"There are nine cities in the United States that have earned the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) Creative Cities Network designation and just two for folk arts and crafts. Another Ohio Valley City is one of them, Paducah, Kentucky. The other is Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Closer to home than Indianapolis, Nashville or St. Louis, Paducah abounds with galleries and studios, boutiques and antiques, restaurants, bars, breweries and coffee shops and is a perfect spot for Christmas shopping.

Paducah proper is divided into three areas: Lower Town, Midtown and Downtown; here are some of the highlights from a recent visit there."

By Aimee Blume, Evansville Courier & Press

Preview the list of strolling, dining and shopping stops to make!