13 Trips, Towns, And Tours For Every U.S. Foodie’s Bucket List

When most individuals consider a Bucket List, they envision one thing really extraordinary: a once-in-a-lifetime journey or journey; an expedition that fuels and satisfies even essentially the most insatiable wanderlust. These experiences are usually journeys to the nation’s most unimaginable locations: nationwide parks, world-renowned sights, superlative pure wonders. Many of those adventures are outdoor, and whereas we at OnlyInYourState attempt to incorporate numerous lists of bucket-list-worthy adventures which might be accessible to all, we acknowledge {that a} hike on the Appalachian Path or cross-country highway journey won’t be everybody’s journey de jour. 

However there’s something that connects us all, whether or not we’re superior out of doors fanatics, avid historians, or devoted conservationists, and that’s meals. Meals is a common language all of us converse; it’s a energetic, connective expertise that’s as a lot about sustenance as it’s about tradition, delicacies, and celebration. Whether or not you’re a road truck aficionado, wonderful eating connoisseur, or into all issues “Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives,” this bucket checklist is for you. We’ve scoured the nation in quest of the perfect journeys, cities, and excursions that belong on each U.S. foodie’s bucket checklist, and we invite you to return together with us on these wholly distinctive, completely scrumptious, bucket-list-worthy adventures.

Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA, USA

There is no place in Seattle extra iconic than Pike Place Market; this amazing market sits proper by the bustling waterfront, and it’s one of the crucial photographed locations within the Pacific Northwest. Spanning 9 acres within the coronary heart of downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market was based in 1907, making it one of many oldest and largest constantly working public markets within the nation — and one of the crucial numerous, in addition. There are greater than 500 completely different cubicles up and working at any given time; the number of fresh-caught seafood, worldwide fare, and ROYGBIV produce is a complete sensory overload, and, as such, it is useful to have an skilled paved the way. Savor Seattle presents a number of completely different foods and drinks excursions, however their signature meals tour of Pike Place Market is de facto one thing particular, and a should for vacationers and long-time Seattleites alike.

Portland, Oregon, is a celebrated foodie mecca, identified for its worldwide flavors, PNW delicacies, recent seafood, road meals, doughnuts, craft breweries, wineries — the checklist goes on (and on). And on this bona fide meals city, Feast is the town’s proudest culinary fete. Hailed because the premier foods and drinks pageant of the Pacific Northwest, Feast is a celebration of the bounty of the Beaver State: the plentiful oceans, fertile fields, and creative spirit that mixes to create one thing wholly distinctive and great. From beloved Oregon favorites, like Tillamook ice cream and cheese curds to Oregon ales and Pinots to the freshest catches from the Pacific, foodies have rather a lot to like (and eat) in Portland.

Between long-standing establishments like Gundlach Bundschu Vineyard (the third-oldest vineyard within the state, actually) to beloved family-run operations like Chateau Diana, wine lovers have rather a lot to like about Sonoma County. With 99% of Sonoma County’s vineyards licensed sustainable, that is essentially the most sustainable wine-growing region on this planet, and it is really a bucket-list should for oenophiles. However what most do not realize is that this fertile expanse is not simply nice for grapes; it is a area the place all types of produce lives and thrives. In Sonoma County, the eponymous Sonoma Meals Tour leads intrepid foodies to the perfect markets, eating places, and sure, wine, in downtown Sonoma. These are off-the-beaten-path secrets and techniques shared by Sonoma foodies; the type of hyper native, wonderful locations the journey guides will not let you know about. In the event you’ve but to expertise the culinary splendor of Sonoma County, now’s the time to alter that.

Simply essentially the most acclaimed meals pageant within the nation, the Aspen Meals & Wine Traditional is a celebration of the distinctive culinary tradition of the U.S. Every year, the nation’s most acclaimed cooks, up-and-coming stars, and culinary celebrities collect in one of many nation’s most superb mountain cities to commemorate the medium that basically does unite us all. After all, this occasion is as a lot for oenophiles as it’s for foodies, attracting famend winemakers from throughout to share their best vintages and bottles. And with the gorgeous backdrop of Aspen, Colorado, that is an occasion that really is the culinary expertise of a lifetime.

The Picnic – Meals Truck Park, 1720 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Austin, Texas, is well known for its numerous culinary tradition, and the town is particularly well-known for its meals vehicles. With a number of meals truck parks throughout ATX, it may be overwhelming deciding on a place to begin, so we suggest going with the *unique* meals truck park,
The Picnic. Nestled alongside Barton Springs Highway, The Picnic is situated proper within the coronary heart of the town, and its array of implausible meals vehicles may have your mouth rumbling and abdomen grumbling as quickly as you arrive. Tex-Mex, Thai, Venezuelan, Italian… the culinary world is yours at The Picnic; and, as such, we suggest bringing a giant, Texas-sized urge for food when visiting this acclaimed foodie vacation spot.

Tastebud Excursions and Occasions LLC, 550 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Chicago is such an underrated participant when it comes to meals cities; this Midwest treasure is usually pitted towards its coastal brethren, however actually stands by itself when it comes to delicacies. A few of the nation’s most celebrated culinary icons hail from the Windy Metropolis, actually, from the eponymous Chicago-style pizza and scorching canines to Italian beef and Jibarito sandwiches. Chicago Meals Excursions goals to point out vacationers the perfect the town has to supply, by way of myriad accessible and thrilling experiences. The Iconic Meals of Chicago Meals Tour is a should for any Midwest foodies; on this 1.4-mile strolling tour, you will devour 5 of the enduring “Chicago-style” dishes from the eateries that perfected them. What may very well be higher?

Previous Talbott Tavern, 107 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA

The Bluegrass State’s most celebrated spirit takes heart stage on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which options a minimum of 41 top-tier distilleries. The connection between the Bluegrass and bourbon is inextricable, with the state accountable for producing 95% of the world’s provide of this sultry spirit. Standard stops alongside this path embrace Jim Beam, Bardstown Bourbon, and Maker’s Mark — however it’s not all libations on this iconic tour. Positioned in charming Bardstown within the coronary heart of Kentucky Bourbon Nation, the Previous Talbott Tavern dates again to the late 1700s, and is hailed because the oldest bourbon bar on this planet. Guests can come and order from over 200 kinds of Bluegrass bourbon (bourbon flights can be found for individuals who want to pattern a number of varieties), and dine on bourbon-infused dishes like bourbon-glazed hen and bread pudding, for a well-rounded, chef’s kiss, culinary celebration of the spirit that put Kentucky on the map in a giant means.

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA, USA

There’s a soul to New Orleans — a dwelling, respiration spirit that is really distinctive to the town. This pleasure de vivre is positively palpable, and one thing that may actually solely be skilled. Whereas well-known for Mardi Gras, the spirit of New Orleans is way deeper than the pomp and revelry of this occasion. Meals, specifically, is a large a part of the NOLA expertise, and there are some really iconic spots you will positively need to go to. From the beignets at Café Du Monde and the muffalata from Central Grocery & Deli to the fried oyster po’ boy from Mom’s Restaurant and the seafood gumbo from Antoine’s, New Orleans is a spot that’s colourful and scrumptious and larger-than-life, and greatest skilled by way of meals.

Walt Disney World® Resort, Orlando, FL, USA

Not solely is Walt Disney World Resort identified for taking guests across the globe with its sights, however the annual EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presents a culinary tour de power of among the world’s best meals and wine. Sip and savor your means throughout six completely different continents, consuming and ingesting till your coronary heart’s content material at this annual food-filled jubilee, one of the crucial well-liked in each the park and Orlando, Florida. That includes dozens of scrumptious meals cubicles representing delicacies from all throughout the nation, that is simply essentially the most family-friendly foodie fest within the U.S. After all, exploring Epcot in and of itself is an expertise to not be missed, however in the event you actually need to stage up your journey, ensure you go to throughout this epic pageant.

Thought to be one of the crucial stunning locations on this planet, Seaside is a delightfully distinctive waterfront group in Florida that has quietly change into one of the crucial coveted trip locations within the state. Along with unimaginable boutiques, charming retailers (together with an unbiased bookstore and document store), and an lovable grocery, the city’s Central Sq. is house to a world of delicacies, from wonderful eating eating places to a lineup of meals vehicles on Airstream Row. Inside this energetic meals hub, adventurous foodies will discover all types of scrumptious eats, from the crave-worthy Cubanos and Pan con Tortilla from Cocina Cubana to the epic, Southern-fried platters from Barefoot BBQ. In the event you’re extra of a traditionalist, the Nutella Crepes from Crêpes du Soleil will make you very, very pleased — as will the cheeseburgers from Pickle’s Burger and Shakes.

Over the previous few years, Charleston, South Carolina, has quietly change into one of many coolest cities within the South. With its towering timber and iconic structure, Charleston is likely one of the most stunning cities within the U.S., with a historic district that is each fascinating and irresistibly charming. Anchoring this city, although, is a vibrant meals scene that basically is an inextricable a part of the town’s cultural id. Charleston’s Historic French Quarter and Metropolis Market are two of its most iconic locations, providing guests immersive historic context with a heaping aspect of wonderful delicacies. Charleston Culinary Excursions celebrates the town’s meals tradition throughout its partaking, guide-led excursions that mix components of a historic tour with a culinary journey. From historic pubs and French bistros to traditional Southern cooking and Lowcountry delicacies, there is no higher solution to expertise Charleston, South Carolina, than to eat your means by way of city!

New York Metropolis is a wonderful culinary melting pot the place just about each sort of world delicacies is represented. And Meals of NY Excursions goals to assist of us see this large, great world, visiting among the metropolis’s most iconic and under-the-radar markets, neighborhoods, and eating places. Clearly, NYC is thought for its pizzerias, delis, and numerous boroughs, however there may be a lot extra to see and style within the metropolis than what’s within the information books or “High 10” listicals. Providing each strolling excursions and bus excursions, meals tasting afternoons and all-day excursions, Meals of NY Excursions go to the perfect eateries and epicurean hubs within the metropolis, and really is a should for all gourmands, foodies, historians, and cultural fanatics. (In different phrases, just about everybody.)

320 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Lobster and chowder, blueberries and beer, Portland, Maine, is an underrated culinary mecca within the Northeast. Portland’s annual Harvest on the Harbor pageant celebrates this culinary tradition every fall, however guests and locals alike can revel within the metropolis’s most scrumptious fare year-round with Maine Day Ventures. On these guide-led strolling excursions, adventurous foodies will sip, style, and slurp their means by way of Portland, Maine, consuming seafood that is fairly actually been pulled from the city waterfront and ales straight from the fermenters. These excursions are a should for foodies, however particularly seafood followers — whether or not you are into huge lobster rolls, comforting clam chowder, or uncooked oysters, you will get a full style of the Atlantic on this only-in-Maine journey.

Along with, in fact, the meals, the perfect half about all of those adventures is how accessible they’re. These are bucket-list experiences anybody can take pleasure in, so long as they convey a way of journey — and hearty urge for food — to the desk.