Attention foodies, and wine/beer lovers! If you want to explore all kinds of dining delights, there’s no better way than to plan a vacation all around food and drink – especially here in the United States!
From the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in-between, the US has a varied and delicious food scene. Whether it is a hearty steak from a Denver steakhouse, steaming tables of Maryland blue crabs, beer and brats reminiscent of old world Germany in Milwaukee, or a sampling from one of the over 3500 wineries in California, you name it and you’ll likely find it somewhere on an American food vacation!
While we can’t visit any of these places to sample (yet) we can virtually travel to them. Here are 4 favorites for you to drool over for now (warning – do not read on an empty stomach)!
Chesapeake Bay Seafood – And So Much More in Baltimore – Baltimore, Maryland is a unique city and one that is worth visiting for many reasons – not the least of which is the food. Smaller, more eclectic, and definitely on the quirky side at times, Baltimore and it’s surrounding regions offers so much to the traveler: history, culture, arts, and definitely food. While I grew up an hour south of here near Washington DC, having lived near Baltimore for over 30 years now, I’ve grown to love so much about this city on the Chesapeake Bay – especially the food.
With a wide variety of dining options reflecting it’s rich ethnic populations, you can easily find fantastic dining options from Italian, to Polish, to Greek, and more – you name it and you’ll likely find it in this city that has such a fascinating international heritage.
Oh, and then there’s seafood. Because really, you cannot come to Baltimore without trying the seafood – understanding that when you talk seafood in Baltimore, you mean crabs. The absolutely delectable blue crab is in season from early summer through fall and no visit to this city is complete without sampling crab in some fashion. It may be crabcakes or it may be crab chowder or it may be (best of all) just the savory crabmeat – no matter how you eat it, it’s pretty darn delicious! Get a taste of this area and learn more here.
More Than Beer in the “Brew City” of Milwaukee – Just 90 miles north of Chicago, Milwaukee has a fascinating foodie side. Its location on the western shore of Lake Michigan ensures that its restaurants are stocked with fresh fish, and of course, Wisconsin is also famed for its cheese – it has won more awards for its artisanal cheese than any other state. In addition, reflecting the city’s history of German immigration, you can find a number of German-style beer halls and sample more kinds of sausage than you ever knew existed.
Nick-named ‘The Brew City’ due to the many beer producers that call it home. Beer fans heading to Wisconsin can discover even more on a brewery tour where visitors can enjoy guided tours, learn more about the nation’s beers, and of course, sample. Get a taste of this area and learn more here.
Savory Steaks in Delicious Denver – The state capital of Colorado is a cosmopolitan city, with a well-developed restaurant scene. Diners can feast on Mexican fare reflecting the influence of the US’s southern neighbor, and Southeast Asian food makes its presence felt in a range of Thai and Vietnamese eateries. And with over 10 breweries in and around Denver, there are many chances to sample some of this area’s regional beers.
Don’t miss the chance to try ‘Western’ cuisine though, with the chance to sample angus beef, buffalo and, for the adventurous foodie – rattlesnake. If you’re looking for a hearty steak in Denver (and you should), head to the downtown area, where hundreds of steakhouses await. There you’ll find Western cuisine at its best, including huge 24 oz rib eye steaks for the very hungry. Get a taste of this area and learn more here.
California Wine Country – The heartland of California wine is for the most part in the northern part of the state, where you’ll find the famous Napa Valley and the Sonoma Valley, where between the two of them, are located over 900 of California’s wineries. Wineries are however, located all throughout the state and most are open to the public for visits and tastings, making for an interesting vacation and perfect for a road trip. Even better, plan your visit for California Wine Month which takes place every September and allows visitors and locals to celebrate all things to do with wine. Special events, tastings and festivals take place at wineries across the state to mark the annual harvest and what’s known as the grape crush. Highlights include Sunset SAVOR on the Central Coast, the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and CRUSH in the Temecula Valley. Get a taste of this region and learn more here.
Hungry yet? 🙂
Obviously there is no way that one little blog article can cover ALL of the amazing foodie travel ideas, but this gives you a sampling of the possibilities. Plus it IS fun to visit virtually (for now) and dream of future food/drink-centered vacations. If you want to explore more both virtually and for future travel possibilities, check out:
- The Ultimate Cross-Country Road Trip Itinerary: 6 Days of the Best Food in America
- Roadfood: Your Guide to Authentic Regional Eats
- 10 Great American Food Trail Road Trips
Enjoy our virtual travel day foodies, and when you’ve got an idea for your next food-based vacation, let me know!
Bon appetit!
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