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Traveling to Paducah

We are a PROUD Partner of the Paducah Visitors Bureau! Check out their website before planning your visit to Ephemera Paducah and you’ll find all kinds of other fun stuff to do while you are here. Links to local hotels and restaurants, entertainment venues, and activities abound!

Read below about my favorites!

Lodging in Paducah

We love Auburn Place Hotels and Suites Paducah. Our visitors who have stayed here rave about the convenience (right off of Exit 4), breakfast is included and the people there are so. stinking. NICE! I think there are also cookies involved in their hospitality. Their large rooms work well for sharing. We are partnering with them for 2022 a little differently. We don’t have room holds for each workshop, but have a rate for our students as space is available. Call the hotel at 270-444-7667 and ask to make a reservation for the Ephemera Workshops. The code should be in their system, but if not, tell them it is code EWS when making their reservations. Sorry, but their system does not allow for online use of the code at this time. The rate is $84 per room, per night, plus tax. The reservations must be made by phone to get the rate.

There are AirB&Bs within walking distance of the studio I can highly recommend: Pinecone RetreatThe Respite Bed & Breakfast is relatively new and about 7 blocks away and the Belle Louise, is just a few blocks away. Both have multiple rooms and could accommodate a small group. The closest chain hotel is one of our newest properties, the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront, about 9 blocks away.

In downtown Paducah, you will find a nice boutique hotel, the 1857 Hotel is a fun space and in the middle of all the cool downtown stuff — walking distance to bars and restaurants. I also appreciate that they showcase local artists’ work in their facility. Other downtown lodging options are the Foxbrier and various locations found on AirB&B.

We have about every hotel chain in Paducah so if you are “points loyal” you can find brands like Marriott Residence Inn, Hampton Inn, Drury Inn, La Quinta, and Comfort Inn & Suites. Visit the Paducah Visitor’s Bureau site for contact information. I’m also a Tripadvisor junkie when I travel. Check them out for reviews of Paducah properties.

Most of the reputable chains are located in the Mall area which is Exit 4 off of I-24. It is a straight shot to the studio and less than a 10-minute drive.

If you have a large group and would like to rent a house within walking distance, my friend, Chad Wilson would be the guy to call. He has a very large Victorian House in Lower Town that can sleep upwards of 7. Chad’s cell phone is 270-853-6972 and you can send him a text.

Above the Studio is The Loft. There are six beds in 3 bedrooms and two baths in this 2,500 s.f. apartment. If you have a group coming and would like to stay in The Loft, contact Kristin. This year we are housing our instructors in The Loft during workshops. We may open up other rooms/beds to students prior to class. If so, look for an email about 45 days out. However, if you are interested in staying in The Loft at times other than classes, reach out to Kristin.


Where to shop!

Obviously, our first recommendation is to stock up like mad on art supplies at the Ephemera Paducah shop, but we know you also like to support the local community when you visit. Here are some of our favorite places to send people, and make sure you tell them we sent you!

Anything Goes Trading Company

Anything Goes Trading Company

Anything Goes Trading Company – a must-visit place for ephemera lovers, rust-dyers, mixed media assemblage folks, junkers in general. About 20 minutes from Ephemera Paducah and super easy to find. 41 Baldree Rd W Boaz, Kentucky 42027. They keep regular hours Monday – Saturday. I tell folks it’s the most organized “junkyard” you’ll find plus great stuff inside the building. Plan on spending some time. Find them on Facebook as they always have a good sale going.

Better than Ever – On your way to/from Anything Goes pop into100 Cave Thomas Drive Paducah. My friend and art buddy Stacey just build a brand new building for her ever-expanding business. In addition to all the things you can walk in and paint — canvases, signs, pottery — she has added a gift line that appeals to creatives. Open regular hours Tuesday – Saturday

Frenchtown Station & Slim’s Frenchtown Merchantile are located just around the corner from Ephemera Paducah at 1102 Jefferson Street, Two beautifully curated small shops. Frenchtown has antiques, housewares, ephemera, old books, outdoor decor and Slim’s has a little of everything like books, menswear and grooming products, gifts. Both are delightful as are their owners. They keep regular hours Tuesday – Saturday.

Frenchtown Station

Frenchtown Station

Beads & Rugs by ATA – 626 Broadway – a great bead store jam-packed with international goodies. Call before heading over 847-602-6651.

Tuscan Rose – A huge relatively new store at 420 Broadway in downtown Paducah, this place is a fiber-lover’s dream. Much of what is in stock has been hand-dyed by the owner, and she is adding brand lines all the time. They carry yarn, embroidery floss, hand-dyed clothing, and so many. beautiful things I can never walk out without buying something.  Tuscan Rose has regular hours Tuesday – Saturday.

Raven & Moth – 313 Broadway beautiful store with home goods, great clothing, jewelry, and little things you never knew you needed. And always the best candy at the checkout counter. They are candy connoisseurs. They keep regular hours Tuesday – Saturday.

The Art Guild of Paducah – a great space at 115 Market House Square representing most of the Lower Town Artists and many more in the region. Every time I go in the store has new and varied art. Open 7 days a week!

Bricolage Art Collective – 107 Market House Square funky art, jewelry, great Pah-Doo-Kuh T-shirts, and awesome shop dogs. Open Tuesday – Saturday

Troutt Old Time General Store and Market at 433 N. 4th – Sweet owner and sweet little stop. Goodies from Meyer’s cleaning products to seeds to flea market finds. Makes the best egg salad sandwich in town and the display case always has tempting homemade sweets. Regular hours Tuesday – Saturday

Hancock’s of Paducah – 3841 Hinkleville Road houses an overwhelming room of cotton fabric, upholstery fabric, quilting supplies, and kits in the backroom! Quilter’s heaven and seriously for those who cannot refrain from buying fabric. I usually start at the remnant tables in the back corner. Open Tuesday – Saturday


Barkley Regional AirportAir Service (updated 5/3/22)

We do have commercial air service, although it is limited and will be changing soon. Currently, we have 2 flights a day on a 50-seat jet through Skywest a carrier for United. All flights go to/from Chicago O’Hare. However, this will be changing soon as we have been told we are losing this service. Possibly by Fall 2022.

For personal travel, my husband and I use the Paducah airport about half the time and the Nashville airport half the time. Nashville, TN is an easy 2-hour drive on I-24 and has many air service options.

Do you need a car?

If you fly into Paducah, I highly recommend renting a car. We are a small town and don’t enjoy the same options for public transportation as one has in larger cities. For about the same price as our taxi service, you can have much better reliability renting an economy car for tooling around town. There are places to stay within walking distance of the Studio, but grocery stores and restaurants might stretch the limits of where you would like to walk to after class. If you would like me to query the class about travel plans and possible ride sharing to/from Nashville or while you are in Paducah, I will. Please make your ride sharing arrangements prior to your workshop. 

If you choose to use a taxi service, Blue Dot is newer and I’ve heard reliable (270) 558-1234.  I recommend you arrange airport pickup the day prior to landing and the day before departing. I DO NOT recommend Chi’z Cabs.

Although Uber and Lyft will show up on your app, again, they are not the most reliable. Recently a student had car trouble on the way into Paducah and when she tried to get a ride into the studio was told it would be 45 minutes to an hour before anyone could pick her up.

Kristin’s Favorite Paducah Restaurants

freighthouse

Downtown

Visit the Paducah Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for contact information.

Freight House: 330 S. 3rd St. Oh MY! Farm-to-Table. Awesome. Chef Sara Bradley has received national acclaim showcasing her talents on Top Chef 2019 (she was runner-up!) We love this place and her. Make reservations.

Cynthia’s: Our local “special occasion” restaurant in town, however it’s more casual if you like eating at the bar on 2nd Street. Reservations strongly suggested.

Max’s Brick Oven: 2nd Street. Brick oven pizza, bistro menu. (suggest reservations)

Doe’s Eat Place: 136 Broadway. Family chain and James Beard Award Winne. Steakhouse. Big. Steaks. Split one. Delicious, but HUGE. Recommend reservations for weekend nights.

Paducah Beer Werks: 310 N. 4th Brewery with clever bar food like pizzas, wings, salads, deep fried pepperonis, etc.

Branch-out foods: 713 Kentucky Avenue – Plant-based and gluten-free restaurant and bakery

Barrel & Bond Paducah: 100 Broadway Our new BOURBON BAR! They also have some food.

Over/Under Sports Bar – 314 Broadway – sports bar fare with good tacos!

Midtown

Artisan Kitchen: 1704 Broadway. A favorite of Ephemera Paducah workshop attendees as they cater many of our lunches. Their cafe is open for lunch.

Midtown Market: 3000 Broadway. Paducah’s version of “Whole Foods.” Grab and go sandwiches, deli, ready-made meals for dinner during the week, and locally-sourced produce. Open until 7 pm.

Mellow Mushroom & Dry Ground Brewing: in the Historic Art Deco “Coke Plant” at 3121 Broadway. Parking is available on the street or in the Bank Parking lot.

Mall Area – all “walk-in”

Flamingo Row (behind Home Depot): very eclectic menu with a tropical flair

Backwoods BBQ: ribs, chicken, pork with traditional sides

Jasmine (behind Cinemark movie theater): Thai and Asian

Etcetera

Breakfast & Coffee

Goldrush Cafe: 400 Broadway in downtown. Crazy breakfasts, weird omelets, and HUGE biscuits.

Etcetera Coffee: 320 N. 6th or Etcetera2 118 S. 2nd Street (Market Square)

Kirchoff’s Bakery (Etcetera2 is attached) :118 Market Square

Piper’s Tea & Coffee in the Coke Plant: 3000 Broadway