Move over, Woodstock. See ya, Sedona. All across the country, picturesque hamlets like Thomas, West Virginia, a former coal town nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, and Tubac, Arizona, a frontier village turned artist colony in the Sonoran Desert, have begun attracting first-time visitors.

The American Quilter’s Society holds quilt shows around the country, but the most popular has to be Quilt Week in Paducah, Kentucky. It’s a destination that is on many quilter’s bucket list. But why is that and what should you expect when you attend?

Paducah is a fun, charming little city that can easily be explored in a couple of days.  You should visit and see why it was named the World’s 7th City of Crafts and Folk Art by UNESCO in 2013.  Below is a list of nine things you can and should do in Paducah.

We all know Kentucky is a pretty cool state. We have impressive state parks, excellent college basketball, the best taste in drinks and we know how to live life with an unbridled spirit. But if you’re looking for a place that is truly unique and has that rare cool-factor that just makes everything about it seem special, then you’re looking for Paducah – a small town along the Ohio River in western Kentucky. Paducah is known as a haven for creative minds, which it is, along with so much more.

The economic impact of tourism has grown to more than $14.5 billion in 2016, Department of Tourism Commissioner Kristen Branscum announced today. Kentucky’s tourism industry has experienced the strongest overall economic impact growth rate the state has seen since 2005.  All nine of the state’s tourism regions registered gains again in 2016.

If you think quilting has become a lost art, then I have some news for you.  Quilting is alive and well, not only in the United States but around the world.  Fortunately for us, we don’t have to pull out our passports in order to view quilts from around the world.  No, all we have to do is head to Paducah, Kentucky to see one of the world’s best collections of modern day quilts at The National Quilt Museum.

Add a little flavor to your next camping trip by seeking out one of these bucket list BBQ festivals.

When exploring a town, historical site or sprawling farm, it doesn’t get more charming than doing it aboard a classic trolley. Many people have realized this, as Kentucky has several spots where you can hop on a trolley and take a relaxing ride, while taking in the sites. Trolleys are an important part of American history and today they are a timeless way to savor all Kentucky has to offer.

Since we were already in the area having a Superman adventure in Metropolis, Illinois (read all about it here), I couldn’t help but notice how close we were to Kentucky. Since we’ve never been, we thought it would be a great side trip. So off we went, over the bridge to Paducah, Kentucky.

Christopher Merrill, writer, poet and director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, will visit Paducah for a talk, meet & greet and book signing of his memoir Self-Portrait with Dogwood. McCracken County Library will host the free public event on Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m.