Tastemaker And Fyre Festival Star Andy King’s Travel Guide To His Favorite Places

When Andy King walks into a room, the energy shifts. King has built a long career as one of New York City’s most creative event planners, but he became known to millions when he went viral in a documentary about one of the biggest festival flops ever.

Yes, King was the guy who swooped in and tried to use his expertise—and charm—to save the Fyre Festival, the music event in the Bahamas that never was.

At a recent benefit for the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund at New York’s Chelsea Market, King was everywhere at once, lining up espresso martinis from Tito’s and Joe Coffee, introducing chefs and making sure every canapé landed in just the right place. King helps produce the annual fundraising event, which unites top chefs and mixologists for a night supporting young apprenticeships on sustainable farms.

“I often describe myself as a male Martha Stewart,” King told me in an interview. “I bring joy and happiness to people, and it usually comes through entertaining, food and stories.”

That gift for connection started early when, at age 15, he catered his first party at the Cape Cod home of Susie Cover, now the executive director of the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund.

“I have known Andy since I was eight and he was fifteen,” Cover told me in an interview. “Andy catered his first party—a lunch at my parents’ house for the local theater—where he served cream of broccoli soup. I was instantly drawn to him, and we’ve been friends ever since. He is truly a unique human: the funniest person I know and the kindest.”

Those qualities have made King a magnet for collaborators across the country, including brands like Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “What’s not to love about working with Andy?” Alana Sing, regional sales activation manager for Tito’s, told me in an interview. “He’s passionate, generous and adds a little sparkle everywhere he goes.”

Another great thing about King: He’s been championing sustainability in the events world long before it became a buzzword. “It’s not only about environmental impact,” King says. “It’s about social impact. It’s about supporting the LGBTQ community. It’s about hiring women and minority-run companies. There are so many ways to create something beautiful and meaningful.”

That generosity of spirit carries into every part of his work. “Andy’s always had a heart for giving back and at Tito’s, that’s one of our main pillars—doing good and giving back—and we really align in that way,” she says.

When he’s not planning major events, King is on the move with his husband, Craig McBlain, splitting time between several destinations, including King’s native Cape Cod, McBlain’s native Scotland, the Hudson Valley and Charleston, South Carolina.

King, who describes himself as “a renaissance man at 64 years old,” shows no sign of slowing down. He’s finalizing a memoir and expanding his hospitality footprint, from a new Airbnb rental in Scotland to a new charter boat business in Charleston. “We haven’t stopped,” he says. “But that’s what makes life fun.”

And when it comes to travel, King says he’s “80% about food—and I want the true authenticity of local food. And it’s not just restaurants, it’s markets, it’s really cool cheese shops and wine stores. Then you get to know the local community a little bit when you find some of these neighborhood restaurants and they’re the people that tell you the cool things to do.”

Here, King shares his favorite destinations and insider tips in four of his favorite places: the Hudson Valley, Cape Cod, Charleston and Scotland.

Scotland

The west coast of Scotland holds a special place in King’s heart: He and McBlain recently got married in a castle in Ayrshire. “The scenery is unbelievable. Just rolling hills with sheep and cattle and hay bales,” says King. “You can really get away from it all.”

The couple recently restored a historic cottage in the town of Maybole. “We painted, furnished and decorated it in five days,” he says. “It’s the old toll house where travelers used to pay to enter the town. Now it’s our little Airbnb.”

Where To Eat And Drink: King and McBlain’s favorites include the Fox & Willow in Ayrshire (“it’s a wonderful old Scottish building with great local food and live music every night”), and Scotts in Troon (“perfect seafood and people-watching”).

What To Do: “You can visit Culzean Castle, which has some of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen in the world, visit the nearby whisky distilleries and play on 10 to 20 amazing golf courses in the area,” says King. He also recommends checking out Troon—“a little town where you can hop a boat to Arran, a magical island off of the west coast of Scotland.”

Where To Stay: “Chestnuts is wonderful little stone hotel in Ayr with a roaring fire going in the bar and a wonderful restaurant downstairs,” says King. “A lot of golfers will go there after their games for classic Scottish food.” Another top spot: Brig o’ Doon in Ayr, once home to the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. “It’s a beautiful hotel and restaurant.”

New York’s Hudson Valley

King and McBlain rent a carriage house in the Hudson Valley town of Chatham, spending their free time exploring the area. One of King’s favorite spots is the town of Hudson, even though he says it’s become the Brooklyn of Upstate New York. “I think all of Williamsburg loves Hudson. All the hipsters come up here on the train, and they spend a lot of money.” says King. “It’s lost a little of its local flair, but I still love it. Strolling down Warren Street is one of our favorite things to do with so many amazing antique stores and design shops.”

Where To Eat And Drink: King’s favorite restaurant is Feast & Floret, run by longtime friends Jason and Joey. “I’ve been buddies with them for 25 years. The food is phenomenal, and the ambiance is amazing. There are two fireplaces, and they have a flower cart in the center of the restaurant where you can have a flower arrangement made.” Then there’s Talbott & Arding, a gourmet shop founded by two British women who “make the best croutons you’ll ever taste” as well as irresistible homemade marshmallows. He’s also a fan of Yummy Kitchen, a Thai restaurant that started off as a food truck. “They have this candied eggplant that’s like crack,” he says.

King is also a fan of low-key classics like Red Dot (“total local color with a great burger and great chicken”) and Bimi’s (for cheese, wine and “the best Cosmo you’ve ever had in your life,” served with round ice cubes made with edible flowers). And he enjoys the dessert wines at Hudson Chatham Winery, located halfway between Hudson and Chatham.

Where To Stay: King used to own the boutique inn that is now Wm. Farmer and Sons. “It’s one of the cutest little hotels you’ve ever seen,” he says. “Amazing food and a great location, literally a thousand steps from the train station.”

Charleston, South Carolina

“Charleston has great music, great history, great food, an incredible environment and it’s a fun halfway point between the south and the north,” says King. The couple has a house on nearby Folly Beach, which King describes as “very bohemian, with funky restaurants and all walks of life on the beach.”

Where To Eat And Drink: Top of King’s foodie hit list is Volpe. “You sit at the bar, the bartender asks what you’re drinking and if you have allergies, and then just starts bringing food out. It is so flipping good.” Other favorites include the Darling Oyster Bar on King Street (“they do dollar oysters and an amazing lobster roll”) and Sorelle, an upscale Italian spot known for its parmesan truffle popcorn and gold-purse ravioli that “just melts in your mouth.” Another pick: the Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island (“one of our favorite seafood chowders in all of Charleston and gluten-free pizza”).

What To Do: Now you can tour the harbor on an antique wooden fishing boat, Gatsby, that King and McBlain recently bought and had restored. “I’ll have pretty flower arrangements, my yummy food and I can tell my fun stories,” says King. He also recommends visiting the Gibbes Museum of Art, one of the country’s oldest art museums, and joining a Two Sisters walking tour for an insider look at local history. “It’s run by two sisters who do some of the coolest walking tours in Charleston,” he says.

Where To Stay: “The Dewberry is one of my favorites because it has the Citrus Club on the roof, an amazing bar where you can look out over Charleston and beyond,” says King, who also recommends Charleston Place (“a classic”) and the Loutrel Hotel (“a small boutique hotel we love”).

Cape Cod

Cape Cod is in King’s blood: He grew up in the oceanfront town of Chatham next to the ninth hole of the golf course at the Chatham Bars Inn. And his family goes way back: His great-great-grandfather founded the town of Dennis in 1639. “To me, Cape Cod is like stepping back in time,” he says.

Where To Eat And Drink: King’s go-to spots are centered in his hometown of Chatham: The Squire (“the most popular bar in Cape Cod”), the Impudent Oyster (“one of our old favorites that’s been there a hundred years”), Bluefins for sushi and Mac’s for lobster rolls. “I’m all about fresh oysters, fresh clams and a nice piece of codfish,” he says. And, of course, you can’t miss the homemade treats from the Candy Manor.

Where To Stay: King loves the iconic Chatham Bars Inn, especially for cocktails on the porch overlooking the water. He also recommends smaller spots like the Hawthorne (“a secret gem with such an amazing location”) and the Wayside Inn in the center of town (“they’ve upped their game”).

MORE FROM FORBES:

ForbesRoute 66 Is Turning 100 (And Getting A Major Makeover)By Laura Begley BloomForbesTennis Legend John McEnroe Shares His Top Travel Tips And His New Project In The BahamasBy Laura Begley BloomForbesThe 100 Best Cities In The World To Live, Work And Visit, Rated In A 2025 Resonance ReportBy Laura Begley Bloom