Destination Overview
Paducah, named for the legendary "Padouca" Indians, is also known as "Quilt City
USA", home of the American Quilter's Society. This historic River City features
many nationally recognized and locally owned one-of-a-kind restaurants offering
a wide range of cuisine selections.
Although Paducah is known for it’s heritage tourism attractions with historic homes and museums, cultural
attractions abound. The art galleries, theatre productions and concerts keep
the calendar full. The downtown antique shops bring unique items from the past
while the specialty shops favor the eclectic and Kentucky Crafted products.
Kentucky Oaks Mall, with over one hundred stores, offers special senior
discounts and a V.I.P. program for group tours. Harrah
’s Casino is just eleven miles away in Metropolis, Illinois.
Paducah/McCracken County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Let us help you plan a trip to Paducah...Our Group Sales staff can help with
itinerary planning and suggestions. Give us a call at
1-800-PADUCAH.
CVB Services
• Group tour manual
• Paducah video
• Itinerary planning
• Escort notes
• Personalized dining guides
• Complimentary step-on guide service by the famous red-jacketed Paducah
Ambassadors
• Color slides, photographs or discs
• City and regional brochures
• Plastic Paducah lapel pins, plastic bags and postcards
• FAM Tour opportunities
• Cooperative advertising
Hub & Spoke Tour Suggestions
• Land Between the Lakes (25 miles)
• Lock & Dams of KY & Barkley Lakes (22 miles)
• Pratt Museum, Ft. Campbell (70 miles)
• Patti’s, Grand Rivers, Ky. (23 miles)
Sales Department
Group and tour rates available.
Call for details.
1-800-866-3636 ext 2127
Contact the Paducah CVB for group information
1-800-PADUCAH
Theme Tour Suggestions
Meet the VEEP
Meet one of the famous red-jacketed Paducah Ambassadors in the lobby of the
Executive Inn, near the Barkley carriage, for a welcome and introduction to
Paducah native Alben W. Barkley, 35th Vice President of the U. S. under Harry
Truman. Board the coach for a driving tour along Jefferson Street, past the
Barkley Monument. Tour Whitehaven, an 1860 antebellum home restored to the
Victorian splendor of 1903 with grand woodwork, plaster ceiling medallions and
fine furnishings. The second floor features Barkley memorabilia. Continue the
driving tour past "The Angles", Barkley's family home, one of the earliest
standing buildings in McCracken County, and Wall to Wall: Portraits from the
Past, murals by Robert Dafford, where a larger than life image of the Vice
President graces the floodwall.
Cost: No Charge
Time: 1 1/2 hours
A Quilting We
Will Go
Guided tour of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society, the largest quilt
museum in the world. Walk one block to King's Quilting Studio for a short talk
by Sara Newberg King, an internationally known quilter
& author. Browse through the antique and specialty shops in the historic downtown
area.
Cost: $3 per person for admission to the Quilt Museum.
Time: 3 hours
Paducah's Own "Antiques Roadshow"
Hidden in shelves, drawers, trunks and shoe boxes are collections of cups & saucers, spoons, thimbles, salt & pepper shakers, dolls – even baskets & quilts! The fun of your collection is in the hunt! We'll visit Chief Paduke
Antiques, located on the first floor of the old N.C.
& St.L Freight Depot. Next it's on to the Kentucky Avenue and Market House Square
shops. No telling what we can find! Meet for sweets and show 'n tell at
Kirchhoff
’s, a 5th generation bakery, where Ray Pelley, owner of Antiques, Cards & Collectibles, will give us a little insight on the serious business of
antiquing.
Cost: No Charge
Time: 3 hours
War of the
Western Rivers
Follow General Grant's footsteps up Broadway to the spot where he gave his
address: "An enemy, in rebellion against our common Government, has taken
possession of and planted its guns upon the soil of Kentucky and fired upon our
flag. ... I am here to defend you against this enemy." Tour the Civil War
exhibits at the Tilghman Heritage Center, the home of Lloyd Tilghman, a
Confederate who became a Brigadier General during the War. Experience the
battle of Paducah and the story of the 8th
“Colored” Artillery who manned the Union garrison, Fort Anderson. Living history
portrayals can be provided with prior arrangements.
Cost: $3 per person admission to the Civil War Museum.
Time: 2 hours
Those Shoes Were Made for Walking
See a Renaissance Kentucky city up close during a walking tour of revitalized
downtown Paducah, an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
See creative uses of old buildings, one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants in
beautiful turn-of-the-century buildings, more historic markers than any city in
the Commonwealth, the confluence of Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, fabulous murals
by Robert Dafford, and "Iron Horse" Steam Engine #1518.
Cost: No charge.
Time: 1 hour
