The final year of the decade brought me to the mountains of Colorado. The red rocks of Sedona. To the Capital. Down to Texas. And back to the island of Aruba. It was a year of fun trips that resulted in a full camera roll, unexpected experiences and memories, and the itch to keep it going in 2020. And with that, The Best Of 2019 with a look back on my favorite restaurants, experiences, shops, and more.
2019 Trips
- Austin, Texas
- Aruba
- Orlando, Florida
- Washington, D.C.
- Sedona, Arizona
- Estes Park, Colorado
- Skanee, Michigan
- Rapid City, South Dakota
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Dallas, Texas
THE BEST OF 2019:
RESTAURANT
Mariposa
Sedona, Arizona
At Mariposa, the food was tremendous with unique dishes and flavors. But I went to a lot of restaurants with mouth-watering food in 2019 from talented chefs across the country. So what sets Mariposa apart from the rest? The ambiance. The vibe. The detail. It’s a beautiful restaurant with gorgeous red rocks outside each window. An elegant, dark inside with stylish lighting. A spacious and serene outdoor patio with ample seating. Enjoy an upscale dining experience and consider it a must when you find yourself in Sedona, Arizona.
Honorable Mention
- Barcelona Wine Bar, D.C.; Mouth-watering tapas and another beautiful space with an incredible, trendy vibe. Read more in Food & Drink Guide: Washington D.C. for a few of my favorite things from their menu.
BAR
The Local Store
Aruba
Huge selection of beer. Fantastic wings and award-winning burgers. TVs. Laidback island vibe. Open-air. A fantastic, happy staff. What more could you ask for? The Local Store is the perfect place to go as a tourist and not feel like one. An awesome bar that was right up my alley and one I would recommend to anyone traveling to One Happy Island. I’m counting down the days until I return.
HONORABLE MENTION
- Truck Yard, Dallas Texas; a self-proclaimed beer garden and adult playground. This was a very cool spot. Outdoor wooden and plastic picnic tables surrounded by food trucks. Live music and a lot of drunk, happy people. Probably tough to go here and not have a good time.
MEAL
No vibes. No ambiance. Just food. The hands-down best meals.
Elote Cafe
Sedona, Arizona
We’re back to Sedona. To a spot where Mexico meets the American Southwest to deliver an impeccable menu. Elote Cafe has a line out the door every single day and let me say that it is worth the wait. I had the (14-hour) smoked brisket enchiladas that were an explosion of flavor that left me wide-eyed and speechless. I am convinced nothing could replicate. And it paired well with homemade guacamole and hand-crafted margarita.
HONORABLE MENTION
- Via 313, Austin, Texas; this was really hard to leave off as #1. If you’ve been following along, you know how much I LOVE this pizza. Detroit-style with a thick crust that’s soft on the inside with a touch of crunch on the outside. Greasy pepperoni, a famous red sauce (on top), and so much flavor. Don’t miss out.
DRINK
The West Deck
Aruba
The Margarita Mama. Make sure to grab one at The West Deck in Aruba. The perfect blend of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Simple, effective, refreshing! And my favorite margarita out there. The deck alongside the blue water and sandy beach may help the experience just a little bit!
EXPERIENCE
Vortex Yoga Hiking in Sedona
Sedona, Arizona
What a gratifying and uplifting morning provided by Vortex Yoga Hiking in Sedona. A calm hike through the red rocks learning about the effects of a vortex while surrounded by beautiful scenery and calm energy. An hour-long yoga practice with the sun on your face and a slight breeze through your hair. Surreal.
SURPRISE
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado
Hands down the coolest thing I did in 2019. I went in knowing it would be beautiful, breathtaking views, but I never anticipated all of the animals in such close proximity, the thrill of driving to the top, or the change in weather patterns. I remember spotting an elk on the way in and thinking it was the most amazing thing, only to find out that was the equivalent to seeing a squirrel after our day was over. A mesmerizing place that reminds you of how astonishing our world can be.
SHOP
uncommon OBJECTS
Austin, Texas
Bizarre. Funky. Amusing. uncommon OBJECTS was an easy store to get lost in. There are antiques and toys. Gadgets and junk. A place to explore and walk through history and culture. Hunt for objects that you never knew you needed and travel back in time to objects you never thought you’d see again.
Honorable Mentions
- Society, Dallas, Texas; the cutest of candle shops. Unique fragrances, high-end candles, and an aesthetically-pleasing vibe.
- Magnolia Market at the Silos, Waco, Texas; Chip and Joanna created a beautiful space and store worth taking a trip to Waco for. The Silos are an experience to be had!
PHOTO
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado
This was so hard. But Colorado kept popping into my head. The mountains, the trees, the valley, the range of colors. The photo really brings me back.
Honorable Mentions
The Cabin
Skanee, Michigan
An untouched photo. You can’t make these Upper Pensinsula sunsets up!
The Badlands
Rapid City, South Dakota
I cannot leave out The Badlands when it comes to The Best of 2019. A very unique experience and somewhere I hope to return someday. Breathtaking and fun. A place to explore and truly appreciate.
TRIP
Estes Park, Colorado
Obviously, a very very difficult decision. Sedona was all-around serene. Aruba is the happiest place on earth. Texas is non-stop fun and entertainment. I’ll do them all again, but at the end of the day, the best trip of 2019 was to Colorado.
The mountains are surreal. It’s as if you are in an entirely different world. And it’s a postcard everywhere you look. It was a trip that I expected to be fun and it blew that out of the water. If you have not been to Estes Park, Colorado, it needs to be on your list.
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