Western Kentucky Daytrip Destinations

Every part of Kentucky's Western Waterland is home to unique and interesting ways to spend a day. Below are just a few of the many ways you can fill an entire day in the region's cities. Use these as a launching pad for further exploration into western Kentucky. Get more information about the places below. Follow the links to view our visitors guide online and to learn how to receive visitors guides by mail from many of the great communities highlighted here.

Know where you're going? Search by City!

Cadiz

Columbus

Eddyville

Grand Rivers

Hopkinsville

Marion

Marshall Co.

Mayfield

Murray

Paducah

Princeton

Wickliffe

CADIZ
(Half-Day, Closest to: LBL and Hopkinsville)

Downtown Antique District

Fairholm Historic House, 89 Main St., Cadiz,
Restored Victorian home furnished with belongings of 3 generations of family. Open Friday-Saturday, May-October. Reservations required.

Janice Mason Art Museum, 71 Main St., Cadiz,
Changing exhibits. A mix of local & regional artists is featured with mediums ranging from metal sculpture to watercolor. Museum shop filled exclusively with Kentucky arts & crafts. Admission is free. Open Tuesday-Sunday.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, 3500 State Park Rd., Cadiz,
Eat a fabulous lunch, rent a boat, or enjoy a round of golf.

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EDDYVILLE/KUTTAWA
(Half-Day, Closest to: Grand Rivers, Marion, Princeton)

Broadbent’s B&B Products, 257 Mary Blue Rd., Kuttawa,
Tour their country ham processing plant, tour lasts approximately 15 minutes. Tour is free of charge; however, donations are appreciated for local charity. Shopping available in gift shop carrying “Kentucky Proud” products.

Kentucky State Penitentiary, Eddyville
Drive-by tour only. Located on beautiful Lake Barkley, this medieval castle looking prison has the nickname, “Castle on the Cumberland.”

Rose Hill Museum, KY 730, Eddyville,
Working model of iron furnace. Local & regional history. Home is on National Register of Historic Places. Open Wednesday-Sunday, May 15-October 15.

Venture River Water Park, 280 Park Place, Eddyville,
Wave pool, 10 exciting slides, kiddie pool with slide & more. Open most days between Memorial Day & Labor Day. Open additional weekends in late spring & early fall when weather permits.

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GRAND RIVERS
(Half-Day, Closest to: Eddyville, LBL North Entrance, Marshall Co.)

Grand Rivers Jetty
Within walking distance of downtown. Voted by 2008 Southern Living readers as one of the top scenic views in the south & features views of Kentucky Lake & Kentucky Dam.

Downtown Shops & Antique Stores

Patti’s 1880’s Settlement, 1759 JH O’Bryan Ave., Grand Rivers,
Enjoy lunch or dinner. The Settlement has 2 restaurants, Patti’s 1880’s & Mr. Bill’s, both serving their famous 2” pork chops, flower pot bread, & heavenly desserts. Patti’s is the recipient of Kentucky Tourism Restaurant of the Year Award.

Variety! Music, Memories and More at the Badgett Playhouse, 1838 JH O’Bryan Ave., Grand Rivers,
Enjoy a production & celebrate American music with the energy & music of this live variety show.Open on weekends with some special matinee productions. The schedule includes Variety! and 10 other special musical productions each year.

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HOPKINSVILLE & TODD COUNTY
(Half-Day, Closest to: Cadiz)

Cherokee Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, Hopkinsville
US 41 S, Hopkinsville, . The park heritage center is open Tue - Sat from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Pow Wow is held the weekend after Labor Day each year.

Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. 9th St., Hopkinsville,
This museum portrays the development of southwestern Kentucky. This area was shaped by the Cherokee Trail of Tears, the tobacco wars, & clairvoyant, Edgar Cayce. Open Monday-Saturday.

Jefferson Davis Historic Site, 258 Pembroke-Fairview Rd., Fairview,
A 351-foot obelisk marks the birth site of Jefferson Davis on June 3, 1808. Visitor Center & elevator tour to top. Open May 1-October 31.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, 20781 Pennyrile Lodge Rd, Dawson Springs
Eat a fabulous meal at Clifty Creek Restaurant, hike the nature trails, and enjoy a round of golf.

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LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
(Full-Day, Closest to: Aurora, Cadiz, Grand Rivers)

Kentucky Lake Drive,
Located just inside the northern entrance to LBL, this scenic route overlooks beautiful Kentucky Lake.

Woodlands Nature Station,
Get ready for a hands-on encounter with the natural world at an environmental education center nestled in the woods between two lakes. Open March-November.

The Elk & Bison Prairie,
On this 700-acre restoration of Kentucky’s native barrens, a gently winding road takes you through this dynamic habitat restoration effort, watch for elk & bison, or listen as the wind rustles through Indian Grass, as the prairie comes back to life. Open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Golden Pond Visitor Center,
Open year-round, 9am-5pm.

Golden Pond Planetarium,
This 82-seat planetarium brings to life the fascinating world of earth science, outer space, & modern space exploration. Open March-December.

The Homeplace,
History comes alive at this working 19th century farm, consisting of 16 original & restored log structures. Open March-November.

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MARION/CRITTENDEN COUNTY
(Half-Day, Closest to: Eddyville, Princeton)

Marion Welcome Center, 217 E. 9th St., Hopkinsville,
Gather information on the city of Marion & directions to the Amish community.

Downtown shops & antique stores

Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum, 205 N. Walker St., Marion,
The largest & most spectacular display of fluorite crystal in the world. Other minerals, photographs, records, letters, & mining equipment on display. $5 admission. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-3pm.

Amish Community
Self-guided tour of this 500-resident Amish community which has six schools and four church districts. Many homes have shops which sell bentwood furniture, woven rugs, quilts, greenhouse plants, & baked goods. Maps are available at the tourism office/welcome center.

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BENTON/MARSHALL COUNTY
(Half-Day, Closest to: Grand Rivers, LBL, Paducah)

Kenlake State Resort Park, 542 Kenlake Rd., Aurora,
Eat a fabulous meal, rent a boat, or enjoy a round of golf.

Kentucky Dam State Resort Park, US 641 N, Gilbertsville,
Enjoy a round of golf, rent a boat ,or enjoy a fantastic meal.

Los 3 Amigos Authentic Mexican Restaurant, 4560 US Hwy 62 Calvert City
Enjoy your favorite Mexican cuisine and order a marguarita or beer.

Kentucky Opry, US HWY 641, Benton (Draffenville),
This country music & comedy show presents some of the finest talent in Kentucky. It’s wholesome entertainment for the entire family. Talent contest from January through May. Open every Saturday. Also, open Friday in June-August & in December.

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MAYFIELD
(Half-Day, Closest to: Great River Road, Marshall County, Murray)

Icehouse Art Gallery & Museum, 120 N. 8th St., Mayfield,
Gallery features as many as ten new exhibits in a variety of media each year. Museum displays early area industries. The gift shop has unique hand crafted items & artwork by regional artists. This will interest collectors & those shopping for one-of-a-kind “Made in Kentucky” gifts. Open Tuesday-Saturday.

Western Kentucky Museum, 120 N. 8th St., Mayfield,
Located in the same building as above, you will find artifacts from the tobacco industry.It also has artifacts from the early Mayfield Woolen Mills that started operation prior to the civil war.

Edana Locus, 201 E. College St., Mayfield,
A stately 14-room mansion on seven acres of landscaped grounds adorned with walnut woodwork built in 1926 by local bank owner, Ed Gardner. The philanthropist’s 1958 net worth left a trust that continues as the Annie Gardner Foundation that is used to feed, clothe, house, & educate the county’s poor & needy. Once used as the county’s library for nearly 30 years, it is used as the Commerce Center today. Tours by appointment.

Wooldridge Monuments, Maplewood Cemetery, Lockridge Street, Mayfield 6101 (tourism office)
A large group of sandstone and Italian marble monuments: "The Strange Procession That Never Moves."

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MURRAY
(Half-Day, Closest to: Marshall County, Mayfield)

Murray Art Guild, 4th St., Murray,
A local non-profit educational & cultural organization, offers classes & workshops to help develop the talents of local artists, including everything from rug weaving & oil painting to knitting & life drawing. Linn House is on the National Register of Historic Places. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday.

Clara M. Eagle Art Gallery, 15th & Olive St., Murray,
A dramatic & exciting multi-level exhibition space & serves as a unique source for experiencing fine art first-hand. Home to two national juried shows, the Magic Silver photography competition & the Kentucky National Show. Free admission. Open daily. Closed holidays.

Forrest C. Pogue Special Collections Library, 15th & Olive St., Murray,
Built in the Renaissance Revival style & features bronze doors on the east & west entrances. On the National Register of Historic Places, the library contains materials relating to the history & culture of Western Kentucky, including those relating to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Civil War, & local history. Visitors can also enjoy tracing their genealogy in the library’s vast records.

Wrather West Kentucky Museum, Murray State University, Murray,
Located in the first permanent building constructed on the Murray State campus & is on the National Register of Historic Places. Features both permanent & changing exhibits, highlights an understanding of the social, cultural, & economic development of West Kentucky & the Jackson Purchase.

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PADUCAH
(Full-Day, Closest to: Great River Road, Marshall County, Mayfield)

Whitehaven Welcome Center, 1845 Lone Oak Rd., Paducah,
State Welcome Center for Kentucky at I-24, Exit 7. The second floor boasts memorabilia of Alben W. Barkley, Vice President under Harry Truman. Lobby open 24 hours.

Numerous Lunch/Dinner Choices

Lowertown Fine Arts District, Jefferson-Park Ave., 3rd-9th St., Paducah,
Home of the award-winning Artist Relocation Program, features studios & galleries of resident artists. Visit potters, painters, jewelry makers, printmakers, bookbinders, & more in this historic neighborhood.

National Quilt Museum, 215 Jefferson St., Paducah,
Changing exhibits of new & antique quilts. Largest quilt museum in world. Open Monday-Saturday, November-March. Also Sundays, April-October.

River Discovery Center, 117 S. Water St., Paducah,
State-of-the-art, interactive exhibits tells the story of the four rivers region. Features river functions & habitats, including water-filled exhibits displaying a working lock & dam model. Open Monday-Saturday, year-round. Also Sundays, April-November.

Market House Theatre, 132 Market House Sq., Paducah,
The theatre is an award-winning, nationally-recognized community theatre producing live plays & musicals in the historic 1905 Market House.

The Carson Center, 100 Kentucky Ave., Paducah,
An 1860-seat performing arts facility, featuring a variety of big name entertainment & traveling productions throughout the year.

Wall to Wall Murals, Riverfront, Downtown Paducah
Paducah's rich history is captured in life-sized paintings on the river city's flood wall. The Murals overlook the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.

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PRINCETON
(Half-Day, Closest to: Eddyville, Hopkinsville, Marion)

Adsmore House & Gardens, 304 N. Jefferson St., Princeton,
Built in 1857 & realistically restored. Visitors step back in time to the turn-of-the-century to relive the legacy & lifestyle of a western Kentucky family. Decorations & displays change during the year. Open Tuesday-Sunday.

Newsom’s Old Mill Store, 208 E. Main St., Princeton,
Housed in an 1850’s era building. Tour includes educational & historical background on the curing of country hams & demonstrations.

Black Oak Vineyard, 300 Martin Rd., Princeton,
Dr. David Hall & his wife, Dr. Jenny Franke own & operate the Black Oak Vineyard. The first crop of the 2,500-plus vines was harvested in August & September, 2004. A farm winery license was issued in October & received approval of the legal sale of alcohol at the winery. Wine that is eventually produced at Black Oak can be directly marketed to those who visit the site.

Amoss House Museum, 116 Edwards St., Princeton,
Home of Dr. Amoss who was a champion of the farmer in the face of the tobacco industry that sought to control & drive down prices during the Black Patch Tobacco War. Appointment only.

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THE GREAT RIVER ROAD ROUTE
(Half-Day, Closest to: Mayfield, Paducah)

Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, 94 Green St., Wickliffe,
Wickliffe Mounds is the site of a Native American Village which dates to the Mississippian Culture Period in North American prehistory. This mound site was first excavated in the 1930’s and is the only one of its type open to the public in Kentucky. The archaeological site & museum complex includes three buildings which preserve areas of excavated mounds, artifacts, & exhibits which pertain to the Mississippian Indians. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places & is a Kentucky Archaeological Landmark. Self-guided tour. Admission is charged. Call to verify days and hours open.

Fort Jefferson Memorial Cross Park, Westvaco Rd., HWY 51 S, Wickliffe,
Fort Jefferson Memorial Cross memorializes the establishment of Fort Jefferson in 1780 by Revolutionary War hero, Gen. George Rogers Clark. The fort was built to establish an American presence on what was then the western frontier. The Cross sits atop a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River & offers a panoramic view of the area, featuring the confluence of two great rivers, the Ohio & the Mississippi. The park offers great photo opportunities for wildife & river traffic. Self-guided tour. Free admission.

Columbus-Belmont State Recreation Park, Park Rd., Columbus,
Columbus was the strategic location of a confederate fortification during the civil war. The confederate forces mounted cannon on the high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River & constructed a chain to stretch across the river to defend it against the Union gun boats. A museum, walking trails, & outdoor exhibits of cannons, anchor, & chain tell the history of this beautiful park. Self-guided museum, admission charged. Outdoor activities are free.