Text logo reading 'Foodie Adventures' with 'Foodie' in bold white font on a purple background and 'Adventures' in purple cursive script.

From Murray to Paducah

Peak Time to Visit: Year-Round

A white plate with grilled lamb chops topped with chimichurri sauce, served with sliced onions and a glass of red wine on a wooden table.

Day 1: Easy Arrival

Stop by Shaffer Coffee Co. for an afternoon pick-me-up. Enjoy one of the seasonal specialty drinks, which are always a local hit. Shaffer is the local hot spot for a leisurely coffee date. Dinner at Stephano’s Trattoria will be an Italian delight. We recommend the seasonal bruschetta with burrata; this dish changes seasonally and is paired with Kirchoff’s Bakery bread (another Paducah foodie stop!). Weather permitting, the outdoor patio is ideal for a sunset meal.

Bookshelves filled with various books and comics, with labels on the shelves indicating categories like science fiction, fantasy, comics, and young adult. There is a framed artwork and a small statue on top of the shelves.

Day 2: Downtown Finds & Paducah Flavors

Start with breakfast at Rudy’s on the Square, a beloved Southern-style spot known for classic, no-frills fare. Homemade biscuits, fluffy pancakes and eggs to order are recommended. Spend the morning exploring the downtown court square, including Bolin Books, Murray’s local independent bookstore and Wit’s End Records for vintage and current vinyl albums.

Travel to Paducah, stopping at Kirchhoff’s Bakery downtown for an afternoon cookie break and artisan bread to take home. Baked fresh each day, the Kirchoff family has been providing handcrafted goodness since 1873.

Get ready for a fabulous dinner at The Freight House, created by Executive Chef, Sara Bradley, 2025 James Beard Award nominee, Top Chef finalist, and Food Network competitor. The avid foodie should make reservations for the Chef’s Tasting, private, six-course tasting menu created by Chef Bradley.

Cap the evening at Abstraction Spirits, Paducah's newest distillery. Abstraction brings an artist's sensibility to craft distilling, with small-batch bourbon and rye worth savoring slowly. The tasting room is a must for anyone who believes drinks should look as good as they taste.

People enjoying drinks at a bar in a cozy, rustic restaurant with brick walls and shelves of liquor bottles.

Day 3: Foodie Finale

Chef Patrick brings passion and creativity to every plate at The Cork Room, a stylish Paducah spot where brunch hits every mark. Expect beautiful food, genuine hospitality, and the kind of meal that earns a permanent spot in your top restaurant recommendations.

After brunch, stop at the 505 Hideaway for a local brew. Located in the historic Ritz Midtown, this rustic and charming coffee bar offers interesting specialty drinks using a homemade Red Chile syrup. Midtown Market is the gourmet bodega of the neighborhood, offering a treasure trove for foodies. The store offers the region’s largest selection of Kentucky Proud products, from cheeses and honey to preserves, perfect for taking a taste of Kentucky home.

Front view of a red brick university building with a clock tower, surrounded by green trees and lawn, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Close-up of two golden-brown sausage breakfast muffins with a bite taken out of one, served on a white plate with a small cup of butter.
A woman walking a black French Bulldog on a leash down a city sidewalk. The woman is wearing a green dress, a denim jacket, and sandals. She appears to be enjoying a sunny day in front of an art gallery, with potted plants and storefronts along the street.
People walking outside the Market House Theatre with banners advertising 'The Spelling Bee' play, season 57, from May 27 to June 13.
A mural map of Paducah, Kentucky, showing the city layout and neighboring rivers, with boats in the water at the bottom.