Why visit Paducah? Because artists, preservationists and foodies think you should. - Kentucky.com

"Here’s an intriguing travel question — when you think of a charming, culturally significant, southern river city, what springs to mind? All the usual suspects, of course: New Orleans. Memphis. Charleston. Savannah.

One that probably isn’t on your list, but just might be the quintessential southern river town is Paducah. Here, in this city at Kentucky’s extreme western edge, the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers meet, with the Mississippi and Cumberland Rivers located just a few miles away.

Walking through Paducah’s historic downtown, you’ll see elements of the other southern gems — courtyards with tinkling fountains a la Savannah. Musical melodies trilling through the night just like in Memphis. And if you stand in front of Market Square, you might think you were at New Orleans’ French Market.

And yet Paducah has something that none of these cities do — designation as a UNESCO Creative City."

By Patti Nickell, Lexington Herald-Leader

Read the full Paducah profile here to see why YOU should visit our UNESCO Creative City!