Find Your Best Weekend

At the southern tip of Florida and only 90 miles from Cuba sits the southern most U.S. city of Key West. Once the base for Caribbean pirates and later home to Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, Key West also served as the winter White House for President Truman and the inspiration for the drawings of John James Audubon.Inhabitants are a colorful blend of eclectic artists, writers and others just escaping from everyday life. Everyone has a story and they're more than willing to share it with you. No one seems to care about the rest of the world, only about enjoying life every single day. This is Jimmy Buffet's headquarters and the site of the annual Parrot Head convention. Sunshine, tropical breezes, crystal clear water and a never ending party make this an ideal weekend getaway.Where else would you find a restaurant that celebrates Thanksgiving every Thursday night or a town that sponsors bed races down its main street or a place where restaurant owners call the local jail first when employees don't sho

Nestled in the valley between the Green Mountains on the west and the Hogback Mountains on the east, lies the picturesque village of Stowe, Vermont. The quintessential Currier & Ives Vermont town with its white church steeple, covered bridge and magnificent mountain views is the perfect weekend getaway. This beautiful town is what everyone envisions Vermont to be like. The smell of fresh grass in summer or wood burning in winter awaken your senses as you approach this so charming Village.While it is called the Ski Capital of the East, renowned for Mount Mansfield's "Front Four", that name belies the truly year-round appeal of the resort. I have enjoyed every season here, the colors more vivid than other places; the green fields of Spring, the colorful wildflowers of Summer, the browns, reds and golds of Fall and the stark whiteness of Winter.The beauty of Stowe has enticed moviemakers over the years as a prime location for films. The Trapp Family Property was the site of the top of the mountain shots of J

Most activity revolves around the three primary towns, each of which has a character of its own. Vineyard Haven, the main port into which most of the ferries arrive, sits on the edge of Vineyard Haven Harbor and is home to a collection of shops and restaurants. Oak Bluffs is a kind of honky tonk boardwalk town with gingerbread style homes, a carousel, an arcade, ice cream shops and a waterfront promenade. It has some very good restaurants, is the place for renting boats, kayaks and jet skis and is the nightspot capital of the island. Edgartown is an elegant seaport with narrow streets, beautiful old whaling captain's homes, fashionable boutiques, wonderful restaurants and exceptional accommodations.What makes the island particularly interesting is that its geography changes depending upon where you are on the island. In the west are the cliffs of clay, the north, rocky boulders, the south, small ponds and in the center, dense forests. Visit https://bestweekends.com/seaside-weekends/marthas-vineyard/ for the f

Lake Placid is a charming little hamlet with wonderful shops and restaurants and delightful places to stay. Crystal clear lakes amid the tall pines of the Adirondack Mountains provide great recreational opportunities for all seasons and Whiteface Mountain offers some of the best skiing in the East. The town itself, overlooking Mirror Lake has wonderful shops and restaurants and maintains its small town charm. In this episode we talk about two special occasion luxury properties. So if you're looking for a once in a life-time experience to commemorate an anniversary, birthday or other milestone, you won't want to miss this episode! And checkout https://bestweekends.com/country-weekends/lake-placid-ny/ for additional details after the show.

About 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts sits the magical island of Nantucket, unmatched in its beauty and ability to relax even the most ardent Type A personality. Nantucket has a charm like few other places; cobblestone streets and gas lamps, quaint lanes of cedar shingled cottages and homes surrounded by white fences and adorned with window boxes of colorful flowers. Roses and hydrangeas are everywhere and there are miles of pristine beaches to enjoy. Lighthouses and cliffs, ponds and moors, cranberry bogs and fields of wildflowers make the island the perfect romantic hideaway. Visitors and islanders alike are passionate about their island. Tune into this episode to hear why I return to this island year after year to vacation with my family. And find more information about all the restaurants and lodging mentioned at https://bestweekends.com/seaside-weekends/nantucket-ma/

Napa is the largest wine producer in the U.S. and is home to over 400 wineries producing some of the most acclaimed wines in the world. Commercial wine production dates back to the 19th century but premium wine production actually began in the 1960's.Despite its reputation, Napa has retained much of its agrarian origins and remains a small community of people who love the weather, good food and good wine. The scenery is stunning, the weather consistent (70º average temperatures) and the feeling is one of laid back contentment.In this episode, we'll tell you about our favorite wineries, must-do activities, the best places to stay and our top places to eat. Tune in now, and head on over to https://bestweekends.com/country-weekends/napa-ca/ for detailed information about all of the places and activities discussed.

In this episode, we chat about the Jersey Shore. It is unfortunate that the image many have of New Jersey is represented by the oil refineries surrounding Newark (Liberty) Airport and the New Jersey Turnpike. In truth, the State's nickname, "The Garden State" more accurately reflects its true nature. While the state is one of the most densely populated in the country, large areas are devoted to vegetable and fruit farming and horse breeding. The northwestern part of the state is mountainous and sparsely populated and the eastern part of the state enjoys some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.The "Jersey Shore" is the area bordering the Atlantic Ocean and stretches from Sandy Hook (about 45 minutes from NYC) down past Atlantic City. Honky Tonk towns like Seaside Heights share the coastline with a revived Asbury Park, sleepy summer towns like Bay Head and Stone Harbor and beautiful year round communities like Spring Lake and Brielle and the gambling mecca of Atlantic City. My favorite section is the

Just two hours south of Charleston, Savannah seems years apart from its neighbor to the north in their leap into the 21st century. While Charleston has charged into the new millennium, Savannah seems content to walk there, at its own pace. A stroll down its main street reveals store signs that haven't changed in 50 years. And the locals are quite happy with the state of things. Nevertheless, Savannah's quiet dignity and welcoming hospitality make it an ideal choice for a weekend getaway.Georgia's "first city" may just be one of the country's most beautiful towns. Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe on the banks of the Savannah River, the city was planned with a series of orderly grids around 24 squares. The squares today are delightful parks with benches, fountains, flowers and stately oaks dripping with Spanish moss. The parks are surrounded by magnificent, restored mansions reflecting a variety of architectural styles from the 18th and 19th centuries. There's even a section in one of the parks for the blind

Deb Smith & Jim Flynn discuss the best resorts, restaurants & activities that will turn a weekend stay in Charlottesville, VA into a best weekend! Nestled in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, Virginia is a largely undiscovered destination for weekend travel, yet offers everything you would want for an enjoyable getaway; great accommodations and dining and plenty of interesting things to do. Charlottesville is best known as the home of the University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson's beloved Monticello and while a visit to Monticello is worth the trip alone, Charlottesville is so much more than just that.Two other presidents, Madison and Monroe had homes here that are major tourist attractions and this city of 45,000 residents has a vibrant music scene, wonderful art galleries, ACC college sports, nationally recognized wineries, terrific shops and cafes in a Downtown Pedestrian Mall, great golf courses and a host of other indoor and outdoor recreational activities.Known affect

Deb Smith & Jim Flynn discuss the best hotels, restaurants & activities that will turn a weekend stay in the Hamptons into a best weekend!The Hamptons is a popular destination, but before the crowded summer months or after the crowds have returned to New York City, the Hamptons offer a wonderful weekend retreat of pristine beaches, quaint shops, antique stores, wineries, top rated restaurants and plenty of things to do to occupy your time.There is a Hamptons personality to fit just about any mood. Tony East Hampton offers upscale shops like Tiffany and Ralph Lauren, Sag Harbor is a charming waterfront village, Montauk is a laid back and casual beach town and the North Fork evokes thoughts of the California wine country.Listen now to hear all the insider tips for a spectacular weekend in the Hamptons. For additional information, visit https://bestweekends.com/seaside-weekends/the-hamptons-ny/

Inhabitants of Key West, Florida, are a colorful blend of eclectic artists, writers and others just escaping from everyday life. Everyone has a story and they're more than willing to share it with you. No one seems to care about the rest of the world, only about enjoying life every single day. This is Jimmy Buffet's headquarters and the site of the annual Parrot Head convention. Sunshine, tropical breezes, crystal clear water and a never ending party make this an ideal weekend getaway.Where else would you find a restaurant that celebrates Thanksgiving every Thursday night or a town that sponsors bed races down its main street or a place where restaurant owners call the local jail first when employees don't show up for work?Unlike other parts of Florida dominated by fast food restaurants and neon signs, Key West is more like a tropical Caribbean island with tall palm trees, incessant sunshine, crystal blue waters, cascading bougainvillea and colorful hibiscus.Duval Street, the center of most activity is lined

In this episode we tell you about two spectacular properties in the Pacific Northwest, The Allison Inn in Newberg and the Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach. The Allison Inn is located at the north entrance of Willamette Valley wine country and is set on 35 lush acres. The resort is surrounded by vineyards, orchards and rich farmland with mountain views in three directions. Conceived by Ken and Joan Austin and managed today by Waterford Hospitaliy, Allison Inn is destined to be one of the best in the country and certainly the best in the Northwest. In this episode we tell you why. The second destination we talk about is the oceanfront Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach which offers spectacular views of majestic Haystack Rock, the Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast. Fireplace rooms and a wonderful restaurant add to the charm. Excellent accommodations and dining and exceptional service make this a favorite getaway for Northwest travelers. Listen now to hear many more details about these two great properties.

Wondering where you should go to celebrate a special occasion? We've got the answer: the Blantyre in Lenox, MA or the Glenmere Mansion in Chester,NY. Most of us don’t have royal blood in us, or for that matter will ever meet a “royal”. But for the length of your stay at Blantyre, you’ll get a taste of what that might feel like. The service touches at Glenmere Mansion are what elevate this property above others. Tune in to this episode to hear why exactly the Blantyre will make you feel like royalty and why the Glenemer was voted the #1 Romantic Hideaway in the world by Hideaway International.

Cape Cod is the body of land that extends from Massachusetts into the Atlantic like a beckoning finger. Its year round population of 200,000+ explodes in the summer as Bostonians seek to escape the city and New Englanders flock to the beaches.In this episode, we give you an insiders view of 3 of the best resorts in the Cape. We'll tell you about the rooms, the amenities, the food options, the best activities and more. If you're thinking about a trip to the cape, these weekend getaway locations are 3 great options for you and your family.Want more detail and more Bestweekend options? Head over to www.bestweekends.com and checkout all our "other seaside properties". Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review our podcast!Music by https://audionautix.com

Newport, Rhode Island is an ideal weekend escape particularly for those within driving distance from Maine to New Jersey. You'll get to see how the other half lived, enjoy some wonderful food and some amazing accommodations.Once the summer playground of the Astors, Vanderbilts, Belmonts and other wealthy American families, Newport was a symbol of the lifestyles and opulence of the Gilded Age. Today it is a thriving resort community renowned as the sailing capital of the East. Summer weekends are for racing and parties and eating and drinking in Newport's wonderful bistros and pubs. Vestiges of past wealth remain.This charming old seaport peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Rhode Island Sound to the south and the Newport Harbor on the west.In this podcast, we share the best places to sleep, eat and play for a Best Weekend.Music by https://audionautix.com

Anyone who has spent any time in Chicago quickly falls in love with this charming city. I lived there twice in my career and both my kids were born there, so it has a special place in my heart. Despite winters that can be quite brutal (ever been stuck in O'Hare in February?), Chicago has much to recommend it as a terrific weekend destination. You'll find world class accommodations and dining, one of the best art museums in the world, a rich cultural tradition, the Cubs and Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, wonderfully diverse neighborhoods and in the Magnificent Mile, one of the best shopping stretches anywhere. Add a lakefront location (is there any other city that has urban beaches?), a gorgeous skyline, friendly Midwestern people, authentic Chicago Blues and that Saturday Night Live incubator, Second City and it will quickly go to the top of your "must see" lists.Visit http://www.bestweekends.com/city-weekends/chicago-il/ for more details about Best Weekends in Chicago, Illinois. Music by https://audionautix.com/

A look at some incredible weekend urban sanctuaries in three different parts of the country - including New York City, New York, Dallas, Texas and Beverly Hills California. The Lowell, the Rosewood Mansion, and the Iconic Beverly Hills hotel should be on everyone's bucket list, and we'll tell you why in this episode of Find Your Best Weekend. Music by https://audionautix.com/

Charleston is that rare southern city that has retained the charm of its past while reinventing itself for the new millennium. This is a wonderful weekend getaway chocked full of great places to stay and eat and plenty to do. It is also one of those great walking around cities because you can discover something interesting down every alley and around every corner. Every time I go here, I stumble upon a new restaurant or boutique or gallery I never saw before. The anticipation of new discoveries makes this a delightful place to visit. The city is steeped in history, the Civil War started here at Fort Sumter, and a stroll through town, down cobblestone streets, among stately mansions evokes thoughts of days gone by.Despite its charm and southern sophistication, Charleston has a bit of a quirky personality as well. How else do you explain that it's against the law to cook a hamburger any way other than medium well? Or that the liquor in all the restaurants and bars used to be the little ones served on the airlin