Paranoid Android

Cross Country Travel Awards

In the past week and a half, I traveled for work hitting up cities I most likely would not have chosen to explore on my own. Not that I have anything against them but let’s just say my interests right now lie more in the international realm. This all led to a wonderful surprising experience that opened my eyes as to how great and unique each American city can be. So for my own future recollection, I’d like to hand out some awards.

Here are your nominees:
ATLANTA
HOUSTON
DENVER/BOULDER
ST. LOUIS
PHILADELPHIA

CITY I’D MOST LIKELY MOVE TO…(if I had to)
Philadelphia - I’m a sucker for history and architecture and Philly wins well above and beyond the rest. Running into the site where the first Girl Scout Cookies were sold may have sealed the deal. That and the perfect weather and walkability factor that Philly had. And don’t even get me started on the super cute parks/squares that abound. Also from a very small sample, the men here were the hottest and best dressed.
HONORABLE MENTION: Denver/Boulder

BEST FOOD
Denver/Boulder - Best meal I had hands down during this trip was in Denver at Linger: Chicken B’stilla, Chicken Bun, Bacon Wrapped Dates, and a Coconut Cream Pie. Mmmmmm. For dinner, a freakin delicious burger and the best Old Fashion known to man at a trendy spot in Boulder, Bitter Bar. And to top it off an amazing cup of coffee at Boxcar where the Cowboy Coffee brewing technique is more than just a cool looking gimmick.
HONORABLE MENTION: Atlanta

BEST CAB DRIVERS
Houston - Why was every cab driver I encountered INCREDIBLY nice and enjoyable to talk to? It must be the BBQ sauce, which is delicious.
HONORABLE MENTION: Philly, mainly because they didn’t talk.

FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE
Atlanta - Southern hospitality lives up to its name. Everyone was extremely pleasant and helpful and I even got hollered at by simply walking down the street. Way to make a guy feel special Hotlanta!
HONORABLE MENTION: St. Louis, I mean…It’s the Midwest!

BEST HOTEL
Tie. Kimpton’s Monaco, Denver/Four Seasons, St. Louis. In Denver, I had animal print bathrobes and a free wine happy hour in a very hip atmosphere. In St. Louis, I had potentially the best view of the city, a spa, a fully equipped gym, and a TV in my bathroom mirror.
HONORABLE MENTION: It’s already a tie. There can’t be three!

How I love to travel! But next time, more than 24 hours in each place, please.