Food tourism is becoming a growing trend nowadays. In recent years it has grown phenomenally in the United States. A recent study said that adults 50 and above have developed a love for the culinary arts and are looking forward to take the road less travelled with more disposable income. According to the study, food tourism will see big revenues in 2015 with the adults 50 and above expected to spend more than $120 billion on leisure travel primarily focusing on the vacation destinations based on the regional cuisines. The study further revealed that 27 million U.S. tourists engaged in culinary activities during their vacations. These culinary activities included taking cooking classes, visiting farmers’ markets, and dining out. The study pointed out that $1,271 per trip was spent by the average food traveller, with 50 percent of the spending on food-related activities.
If you are the one passionate about foods and interested in food tourism, here are some of the best dining destinations in the United States you should consider visiting.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is the largest city in the State of Oregon. The residents of the city are environmentally conscious. You will find moiré bicycles than cars here. The city is reputed for urban gardening. The art of healthy eating has been mastered by all those residing in Portland. The most popular meal of the day is Brunch, combining healthy protein options with locally grown produce. If you are visiting Portland, particularly for food related activities, you shouldn’t think about getting your traditional comfort food of eggs and bacon. You will have to instead look forward to a kale omelette with a side of smoked-salmon hash.
Austin, Texas
Austin has been popularly nicknamed as the “Weird City”. It is truly living up to its name as well, offering the tourists a mix of traditional Southwestern classics with a modern twist. Some of the classics are undoubtedly worth trying out here. You can look forward to savouring brisket tacos covered in adobo sauce and topped with queso, cilantro and guacamole. Short ribs coated in Thai herbs are also must try. The city is definitely a place for all those looking for some quick eats while on the go. There are over 1,400 mobile food vendors across the county ready to serve you burgers, fried chicken, Tex-Mex, barbecue and more.
Washington, D.C
The very thought of visiting Washington, D.C. conjures the imagery of breathtaking historical sites to your mind. But there’s much more to Washington, D.C. than just the historical attractions. A foodie craze has hit the U.S. capital city now. Here something is offered to cater to everyone’s taste buds. Take a walk around Capitol Hill to get the traditional D.C. experience. You will find here a wide range of sophisticated American, Italian and French inspired restaurants. The D.C. staple Ben's Chili Bowl is worth checking out. It has been serving delicacies to celebrities, politicians, tourists and residents for over 55 years now.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Most people consider New Orleans, the renowned “Big Easy”, famous for its jambalaya, gumbo and other Creole foods. However, there is more other than these to cater of the quintessential foodie’s taste. You can enjoy delicious cuisines at some best Vietnamese restaurants found all over the city. If you want to enjoy something more traditional, you need to grab a po' boy sandwich at one of the many sandwich shops in the city. This Louisiana staple is traditionally a fried seafood or roast beef sandwich served on a baguette with French fries and other condiments.
