“Jill – Your story is terrific – exactly what I was looking for – and the photos turned out great as well. Thanks for everything.”
–Matt Kelsey, GateHouse Magazine
Travel writer: Although Jill has worked as a freelance writer and magazine editor for more than 20 years, six years ago she began traveling the USA by train (and plane) writing feature articles and a series of guidebooks. While traveling Jill seeks out what foods are indigenous to an area, the local food scene, outdoor activities, wine & spirits, and wellness modalities. She is a Kansas City expert as well as train travel expert. Readers of her stories have come to expect an intimate look at authentic travel experiences.
Local Foods

Travel Awaits
Plus:
- Eating Local in Lake Tahoe
- The Best Food In DeKalb County, Georgia
- Best Places To Eat In San Francisco’s Chinatown
- The 15 Best Stops Along The Cajun Boudin Trail
- 4 Ways To Experience Basque Culture In Northern Nevada
- The Best Food in La Paz
- 7 Best Places To Savor Seafood In Ketchikan, Alaska
- 5 Amazing Arizona Chefs And The Ways They’re Using Mesquite
- Quick Bites Along KC Streetcar
- Get Pickled in Ann Arbor
- Everything You Need to Know About Tennessee Pawpaw
- 8 Amazing Virginia Foods
- Dining in Downtown Woodstock, Georgia
- Kansas City Barbecue
- Why You Need To Try A Chicago Hot Dog
- 7 Can’t-Miss Restaurants In Lawrence, Kansas
Train Expert
Plus:
- 4 Reasons To Travel By Train
- 5 Things You Should Bring On A Long-Distance Train Trip
- 8 Beautiful Colorado Train Rides You Must Experience
- Scenic Train Rides for Traveling Through Virginia
- Stops Along The Coast Starlight Route
- 9 Things to do on a Layover at Chicago’s Union Station
- Virginia by Train
Outdoors

Trip Savvy
Plus:
- 9 Incredible Reasons to Visit Tulum, Mexico in the Winter.
- 8 Reasons To Book A Women’s Sport Fishing Trip
- Alaska Adventure: My First Trip Since Coronavirus
- 11 Unique Fall Camping Destinations In The U.S.
- 10 Fantastic Glamping Destinations In Northern Virginia
- 7 Thrilling Outdoor Adventures Around The World
- 10 Thrilling Outdoor Adventures In The U.S.
- Lessons I Learned From My First Fly Fishing Experience
- The Best Things To Do In Adorable Canon City, Colorado
- Road Trip from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz
- Best U.S. Ski Destinations Even If You Don’t Ski
- 8 Stunning Must-See Waterfalls In Tennessee
- How To Spend 3 Days In La Paz
- 10 Relaxing Wellness Retreats For Women
- 7 Great Day Trips From Reno, Nevada
- Incredible Places for Snowbirds this Winter
- How To Spend A Long Weekend In Scenic Pensacola, Florida
- 11 Amazing Outdoor Restaurants And Rooftop Bars In Phoenix
- 4 Fabulous Women’s Winter Escapes In The U.S.
- 3 Bucket-List National Parks To Visit This Winter
Bass Angler Magazine (print edition):
Wine/Spirits/Liquor Trends

Plus:
- The Natural Wine Movement
- Liquor Trends: Interview with a Liquor Broker
- 10 Unique Bars in Phoenix
- Best Whiskey Subscriptions
- The 7 Best Craft Beer Clubs
- 9 Things To Know About The North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail
- Crafting Cocktails: Drastic Measures in Shawnee, Kansas
- Booze And Brothels: 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Ketchikan, Alaska
- Best Asheville Breweries
- Wine and Cheese Pairings | Interview with Jaclyn Stuart
- Damiana Liqueur: Herbal Aphrodisiac or Urban Legend?
- The Best Online Sommelier Classes of 2020
- The Best Online Spirits Classes of 2020
- The Best Tequila Subscriptions of 2020
- The Best Champagne Delivery Service of 2020
“Having outsourced numerous projects, Jill is one of the most professional and enthusiastic writers and editors I have ever worked with. I am very impressed with her prompt response, active engagement to come up with creative solutions and ability to manage projects without supervision. She has effective communication skills and always seeks to clarify instructions. Jill even volunteered to work over the weekend in order to meet my launch date. I am looking forward to working with Jill on future projects and recommend her whole-heartedly.”
__Lei Wang, Pay No Advertising Campaign
Interviews/News/Essays
- Shawnee Magazine: Shawnee and Her Sister Cities
- Pitch Weekly: Debora Green Back in Court
- Branded Content: Tips and Tricks for Grilling Sausages
- Evolving Magazine: Calm During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Shawnee Magazine: Crafting Cocktails
- Business Insider: Unemployed States of America
- Business Insider: Unemployment Diary
- Travel Awaits: Traveling Solo Over 50
- Huffpost Personal (essay) Grandma at 35
- Travel Awaits (essay): A Lesson Learned on the Southwest Chief Train
- Shawnee Magazine: A Journey Toward Excellence
- Freelance writer: More than 20 year’s experience writing for magazines and agencies creating content for print and online. Regular Contributor to Kansas City Star “Simplify Your Life” department for two years. Previous Food Writer for Gayot.com. Heavy focus on interviews/profiles, news, wellness, liquor trends, travel, and food writing.
- Content creation includes venues for a travel app, feature articles, interviews, and blog posts for several agencies. Worked with Morning Star Communications, WDS Marketing, and most recently, BigWing, Matcha, and Porter & Sail.
- Jill’s writing has appeared most recently in Business Insider, Wine Enthusiast, USA Today, Business Jet Traveler, Chilled Magazine, Shawnee Magazine, Old Liquors Magazine, Evolving Magazine, Bass Angler Magazine, and at HuffPost Personal, Matador Network, Travel Awaits, TripSavvy, Outbound Collective, Real Food Traveler, and Women Who Explore. Previous credits include Kansas City Star, Kansas City Business Journal, Osawatomie Graphic, GateHouse Magazine, and numerous others. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: “Ride the Southwest Chief.”
- News experience includes reporting for Business Insider, Kansas City Star, Shawnee Magazine, Disaster News Network, Dos Mundos, and Osawatomie Graphic, Pitch Weekly, Kansas City Business Journal, and sports writing for The Gardner News and Kansas City Sports Calendar.
“Jill is meticulous at meeting deadlines and producing jaw-dropping results. She has an amazing integrity that is reflected in her manner, her work, and her communication with others. Although I have worked with Jill on multiple projects, her multi-talented nature comes through in all capacities. She can as easily apply creative reasoning as she can detailed follow-through. I recommend her highly. Always.”
–Trace Shapiro, Thriving in the Heartland
Additional Travel Stories
- How To Spend An Amazing Weekend Getaway In Woodstock, Georgia
- Weekend Getaway to Janesville, Wisconsin
- Take a Tour of Wine Road 290 in Fredericksburg, Texas
- Get Your Spirits Lifted in Kansas City
- 9 Great Things to Do In Phoenix In The Fall
- 10 Fantastic Things To Do Outdoors In Mobile, Alabama
- 8 Reasons To Make Tuscaloosa, Alabama Your Next Weekend Getaway
- Traveling Solo Over 50: 7 Tips From The Experts
- The Best Things To Do In Door County In The Winter
- 8 Reasons To Put Hampton, Virginia On Your Bucket List
- 8 Reasons To Visit Lewisburg, West Virginia
- The Best Time to Visit Albuquerque
- 7 Reasons to Retire in Gainesville, Georgia
- The Best Things to See and Do in Fredericksburg, Texas
- San Francisco’s Chinatown: 12 Things To Know Before You Go
- 9 Things To Do In Charlottesville, VA
- Why Emerald Isle For A Beach Getaway
- Carolinas Road Trip: Asheville to Myrtle Beach
- 10 Quaint Texas Towns To Visit
- Alaska Adventure: My First Trip Since Coronavirus
- How To Spend An Incredible Weekend In Charming Annapolis
- 14 Best Things To Do In Exhilarating Charlotte, NC
- The Best Things to See and Do in Lubbock, Texas
- Fantastic Experiences in Historic Sacramento, California
“Jill contributed several stories to GateHouse magazine as a freelancer and served as an expert for topics in both Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties. She is capable, dedicated and timely, and she produces clean, engaging copy that adds to the overall editorial voice of a publication. I plan to work with her more, and would certainly recommend her for a variety of freelance projects.”
–Katy Schamberger, editor
Social Networks
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jill.dutton
Facebook USA by Rail: https://www.facebook.com/wanderlust.usa.by.rail
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usabyrail
Twitter: https://twitter.com/evolvingmag
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/jilldutton
Blog: www.USAbyRail.blog
Contact Jill
Jill Dutton
P.O. Box 3735, Shawnee, KS 66203
913-944-1298
jill.usabyrail@gmail.com