Paducah, Kentucky, United States

Historic Hotel Metropolitan

Museum Housed in Segregation-Era Safe Haven Explore an important part of African American history, the Hotel Metropolitan. Originally built in 1908, the hotel became part of the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” a network of music venues and hotels across the East Coast, South and upper Midwest of the US that served as safe havens for traveling African Americans during segregation. Today, it is an African American history museum and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a short drive to the Metropolitan, where you will meet Betty Dobson, a local resident who led efforts to preserve and restore this historic location. Betty will offer insight into the lives of those who worked here and notable guests such as US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and entertainers Ella Fitzgerald, Ike and Tina Turner, Ray Charles and B.B. King. After your tour, you will return to your ship. * Easy - Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.