river discovery center

mikeatnight

We visited the Discovery center a few years ago. Many of the display were not working or not working properly. The people working seemed to think this was the on level with the Smithsonian, but were kind of rude. Decided not to come back.

Farmgirl1988

The staff were very helpful in explaining the museum. Very informative as we didn't realize how much shipping was done from Paducah. It was fun trying to maneuver a boat down the river in the simulation area. You really felt like you were steering the boat. Worth the stop!

ShaneGriffin

Went here with some friends while home for Christmas a few years back. Wasn't sure what to expect since I had never heard much about it but was pleasantly surprised. This is what happens when you bring people to your hometown and suddenly need to entertain...you seek out things you would never do on your own! The Center was very informative, nicely laid out, made learning about life along and with the river very interesting. also, the opportunity to drive a barge in the simulation room was fun to top off the visit. Certainly worth looking in on while downtown and strolling along the Paducah flood walls murals. It's especially relevant given Paducahs relationship with the river and the floods of many years ago.

MaryannF650

My husband and I stopped here during our day trip from Tennessee. We stopped by the Floodwall Murals and noticed the River Discovery Center right across the street. There was free parking so we went to take a look. It was getting late in the day and the museum closed at 5. The lady was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did not do the tour but promised to come back when we had more time. The gift shop had many nice things including books of the area. She provided us with directions to the Riverwalk explaining that it extends for miles and miles, all the way to Illinois. So we decided to drive the entire way. You cannot see the entire riverwalk as you drive by but it was a pleasant scenic drive through the historic area of Paducah. $6.00 admission for seniors at the museum which includes a 15 min. video.

IlliniAnnie

This is another great museum in Paducah. Take some time to look at all the artifacts and enjoy them. Don't forget to "drive" the boats on the river....it's not as easy as it might look!

SueinSalem

We visited The River Discovery Center on September 30. This is a great place to learn about how the rivers in Paducah have influenced the community. There are some very interesting displays and the featured exhibit was about the role of rivers in the Civil War. The most fun part was the Boat Simulator. You can drive the boat along the river and can steer and and adjust the speed and can drive under bridges and around other boats.

KenH897

The River Heritage Museum is now also known as a Discovery Center because it has some hands on things to experience. The museum has a good display of all the tributaries that flow into the four rivers that come together near the area, the Cumberland, Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. They also have a film, but it was zoomed in way to much so it felt like you were seeing only a small portion up close, without being able to see the big picture. Furthermore, much of it was blurry or out of focus, so I didn't enjoy the film. There are several scale model ships from different eras. And there is a simulator where you can captain one of four ships that are programmed into it. Upstairs was a dwelling and is open and furnished in period furniture. Overall it is worth your time to see it.

opadett

A very historical and educational museum with the focus on crews on the river as well as the rivers itself. The hands on is the tow simulator which really gives an appreciation of the complexity of safely managing a tow.

MandMDen

Well done small museum displaying Paducah river history along with simulator where you can pilot several different kinds of boats. The simulator would have been more interesting if there had been someone available to explain how things worked.

990brandyg

unless you love boats and gift shops bigger then the museum its not worth the entry fee. The room that simulates the storm was a BIG let down.

toniShanghai

This museum is actually attached to the training school for people involved in navigating the river systems so you can actually do some simulation stuff as well which is fun, you can also see what's happening on the river from a webcam. Additionally the film is interesting and the exhibits varied, an excellent museum.

rworden

Wonderfully laid out. Stroll along and discover the Ohio River. What lives in the river, where does it flow, what does it carry? Many more questions will also be answered.

easydriver251

A well kept secret in downtown Paducah. Explore local history and learn about the Ohio River! Well worth the admission price which is not a lot. Great value!

DwayneG_11

This was a very informative museum about the history of the inland rivers and those who work on them. There's an interactive simulator that lets you drive and it's a hoot (we drove the speedboat and got sea sick).

732MPD

This is a wonderful place to learn about the history of the Ohio River in this area. Really nice collection of model riverboats, photos, hands on exhibits of working locks and a very informative short movie. Worth a stop.