If you are a food and travel enthusiast, then the past year and a half must have been hard for you. The pandemic took so much from us, and joy is one of the biggest things we were robbed of this past year. This is why now is a good time to make up for the time we lost—given that we maintain some health and safety habits we’ve built up during the pandemic. Here are some American destinations every foodie must visit.
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is known for being home to a modern food landscape inculcated with so many types of dishes and all over the world. From Mexican cuisine to steak strips, no shortage of restaurants and cafes offer to satiate every possible craving out there.
But one of the foods Tucson is most known for is the Sonoran hot dog, a street food staple that originated from Sonora, Mexico. It’s the perfect balance between the well-loved American hot dog and its south-of-the-border counterpart. Instead of using a more traditional bun or bread, Sonoran hot dog uses a split-top roll known as bolillo. If you ever find yourself in Tucson, get a copy of a food and travel guide to ensure that you check off every box in the list of must-visit restaurants in the area.
The North Carolina Barbecue Society Historic Trail
If you love steaks, barbecues, pork sandwiches, sauces, and everything in between, don’t miss out on the famous North Carolina Barbecue Society Historic Trail. If you have high standards for barbecue and meat, then this destination is for you.
Every single of the 24 stops had to meet a stringent set of standards and criteria, like the following: They had to be in business for more than 15 years, they needed to have a reputation for excellence and consistency among their communities, they must create their own array of sauces, and they needed to cook on charcoal pits or wood. If you’re a meat-lover who loves exploring various ways to enjoy beef, pork, and sauces, this trail is unmissable.
Finger Lakes, New York States
This one is for wine enthusiasts! If you fancy yourself a connoisseur who loves trying different wines and ciders, the Finger Lakes region in New York is a place you need to visit at least once in your life. Containing more than a hundred wineries with views of sloping vineyards and peaceful lakes, the setting is known for its vibrant autumn foliage—second to its three wine trails, of course. Make no mistake, though: Even newbie wine drinkers can visit the place. If you’re only starting to get into wine drinking, a visit to Finger Lakes might even help you improve your palate.
A cheese tour across Wisconsin
Nothing complements wine better than cheese, which is why another food destination you need to see this summer is the Great Wisconsin Cheese Tour. The state of Wisconsin has always been known for its love affair with cheese, which originated back in 1837.
Because of the state’s long and rich history with cheese, it produces about 2.8 billion pounds worth of different types of cheese, and it started the cheese tour, which is a three-day trip that starts in Madison and allows tourists to learn how to make their own cheese all while enjoying some of Wisconsin’s best beers. So the tour is not just for cheese lovers; beer aficionados are more than welcome too!
An ice cream trail in New Hampshire
If you’re more of a dessert person, another trail you cannot miss is the ice cream trail in New Hampshire. The food destination started because of the New England state’s efforts to promote its dairy farms. The tour is not just for ice cream lovers, however. It’s also for those who are fascinated by the process of turning dairy into this yummy confection. They can visit small and local businesses that are responsible for coming up with the milk.
The tour also provides a close look at the area’s quaint-town feel, so if you have an affection for small-town charms, this trail is for you. Another bonus is that it’s located near the stunning Lake Winnipesauke, so that’s more than enough incentive to go.
If you have been vaccinated, there’s no reason why you can’t get back into the swing of things as long as you follow health experts’ recommendations on health and safety. Visit the food destinations you’ve always wanted to visit in the past year and a half and reclaim the joy you feel was stolen from you.
