Two hours north of Nashville lies a quaint little town known as Paducah, Kentucky. A surprising destination for world-class quilters, Paducah is home to the National Quilt Museum. I'm not particularly into quilting myself, but when my retired art teacher mom suggested a road trip there to beat the summer heat (her AC was out and the service people couldn’t come for a few days), I said yes to the adventure!
First Stop – Mr. Aaron’s Goods
I love a road trip, but you can't set off without the proper provisions. That's why I swung by Mr. Aaron’s Goods in Nashville before we hit the road. I picked up two bagels loaded with lox and cream cheese. Once we were about 20 miles out of Nashville, I opened up the bagel sandwiches, and trust me, the moans coming from our vehicle as we dove into these would have scared a bobcat. Best bagels in town — at least in my opinion — and they sure made our drive to Kentucky incredibly enjoyable.
The best bagel in Nashville is from Mr. Aaron’s Goods, in my opinion. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
Visit The National Quilt Museum
The National Quilt Museum absolutely blew my mind. For one, the AC was pumping, which was a pleasant surprise since it was 95+ degrees outside. My mom and I slowly moved through each exhibit, which highlighted quilts from around the world. Detailed descriptions next to each quilt were paired with the artist’s vision and an explanation of materials and resources. The craftsmanship was truly something to be admired, and I ask for my mom's forgiveness for all the jokes I made about visiting a quilt museum. Just go — you can thank me later.
Blown away by the variety of quilts and artistry at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
Where to Stay
Right after visiting the museum, we checked into the nearby Holiday Inn. We did pay extra for a "riverfront view," but ended up with a great view of a dumpster. Insert sad trombone. But despite that minor eyesore, it was nice to freshen up for a bit and relax before exploring more of what Paducah had to offer.
Riverfront Walk
For dinner, we headed to the historic downtown area and walked along the floodwall. Built after the 1937 Ohio River flood, Paducah's floodwall features the Paducah Wall to Wall project by muralist Robert Dafford. The 50 vibrant murals depict Paducah's rich history.
We also learned that Paducah, KY is a popular stop for riverboats making their way down the Ohio River. They were a beautiful sight to see during our walk along the river.
Where to Shop
The only downside of the trip was that we were really looking forward to visiting some shops in the Historic Downtown District. Unfortunately, our timing was off, and most of them were closed by the time we arrived in the early evening. Staying an extra day would be a great way to explore more and support the local artists in the area.
Where to Eat
We first stopped at Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine for an ice-cold beer and a quick bite of steamed shrimp. Then, we found Stella’s in the Arts District, where we enjoyed delicious apps paired with a mezcal cocktail and a dirty gin martini. Highlights included an ahi tuna appetizer and a peach salad with ham and ricotta.
Later, with a nice buzz, we walked to the Freight House for dessert. Despite the bar being backed up, we were treated to a complimentary bourbon that paired perfectly with our brown butter blondie and berry coconut sundae.
I want to note that at each of these restaurants, the servers were incredibly warm and inviting. They were all very knowledgeable about their menus, and eager to please us out-of-town visitors. It was a delightful experience, and we cannot recommend these places enough.
Morning Walk and Breakfast
After sleeping in, we took a quick walk around Bob Noble Park. Be aware of the geese that have made it their home (aka watch where you step). Breakfast at Gold Rush Cafe was everything you want — endless coffee refills, biscuits and gravy, veggie omelet, and fresh fruit.
Back to Nashville
With our bellies and souls full, we made the two-hour trek back home. What a perfect getaway for anyone wanting to escape Nashville for a night. We now understand why those riverboats come through town — Paducah is one great place to visit, and we’ll be back again soon!
