Hi, I’m Cortney Fries (pronounced “freeze”), a storyteller who seeks moving experiences, under-the-radar destinations, and unique angles. I’ve spent more than a decade creating engaging content that encourages readers to explore the world more deeply and have been honored with many writing awards along the way. I’m always looking for adventures that inspire people to get outside, connect with themselves and others, learn something new, and ignite curiosity.
Some of my recent accolades include:
-
2025 Mark Twain Travel Journalism Award for my You Can Spend the Night Where Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton Recorded Their Award-winning Music in Travel + Leisure .
- 2024 Mark Twain Travel Journalist Award for my Breaking the Grass Ceiling story in AAA Explorer.
- 2023 1st Place Mark Twain Travel Journalist Award for my Birds of a Feather story in AAA Explorer.
- 2022 Society of American Travel Writers Central States Writing Contest award in the category of Best Magazine Travel Article on an International Destination for my AAA story on Tenerife.
- 1st place in the 2022 Mark Twain Journalist Contest Awards in the Midwest category for my article on Midwest road trips.
- A national Parenting Media Association award for a service feature.
I am a proud member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Outdoor Writers Association of America, and the Midwest Travel Journalists Association.
