Hi, I’m Cheyenne Elwell.

Seattle-based travel and lifestyle writer focused on small towns, local culture, and coffee and food traditions. I report with an experience-driven lens and a practical, service-minded approach.

My work is built on noticing what makes a place feel lived-in. The early coffee orders, the main street before it wakes up, the small rituals that explain a town better than a highlight reel.

I started in public radio as a producer at Wisconsin Public Radio (an NPR affiliate), then began writing stories tied to our shows. That momentum turned into reported features, destination storytelling, and freelance work.

Email me Muck Rack

At a glance

Based in: Seattle area
Focus: small towns, coffee and food culture, experience-driven travel
Background: public radio production and reported features

Published in

Business Insider, The Spruce Eats, Wisconsin Public Radio, TripSavvy, Verywell, Culture Trip, Pursuit

Contact

Email →

Where I’ve worked

I’ve written for outlets including Business Insider, The Spruce Eats, Pursuit, Culture Trip, TripSavvy, Verywell, Community Health Magazine, and Wisconsin Public Radio. I’ve also worked in roles that strengthened my editorial instincts and communication skills, including a Radio Disney internship, communications work at UCLA, and brand experience at Kosas. My Business Insider reporting is syndicated across major platforms including MSN and Yahoo.

I grew up in Wisconsin, spent time in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, and now call the Seattle area home after an anniversary trip that turned into a longer stay and eventually a lease. That mix of places shapes how I report: curious, grounded, and specific.

What I cover

Small-town travel and local culture with a strong sense of place
Coffee and food culture as a lens into community and daily life
Walkable towns and nature-forward getaways that feel doable and real
Service journalism when it supports the story with clear takeaways

How I work

My reporting approach is simple: show up, observe, and talk to people. I return at different times of day, listen for what locals value, and keep the reader in mind from the first interview to the final edit. The goal is work that feels useful and human.

Work with me

I’m available for editorial assignments, destination coverage, and select press trips that align with my focus. For story inquiries, collaborations, or media opportunities, reach out below.