New Viking River Cruise Routes Drop You at the Door of One of Kentucky's Most Underrated Artsy Towns

While American Queen Voyages, the cruise line that owned and operated the American Queen, is no more, Paducah is now on another cruise line’s itinerary: Viking.

Viking offers several sailings calling on Paducah: the Grand Mississippi Voyage and the Upper Mississippi Explorer in 2024, and the Big Easy to the Gateway City and the Mississippi River Odyssey in 2025.

Arriving in Paducah by the river is an incredibly easy way to see the best of this colorful, lesser-known destination. The port is right in the center of the small town, where everything worth a stop is within walking distance — and there’s a lot that’s worth stopping at.

Key stops for a day in Paducah’s city center

Photo: Jesse Adams

Photo: Jesse Adams

First on the itinerary is Paducah’s flood wall. Erected out of necessity to protect the town from the waters of the Ohio River, today, it’s one of Paducah’s most defining and interesting features. From the riverside, where the visiting vessels dock, the fortifications set the tone with a large white-and-red sign reading “Port of Paducah, KY – Welcome”. A large passage in the wall allows cruisers to come in and admire what the defenses look like from the other side. Like a never-ending multi-artist mural, every concrete slab has been beautifully painted to tell the story of the town. There’s barely enough time in one day to see them all in detail, but you should at least dedicate a couple of hours to it. I was lucky enough to be in Paducah when some of the artists were restoring their pieces and seeing them at work was a lucky treat.

"Puffins" by Shirley P. Kelley. Photo: Jesse Adams

"Forest Walk" by Pat Durbin. Photo: Jesse Adams

Photo: Jesse Adams

Quilt made of wood by Fraser Smith. Photo: Jesse Adams

Next up is the nearby National Quilt Museum, the pride and joy of the town and its claim to fame in the world of textile art — Paducah is also known as Quilt City USA, after all. Far from being a display of old-fashioned quilts, the National Quilt Museum is an art museum showing the world of incredibly talented creators who chose quilts as their medium of expression. Don’t pass on this place because you think you’re too cool for a quilt museum — you’re not. Everything about it is absolutely mindblowing, from the wood quilt in the foyer to the fun gift shop full of irresistible items (including quilts, of course).

Photo: Jesse Adams

Photo: Jesse Adams

Photo: Jesse Adams

From there, make your way to Broadway Street where you’ll find a ridiculously quaint gazebo on your right (a good place to find shade if you’re visiting in the summer), and historic buildings lining the street on your left. A multitude of independent shops and art galleries beckon you in for a browse, including PAPA Gallery, the Paducah Visitors Bureau where you can pick up a map, and With Love, From Kentucky for unique and fun Paducah souvenirs. Explore the alleys, including Maiden Alley for a look at the non-profit art house cinema, and Market House Square where you’ll not only find the historic Kirchhoff’s Bakery and Deli with its vintage sign and great pastries, but also a wealth of great artisan and creative shops, including Lepa Jewelry Design Studio & Boutique for hand-made, elegant jewelry and Bricolage Art Collective for various local creations and vintage clothing. Stop by the popular Etcetera Squared for a cup of coffee or a refreshing bubble tea. Walk farther up Broadway to look at the beautiful historic architecture on both sides of the stret and pop inside the many antique shops to find a local treasure. Three blocks off Broadway is Paducah’s city hall in front of which you can find the leafy and peaceful Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza. Take the time to look at the sculptures and memorials paying homage to veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism.

In the same part of the town center, close to the flood wall and the port, also worth a look is the impressive Mikado steam engine parked by the flood wall — it’s a well-preserved piece of railroad history. While you should pass on the nearby Railroad Museum, if you have time, the kid-friendly Inland Waterways Museum is another good place to stop and learn about the river and the town’s relationship to it.

What to see outside the town center

Photo: Jesse Adams

Photo: Zen Greenlee Horsemaship/Shutterstock

Once you’ve explored the center of town, head to the Lower Town Arts District. The neighborhood is only a 10-minute walk from Market House Square and you would be remiss to pass on the short stroll. The leafy streets of this quiet, residential area are lined with stunning grand historic houses, all surrounded by well-tended gardens and often flying pride flags on their porch, letting travelers know this is a safe place for everyone. The neighborhood, being home to the Paducah School of Art & Design campus, is an artsy, creative place, with more art galleries to check out. The Kitchens Café, located on the campus of the Paducah School of Art & Design on Harrison Street, is a great spot to stop for sustenance.

Some of Viking’s offered excursions in Paducah

Some of the excursions offered by Viking in Paducah include a guided visit about the historical architecture of Lower Town to learn more about the beautiful buildings that make up the town center; a visit of the Historic Hotel Metropolitan, today an African American history museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and quilting classes to fully immerse in Quilt City USA.