My guest blogger for today is Kristy Feltenberger, who writes about some of her favorite cities for writers. Enjoy!
Best Cities for Writers
Kristy and her husband with some friends in Miami.
According to an article written by Jason Diamond and published in the pop culture website Flavorwire (Sept, 2013) there are “Twenty Great American Cities for Writers-That Aren’t New York.” The following criteria was used to determine these great cities: the existence of other writers, encouraging scenery, serene places to work including bookstores, universities, and libraries, and places to drink. I love to travel and have been to the following 8 cities. I could easily live in anyone of them:
1. Charleston, SC- It’s a beautiful city with a small town feel, is surrounded by five beaches, has a city market where you can buy homemade items (including sweetgrass baskets and golly dolls) the South Carolina Aquarium, yummy food (including shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes) history abounds including Ft. Sumter…
2. Washington, D.C.- I’m not surprised that D.C. made this list since culture abounds in this city! Museums, the Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Theatre, Politics and Prose bookstore, monuments, food trucks, not to mention some of the best restaurants (Ben’s Chilli Bowl, Perry’s Restaurant especially The Drag Queen Brunch, empanadas) bars and night clubs including Café Citron, The Cherry Blossom Festival…
3. Seattle, WA- Coffee shops including the original Starbucks, to die for seafood, Pike Place Market, fun and funky shops, street performers, rainy weather to inspire writing…
4. New Orleans, LA- The French Quarter, shops, Café Du Monde (beignets and coffee!) muffulettas from Central Grocery, The Court of Two Sisters, po boy sandwiches, historic cemeteries, street performers, Anne Rice, music…
5. Miami, FL- South beach, Cuban food, people watching (I held a lemur on the street!) the weather (swimming in the Pacific in November) music…
6. Savannah, GA- This city reminds me of Charleston, SC. –Ghost tours, historic cemeteries, amazing food (Paula Deen’s The Lady and Son’s Restaurant, pecans, tupelo honey, peaches, Gallery Espresso coffee)…
7. Pittsburgh, PA- I’m partial to Pittsburgh, since it’s the closest city to my hometown of Johnstown, PA. I also lived in the North Hills of Pittsburgh for a year and spent a lot of time in the city. So many wonderful things about the burg including: Primanti Brothers (coleslaw and fries on cheesesteak sandwich), The “O”- The Original Hot Dog Shop, the Steelers, Mt. Washington, Three Rivers Casino, The Beehive Coffeehouse, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh Zoo, Heinz Field, Kennywood amusement park, South Side…I could go on and on!
8. Portland, OR- Wineries galore, beer, coffee, food carts, Powell’s Bookstore, markets, easy city to drive in considering so many people ride bikes, friendly, hippy vibe, Rose Festival…
Check out the full article here: http://flavorwire.com/416836/20-great-american-cities-for-writers-that-arent-new-york/
Biscuit City 