Meet the Judges
To choose the country’s best destinations, we asked some pretty sharp friends.
Rachael Petach
Rachel is a poet, artist, fermenter and producer. She is the owner and operator of C. Cassis, a farm winery/distillery and tasting room in Rhinebeck, New York, where she creates all-natural blackcurrant products distributed nationally. ccassis.com
Rachel is a poet, artist, fermenter and producer. She is the owner and operator of C. Cassis, a farm winery/distillery and tasting room in Rhinebeck, New York, where she creates all-natural blackcurrant products distributed nationally. ccassis.com
Natalie Chanin
Natalie runs fashion brand Alabama Chanin, part of the nonprofit Project Threadways, in her hometown of Florence, Alabama.“Our values have always been about unbroken supply chain, local manufacturing, oral histories and working in the present to find a better future." alabamachanin.com
Natalie runs fashion brand Alabama Chanin, part of the nonprofit Project Threadways, in her hometown of Florence, Alabama.“Our values have always been about unbroken supply chain, local manufacturing, oral histories and working in the present to find a better future." alabamachanin.com
Ali. V
Ali is an outdoors, lifestyle and travel photographer based in Colorado. When the camera is tucked away, Ali is quick to recharge in the world’s wild and natural places, even if that happens to be in the pine trees and hills of her own backyard. ali-v.co
Ali is an outdoors, lifestyle and travel photographer based in Colorado. When the camera is tucked away, Ali is quick to recharge in the world’s wild and natural places, even if that happens to be in the pine trees and hills of her own backyard. ali-v.co
Andre Perry
Artistic director of the Mission Creek Festival and executive director of the University of Iowa’s Office of Performing Arts and Engagement. He’s also the author of the essay collection Some of Us Are Very Hungry Now. missioncreekfestival.com
Artistic director of the Mission Creek Festival and executive director of the University of Iowa’s Office of Performing Arts and Engagement. He’s also the author of the essay collection Some of Us Are Very Hungry Now. missioncreekfestival.com
Eric Kerns
Eric is a founding partner of TOURISTS, the celebrated roadside hotel in North Adams, Massachusetts, where he also produces the signature Sing for Your Slumber live music series. He advocates for the North Adams Adventure Trail. touristswelcome.com
Eric is a founding partner of TOURISTS, the celebrated roadside hotel in North Adams, Massachusetts, where he also produces the signature Sing for Your Slumber live music series. He advocates for the North Adams Adventure Trail. touristswelcome.com
Erin Austen Abbott
Erin is a writer and photographer based in Water Valley, MS. She was a contributing editor to Wildsam’s field guide to the town of Oxford, and is the author of the 2024 book Small Town Living. erinaustenabbott.com
Erin is a writer and photographer based in Water Valley, MS. She was a contributing editor to Wildsam’s field guide to the town of Oxford, and is the author of the 2024 book Small Town Living. erinaustenabbott.com
Kathie Sever
Kathie is an artist, designer, and the founder of Fort Lonesome, an Austin-based company that creates one-of-a-kind, hand-cranked, chain-stitched Western wear. (Also, a former ranch hand and pastry chef.) ftlonesome.com
Kathie is an artist, designer, and the founder of Fort Lonesome, an Austin-based company that creates one-of-a-kind, hand-cranked, chain-stitched Western wear. (Also, a former ranch hand and pastry chef.) ftlonesome.com
The Road Trips Awards
We scoured the map. We asked our smartest, most well-traveled friends. The results are in.
