What do I need to know? Where to stay, where to eat. Must-do's and must-see's? What to stay away from?

Any advice would be appreciated!

If you dont have your reservations for a hotel by now, you probably wont be staying in Paducah. We stayed about 45 minutes away last year. Do the show, the mall, Hancock's of Paducah, Eleanor burns store, the speakers in the park and the museum. That will take you days.

The Rotary show was just okay.

Eating. They have all the major chains but I remember a Steak place by the interstate....not Outback but something southern that had good steaks and great drinks.

Enjoy!

Cindy

Wear good walking shoes. *Really* good shoes. You'll walk miles.

I think the steak place might be Rafferty's! If the one you referred to is close to Hancocks.

Have fun!

Hope to see you there. I'll be there on Fri. and Sat.

Must do all the vendors thru out the convention center. Leave no nook or cranny unexplored. Of course look at all the quilts, they are gorgeous & beautiful. Then there's downtown Paducah (past the Museum)that has all kinds of vendors tucked away in the old building. Take a bottle of water with you & a tote bag, lots of money & of course your charge card. Make a list starting now of things to look for. Have to see Eleanor, she's hillarious & has tons of stuff to buy. The museum if you like doing that. The Rotary is ok for quilts but they do have good vendors. I always like the Hoffman challenge. Very interesting to see. Then from there take a break....start all over! As far as a room, don't think you're gonna find one. I just booked about 2 wks ago & could only get a room for Tues & Wed. which is fine with me. Be warned that Friday & Saturday is the very busy day. Buses by the fleet come in & pack them into the convention center. Patti's is wonderful to eat at. We go there about every other time because you have to have reservations. Take as little with you as possible to carry in because by the time you come out, your arms will be full! Take a tote

Anyone know what the date of this may be in 2012? I need to plan that far ahead.

There are free shuttles running all around town that stops at the Convention Center, Hancocks, mall, downtown, Eleanor Burns site, Rotary Show plus any of the close motels. Just check to make sure that you have the right shuttle. I spend the night about 45 minutes away, drive into town on the first day of the show, park at Hancocks and do my shopping there early in the morning - make sure you check out the back room. I use a fannypak to free up my hands and to take the weight off my shoulders. Carry a tote with a bottle of water and something like a granola bar. I leave my car at Hancocks and catch the shuttle to the Convention Center and the other sites. Most of the good restaurants are closer to the interstate or mall. I eat a good breakfast, eat the granola bar during the day and wait until the end of the day to eat a full meal. By then you are tired and ready to relax. Hope that you have a good time there. It's one of my favorite shows.

If you can't find a motel, let me know and I will check the area for you and see whats out there. For the best Chinese food, you have to go to Chongs.

you might try for hotels over in Illinois. Not far away.