5 Foodie road trips to make your summer epic
International travel is still out of the question, but that doesn’t mean your summer can’t be filled with epic foodie adventures. This will be the year of classic road trips. Here are five options that are sure to feed your wanderlust and your belly.
Finger Lakes Wine Trail – New York
There are so many great foodie road trips on the east coast, but this region alone offers enough to keep you busy for weeks. The area is home to over 100 wineries and four distinct wine trails. Seneca Lake Wine Trail is the largest of the four and includes over 35 wineries, a distillery, and several breweries. The other three trails – Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake, and Canandaigua Lake – are all within an easy drive so you could spend a four day weekend doing at least a portion of each trail.
Besides wine, check out the great food, beautiful scenery, and relaxing accommodations.
Where to stay:
Harbor Hotel, Watkins Glen, NY
Vineyard Villas, Burdett, NY (on Seneca Lake)
Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, NY – you will learn about a lot more than just wine here
Where to eat:
What to see:
Watkins Glen State Park – gorgeous scenery with 19 waterfalls, fishing, and hiking
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion – one of the oldest surviving Victorian homes in the US
Bourbon Trail – Kentucky
Heading south you enter the Bluegrass State of Kentucky and the epicenter of bourbon production. The state makes 95 percent of all the world’s bourbon and there are plenty of distilleries big and small to see it happening. Make your home base in either Louisville or Bardstown and you will have plenty to do even when you aren’t exploring tasting rooms. The trail includes big names such as Evan Williams and Old Forester, but to truly experience bourbon the way it has always been head out for a tour of craft distilleries.
Where to stay:
Talbott Tavern, Bardstown
The Brown Hotel, Louisville
Beaumont Inn, Harrodsburg
Where to eat:
Butchertown Grocery, Louisville – don’t skip the bakery
The Stave, Frankfort
Old Owl Nest, Harrodsburg
What to see:
Cocktail classes – Take home some killer cocktail skills to impress friends and family
Mint Julep tours – Get a lay of the foodie map in Louisville or enjoy a little of horse country
Women’s Museum of the 1800’s and the Civil War Period
A Taste of Up North – Madison, WI
Madison, Wisconsin might not come to mind when you think of foodie road trips, but this midwest city is a hidden gem. Home to one of the largest producer only farmers’ markets, James Beard Award winning chefs, and plenty of activities to keep you busy.
Where to stay:
Lake Ripley Lodge – about 20 minutes from Madison, but gives you the Upnorth cabin feeling
Where to eat:
Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery – don’t skip dessert
The Old Fashioned – classic Wisconsin supper club vibe
Vesperman Farms – this is a bit of a drive from the city, but so worth it for the unforgettable pizza and ice cream
What to see:
Lake Monona – Paddleboard, sail, or just walk around the beautiful lakes
Devil’s Lake State Park – work off all those delicious eats with hikes and epic views
Taste of Mexico – El Paso, TX
Located on the border between Texas and Mexico, El Paso is an eclectic city full of history and culture. The intermingling of influences creates a unique food experience found in few other places. Taste authentic Mexican delicacies, enjoy some Texas barbecue, and take in the beauty of the Southwest.
Where to stay:
Hotel Paso Del Norte – on the National Historical Register; don’t miss the Dome Bar
Where to eat:
Cafe Mayapan – great food and a non-profit providing job training and cultural support
What to see:
White Sands National Monument – 1 ½ hours outside the city this is a magical place to see
El Segundo Barrio Street Murals
El Centro – wander this district for local shops, interesting architecture, and lots of culture
Willamette Valley Wine Trail – Oregon
A west coast road trip doesn’t only have to be California. If you love food and wine and haven’t been to the Willamette Valley you are missing out. More than 500 wineries, as well as countless breweries and cideries, dot the beautiful landscape of Oregon wine country. The valley is 150 miles long and 60 miles wide in some areas so you will have to pick and choose stops or just give yourself LOTS of time to explore.
Where to stay:
The Vintages – A completely unique stay
Where to eat:
What to see:
2 Towns Ciderhouse
Saturday Market in Eugene
Whether you are hitting the road for a day trip or to go farther afield on a true old fashioned road trip, be sure to check on travel safety information before heading out. Use precautions such as a face mask and social distancing. Stay safe and enjoy your summer adventures.
If you aren’t able to get away for a little exploring you can always get a taste of place with a B.I.T.E. Box subscription. Each quarterly box features a new destination and 5 – 7 products that bring the flavors of a place to your home. The stories of the people and places behind the products will inspire you to look at a destination in a new light and inspire you to get out and explore in the future.
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