Helm a towboat simulator, decode inland waterways history, and stand eye-to-eye with the engineering marvel that is America's river highway. The River Discovery Center is the definitive museum of American inland waterways.
What to expect
The museum occupies a handsome building at the river's edge and chronicles the Ohio and Mississippi river systems through artefacts, oral histories, and jaw-dropping interactive exhibits. The towboat simulator is the star: it replicates the real-time challenge of navigating a loaded barge through a river lock, complete with current, wind, and radio chatter. Exhibits on floods, steamboat culture, and the commercial river economy fill multiple galleries. Staff are knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic.
Good to know
Located at 117 S. Water Street, a 5-minute walk from the riverfront. Open Tuesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. No advance booking required for individuals. Allow 2 hours. Check riverdiscoverycenter.org for any seasonal closures before visiting.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Paducah — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.