Set along the Ohio River and just below the mouth of the Tennessee River, Paducah is a little Kentucky town full of history and art. Originally known as Pekin, it was settled around 1815 and is one of only nine UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) cities in the U.S. This global designation is a reflection of everything Paducah has to offer and the city’s commitment to immersing visitors in its culture. Only about a three-hour drive from Memphis and Louisville and roughly two hours from Nashville, this charming small town makes for a great weekend getaway. Here’s your guide!
Read on to learn more about Paducah, or use these links below to skip ahead:
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK
Barrel & Bond
More info: barrelandbondky.com
The Barrel & Bond space features original architectural elements like gas lighting, wood, copper accents, and riverfront views. Find a full bar, an extensive selection of bourbon, signature cocktails, and bourbon pairings, as well as small plates, sandwiches, desserts, and charcuterie boards. Be sure to check their social media for current special events.
Dry Ground Brewing Company
More info: drygroundbrewing.com
Located in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant, Dry Ground Brewing Company is Paducah’s first craft brewery. In addition to offering lots of local beers on tap, the company hosts a variety of events, including concerts, trivia nights, and pop-up art shows.
Etcetera Coffeehouse
More info: etccoffeehouse.com
Featuring an art walk, labyrinth, and mural walls, this shop serves more than just coffee. In addition to a plethora of espresso-based beverages, guests can expect to find a selection of teas, smoothies, bubble drinks, milkshakes, and Italian sodas. The store also offers small bites like homemade bread and muffins, fruit, yogurt, bread from local favorite Kirchhoff’s, and homemade quiche on weekend mornings.
Freight House
More info: freighthousefood.com
Led by chef Sara Bradley — a runner-up on season 16 of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and a runner-up on “Top Chef: World All-Stars — Freight House’s mission is to bring diners Kentucky’s most unique dining experience. Its menu features traditional Southern dishes with a twist, like shrimp and grits made with a spicy pork shank, button mushrooms, New Orleans BBQ sauce, and pimento cheese grits.
Kirchhoff’s Bakery
More info: kirchoffsbakery.net
Kirchhoff’s is the place to go for fresh, made-from-scratch artisan bread. More than two dozen kinds of bread are offered, from sourdough and focaccia to cinnamon raisin and challah. The deli serves lunch, too. Try Kirchhoff’s famous club, made with herb-roasted turkey, smoked ham, crisp bacon, and cheddar cheese dressed with lettuce, tomato, and mayo piled high on fresh sourdough.
Paducah Beer Werks
More info: paducahbeerwerks.com
Set in Downtown’s historic Greyhound bus station, Paducah Beer Werks features local produce and Kentucky Proud items. Beer lovers will enjoy award-winning local brews and tastes from other Kentucky breweries, as well as craft breweries from around the world. Check their social media for current performances by both local and touring bands and comedians.
Pipers Tea & Coffee
More info: cupofpipers.com
Owned by a husband-and-wife team, this shop boasts more than 20 unique teas and a wide selection of seasonal coffee offerings — all of which are small-batch, single-origin blends. Guests can expect carefully crafted drinks made with high-quality, sustainable ingredients.
Purple Toad Winery
More info: purpletoadwinery.com
Kentucky’s most-awarded winery is on Old U.S. Highway 45 South in Paducah. Named after the color of one’s toes after grapes are pressed the old-fashioned way, Purple Toad Winery offers classics like merlot and chardonnay, as well as unique flavor blends like mango habañero and blackberry lemon. Plus, visitors can have their favorites shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Stella’s
More info: stellaspaducah.com
Located in an iconic 1800s building rumored to be haunted by Stella herself, this restaurant serves dinner five days a week. Choose from entrées like pan-roasted sea bass, fish and chips, or a bone-in pork chop. And don’t forget dessert — Stella’s offers three, with cocktails to match.
WHERE TO SHOP
Downtown Paducah
More info: paducahmainstreet.org
Downtown is a one-stop shop for dining, shopping, and entertainment. The area includes more than 160 businesses to peruse, and Architectural Digest recognized the historic district as one of the most beautiful main streets in the country.
Frenchtown Station & Slim’s Frenchtown Mercantile
More info: frenchtownstation.com
Built to resemble an English cottage, Frenchtown Station is a timeless space offering 21st-century goods, including unique finds for home, garden, and office spaces. Within Frenchtown Station is Slim’s Frenchtown Mercantile, an upscale shop that boasts a curated collection of gifts like home goods, men’s and women’s clothing, apothecary items, children’s products, books, and more.
WHERE TO EXPLORE
The Museum at Hotel Metropolitan
More info: facebook.com/greenbookstop
This historic hotel from the 1900s once hosted African American celebrities, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and B.B. King. The space is now an African American heritage museum, with tours available by appointment on Fridays and Saturdays.
Maiden Alley Cinema
More info: maidenalleycinema.org
Catch a current flick in a historic setting at Maiden Alley Cinema. The region’s only nonprofit movie theater sits in a landmark building and plays a curated selection of new releases, documentaries, and art films.
MAKE Studios
More info: makepaducah.com
The town surrounds visitors with art. At MAKE, they can create it, too. The studio, owned by a classically trained artist, offers in-person and virtual lessons for children and adults. The space is meant to serve not only as a space to create but as a place to unite people and support the local community.
The National Quilt Museum
More info: quiltmuseum.org
The country’s premier museum for contemporary quilting, Paducah’s National Quilt Museum has exhibited work by thousands of quilters to almost a million visitors since its opening in 1991. Women makers created more than 95% of the collections on display.
Yeiser Art Center
More info: theyeiser.org
Yeiser Art Center has been around since 1957. The nonprofit boasts a permanent exhibition space that hosts seven shows annually and features a permanent collection of more than 300 works. The center also offers educational classes for children and adults, as well as gallery talks and artist lectures.
WHERE TO STAY
The Fox Briar
More info: thefoxbriarinn.com
Located on the riverfront, The Fox Briar offers condominium-style lodging on a historic block in downtown Paducah. Its central location makes it easy to explore the town on foot, and the space offers everything one might need during their stay, whether for two days or 20.
SPECIAL EVENTS
There are things to see and do in Paducah all year long, but there are also a few special annual events to consider when planning your trip. The Dogwood Trail Celebration and QuiltWeek happen every April, while the Lower Town Arts & Music Festival is held in May. Additionally, the August 8 Emancipation Celebration commemorates the day that word of the Emancipation Proclamation made its way to Paducah.
There’s also Barbecue on the River in September, Oktoberfest in October, and the River’s Edge International Film Festival in November. And in December, the historic downtown area is decked out in holiday decor.
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