Dedicated to preserving the heritage of our rivers.

Welcome to the River Discovery Center!

  • Congratulations 2018 Dragon Boat Champions "Cook Coal, Boats & Rows"
  • Congratulations 2018 Dragon Boat trophy winner "CrossFit, Oars Deep"
  • Congratulations 2018 Dragon Boat Trophy winner "Orthopaedic Institute, Bone Collectors"


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Become a Member of the River Discovery Center!
Your family enjoys unlimited entry to RDC and more than 550 museums and science centers!

Find a list of the Participating museums in the following links.

 

Association of Science and Technology Center Museums

and

Southeastern Museums

Call us today 270-575-9958, or click HERE to print our membership form.

 

Featured Exhibit

Lock & Dam

The economy of our river is critical to our nation’s infrastructure and with Paducah as the hub our inland waterways, it is important to see the impact of our river economy.   Our waterway’s system of locks and dams are critical to maintaining river traffic as well as... Learn more

News & Events

River Discovery Center Earns Award
RIVER DISCOVERY CENTER EARNS 2018 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE PADUCAH, KENTUCKY/USA – May 25, 2018 – The River Discovery Center today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its eighth year, the achievement celebrates businesses that have... Learn more

Educational Programs

Skippers
Skippers is an educational offering for all area 3rd graders. It is sponsored by Ingram Barge Company and includes a tour of the center’s exhibits, time in the navigation simulator, a classroom session and the film shown in the theater. The teacher may choose from a list customized programs... Learn more
Animal Encounters
Animal Encounters is a 3-hour program for second graders. RDC partners with The Land Between the Lakes Nature Station to teach children about animals in our riparian environment. The students are divided into rotations as they visit the various stations. The program meets Core Content for second... Learn more
Off-site Visits
When available, staff members will come to your school to present educational programming. There will be a small transportation fee for schools outside of Paducah. If interested, please call, 270-575-9958 or email, ej@riverdiscoverycenter.org,  E.J. Abell, Director of Education. Programs... Learn more
Adopt-a-Towboat
Adopt-a-Towboat is a year-long educational program which matches up a real towboat and its crew with a classroom in the region. The local towboat companies commit one of their vessels as an off-site,  teaching  "classroom" as the students learn about the industry and its impact... Learn more