Year-End Travel Highlights: 2023 Jimmy Awards for Top Canada and U.S. Travel

I had some wonderful visits in the U.S. and Canada this year, including a monumental train trip from Colorado to Utah, a wonderful six days in Prince Edward Island and great stays in Los Angeles, southwest Ontario, southern Florida and northern California. I also got to visit one of my fave islands, Molokai, and spent four nice but sobering days on Maui to see how they’re recovering from the devastating and still unfathomable wildfires.

It wasn’t all pretty, but I had many a remarkable experience and more than a few great meals along the way. Thanks to everyone who helped out!

BEST U.S. NATIONAL PARK

I loved the four national parks I visited in Utah in the spring; Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Given its variety, I’ll go with Zion as my fave. But they’re all awesome.

MOST UNUSUAL PLACE TO STAY

We slept in a giant wine barrel lashed to a floating dock at Nellie’s Landing, a great spot in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island. Pretty comfortable, but storage space is rather limited! The tiki bar is a great feature. They also have floating two houseboats for rent if you need a bit more elbow room. If you like a good story, ask the owners how they met.

BEST IMPROMPTU CONCERT

My friend Rick Schonely entertained our family at the Wavecrest Condos in east Molokai, Hawai’i around sunset one night, plucking his ukelele strings and singing a mix of pop and Hawaiian classics. It was a tremendous evening, and my 92-year-old Dad couldn’t stop smiling. Mahalo, Rick!

BEST PEOPLE PHOTO

Chef  Zule Ankamah at Zule Eats in Windsor, Ontario. Fabulous Ghanian pies. More importantly, I love her smile!

BEST AIRPLANE WINDOW PHOTO

This one, taken on an Air Canada flight between Toronto and San Francisco.

BEST TRAIN TRIP

We loved our Rocky Mountaineer trip from Denver to Moab, Utah, called the Rockies to Red Rocks tour. The canyons in western Colorado were particularly impressive, including, ahem, Byers Canyon.

BEST QUOTE FROM A RESTAURANT MENU

Just after our Rocky Mountaineer adventure, we had dinner one night in Tropic, Utah, just outside of Bryce Canyon. My wife found a quote on the restaurant menu that I dearly love. It seems the area was settled by Ebenezer Bryce, who had a ranch in the area. Bryce Canyon is one of the most stunning bits of geography I’ve ever seen. But when he was asked what he thought about the canyon, Bryce replied, “Helluva place to lose a cow.”

BEST COCKTAILS

We had a fine meal and astonishingly good cocktails at Citizen Rail in Denver. The Brown Derby with bourbon, grapefruit and honey was delicious. Even better to me was the Penicillin drink with Boulder Spirits American single malt, lemon, honey, ginger and a misting of Ardbeg Scotch.

BEST NEW MAUI HOTEL (FOR ME)

Wailea Beach Resort is a wonderful property in the pretty Wailea district. It’s not close to Lahaina and there was no damage in the region from the Maui fires. The swimming pools are first-rate, the property is immaculate, and there are two fine beaches at both ends of the resort. Very good food and a nice luau, as well. Check out the new garden suites and the private, reservation-only pool. .

BEST VEGAN MEAL

We had an outstanding dinner at Crossroads Kitchen at the new Resorts World Las Vegas property.

COOLEST BREAKFAST SPOT

Solomon’s Vinyl Cafe in Sacramento serves up good food, including Japanese-style breakfasts. The decor is even better.

BEST U.S. WINERY EXPERIENCE

The Lucas Winery makes beautiful wine in Lodi, California. We walked in unannounced and they gave us a wonderful tasting. Such a quiet, pretty setting, too.

BEST TORONTO MEAL

On the patio at Cibo Wine Bar on King Street this past summer. Wonderful pasta and very good pizza.

BEST CRUISE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT CRUISING

Viking held a terrific event in New York City to christen the new Viking Saturn and I got to spend the night on board and watch the official christening ceremony. It’s a drop-dead gorgeous ship, and the food we sampled was exquisite.

COOLEST MUSEUM DISCOVERY

The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida is a tremendous museum, divided into sections focused on American, European, Chinese and contemporary art, as well as photography. It was designed by renowned architect Norman Foster, and it’s a gorgeous building. Look for rare Chinese art, works from such masters as Degas and Monet, as well as modern pieces. There’s also a leafy, quiet sculpture garden.

BEST TIKI BAR 

E.R. Bradley’s Saloon is a large tiki bar in downtown West Palm Beach, with pretty fountains and palm trees galore. I had fine fish tacos and a local beer as I listened to a duo with an acoustic guitar and slide guitar playing everything from Willie Nelson to Jimmy Buffett.

BEST TORONTO HOTEL OPENING

They held a heckuva party for the Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville property on Bloor Street East earlier this year. The design is quite bold and stylish, as well. Good to see redevelopment on a bit of Bloor Street that could use a boost.

CLASSIEST HOTEL

You can’t beat the Fairmont San Francisco; gorgeous design, lovely rooms and a great location at the top of Nob Hill; right on two cable car lines. The Tonga Room remains my fave bar in the world, but I didn’t make it this year.

MOST INTERESTING PLACE TO EAT

Charly’s Airport Restaurant is a great little spot alongside the runway at the airport in Williamsburg, Virginia. There’s also a patio for al fresco dining and plane watching.

BEST ONTARIO TOWN

Amherstburg, Ontario has come a long way, and there are some terrific shops to check out. Former Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chief Richard Peddie owns a couple of lovely stores, including River Bookshop and White Woods Home. He’s hoping to open a boutique hotel with river views.

BEST CANYON WALK

Peek-a-Boo Canyon in Kanab, Utah is simply breathtaking.

BEST MUSSELS

We had spectacular, plump, juicy mussels in a perfect red curry sauce at Landmark Oyster House in the charming village of Victoria-by-the-Sea, PEI. Great server, too.

COOLEST ANIMAL EXPERIENCE

Mingling with the spirit horses at TJ Stables in Chatham, Ontario. Beautiful animals, and a beautiful indigenous Canadian experience.

BEST CALIFORNIA BASEBALL GAME

A San Francisco Giants game this summer at Oracle Park. It’s a glorious place to watch a ballgame. We also took in a game at Dodger Stadium in L.A. Word of warning: you’ll want to take out a second mortgage on the house if you want to buy beers in either park.

BEST NEW ONTARIO ATTRACTION

The new Muskoka Discovery Centre (full disclosure: I’m on the board of directors) in Gravenhurst is a wonderful exhibit that tells the story of Muskoka and also focuses on local indigenous cultures. It’s a beauty, and a major addition to Muskoka.

NICEST SHOP OWNER

We had a lovely chat with Karl Penton this summer at his fun and colourful gallery in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

MOST ENJOYABLE LUNCH

We had a great waitress and a terrific lunch at the stylish Twisted Apron Brunch Bar in Windsor, Ontario.

BEST COOKING LESSON

Paige and Christine Hart taught us the best way to make biscuits and fish chowder at The Old General Catering House, their Instagram-worthy place in Murray River, Prince Edward Island. Don’t miss it.

MOST SURPRISING HOTEL

The Canopy by Hilton in West Palm Beach is bright and stylish and very youthful. I loved the rooftop bar and swimming pool.

BEST MEAL (BY A CONSIDERABLE MARGIN)

The FireWorks Feast at Inn at Bay Fortune in Prince Edward Island is something I’ll remember my entire life. Renowned Chef Michael Smith and his staff put on a tremendous show, explaining how they grow their food, dishing out super-fresh, local oysters and other treats, and then providing an astonishing meal cooked over an open fire. It’s a lovely place to stay, as well.

BEST U.S. TOUR GUIDE

Dawnie Andrak from Local Roots Food Tours in Sacramento, California. Very engaging, knowledgeable, and fun. 

BEST LITERARY THEMED DINNER

John’s Grill in San Francisco serves up great food in a classic, old-school downtown restaurant. Ask for the table where Dashiel Hammett wrote “The Maltese Falcon.”

MOST EMOTIONAL MOMENT

I was able to attend the first Masters of Slack Key Guitar Show since the Maui fires when I visited the Napili Kai Beach Resort in early November. Host and Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer George Kahumoku sang “Aloha Oe” as his first tune of the night. When he got to the part about “one fond embrace” and “until we meet again” I lost it. So powerful. It was a sad but beautiful evening. I highly recommend the hotel, and the Slack Key show.

BEST BED AND BREAKFAST

I loved my stay at the Hornsby House Inn, a beautiful spot in the Yorktown area of Williamsburg, Virginia. Beautiful home with a rich history, and fabulous house-made granola. And, yes, musician Bruce Hornsby is part of the family.

BEST DETROIT PHOTO

We had a very nice room at the Holiday Inn Express Windsor Waterfront this summer, and I got a nice shot of this boat zipping along the Detroit River.

BEST FRENCH CUISINE

The food and cocktails at La Societe Bar and Cafe are superb. It’s a lovely spot at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA, which has undergone a significant renovation and makes a fine place to stay in one of the world’s great cities.

MOST SNOOPY DOLLS IN A JAPANESE RESTAURANT (AND VERY GOOD SUSHI)

1054 Togoshi Sushi in Maui’s Kihei region has an interesting decor that includes tons of stuffed Snoopy animals and funky beach signs, but the sushi is quite good. It’s a tad hard to find, as it’s tucked into a rather nondesript shopping plaze. But good food, reasonable prices and nice people.

BEST URBAN HIKE

We had a wonderful walk/hike to the top of the Santa Monica Mountains to see the Hollywood sign up close and personal. Our guide from Bikes and Hikes L.A. was terrific, and dished out some celebrity gossip as well.

BEST NEW AIRPORT LOUNGE

The new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport is a stunner; gorgeous design, excellent food (especially at dinner or lunch), a great bar, lots of natural light, and an outdoor patio overlooking the tarmac with comfy seats and gas fireplaces. Wowza.

TOP TAKE OUT PLACE

After many years of visiting Maui, I finally had a chance to check out the food at Tin Roof restaurant in Kahului, Maui. I ordered the mochiko chicken and took it to a picnic table at nearby Kanaha Beach Park for a fabulous lunch. Fabulous food, very filling, and just $12. The beach park is quite nice, and just seconds from the airport. It’s mostly used by locals.

BEST CLASSIC RESTAURANT

The always reliable, always tasty and always impressive Musso and Frank Grill in Los Angeles, a Hollywood institution since 1919. Very good food, amazing martinis, and waiters in red tuxedos.

BEST ON THE WATER EXPERIENCE

An early morning outrigger canoe ride on the water near the Wailea Beach Resort on Maui.

BEST NEW TRAIN SERVICE

The Brightline trains that run between Miami and Orlando’s International Airport (with stops in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Aventura) are clean and bright, and you save a major headache by avoiding a drive on I-90 or other highways. I took one between Miami and West Palm Beach early this year and loved the freedom, and the free Wi-Fi. 

FAVE SPOT TO HANG WITH LOCALS

The Blue Ginger Café in Lana’i City, Hawaii. So casual and so real.

BEST CANADIAN WINE EXPERIENCE

Annie Xu and Bryce McCloskey were great hosts when we tasted wines at Dancing Swallows Vineyard this summer in Amherstburg, Ontario.

ON THE OTHER HAND: NO JIMMY FOR MOKULELE AIRLINES

This small Hawaiian airline altered my family’s flights five or six times during or prior to our October visit to Molokai and Lana’i. Twice we had to spend the night in Honolulu at considerable expense because the changes made it impossible for us to meet our scheduled Mokulele flight times. We got some compensation, but still lost hundreds of dollars. I’m sure the Four Seasons Resort flights (for hotel guests) from Honolulu to Lana’i run on time, but I wouldn’t trust Mokulele to do so. If you are going to Lana’i, I’d say you’d be better off flying to Maui (not Honolulu) and take the ferry, which now runs out Ma’alaea (not Lahaina). Maybe we hit a bad patch, but my advice is to not rely on Mokulele if you can avoid it.