What do your winter plans look like? Paducah is a destination for all seasons, and there are many ways to experience the city during the chillier months of the year. From shopping and dining to family fun, you won’t want to miss out on winter fun in this Creative City, located in the heart of America’s inland waterways.
Outdoor Adventures in Paducah
The temperatures may be falling, but the pristine outdoor spaces around Paducah are nevertheless teeming with activity, providing opportunities for adventures in the great outdoors. Bundle up and stroll along the 5-mile Greenway Trail, running from Bob Noble Park to Historic Downtown and linking the city’s municipal parks and public spaces. With more than a dozen city parks and playgrounds, Paducah offers plenty of free, family-friendly activities during the winter months — and a fantastic opportunity for kids to burn off the restless energy built up from days spent indoors!
Paducah is also a popular roosting point for numerous species of migrating birds during the winter. Grab a pair of binoculars and head out to numerous spots around Downtown Paducah where birders are thrilled to find a variety of species stopping to rest. Visit locations like the Historic Riverfront, the Greenway Trail, and Schultz Park to spot species like ring-billed gulls, Northern cardinals, Carolina chickadees, and tufted titmice.
Winter is also a prime time to restock your freezer with fresh game, and the public lands around Paducah provide hunters the opportunity to take in-season species like whitetail deer, waterfowl, and small game like rabbits and squirrels. Some species of fish like crappie, catfish, and walleye can be caught during the winter months at the Ohio River and Lake Gerry B. Montgomery at Noble Park.
Have a Blast with the Whole Family
Located just off I-24, Atomic City Family Fun Center features a variety of exciting activities for both the young and young at heart. Bumper cars, mini golf, virtual reality, bowling, laser tag, arcades… Your family will spend hours enjoying this indoor amusement center — this is a fantastic way to keep the kids up and moving despite the winter weather outside!
Experiential Exhibits
Plenty of museums around Paducah offer respite from the cold with hands-on activities that immerse guests in each exhibit. Hear the fascinating history of Paducah and McCracken County at the William Clark Market House Museum, see some of the most exquisite pieces of fiber art in the world at the National Quilt Museum, and get a firsthand look at the perilous journeys undertaken by the riverboat navigators of yesteryear at the River Discovery Center.
Stop and Shop Local
Shopping is an all-season event in Paducah — with so many locally owned shops to explore, you couldn’t possibly limit your retail therapy to just the warmer months! Refresh your wardrobe, decorate your home, or treat yourself with some self-care products at independent boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries and collectives located Downtown and in the Lower Town Arts District.
Looking for more familiar brands? Kentucky Oaks Mall features a wide selection of name-brand items from sporting goods and electronics to clothing and home goods. Between stops, recharge and warm up with some tasty meals prepared by Paducah’s brightest culinary minds, each putting modern spins on timeless recipes, from hearty comfort food to the smokey taste of Western Kentucky BBQ.
An Expressive Escapade in a Creative City
A trip to this Creative City isn’t complete without immersing yourself in the thriving arts and culture scene that defines the soul of Paducah. Go beyond the box office and enjoy independent and foreign films at Maiden Alley Cinema, one of only four nonprofit arthouse cinemas in Kentucky. Catch a live performance at Market House Theater or the Carson Center, the latter hosting Broadway performances as well as the Paducah Symphony Orchestra. Finally, peruse a permanent collection of 200 works as well as a rotation of works from local artists at the Yeiser Art Center.
There’s more to see and do in this Creative City. Plan an unforgettable winter getaway today!