Samantha Brown's Places to Love

An episode devoted to food, clothing, musical instruments and other wonderful products specially made by craftspeople across the country. From a master luthier in Savannah, to a specialized soy sauce condiment made in Kentucky that’s now sold in Japan, the U.S. is full of creative crafts people working to make wonderful products we all can enjoy.

Samantha takes a Southern California Road Trip by electric car heading to Barrio Logan, a thriving Mexican-American neighborhood in San Diego. Samantha’s journey continues in the quaint desert town of Borrgo Springs. She then goes on a tour of the Sky Art Sculptures in Galleta Meadow, visits a few local wineries by motorcycle, and drives a dune buggy through the forest in Big Bear Lake.

Samantha starts off her Montana experience at Big Sky Resorts to learn about Avalanche Dogs and their rescue program. In Bozeman, Samantha visits with the curator of the Museum of the Rockies, where she learns about their dinosaur collection. At the Lone Mountain Ranch, Samantha joins a group group for a gorgeous sleigh ride. Back at Big Sky Resort, Samantha meets US Olympian, Bode Miller.

Kicking off her visit to the Capitol of the Badger state, Samantha explores ice fishing on the frozen Monona Bay. From there, Samantha tastes sophisticated Wisconsin cheeses, becomes a judge in the 2022 World-Wide Mustard Competition, discovers the history of a Frank Lloyd Wright designed church and learns about the sport of curling and its Madison roots from US Olympian Becca Hamilton.

Samantha begins her tour of Northern Ireland with a moving stop at the Peace Wall in East Belfast. From there, she heads to Titanic Quarter where she learns about what made the shipbuilders and ships of Belfast famous―including the most famous ship in history, the Titanic. Sam heads to Glenarm Castle for high tea, followed by an afternoon of Blokarting on the ruins of the Dunlace Castle.

Samantha gets a taste of the best San Antonio, TX has to offer, from authentic Mexican carnitas to river adventures to live Tejano music, and so much more!

Kentucky is synonymous with Bourbon and in this episode, Samantha will take us deeper into the history, the flavors, and the must-see spots for Bourbon fans, and those who love them, around the world.

From a historic abbey to a majestic garden, to the “Grand Canyon of the East”, follow Samantha as she explores Upstate New York’s Genesee River Valley.

Samantha kicks off her visit with a drive through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and into the creative community of Asheville, NC. Follow her as she engages in conversations with local artists, learns about historic sites, tastes local spirits, and more!

Samantha kicks off her trip with a boat ride to the remote island of Cayo Costa. Hopping islands, Samantha meets Rob Wells, Co-owner of the family owned Cabbage Key, who talks to her about being a steward of the island. Back on the main land, Samantha takes a tour of Edison Ford Winter Estates, where Thomas Edison once had a laboratory. At ECHO Global Farm, she learns about sustainable plants. Exploring the funky artist community of Matlacha, Samantha visits various local galleries and colorful shops. At the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Samantha tours the grounds with a Ranger and gets the insight into this revered Sanibel destination. Heading to the Sanibel Community House, Samantha joins a shell crafting class to make a keepsake with the shells she has collected on her trip.

Samantha starts off her trip to historic Dutchess County on the Walkway Over The Hudson. She visits Chef Brandon Walker at his nearby Essie’s Restaurant, where she samples some of his Caribbean/Southern dishes. Heading to McEnroe Organic Farm, Samantha learns how this revolutionary farm converted itself into one of NY’s first fully organic farm and compost recycle hub. At Orvis Sandanona Shooting Resort, Samantha takes aim at shooting sporting clays. Next, it’s on to one of her personal favorite tea shops, Harney & Sons. Samantha also visits the Barrett Art Center and talks with Ransome about his art influence. At Innisfree Garden, Samantha enjoys the beauty of one of the top 10 gardens in the world. Finishing off her trip, Samantha discusses the accomplishments of Eleanor Roosevelt with a National Park Ranger at at Roosevelt’s former home, Val-Kill.

Samantha takes a road trip to Bar Harbor, enjoys breath-taking views from Acadia National Park and takes a cruise through Bass Harbor soaking in the sights of Desert Island and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

At the Corning Museum of Glass, Samantha starts off her visit to Crystal City by learning about the history of glass and why Corning is the center of the glass world. Heading to Bath, Samantha goes on a cemetery tour, get introduced to “English-cut” donuts, and discovers why the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is a little-known American treasure.

At the Desert Botanical Garden, Samantha takes in the stunning beauty of wildflowers and blooming cactus along the Sonoran Desert trail. Then it’s a visit to the popular Breadfruit & Rum Bar, where Samantha samples unique Jamaican dishes and carefully concocted rum cocktails. From there, Samantha heads to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taliesin West, which served as Frank Lloyd Wright’s breath-taking winter home and architectural school.

It’s all about food and art in Dallas. Samantha samples some of the best barbecue in town at Pecan Lodge, and some imaginative chocolate at Dude, Sweet Chocolate. Then it’s off to explore the downtown Arts District strolling through Klyde Warren Park and enjoying the powerful sculptures at Nasher Sculpture Center. Of course, her visit to Dallas also includes special gift from local artist Travis Austin – a custom designed cowboy hat!

A road trip along the Sonoma coastline enables Samantha to learn about sustainability efforts along the Pacific coast and what to look for off the beaten path. From there it’s a visit to the Charles M. Schulz Museum where Samantha talks “Peanuts” with Charles’ widow, Jeannie. She also gets to meet a local wine maker’s family and learn about the famous Sonoma wine.

Samantha kicks off her Keys adventure with a local ethnic food tour in Key West. From there, she visits the summer home of President Harry S. Truman, takes a literary tour past the home of Tennessee Williams and then makes a special visit to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. She then learns about lionfish hunting and what this invasive species is doing to the local reef systems and how they are trying to fix it

The Holy City has quite the history, and Samantha takes a walking tour through its hidden alleyways and the French Quarter, including a tour of the haunted Old City Jail. She also visits the City Market to learn about the Gullah tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving.

Samantha starts her visit in Charm City at the American Visionary Art Museum. Then, it’s off to the Sunday farmers’ market with Chef Thomas, who picks up some local ingredients for his soul food restaurant, Ida B’s Table. Samantha then fulfills her dreams of getting a full Hon makeover at one of the wildest festivals in town. Next, it’s on to the Treason Toting Company, followed by a tour of historic Fells Point. In a wonderful finish, Samantha joins a local dance “step” team, the Lethal Ladies. You’ll see why this east coast city is a place to love.

Samantha kicks off her Florida adventure with a kayak tour in the salt-waters of Everglades National Park. Back on land, Samantha visits the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and meets Uno, a rescued blind Florida Panther. Next, a visit to Bayshore Arts District, followed by craft cocktails and a gorgeous Florida sunset. Add in a trip on a dolphin tracking boat; a fantastic meal at Grouper and Chips; and a photography lesson in Big Cypress swamp, and you’ll see why they call this place the Paradise Coast.

It’s not all about the food at the annual Crawfish Festival (but that’s the big draw!). Samantha also gets engulfed in dance and music (Cajun and Zydeco), and watches band favorites jam before packed crowds. After the festival, Samantha ventures off to Martin Accordions, who have been crafting custom accordions for decades. Next, it’s off to Glide Studios to learn how the locals dance, Cajun-style. No trip to the bayou could be complete without a kayak tour through the swamp, where she learns about the natural habitats and geological importance. You may not know much about Lafayette, but after watching this episode, you’ll be ready to go.

Follow Samantha as she explores one of her favorite places in the United States: Santa Fe. She gets a lesson in breakfast burritos at popular Tia Sophia’s, and meets the renowned cartoonist Ricardo Caté, whose Native American inspired cartoons combine politics with humor. Next, it’s on to the New Mexico Capitol Art Collection, followed by a breathtaking hike to the peak of Dale Ball Trail #9. After that, a deserved margarita at legendary Cowgirl BBQ. No trip to Santa Fe could be complete without a massage at Ten Thousand Waves. All this and more make Santa Fe a place to love.

What Art Deco is to Miami is what Mid-Century Modern is to Palm Springs. Samantha finds this out first-hand by taking a tour of several iconic homes, then visits Gypsyland, a local furniture shop that specializes in Mid-Century furniture. At The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Samantha volunteers to help assemble some of the unique enrichment meals with an Animal Care Curator. She also takes a course in stunt driving, visits Shields Date Garden, and ventures out to the historic Joshua Tree National Park.

From immersive to interactive, Montréal is a city that puts on a show of sheer artistry in practically everything that this city is involved with. From hidden-alleyway bicycle tours to the French-Canadian version of Little Italy to its world famous Cirques Festivals to a distiller making gin out of locally sourced botanicals, Montréal both surprised and inspired Samantha in her travels.

Samantha travels to the Northwest coast of Ireland where she starts an epic adventure in County Donegal. She hikes up the sea cliffs of Slieve League , herds sheep on a local farm, and learns about the dying craft of woolweaving. Topping off her County Donegal experience, Samantha visits famous Leo’s Tavern, where she meets Irish celebrity, Moya Brennan of the band Clannad.

From Monterey to Big Sur, Samantha travels through the Central Coast of California. She learns about underwater sea life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and then visits the “Artichoke Center of the World”. In Carmel, she learns about bees from a 14-year old entrepreneur who supplies honey to multiple prominent restaurants. She ends her trip on an electric bike ride along California’s Route 1 high atop the Pacific Ocean.

The cosmopolitan city located on the edge of wilderness, Samantha travels to Vancouver and gets to experience firsthand the true beauty of this bustling Canadian west coast seaport. Samantha starts her trip off trekking beautiful Stanley Park. From there, she takes flight in a classic floatplane to enjoy a stunning tour of the city, followed by landing on a mountain lake. Back into the city, Samantha visits the unique shops of Granville Market, and gets a chance to taste the local salmon at a First Nations restaurant.

There is a certain mystique about the Far East, as Samantha soon discovers when she travels to Shanghai, China. Samantha visits the ancient water town of Fengjing and she takes an Art Deco walking tour along the historic Bund, where she visits a knife and scissor shop on Nanjing Road and learns the art of paper cutting. She ends her trip with a visit to the historic Peace Hotel.

From an Alpine Garden on an idyllic mountaintop to going deep underground experiencing the Cheese Grotto in Gstaad, biking through the waterfall covered valley of Lauterbrunnen and finally floating down the icy cold Aare River in Bern: Samantha has a most adventurous journey.