Need a fun travel idea for your next getaway? Consider going on a foodie road trip across the USA. Road trips allow you to explore new towns and cities and see beautiful scenery, and a recent survey reveals that 50 percent of American road trippers say that seeing new landscapes is one of the best things about this type of travel. You also get to discover new food, and nearly a quarter of all road trip veterans say that trying local food along the way is one of the highlights of long-distance drives.
If you’re planning a foodie road trip, it’s recommended to have a route (or several routes) in mind so you can create an itinerary that’s focused on a particular cuisine or culinary style. Following a food trail will allow you to taste diverse flavors and expand your palate while you’re on the road. Here are some of the best US foodie road trip routes for your next getaway.
North Carolina Historic Barbeque Trail
Before going on a road trip, it’s important to plan well and see to it that you’ve got all the essentials for a hassle-free drive. First, if you’re traveling with a few friends or family members, you’ll need a versatile and spacious vehicle. Keep in mind that depending on your route, it’s likely that you’ll be driving for at least an hour or more before arriving at a food stop, so pick a vehicle that’s roomy, dependable, and fuel-efficient, such as a minivan. You’ll also need to decide on a route and plan your stops, and have a car safety kit and first aid kit in your vehicle so you can be prepared for any emergency. Once you’ve got everything in place, start your road trip in North Carolina and go on the state’s Historic Barbeque Trail.
This food trail has 15 stops, and it stretches from Ayden all the way to Flat Rock. Your first stop will be at the Skylight Inn, which is popular for their roast pork sandwiches, corn bread, and slaw. After that, head to Bum’s Restaurant and enjoy their barbeque buffet, complete with traditional sides such as black-eyed peas and collards. Continue to Greenville to B’s Barbeque, then drive to Greensboro and see whole hogs being roasted at Wilber’s Barbeque. Follow the trail until you get to Flat Rock, then end your trip by getting some ribs, brisket, or chicken at the Hubba Hubba Smokehouse.
NYC Walking Food Tour
If you want to do a bit of walking in between food stops, consider going on an NYC walking food tour. The Big Apple has lots of iconic foods and restaurants that are often referenced in pop culture, so if you’re in the city, park your vehicle and sign up for a tour. Keep in mind that there are different food tours that you can join, so to help you narrow down your choices, pick a trail that’s centered on a type of food or cuisine that you enjoy.
For instance, if you love bagels, sign up for a Lower East Side Bagel Tour. Not only will you get a taste of the best bagels, cream cheese, and other bagel toppings, but you’ll also get to visit some of the most famous restaurants and eateries in New York City, such as Katz’s Deli, Russ and Daughters, and Yonah Shimmel’s Knish Bakery. Other foodie hotspots like Chinatown and Little Italy are also a must-see, and you can visit both when you sign up for a food tour that takes you to these places. The walking tour will take you to the historic Mott and Mulberry streets, and you’ll learn what life was like for Chinese and Italian immigrants back in the 1800s. Along the way, you’ll get to sample delectable eats such as authentic Chinese dumplings and pork buns, and NYC-style pizza and Italian gelatto, among others.
The Great Wisconsin Cheese Trail
Dreaming about spending a day eating nothing but cheese? Drive on over to Wisconsin and follow the Great Wisconsin Cheese Trail. The state produces nearly 3 billion pounds of cheese per year, and there are more than 10,000 farms that make the best dairy in the country. The trail starts at the southwest end of Wisconsin in Madison, and the route goes on a loop that will take you to 14 different locations. Stop by Arena Cheese and taste the best Colby and Co-Jack, then head on over to Hook’s Cheese at Mineral Point to sample their famous aged cheddar. For delicious goat cheese, drop by Montchevre in Darlington, then drive to Monroe and visit Emmi Roth for their award winning Grand Chu Surchoix. End your day with a full meal at Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern where you can enjoy Reuben or pulled pork sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and some homemade chili or a chili dog.
Napa Valley Wine Tours
For wine enthusiasts, nothing would be better than going on wine tastings and getting a private tour of vineyards, wine cellars, and caves. You can experience all of these things by going on a wine tour in Napa Valley in California, which is home to over 400 wineries and 90 tasting rooms. If you plan on going on a wine tour with your friends or relatives, plan on designating a driver for the day. Better yet, book a private tour so a driver can drive you and your friends to your chosen wineries and vineyards.
It’s recommended to visit Napa from May to October since that’s the best time to go on wine tours, but avoid the crowds by booking a weekday tour. Also, schedule no more than 3 wine tastings per day so you can make it on time. Most of the wineries in Napa have scheduled tastings, so you’ll risk missing one if you book more than 3 wine tastings on a single day. As for the wineries to visit, consider visiting Valley Floor Wineries for their Cabernets, San Pablo Bay for Pinot Noir, sparkling wines, and Chardonnay, and Frog’s Leap Winery for sustainable wine.
Going on a foodie road trip is a great way to treat yourself to some of the best foods, drinks, and delicacies while discovering new towns and places of interest. Go on a food-centric road trip this year and have fun tasting the best eats in the US!
