Paducah Kentucky A thrilling opportunity to visit the Quilt Capital of USA & Nashville, Tennessee home of Country Music
Textile Tours
Quilting Tours
Paducah Kentucky A thrilling opportunity to visit the Quilt Capital of USA & Nashville, Tennessee home of Country Music
Our 2023 tour is fully booked
We are now taking expressions of interest
to travel in 2024 - please sign up if you might like to come.
One of the world's UNESCO Creative Cities, the Kentucky city of Paducah is known across the world for its rich traditions in quilting and fibre arts.
And there's music and history too ... the tour also includes a visit to Nashville, Tennessee, the national capital of country music and home of the infamous Grand Ole Opry, and three days in Washington DC for a tour of National landmarks, including The White House and Capitol Hill.
This tour programme is filled with textile treats, including guided visits to the internationally renowned National Quilt Museum, two days at the inspirational AQS Quilt Week Paducah, and the chance to follow the state's fascinating Quilt Barn Trail.
What we love
Experiences you will treasure
What people say
Nashville is wicked. It’s like a proper music community, but it’s also quintessentially American. You bump into people there with cowboy hats that spit in jars and call you ‘boy.’ I just love that.
Ed Sheeran
How much is it?
What's included in your holiday
Itinerary - what you will do when
Where you will be staying
Washington DC (3 nights stay)
Courtyard Washington DC Capitol (or similar) Located near Union Station, this welcoming hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the USA's capital city. Recently re-designed, the bedrooms are comfortable and contemporary and there is a chic lobby bar where you can relax with a cocktail after a day seeing the sights. There is an in-house restaurant, The Bistro, serving delicious American cuisine, or if you prefer to go out, Union Market with its many restaurants and bars is only a short walk away. .
Nashville, Tennessee (2 nights stay)
Quality Inn Nashville Downtown Stadium (or similar)
Centrally located in Nashville, this hotel is just a short drive from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville Broadway and the Johnny Cash Museum. Each guest room includes a refrigerator, flat-screen television, private en-suite bathroom with shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. There is an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Paducah, Kentucky (3 nights stay)
Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott Paducah, 3*
Located just 11 minutes’ drive from the Schroeder Expo Centre, home of the AQS QuiltShow, this contemporary hotel is the perfect base for this leg of the tour. Your stay includes a delicious and plentiful hot Breakfast Buffet, and facilities include a "Sports Court" and Harrah's Casino. The historic downtown/riverfront and Lowertown districts are close by.
Flight Information
Outbound: Friday 21st April
Depart London Heathrow Terminal 5 by British Airways flight BA0217 12:35
Arrive Dulles International Airport Washington 15:35
Flight time 8 hours
Internal flight: Monday 24th April (day 4)
Depart Dulles International Airport Washington by United Airlines flight UA6165 08:15
Arrive Nashville TN BNA 09:04
Flight time 1hour 49 mins (Nashville is 1 hour behind Washington DC)
Internal flight: Saturday 29th April (day 9)
Depart Nashville TN (BNA) by United Airlines UA6172 13:10
Arrive Dulles International Airport Washington DC 15:56
Flight time 1hour 46 minutes
Inbound: Saturday 29th April
Depart Dulles International Airport Washington DC by British Airways flight BA0292 22:44
Arrive London Heathrow Terminal 5 11:00 Sunday 30th April
Flight time 7hrs 15mins
BA return economy flight
Luggage Allowance:
- 1 x 23kg checked bag (up to 90 x 75 x 43cm)
- 1x 23kg cabin baggage (up to 56 x 45 x 25cm)
- 1x 23kg handbag (up to 40 x 30 x 15cm)
United Airlines economy flight
Luggage Allowance:
- 1 x 23kg checked bag (up to 158 cm length+width+height)
- 1 x23kg cabin bag (up to 22 x 35 x 56cm including handles and wheels. Your carry- on bag should fit in the overhead bin.)
- Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. There is no weight restriction but dimensions should not exceed 22 x 25 x43 cm.
A Deeper Dive
The National Museum of American History is home to over 1.8 million objects and more than three shelf-miles of archival collections, making it the greatest single collection of American history in the world. Highlights include the original Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, the first computer bug, the first artificial heart, Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.
With a mission to empower people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of the nation’s past, the exhibitions explore fundamental American ideals and ideas such as democracy, opportunity, and freedom, as well as major themes in American history and culture, from European contact in the Americas to the present day. At the heart of the museum is a deeply moving exhibition on that most iconic artifact, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner, The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.’
Part of the museum’s Division of Home and Community Life's Textile Collection, the National Quilt Collection contains more than 400, mainly American, quilts and quilt-related items. As well as offering a fascinating insight into the history of American quilt-making, the collection also illustrates the many social, cultural, technological, and economic influences affecting quilts made and used in America and contributes to the illumination of American life, family, community, and country.
Watch this short film for a taste of what you will see
The U.S. state capital, Washington DC is renowned for its history, museums, and government buildings, but it is also a charming east coast city nestled along the Potomac River. Here are some must-sees for you free time in the city
The Martin Luther King Jr: Memorial. Commemorating the civil rights campaigner’s influence in American history, the memorial stands 9-meters tall and is beautifully decorated with inspirational quotes carved into the wall behind him.
Ford’s Theatre. The infamous site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassinated on 14th April 1865. The theatre has been preserved to look very much the way it did that fateful night and The President’s Box, where the assassination occurred, is still decorated just as it was in 1865. The theatre offers museum exhibits, performances, and tours. In the museum, you’ll see several artefacts related to the assassination, including the very gun used to kill the President.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Or "the Wall," as it's commonly referred to. This long black granite wall is emblazoned the names of more than 58,000 Americans who perished during the Vietnam War. When you're wandering along the eastern side of the mall, venture to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Paying tribute to the 1.5 million who served in "The Forgotten War," this privately funded site contains 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers in combat. In a triangular area known as the Field of Service, soldier statues march toward an American flag. Next to the soldiers is a 164-foot-long granite wall that pays homage to the unnamed troops that fought in the Korean War. Another highlight of the memorial is the Pool of Remembrance, a tranquil place for reflection.
United States Holocaust Museum: This sobering museum focuses on the atrocities of the Holocaust during World War II. When you enter, you will be given an identification card with the name and personal information of an actual person who experienced the Holocaust and, as you move through the exhibits – Hitler's rise to power, anti-Semitic propaganda, the horrors of the Final Solution – you'll be given updates on your person's well-being.
National Gallery of Art: A real treat for art lovers of all kinds, the East Building houses the gallery's more modern works (think Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko), while the West Building, which contains the collection's older works (from Sandro Botticelli to Claude Monet), this museum is a treat for art lovers. The adjacent Sculpture Garden contains work by modern masters such as Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, and Louise Bourgeoise.
The Washington National Cathedral: Work first began on this massive cathedral - the sixth-largest in the world – began in 1907, but it wasn't completed until 1990. Designed in the Gothic style, it has an extraordinary Gargoyle Tower, and intricate glass-stained windows. Another highlight is the cathedral's Gargoyle Tour.
Eastern Market. This lively market offers food, drinks, crafts, unique gifts, and music and has been a neighbourhood hub for over 136 years.
Adams Morgan District: The heart of this multicultural neighbourhood district is 18th Street. Take a stroll and admire the quirky murals, artisan cafés, and independent bookshops. The district also contains DCs happening nightlife scene and almost every street is lined with eclectic eateries, buzzing bars, live music venues, and countless international restaurants.
United States National Arboretum: Located northeast of downtown Washington, D.C., the United States National Arboretum is best known for the National Capitol Columns, which originally decorated the Capitol building, and its bonsai collection. The area’s bonsai trees sit in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, which boasts an astounding 300 miniature trees that staff members rotate through the museum’s three pavilions and special exhibits gallery. The arboretum also has a wonderful collection of plants and trees ranging from dogwoods to azaleas to magnolias and offers plenty of walking trails through the various gardens.
Tidal Basin: This 2-mile-long pond, once attached to the Potomac River, is the backdrop to three iconic DC memorials - the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial but is also a springtime treat as the cherry blossom trees gifted to D.C. from Tokyo bloom into candyfloss-coloured tufts. You can follow the path that leads around the basin or rent a paddle boat and see them from the water. You can hire them every day from the boat dock near Maine Avenue.
America has a rich quilting tradition, and that tradition is celebrated in a wonderful rural tradition known as ‘Barn Quilts’. These geometric designs, hand painted onto wooden squares and hung on the outside of barns and buildings, resemble a single block from a quilt, and are often patterned after a family heirloom sewed long ago. With names such as Bears Paw, Pineapple Log Cabin, Country Decision and Sunburst, these ‘quilts’ represent, in their own way, the identity of the farmer and their family and tell a fascinating visual story of the lives of the local people.
We will take you along a stretch of the Appalachian Quilt Trail, which stretches some 300 miles across 19 counties and boasts more than 130 beautiful quilt barns.
Founded in 1991 by quilting enthusiasts Bill and Meredith Schroeder to celebrate the work of today’s quilters, the National Quilt Museum contains more than 650 quilts made in, or after, 1980, making it one of the best collections of contemporary quilts in the world.
To find out more about this must-visit quilting treasure box, tune in to our interview with the Museum’s CEO Frank Bennett
A designated UNESCO City of Culture, Paducah’s significant American heritage can be traced to the city's strategic location at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Here are some must-visits for your free time.
The Floodwalls Murals: Separating the historic downtown district and the river's edge, the floodwalls are adorned with 50 multi-coloured murals depicting a bright picture of Paducah's storied past.
William Clark Market House Museum: Made to resemble a 19th-century drugstore, this museum tells the history of Paducah from 1905.
River Discovery Centre. This hands-on museum highlights the heritage and importance of the surrounding Four Rivers Basin, including the water’s role in the Civil War.
Paducah Railroad Museum: Diving into the rich locomotive history that helped define the city, exhibits include a Train Simulator that allows visitors to feel what it's like to guide a train down the tracks.
River Discovery Centre: This hands-on museum highlights the heritage and importance of the surrounding Four Rivers Basin, including the water’s role in the Civil War.
Lloyd Tilghman & Civil War Museum: Housed in an 1852 Greek Revival home once belonging to General Lloyd Tilghman of the CSA, this quaint, historic residence, contains many artifacts and displays describing Kentucky's role in the Civil War. Antique firearms, soldier uniforms, original correspondence, and a look into the life of a decorated Civil War General all provide an immersive visit into the past.
Historic Downtown: The beating heart of this creative city, this area is home to numerous galleries, museums, independent shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. The landmark at the heart of it all is the 1905 Market House, formerly an open-air venue for meat and produce vendors. Local producers are now featured at the Farmers Market, but Market House Square carries forward this history with ten restaurants, coffee shops and dessert boutiques.
Before you book
- Please read our Booking Conditions, Covid-19 Additional Terms and Information and our commitment to your welfare.
-
This tour requires a minimum of 10 passengers refer to point 7 in our booking conditions
-
Mobility: this tour is generally suitable for most, if you are concerned or have specific issues please let us know ahead of booking
-
Non USA passport /Visa waiver holders wil need to apply for a USA visa, please refer:https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
38.907192, -77.036873
36.162663, -86.781601
37.076389, -88.633018
Travel Inspiration - Now Booking
You might also be interested in the following tours
We'd love to hear from you
We look forward to arranging your future holiday, and with over twenty years of experience we are here to help with any questions you may have.
0800 298 0588
Like to learn more? Just give us a call or send an email. We're here to help!