Things to do, places to stay -- Western Kentucky

Just across the river from Paducah is southern Illinois Shawnee Forest area. There are many places to explore for a day trip. See on google maps. Garden of the Gods (beautiful)(12 sites, no hookups, water pump. Mermet swamp or lake- birding, Fort Massac SP, Cache River State Natural area, Cave in Rock SP (electric & dump station) above the river & the cave, nearby is the free car ferry to cross in to KY and you could take the river road back to Paducah. There is an Amish town on the KY side but I don't know the name. I'm sure somebody from this area could add many more places to explore.Have a great trip!
Marcia

Not in KY, but right across the river in Evensville IN is the LST325

Hi, neighbor,
I have stayed at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, KY. It is in the middle of the golf course. But, a good place to stop. Just over the hill, Literally, is the Heaven Hill, Evan Williams bottling plant. Just down the road from them is another great old distillery. Most of the bourbon is distilled in Louisville and trucked to Bardstown, for casking and ricking. this is a good central spot for doing some great distilleries.

Now, a note. It is my experience that most of the Kentucky State Parks with water and electricity have the utility post so far from the campsites that share them, you will need an extension cord for your power and extra length of drinking water hose to reach between the supply and your rig. Most of the campgrounds sell them, if you forget.

Have a GREAT trip!

ed

Land Between the Lakes has some very nice campgrounds. I was at one this past weekend. You can check out their web site.

Just outside of Paducah is Victory CG, it is bland, not many trees but nice and quiet until the drags or other races start on FRI/SAT nights. You can see the Christmas tree from the campground. Really nice folks run the place and we stayed there for Quilt Week. There are other nice CGs there about, hopefully some one will help you out.

We did the Wild Turkey tour, nice but it is now Italian Owned. Our guide reminded me of the Jimmy Buffet line "The big white teeth of the sharks that feed on the land". He had the Key West tan, big white teeth and loved to tell you about himself. I would rather a Kentuckian than a Florida Expat.

Hey, it is KY, find a CG that has a bluegrass festival going on. It is nt just the formal show. It is the aftershow picking in the CG late into the night that is the best.

Cumberland Falls is awesome, but that's way east of Paducah. The Land Between the Lakes is a nice peaceful area- check out Energy Lake Campground if you're in that area.

I have always wanted to see a moon bow at the Cumberland falls.

Churchill Downs museum and tour. Need to call ahead for times. Also stay at Grandmas in Sheperdsville, Ky and visit Donna Sharp quilt store just down the road from the park and if you are at Grandmas on the weekend visit the very large flea market within walking distance.

For good eating try Patti's 1880 Settlement in Grand Rivers. Their pork chops are recommended.