What happens when 30 small towns vie for a big prize, taking on tough critics who require winners to have the nation's friendliest people, best scenery, hottest patriotic fervor, most excellent food and endless fun, fun, fun? USA Today's Laura Bly reports many miles were driven, lots of food was eaten, countless smiles were exchanged, and the winners of the "Best of the Road" contest sponsored by the newspaper and map maker Rand McNally will get their own Travel Channel special hosted by Bert Kreischer on July 25 at 8 p.m. ET. And the winners, named Wednesday, are:
Bardstown, Ky., better known for its bourbon, won "Most Beautiful." Judges loved the Outer Bluegrass region, with the Knobs in the distance. "We realized that maybe we're not just here to see mountains and rivers, maybe there's something else," they wrote. "Our hearts are still in this place." (USA Today photo: Old Nelson County courthouse, with historic Talbott Tavern in background.) Gainesville, Tex., took "Most Patriotic" honors. "It's not just the number of flags or monuments, memorials or programs; it's not even just for the people who serve. It's how you care for the people who were fought for," the team of judges wrote.
Murray, Ky., in the southwestern end of the state, wowed judges who dubbed it "Most Friendly." Coloradans Jennifer, Jordan and Robert Schatz remarked, "It feels like home in Murray more than anywhere else." Residents "had a way of bringing you in, and we made friends. This is the only town where we went into people's homes." Santa Fe, N.M., won "Best Food." As one local chef told Best of the Road, the state capital's cuisine is unique because of "the vibrancy of the city" and the tapestry of cultures — Native American, Hispanic and European. Delray Beach, Fla., took the trophy for "Most Fun" for its "Miami meets Manhattan in the '60s"vibe. Think Panama hats and individually owned shops, not flip-flops and chain restaurants. You can be a yogi beach bunny one minute, on a boat crusing the marina the next, then get your taste of great locally-sourced grub decked out in a dress you got at one of the many awesome vintage stores before you hit one of the town's night spots," the team says. (Read more)
Murray, Ky., in the southwestern end of the state, wowed judges who dubbed it "Most Friendly." Coloradans Jennifer, Jordan and Robert Schatz remarked, "It feels like home in Murray more than anywhere else." Residents "had a way of bringing you in, and we made friends. This is the only town where we went into people's homes." Santa Fe, N.M., won "Best Food." As one local chef told Best of the Road, the state capital's cuisine is unique because of "the vibrancy of the city" and the tapestry of cultures — Native American, Hispanic and European. Delray Beach, Fla., took the trophy for "Most Fun" for its "Miami meets Manhattan in the '60s"vibe. Think Panama hats and individually owned shops, not flip-flops and chain restaurants. You can be a yogi beach bunny one minute, on a boat crusing the marina the next, then get your taste of great locally-sourced grub decked out in a dress you got at one of the many awesome vintage stores before you hit one of the town's night spots," the team says. (Read more)
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