Single Best Post Ever because It Involves Giving Away Money
Remember when I told you about Kraft's Single Best Town contest? Well, it's back, and this time they've given me the opportunity to give a little something-something to you.
Money.
Oh, yes. MONEY.
First, a little stroll down memory lane . . . Last month I asked you to enter to win a Love and Theft concert for your hometwon by telling Kraft the Single Best Thing about your hometown. The responses were pretty amazing, and now Kraft has picked the ten semifinalists. Mosey on over to the Kraft site and vote for one of them, mmkay? C'mon back when you're done.
Ready?
Perfect.
Now, on to how you can win one of two $125 Amex gift cards. It's simple, really. Leave a comment below telling me what your Single best afternoon looks like in your hometown. Would it be a day marveling at the wonders of a museum? A stroll through a shopping district? A day at an amusement park? A tour of all of your favorite restaurants? I'll randomly select two winners from the comments on this post the night of March 24th. Each winner will get a $125 Amex gift card.
If I'm answering the question, I'm somehow managing to combine a funnel cake from The Farmers Market, a few hours at Phipps Conservatory, a milkshake from Dave & Andy's, a bike road along the Eliza Furnace Bike Trail, and some splashing at the Water Steps on the North Shore. (Don't even tell me you're surpised that my Single best afternoon would involve food and lots of photo opportunities. ;-) )
And go!
Disclosure: I have partnered with KRAFT Foods to help promote the “Single Best Town” in America program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about my own hometown experiences and hosting a giveaway where the prize has been provided by KRAFT Singles. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
burghbaby
I asked Random.org for two winners and they are . . . drumroll, please . . .
Comment #49 and comment #19. Congratulations!
Thank you so much to everyone who entered. I think we've managed to plan about 203513 weekends around some of the things people listed in their comments!
Reader Comments (68)
My single most perfect afternoon would be pretty easy. I'm new to San Francisco and there is still SO MUCH I haven't had a chance to explore yet. I would spend some time on the waterfront, some time in the Mission and eat like a Queen. (SF has the best food choices!) I would probably have to take a friend to keep me company and we would laugh hysterically at the emo kids in flannel shirts who parade around the entire city!
New Eagle is my hometown and here it is the river and the history. For me, its eating ice cream from the Twist and then visiting all the antique shops in New Eagle and Monongahela (because New Eagle is so small that Monongahela must be included). A good walk through the Monongahela Cemetery is a beautiful site and so is visiting Mingo Park. I'm not a river person but many people who live here enjoy taking a boat out onto the water or going down to Pigeon Creek and fish. The best thing to do though, is to go sit in my mom's hair salon and listen to all the gossip in town. If you ever need to know the scoop on anything in your town. Visit the hair salon. :-)
My perfect day would be a morning at the zoo with my boyfriend and his son. Ice cream and a good walk through Schenely or Frick park and then a pizza picnic dinner on Flagstaff Hill where they're hopefully playing a movie. Yeah, I think that about does it. Man that's a happy place to be in right now :-) Thanks!
Pittsburgh is my hometown...best afternoon?
Trip to the Strip District to get some cheeses from Penn Mac, some coffee from Prestogeorge, chicken-on-a-stick from a sidewalk vendor, bunch flowers from the flower guy, some spices from Penzeys, a biscotti or 2 from Enricos....
then off to Phipps for a walk off of all that deliciousness, spend some time wandering the gardens. Stop in Oakland for some Dave & Andy's ice cream in a waffle cone.
Trip over to D's for hotdogs & some beers...and then probably some more beers. Stop for a walk on Mt Washington on the way home to enjoy the breeze and the view.
Home to my epically awesome porch, my hubby's homebrew...maybe a snack, maybe not...and enjoy the sounds of my neighborhood on a spring/summer night.
I love where we live!!!
My best afternoon in Pittsburgh would include going to the Strip District for some fresh food and coffee (although frankly, I usually get up early to beat the crowds), and then depending on the season, off to Schenley Park for a walk and general silliness with friends when it is warm. If its cold, a trip to either Phipps, the Carnegie or Heinz History Museums is a great way to escape the inclimate Pittsburgh afternoons. Treats at either Dave & Andys (must agree with Burgh Baby) or Vanilla: sometimes you just need a cupcake. Polish off the evening with a great (but inexpensive) meal and brews at either Ds or Rivertowne. That's my PERFECT Pittsburgh afternoon. For every season. =)
My perfect, Single Pittsburgh afternoon would definitely start with a trip to the strip for fresh fruits, nuts, bread and cheese from Penn Mac. Then I would pack a backpack and take the food up to the Highland Park reservoir and hike to the perfect scenic spot overlooking the city. There I would picnic with the fresh foods (and probably some wine :) ) and watch the sun set. After that, I'd hike back to the car and head out for a night on the town where I could take in a great Pittsburgh show like the current Broadway selection or the local symphony, ballet or opera. I love Pittsburgh!
Frisbee golf in Schenley. Walk in Frick. Noodle Hut or D's for lunch. Lazy movie and nap in PM. Dinner at Rialtos. Theater District for the evening.
We live in Las Vegas and my perfect afternoon would not be anywhere near The Strip,lol. I'm thinkin it would involve a stop at the Bagel Cafe, then out to Red Rock Canyon for a little hike out to the petroglyphs. Then dinner at Nora's to top off a wonderful day!
Weirdly enough, I had one of the best afternoons in Pittsburgh (my adopted hometown) just a few weeks ago AND I blogged about it. So here is my best day:
http://twokidsandabeagle.blogspot.com/2010/02/verdant-oasis-in-sea-of-snow.html
damn, picking the "best" is difficult. pittsburgh just has so much to offer.
probably it would start with breakfast at one of our incredible diners and then checking out the classic car show over at the the vintage grand prix while the racers zoomed through the park. then we would head over to the museum to stand before the masters and the ancient bones before grabbing dinner up on mt. washington and then heading home to snuggle with the man, knowing we live in the best possible place, a city that is a part of my heart.
yeah, that wouldn't suck.
Best afternoon in Pittsburgh would have to be spending the early afternoon at the arts festival, getting chocolate covered strawberries and other delicious foods. Walking around looking at all the beautiful handmade art. Then i'd have to go spend the rest of the afternoon in Schenley park biking or walking and stopping to take some photos. The view of some of the old bridges from Phipps Hall of Botany are fabulous! I'd finish of my day with a trip to Fuel and Fuddle for some drinks with good friends!
A perfect afternoon -- my kids enjoying the sunny weather, bubbles and chalk and snacks out on the back deck.
My best afternoon would involve going to Kennywood with my husband and my son. My son loves the rides and anything that makes him smile makes me happy. :)
Our town rocks. I'd probably start off with a visit to the Flight 93 Crash Site Memorial, and the rest of the day hiking through state parks. The parks offer swimming and hiking trails unparalleled around here and it's all for FREE. There nothing like Nature.
Plus, other than the memorial, it's about all we've got going for us.
A hike outside on a beautiful Western Pa fall day...followed by an amazing "foodie" type dinner at home with our friends and a drink by the fire outside to end the evening.
I'm a little bit loose with my interpretation of hometown. So it would either be a little bit north for a day at the library, museum, phipps and park OR a little bit east for a day of hiking and picnicking and photos in the mountains.
My perfect afternoon in Pittsburgh would involve lunch with friends at the Spaghetti Warehouse in the Strip, followed by a trip to the Carnegie Science Center to visit the planetarium and to take in the beautiful waterfront views. After that, we'd grab a latte and head over to fifth avenue, where we could window shop and pretend we have millions of dollars to spend. Finish the afternoon with a trip up the incline to Mt. Washington
I live in VA, and my hometown kinda sucks. So maybe I'll come up to Pittsburgh and butt in on the other commenters' best day?!?! Sounds like fun....and can we work a Penguins game in there too???
Perfect afternoon in NYC. Okay this is EASY! Lunch at Lamarca - a tomato vodka cream sauce over square spaghetti with roasted mozzarella cheese and a very large glass of white wine. Then on to ABC Carpet and Home to explore every interesting fabric and object of desire. Then on do J. Malone for a sample of a home fragrance. Then to Union Square Green Market to buy some fresh flowers and honey comb. A trip to Barnes and Noble to grab a new magazine to read on the train ride home. DEVINE.
This is easy. The best afternoon in Pittsburgh? Spending it at Kennywood with my kid. We go 2-3 times a year and always have the best time.
My ideal Pittsburgh afternoon would be brunch and shopping at the Strip and then a nice long hike in Frick Park followed by dinner in Regent Square.
My perfect afternoon would be taking my daughter down to the Children's Museum, followed by a walk around the North Shore, stopping over at the Aviary, then getting an Ice Ball in the park. I plan on making that happen this summer!
My perfect day in da burgh would include the following:
Breakfast at Lester's in Greenfield (they're family friendly and the food is great) followed by a trip to the Carnegie Museum to check out the dinosaurs (the kids favorite) and the miniature doll house furniture and the many other treasures there. Then we'd get some snow cones by the Aviary and stop in so a few birds can crap on my head as they always do. Then we'd take some Aiello's pizza to Schenley Park and watch a movie together under the stars! Can't wait until summer to do this!
My single best day in Pittsburgh is usually at the beginning of spring, when the snow has melted and the sun returns. In college, it involved a long, lazy stroll through Schenley Park ending with the swings near the pool with my then-boyfriend and now-fiance. Now that I don't live in South Oakland, it involves a walk in the spring in the Thornburg dog park with my fiance and our puppy, Katie. Lots of muddy puppies elated to be out in the mud, and their owners elated to be out of the house, even though it means a bath for the dog when they get home. Everyone talking, even though we don't know each other's names, only the dogs' names. I love Pittsburgh in the spring, and I love Pittsburghers, and I love dog lovers, and I love dogs. My best day involves all four of those things, even if one or more of them end up covered in mud.
I love reading all the interesting things about Pittsburgh - we've been here a little over 4 years and many things I didn't even know existed (or I did and have never been!). So my hometown is Warren, PA and while it's a small town it's got it's own little charm.
The best afternoon ever would have to include a slice or two of Napoli's totally amazing hand-tossed pizza, feeding the ducks on the hospital river banks, and of course enjoying some sun while catching a few songs at the 'Music in the Park' . Just calm, quiet, and taking the day one moment at a time.
My best afternoon would start with the end of a successful golf round in the morning, and then packing up the wife and kiddo for an afternoon at the park. Eating a picnic in the shade while my daughter enjoys the playground is the single best afternoon I can think of.
I need several days, but I'll try to condense.
Start out with coffee in the Strip and some food shopping with the family. Then over to Mellon Park for some fun for the dog.
Swing back through my hood to have lunch at D's. Then over to South Side Works to play in the fountain with the kid.
Then over to PNC Park for a Pup-Game (one of the six games a year that you can bring your dog). We would stay long enough to get a Primanti's Cheese Combo and a beer.
We would stop on the way home to sit outside at Point Brugge for some Mussels and Pomme Frittes.
My perfect afternoon involves a warm day, the botanical gardens and a walk with my son.
like you said, tons of picture opportunities.
I'm from Pittsburgh, but so many comments offer great things, so I'll choose my adopted "second hometown" of Erie, Pa.
My "Single" best day in Erie would start with breakfast at one of the dinors (it's spelled that way in Northwest Pa.) or at the Perkins on W. 8th Street.
After that, I'd make my way to Presque Isle State Park for a nice walk or bike ride before spending a few hours (or longer) on the Beach 6.
By mid-to-late afternoon, I'd head to Sara's at the entrance of Presque Isle for a great lunch and make my way up the hill to Waldameer Park where I'd check out the new roller coaster that goes over Peninsula Drive and weaves its way through the woods. There's several great shows, games and, yes, funnel cake!
By 7 p.m., I'd head on over to Jerry Uht Park to watch the Erie SeaWolves take on one of their Minor League Baseball rivals. It's a howl of a good time!
After the game, I'd end my day at the Plymouth Tavern — Erie's version of "Cheers" — for some great food, good beer and fun times.
Of course, before I left the next day, I'd have to hit up Millcreek Mall, the Erie Maritime Museum, Erie Zoo, Arrowhead Wine Cellars (in North East), Serafini's restaurant, Wegmans and Smuggler's Wharf.
My Single best day is simply Eriesistable! :)
The perfect day in Lincoln, NE would be a trip to the Children's Zoo, then a walk through the fountains. Then we'd go bowling and end it witha wonderful supper at Lazlo's!
My perfect afternoon in my current hometown would include shopping at all the local dollar stores (what, I'm cheap, and there's tons!), getting my hair done at our beauty school, and then finishing it all off with a slice (or two...) and a yummy salad from our local pizza joint that is positively the BEST pizza ever made. I love my town cause amongst all of the 'new' stuff, you can see the old architecture. I'm a sucker for cool architecture.
My hometown is Pittsburgh, but I spent most of my teenage years living in Jamestown, PA, and that's where my perfect day would be. My parents run a camp ground. Tons and tons of room along Pymatuning lake. I take the kids and dogs, open the car door, and they just run out. The dogs splashing in the lake. The boys going between the playground and fishing, the girls swimming or sunbathing on my parents boat. The best part is sitting in the middle of it on a swing with Hubby, just watching the pure enjoyment on the faces of my kids and dogs.
our single best day includes a cooler packed with icy cold drinks, cheese and tomato sandwiches, a fresh bunch of grapes or a flat of strawberries and a sunny park day!
My Single best afternoon involves sunshine, temps in the 70s, hubs w/out his iPhone, and my kids. Doing something, anything, outside.
This all has to take place on a nice summer or fall day...
Breakfast at P& G diner in Millvale (strawberry pancakes with extra whipped cream please!);
some exercise around North Park with swing set activity for the girls;
a nice leisurely round of golf with husband (complete with my 4 yr old testing out her new putter and helping "drive" the cart) at Highland Country Club in NHills;
end up at our favorite place Mullaneys Harp & Fiddle sitting outside, listening to great Irish music, drinking some pints & good food with family & friends
Wait how could I forget??
End the day with a scoop (or two) of Bruesters Chocolate Raspberry Truffle ice cream! Perfect!
My best day in Pittsburgh would have to be in the summer... I'd start out by sleeping in and heading to breakfast/brunch and drinks at the Harris Grill, then going to the Strip to wander around and pick up some good produce, off to Highland Park to play some pick-up sand volleyball, Oakmont bakery for a cookie monster cookie, the Green Mango in Regent Square for a light lunch (followed by the cookie monster cookie), home to change clothes and get cleaned up, then to Station Square for some pre-dinner drinks, a trip up the incline to view Mt Washington, dinner at Six Penn, walking across the Clemente bridge to catch the Buccos of Suckitude win (!!), then taking a moonlight kayaking tour on the rivers. Maybe afterwards, if I'm not drunk enough yet, someone can drive me to Bocktown for some awesome brews. :)
The kid-friendly portion of my afternoon would include a trip to the Carneigie Museum, and some time in Schenley Park. Then a quick trip to Mineo's to split a large sausage pizza. My mouth is watering thinking about it. Then I would like to relive my college days at Pitt in a non-kid-friendly fashion, doing a dive bar tour of Oakland, and ending the night at the O for a basket of fries with that evil cheese sauce.
My best afternoon would start with lunch at D's in Regent Sq. Then a walk in the park with the family, followed by ice cream at Rose's and playing at the Blue Slide playground. I'd end it with an early dinner at Legume Bistro. Perfect.
Single best afternoon? Gotta be a July afternoon--in our neighborhood backyards. Yep. All the crazies and kids, around the Ho's pool. Reading, laughing, talking, and blowing up inflatable pool toys. Sorting out towels and shoes and shirts for bike riding through the yards. Then, eating tons (and I do mean tons) of excellent Mrs Ho home made Chinese--egg rolls, lo mein, sweet & sour chicken, fried rice on the Mumples' patio...finishing it off with kid-made s'mores over the fire. (and yes, Ho is their real last name!)
My afternoon would include running with the kids through the 60 acres of Elm Park - the first public park in the country. Then stopping for black raspberry ice cream on the way home from Gibby's, a local dairy/ice cream store. We'd eat our ice cream as we walked around my old neighborhood, pointing out all the buildings that had changed and ending up at the gigantic mud puddle that has been there so long, it is now drawn onto local maps. Isn't plonking rocks into a gigantic mud puddle the best way to finish up a perfect afternoon?
I posted about a great Pittsburgh afternoon. The best thing? It was warm on a Saturday in November.
http://blog.brainlint.net/2009/11/have-chicks-will-travel/
The best afternoon in Pittsburgh would be so simple, playing with our kids outside all day.
My perfect Single Day would start with a breakfast and my entire family, wherever my Dad chose because he likes breakfast more than I do. Then it would be a trip to Phipps Conservatory with my boyfriend, taking pictures and smelling lots of flowers. After that, a trip to the Carnegie Library to browse the stacks and find a few books so we can then enjoy ourselves with a picnic of drinks and feta cheese and olives in Schenley Park. We'd make sure to go walking too and then have lunch at Primati's becuase it's Pittsburgh and you have too. But then we'd ride our bikes along the Eliza Furnace Bike Trail or the Panhandle Trail to burn off the calories. We'd then come home and get ready for a night out, a trip down the incline and dinner at Nakama or Bruges Point. And a beer, afterwards, at The Library in the South Side.
Can I get this today to happen right now?
The single best afternoon in Philly is a walk down South 9th Street to grab a bite at the Italian Market and then over to Bainbridge to hunt for treasure at the Philadelphia Aids Thrift Store. After you've worked up a thirst doing that, head on over to Blue Banana Cafe at 2nd and South for something they call "Giggle Juice." Still energetic? Head over to South 4th to Eyes Gallery where they have arts and crafts from all over the world.
My perfect Pittsburgh day? Let's have a disclaimer that no calories count on this perfect day, and we can really have some fun! :)
It would have to start with breakfast at Pamela's on Forbes (my favorite location because I went there for breakfast when I was in labor with my first baby and terrified several other diners!) and then down to Oakland and the "Dinosaur Museum" -- and I'd let my husband linger there with the big kids while the baby and I disappear in the Art Museum for an hour or so.
Then lunch at the O, and a walk around the Cathedral of Learning and Nationality Rooms... which I love because I am a nerd and I love history, to say nothing of Pittsburgh history. Try to find someone who will sneak us up to the tippy-top. After that, let's drive down to the Lawrenceville and look in all the neat shops that are there these days and you know we'll find some interesting friends to talk to. And if we happen to be feeling peckish by the time we get to Dozen, we'll have to get a cupcake.
Dinner all depends on what La Feria's specials are. If we aren't nuts about what they're serving, Tram's on Penn Ave it is! But I hope it's La Feria, frankly, if we're talking a perfect day here. Then a few blocks down Walnut for gelato at Mercurio's Mulberry Creamery.
If the kids are still holding up well and the timing works out, let's go to a Pirates game. The upside about the Bucs being... well, the Bucs, is that it's so easy to see a game! If not then maybe a trip up the Incline for the views.
AND since we're dreaming? Drop the kids home where Mary Poppins is waiting to put them to bed, and my husband and I will go find SOMETHING fun to do! Even if it's necking in Schenley Park, haha! Oooh, more likely, grab a beer or two at The Elbow Room or some coffee at Taza D'Oro or Morning Glory in Morningside!
My hometown isn't where I live now. In my heart, home is the little town I grew up in in rural Ohio. A prefect day would be spent at the awesome park we have. The girls playing on the playground and then feeding the ducks. A ride on the old carousel (which costs a nickel certain days of the year). Lunch with the hubby and kids at my favorite burger place. And just enjoying the pleasure of being surrounded by people you know, people who know you. Having a history there and having my family with me makes it home. Sadly, I only get to be at home a few days a year.
A perfect day in my adopted hometown would be Sunday. The girls let us sleep in a tiny bit. Then we all head to the farmer's market. Then we play in the fountains at the park next to the market. Samoas from the Indian place at the market and a stop at World Market to pick up some fun items then home to make dinner. A walk with the family would round it out well.
On Cape Cod, a perfect afternoon would be going to the beach and playing in the surf with my girls, heading to the Fish Pier to watch the days catch be unloaded and ending the day with a big ice cream cone from Buffys!!!
How about a picnic lunch/walk at Frick Park, followed by a couple hours at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. A crepe and some shopping in the Strip. Maybe a stroll along the North Shore or a baseball game. Then any restaurant patio for good wine and a yummy dinner.
Yeah, I like food. There's a shocker.
We have an awesome little downtown area. I would just park and browse all the shops. I would stop in for a bite at one of the little cafes nestled amongst the modern shops settled into the old and historic buildings. I would stop and chill out in one of the local parks nearby, perhaps eating a custard and just bask in the gloriousness of an old town that has never outgrown itself or lost that small town feel.