Kream Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Kream Coffee 
Location: Phoenix, AZ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Combining a coffee shop with another business (or visa versa) has always been a great idea, but what happens from inception to conception can make or break the notion. 

Blackwatch Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Blackwatch Cafe
Location: Scranton, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Many coffee shops exist in a minimalist, white-walled retail space with some minor charm, but sometimes a unique gem works its way into the mix. Such was a winter visit to Scranton to a stand-alone stone shop at a public park where I found what looked more at home in the Scottish highlands than northeast Pennsylvania. 

La Vida Coffee + Market

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: La Vida Coffee + Market
Location: Lynchburg, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Large coffee shops are not very common in urban areas, yet Lynchburg boasts one of the largest I have seen east of the Mississippi. 

Xanadu Coffee Company

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Xanadu Coffee Co.
Location: Phoenix, AZ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While I have been to Phoenix a few times, I feel that I have only seen small chunks of the area. To that end, each visit I try to scope out new spots to frequent, especially those of the coffee persuasion.

Morgantown Coffee House

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Morgantown Coffee House
Location: Elverson, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Some of my favorite coffeehouses are watering holes that seemingly come out of nowhere. Whether it's an excellent-yet-poorly-marked coffeehouse in the desert or an excellent espresso stand in a random museum, I love a good surprise.

Nancy's Coffee Bar

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Nancy's Coffee Bar
Location visited: Strasburg, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Virginia has been a crossroads for many of my trips, but nearly every time, new spots to visit often show up. One recent road trip due southwest, I came across a cute town called Strasburg with a promising coffee shop, a place called Nancy's Coffee Bar.

The Station on Kings

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Station on Kings
Location visited: Lewes, DE
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Great coffee coupled with an excellent bakery, garden supplies and home goods is a winning combination that surprisingly few places have attempted, never mind mastered. One of the places doing a great job with said facets is located on the coast of Delaware, in a gorgeous establishment called The Station on Kings. 

ThreeBirds Coffee House

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: ThreeBirds Coffee House
Location visited: Easton, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Old house architecture so often gets lost to time and private ownership. Sure, that's kind of the point of houses, but when a gorgeous gem of a residence takes on new life as a more public space, its like sharing or learning a beautiful secret.

Driftwood Coffee

 Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Driftwood Coffee
Location visited: Peoria, AZ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The more I travel, the more I have found that two things invariably happen. The first is that over time, you see more of the similarities between locations than differences. The second is opposite, that the things that you deeply desire for your home turf will stand out like crystal fountains. 

The Almeta

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Almeta
Location: Cape Charles, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Quality hotel experiences are still rarely paired with superb coffee, even in this day and age where such coffees have become far more common. Granted I have not stayed at many establishments these past years, but in my observations, it seems most hotels are content to offer a k-cup or packet of cheap satisfaction. 

Elementary Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Elementary Coffee Co.
Location: Harrisburg, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I remember the first time I drove past the Pennsylvania Capitol building and was struck with its keystone majesty. As far as capitols go, it's one of the better state structures I've visited, not only because of its impressive architecture but also due to the surrounding city, including multiple coffee shops of great worth.