From Murray to Paducah
Peak Time to Visit: May - October
Day 1: Murray Magic
Get to know the MKY with a self-guided Downtown Walking Tour, passing historic churches, the National Hotel building, early drug stores, and the (haunted!) Diuguid House, built in the late 1800s and the first Murray home constructed with press brick and stone trim.
Along the way, browse downtown shops like Wit’s End Records for vintage and new vinyl, and The Clothing Co. for trendy apparel and eccentric gifts.
End the evening with dinner at The Keg, a longtime local favorite serving Kentucky Southern cuisine with a NOLA twist. Smoked meats, mouthwatering ribs, and the famously addictive Bayou queso dip that you won’t be able to stop eating.
Day 2: The In-Between
Start Saturday at the Downtown Farmers Market, the region’s largest, Kentucky Proud–certified market. During peak season (June–July), more than 60 vendors surround the court square offering fresh produce, artisan crafts, specialty breads, preserves, local honey, and plants.
Grab breakfast at Rudy’s, Murray’s oldest restaurant, known for classic meat-and-three Southern fare. Homemade biscuits, sausage gravy, and bottomless coffee are essential to fuel the day.
Before you head to Paducah, walk off your breakfast with a stroll through Murray State University, stopping for a photo with the statue of founder Rainey T. Wells, whose shoes students rub for graduation-day luck.
Once you arrive in Paducah, tour the restored Metropolitan Hotel (1908), a historic African-American heritage site and Save America’s Treasures project. Once listed in The Negro Motorist Green Book, the hotel hosted legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and B.B. King. Advance reservations required.
Enjoy dinner at The Freight House, led by Executive Chef Sara Bradley, 2025 James Beard Award nominee, Top Chef finalist, and Food Network competitor, featuring a rotating, seasonal menu and standout desserts.
Finish the night with drinks at Barrel & Bond, Paducah’s bourbon bar housed in a 150+ year-old Broadway building, offering over 1,600 bourbons and American whiskeys alongside classic cocktails.
Day 3: Perfectly Paducah
Begin the day at Pipers in Midtown for artisan-blended coffee or tea, freshly baked pastries, and brunch in a bright, airy space.
Explore Paducah’s iconic Wall-to-Wall Floodwall Murals, featuring 24 hand-painted scenes depicting the city’s history. Begun in 1996 and completed in 2022, the murals blend art and storytelling. Locals especially love the Strawberry Festival Wall.
Lunch at Paducah Beer Werks delivers local flavor with craft beer, a full bar, live music, standout pizza, and their famous fried pepperoni, best dipped in house-made ranch, paired with a PBW Blonde Ale.
Wrap up your visit with a trip to the National Quilt Museum, which features rotating exhibitions of breathtaking fiber art and draws visitors from all 50 states for good reason. On your way out of town, let Hancock's of Paducah turn that inspiration into action with endless aisles of fabric, notions, and possibilities.
