A perfect day of US travel
Thursday, December 29th, 2011If I could spend a day going all over the US, with instant transport from one place to another and an unlimited budget, here is where I’d go and what I’d do in 2012….some of these places I discovered in 2011, others I’ve known for a long time and one I’ve never visited….
Morning
Wake up at:
- The Down East perfection of the Pentagöet Inn, Castine, Maine or
- The homey Library Suite at the Prairie Moon Bed & Breakfast, Hutchinson, Kansas or
- A Southern grande dame, the King Edward Hotel, Jackson, Mississippi or
- A giant of literary history at the Algonquin Hotel, New York City
Breakfast at:
- Bah’s Bakehouse (muffins! scones!) near the Castine waterfront or
- Billy’s Downtown Diner (omelettes!) in downtown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania or
- The Homemade Cafe (pecan waffles! home fries!) in Berkeley, California
Spend the morning:
- Thinking and learning at the National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri or
- Bodysurfing on the Na Pali Coast, Kauai or
- Marveling at musical craftsmanship at the American Banjo Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma or
- Stepping back into the Revolution at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Lunch
Feeling seafood-ish for my midday meal at:
- Paia Fish Market, Maui (or these other places to eat in Paia) or
- Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington
Afternoon
Afternoon spent:
- Shopping in gracious Savannah, Georgia or
- Heating up in a mud bath at either Dr. Wilkinson’s in Calistoga, California or the Bath House in Jemez Springs, New Mexico or
- Taking a Chicago Architecture Foundation docent-led river cruise past incredible buildings in Chicago, Illinois or
- Going for a swim in Wekiwa Springs, Florida or Barton Springs in Austin, Texas or the spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park in western Texas (I’ve always wanted to see Balmorhea.)
Mid-afternoon snack:
- Garrett Popcorn in Chicago (The Chicago Mix flavor, of course) or
- A Ted Drewes frozen custard at the original stand on Route 66, St. Louis, Missouri
Evening
Sunset:
- Key West, Florida or
- Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California
Dinner at:
- Brady Tavern, Tulsa, Oklahoma or
- The Old Lahaina Luau, Maui or
- Really, any BBQ joint in Memphis, Tennessee
Wrap it up with:
- WaterFire in Providence, Rhode Island or
- YOUR recommendation down in the comments! Give us some ideas, from anywhere in the US, for an evening activity.
If you like this post, please consider subscribing to the blog via RSS feed or by email – the email signup link is at the top of the right sidebar near the Search box. Thanks!)








