What to Do: About halfway between Louisville and Nashville, Paducah is often overlooked but has been gaining a reputation for its creative arts scene. Since 2013, Paducah has been designated a UNESCO Creative City, primarily for its rising scene preserving and elevating crafts and folk art, design, literature, film, media arts, and music. It’s also in the path of totality! To celebrate, you can attend the X Marks the Spot Total Eclipse Festival on April 7 and 8. Held in the heart of the historic downtown, there will be science demos and workshops, eclipse art activities, yoga and meditation, celestial-themed reading stations, star gazing, a psycho fair, music, food vendors, and more.

Where to Stay: Near downtown, you can stay at the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront, which has a pool. For something a little different, rent the historic flat at The Dim Light or try out the 1857 Hotel.