native American Indian heritage to the present-day activities on the river. You can take a guided walking tour with one of the Paducah Ambassadors or enjoy a self-guided tour by reading the bronze placards with information about each mural.

Paducah Railroad Museum

Learn about Paducah’s history in the rail industry at the Paducah Railroad Museum. It’s open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 4 pm and Saturdays by appointment only or when riverboats are docked. Admission costs $6 for adults and $3 for children.

Walk the Paducah Riverwalk

The Paducah Riverwalk is another completely free attraction that overlooks the Ohio River. You can watch tug and barge traffic go by and wonder what contents they’re transporting. While enjoying the Paducah Riverwalk, you can listen to a free self-guided audio tour of the Downtown District. You can also take the complimentary Paducah Area Transit System Trolley around the Historic Downtown and Lower Town Art District. The trolley runs from April through August, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm.

William Clark Market House Museum

The William Clark Market House Museum was founded in 1968 and resides in the block-long 1905 Market House. The museum includes information and artifacts on the history of Paducah, including original town drawings, the town’s first motorized firetruck, and an extensive Civil War display. This museum is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm CST and is closed in the winter from mid-December through the first weekend of March. The cost of admission for adults is $5, and for children (ages 6-12) is $1.

Explore the Greenway Trail

The Greenway Trail is a 5-mile-plus trail that connects the downtown area to several residential neighborhoods and city parks, including the city’s largest park, Bob Noble Park, and the McCracken County trail system. The trail is marked every 0.1 mile, making it a great place to enjoy walking or biking. The full trail map is on the town website or the AllTrails app.

We love using AllTrails to download maps offline so we can always stay on the trail. Sign up for AllTrails+ so you too can download maps offline before your hike!

Inland Waterways Museum (previously River Discovery Center)

The Inland Waterways Museum is a beautiful resource in Paducah, Kentucky, where you can learn about the Midwest Rivers, the materials shipped on them, and the importance of our waterways. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the river’s valuable freshwater muscles, the invasive species, and the various industries that use tugs and barges to move products along the inland waterways. This museum was one of our favorite attractions in Paducah and is a must-visit for any boater traveling on the Midwest rivers! The museum is located in the oldest standing building in Downtown Paducah and is open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. The museum is closed on major holidays. Admission costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (60+), and $8 for children (4-17).

Paducah River Cruise

A few tour boats stop in Paducah as part of overnight River Cruises. Check out their website for cruise ships, itineraries, and prices.

Tilghman Civil War Museum

The Tilghman Civil War Museum is the former house of West Point graduate and CSA Gen. Lloyd Tilghman. Here, you can learn about Civil War history and Western Kentucky’s role in the Civil War. The museum is temporarily closed. When it reopens, operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., April through November. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 6 to 12.

Places to Eat in Paducah, Kentucky

Coffee & Sweets

• Etcetera Coffeehouse is a great coffee shop located in Downtown Paducah.
• Pipers Tea and Coffee House is a popular coffee shop in Downtown Paducah serving coffee and signature tea blends.
• Kirchoff Deli & Bakery is known for its fifth-generation pastries, including a popular Kentucky dessert called chess pie. Chess pie is a southern pecan pie base without the pecans.

Food

• Gold Rush Cafe is a local American diner located in Downtown Paducah.
• Freight House is a local farm-to-table restaurant owned by chef Sara Bradley, a native Paduchan. We recommend trying a Kentucky classic, the spicy beer cheese!
• Cynthia’s Ristorante is a local Italian restaurant that serves classic dishes.
• Flamingo Row has a Caribbean-inspired menu.
• Does Eat Place is a local steakhouse located in Downtown Paducah.
• Cafe de Fae is a local spot with a rotating menu for brunch, lunch or cocktails.

Drinks & Breweries

• Barrel & Bond features several Kentucky bourbons and whiskeys.
• Dry Ground Brewing Company is a super fun spot outside Downtown Paducah in a fun art deco building with a fabulous outdoor area filled with picnic tables and games.
• The Silent Brigade Distillery has copper pots to make their hand-crafted Kentucky bourbon. Tours and tastings are available while you listen to some local live music.
• Paducah Beer Werks is conveniently located in Downtown Paducah and has a great outdoor area and beer selection. They also have a menu featuring burgers, pizza, and other typical bar food.

About Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah, Kentucky, originally known as Pekin, was settled around 1815. Paducah’s location was important as a port city as it’s just miles away from the Tennessee River to the east and a few miles away from the Mississippi River to the west. In 1827, William Clark, from the Lewis and Clark expedition, arrived in the town with a deed to the land. The town was named in honor of the Padouca Indians, which were the largest nation of Native Americans that ever roamed North America. A copy of the letter and the maps of the original town can be seen at the Market House Museum in town.

The town’s proximity to the Ohio River has been crucial to its growth and development. Steamboats used its port facilities to move goods such as red brick and locomotive components, giving the town both a river and rail industrial economy. Paducah became an important railway hub in the midwest as it was a part of the Illinois Central Railroad (ICRR) which moved coal in Kentucky and Illinois.

Paducah’s geographical location at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers and just miles away from the Mississippi River put the town in a precarious spot. The Ohio Valley Flood of 1937 at Paducah surpassed the 50-foot flood stage, making it the worst natural disaster in Paducah’s history. Over 90% of the city was inundated with water, causing 27,000 people to be evacuated. Following the event, the USACE built a flood wall around the city.

Why Visit Paducah, Kentucky

In 2013 the UN designated Paducah as a UNESCO Creative City. The city’s artistic flare can be found throughout the city, from the National Quilt Museum to local art galleries, various performance venues, and the Floodwall murals. Art is woven into the city’s fabric. Pacuah is a wonderful town to visit in western Kentucky and shows off some of this region’s charm. It’s a great place to learn about the history, industries, and creativity that this region has to offer.

As of 2022, the population was about 22,000. Paducah, Kentucky, is located on America’s Great Loop route and a popular stop for boaters traveling south from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Paducah, Kentucky is in late spring or early fall, before the heat of summer comes in and before it gets too cold during the winter months. Paducah hosts two festivals each year, one in May and the second in September, making that a great time to see the town come alive! Most boaters will travel the Great Loop stopping in Paducah in September through October as they make their way down the Midwest rivers.

How to get to and around Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah is located in Western Kentucky at the northern state line of Kentucky. It’s located on the Ohio River, 46 miles upstream from the Mississippi River. You can easily get to Paducah, Kentucky by car or boat. The downtown area is walkable, making it a great spot to explore by foot.

Paducah’s local airport is the Barkley Regional Airport (PAH). The closest large airports are Nashville International Airport (BNA), which is 2:20 away, and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is 3 hours away by driving. You can catch a bus from the Paducah Bus Station, rent a car, or take an Amtrack train to St. Louis, MO.

Annual Festivals and Events in Paducah, Kentucky

Festivals in Paducah

The American Quilter’s Society Quilt Show and Contest (AQS QuiltWeekTM) is an annual event held every April, a week-long quilting extravaganza.

The Lower Town Arts & Music Festival is a weekend of art, community, and music. It is held the second weekend of May. It celebrates musical, culinary, and artistic talent from Western Kentucky and the surrounding region at the Yeiser Art Center, Paducah’s oldest non-profit art organization.

River’s Edge International Film Festival (REIFF) is held at the beginning of August and is a celebration of creativity and filmmaking with visiting filmmakers, film talks, and various screenings.

BBQ on the River is a popular fall festival held on the Paducah waterfront. It’s held every year in late September and features several booths with BBQs, local vendors, music, and more!

Paducah Farmers Market

The Paducah Homegrown Farmers’ Market is open from mid-April through mid-October. Special “Celebration Saturday” events are hosted monthly on the third Saturday, featuring specific vendors, live music, and craft activities. The market is every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 306 North 2nd Street in historic downtown Paducah.

Shows and Performances

The Carson Center for the Performing Arts hosts many big-name artists and events. Check out their events calendar for the latest performances!

Market House Theatre is a local theatre in Downtown Paducah. Check out what’s playing at the Market House Theatre and catch a local show!

How much time do you need in Paducah, Kentucky

We visited Paducah in 2022 during our Great Loop for a quick 24-hour overnight stay. Although we tried our best to optimize our time there, we recommend spending two days exploring Paducah so you can explore more of the fun attractions in town. We loved exploring the National Quilt Museum and the Inland Waterways Museum but left wishing we had more time to explore the William Clark Market House Museum, read about the town’s history at the Floodwall Murals, and enjoy a farm-to-table meal at the Freight House.

Where to Stay in Paducah, Kentucky

Since most of Paducah’s attractions are located in its downtown district, we recommend staying downtown for the most convenient exploration of the town.

• Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront, an IHG Hotel (moderate)
• The Respite B&B (moderate)
• Belle Louise Historic Bed & Breakfast (luxury)
• The 1857 (moderate)
• 1895 Washington Hotel (budget/moderate)

You can also check for vacation rentals through VRBO or Airbnb.

Several campgrounds are nearby, ranging in distance, but the closest is only a 12-minute drive from downtown Paducah.

Boaters Guide to Paducah, Kentucky

How to approach Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah is located on the Ohio River near the confluence of the Tennessee River. Boaters traveling upstream (East) will face a strong current – we experienced a 2.5-knot current – but you can have stronger currents depending on the season and recent rainfall. It’s essential to watch out for tug and barge traffic as this stretch of the Ohio River is heavily used by commercial traffic.

Download the free Waterway Guide App to locate marinas, services, anchorages, free docks, navigation alerts, bridges, locks, and more!

Marinas in Paducah, Kentcuky

The City of Paducah Transient Docks on the Ohio River mm 935 opened in 2017 and has a 350-foot floating dock on MASSIVE pilings. Dockage is available on both sides of the floating dock, and rafting with another boat was allowed when we visited in 2022. There are both 30a and 50a. Since the marina can get busy, especially in the fall when many loopers and boaters are heading southbound, we recommend making a reservation on Dockwa before leaving Alton or Grafton, Illinois. Daytime temporary moorage is allowed at no charge between 11 am and 5 pm. The dock does NOT have showers, laundry, or restroom facilities on site.  A public restroom facility is downtown near Jefferson and Water Streets.

Use our Referral Code 450ZMS3 for a $15 discount on your Dockwa reservation!

Where to Anchor in Paducah, Kentucky

There are protected anchorages close to Paducah, but you can anchor on the far side of the river across from Paducah. It is exposed to tug and barge traffic but is a good option if the Paducah Transient Docks are full. You can then take your dinghy to the Paducah Transient Dock. For more information, and a detailed map of Paducah, we recommend checking out Waterway Guide.

Check out our Great Loop Anchorages and Free Docks Spreadsheet with 600+ anchorages!

Provisioning and Hardware Stores in Paducah, Kentucky

Cash Saver grocery store is 3.2 miles, about a 20-minute bike ride or a 10-minute car ride from the Paducah Transient Docks. A Kroger and Harbor Freight Tools are in the same direction: 3.7 miles, a 24-minute bike ride, or an 11-minute car ride from the Paducah Transient Docks.

A second Kroger is 3 miles away, an 18-minute bike ride or a 7-minute car ride from the Paducah Transient Docks. You can safely bike there via the Greenway trail.

Internet in Paducah, Kentucky

The downtown district has several public wifi access points. Look for “PaducahHotSpot” wireless access point to connect. The McCracken County Public Library also has wifi.

Check out our blog post on Boat Internet!

Map of Paducah, Kentucky

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

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