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Editor's note: This is the second in a series of travel articles from CBS SportsLine.com writers, highlighting their favorite and least favorite venues, restaurants, airports, and more from across the country. Next up: Clark Judge.
After reading this, you'll come to the same conclusion I did after writing it: I've got to get out more.
Favorite college basketball arenas
- Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke: If you can only watch one game a year, watch it here.
- Smith Center, UNC: The jerseys in these rafters will give you chills.
- Assembly Hall, Illinois: Like watching a game from the inside of an orange peel.
- Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State: Intimidatingly steep, row after row of orange.
- Rupp Arena, Kentucky: Like being in the Colosseum of Rome.
Favorite cities
- Austin, Texas: Any place with vampires and bats and big-time college sports is OK by me.
- New York: You're a $5 taxi ride from anywhere -- but it's more fun to walk.
- Chicago: New York, only cleaner.
- Norman, Okla.: Grew up here, then returned last year for the UConn-Oklahoma game. Felt like I'd never left.
- Boise, Idaho: Florida International reached the 1995 NCAA Tournament. I was blown away by the mountains; FIU was blown away by the Bruins.
Favorite hometown restaurants (Cincinnati)
- The Old Spaghetti Factory: Uncomplicated place where the menu has five items -- and I like all five. Plus, you get free spumoni.
- Chili's: What can I say? I'm from Mississippi and I'm easily amused.
- Bahama Breeze: You'll think it's too expensive -- until you take a bite of that chicken kabob.
- Subway: See: Chili's.
- Fuddruckers: Best burgers in the world. And the topping bar has lots of ... toppings.
Favorite road restaurants
- Burrito Beach, Chicago: I couldn't have survived the Pre-Draft Camp without this place.
- Pappasito's; Austin, Texas: Tex-Mex in a college atmosphere. Plus, someone else bought.
- Pizza in New York: Any NYC pizza place will do.
- Deer Garden, Montreal: Who knew the world's best Chinese food was in the heart of French-Canada?
- O'Connell's Pub, St. Louis: This place promises "the best burgers in the world." It's not Fuddruckers -- color me simple -- but it's close.
Favorite hotels
- Marriott Marquis, New York: Lobby has more brass than the Florida A&M marching band.
- Marriott Marquis, Atlanta: After checking in, look up, up, up to the ceiling. Is it me, or does this building lean like the Tower of Pisa?
- Courtyard Marriott, Indianapolis: There's a canal outside for jogging, and the Nike Camp is across the street. No, it doesn't take much to satisfy me.
- Ritz-Carlton; Amelia Island, Fla.: Don't believe a word ACC officials tell you about expansion, but the scenery here is quite lovely.
- 2002 Kia Spectra: No, I don't sleep in my car. But if my home in Cincinnati is within five hours, I'm driving back. Even if the Michigan State-Illinois basketball game ends late in East Lansing, Mich. This makes me frugal. And dumb.
Favorite airports
- Cincinnati: Props to my hometown airport. (This ought to get me into that VIP line near the security checkpoint.)
- Charlotte: Clean, humble airport gouges you on airfare, but that's CBS SportsLine.com's problem -- not mine. Ahem.
- Raleigh-Durham: The used bookstore comes in handy.
- Tallahassee: Tiny airport would be awful to have as your home base ... but to fly into once a year, it's lovely.
- Pittsburgh: Do your holiday shopping on your layover!
Favorite off-day diversions
- Jogging: You'll feel better about that 32-ounce steak from last night.
- Newspapers: Local papers are different and fun -- especially the crime report. Crazy things happen, and best of all, they happen to other people.
- People-watching: Recommended for Chicago and New York. Not recommended for Boise and Tallahassee.
- Museum: I went once in Philadelphia. Honest.
- Wait a minute: Who gets an off day on the road? Dennis Dodd? No fair.
