By Lynn O’Rourke Hayes
Add a mouthwatering twist to your travels. Here are five culinary adventures to consider.
New Orleans
The kids will learn the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisine (and so much more) when the family ventures to this dynamic coastal city that boasts more than 1,400 dining establishments. Snack on tasty beignets for breakfast. Savor po’boys or gumbo for lunch. Stroll through the French Quarter, stop by a festival or visit the many small and offbeat museums to restore your appetite for dinner. Then sample from the wealth of fresh seafood that will be served with a smile in this friendly southern city. The adventuresome in your group might opt for alligator on a stick. Enjoy the flavorful food with the sound of local jazz as your backdrop.
For more:
Artichokes and “Christmas” in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some go straight for the heart; others enjoy dipping the leaves in tasty sauces. Learn how to eat artichokes every which way at the Artichoke Cafe, a charming dining spot set in this southwestern city’s historic east downtown neighborhood. You’ll want to taste the local New Mexican cuisine, which blends Native American foods — like blue corn and squash — with chili peppers, wheat flour, pork and other ingredients that Spanish settlers brought from Europe and Mexico.
Sample freshly roasted green chiles as well as the earthy fruitiness of red chili sauce , both considered essential to many local dishes including breakfast burritos and stacked enchiladas. Should your server ask whether you would like “red or green” you can sound like a local by answering “Christmas.” Then, expect a serving of both. You’ll find plenty of charming restaurants in Old Town, Albuquerque’s 300-year-old city center
For more: www.artichokecafe.com; www.itsatrip.org
The Donut Trail in Ohio
You may want to pair a trip down the Donut Trail with a few of the local hikes. But for those who savor the mouthwatering taste of a cream-filled or glazed delight, traveling this 80-mile path will provide sweet memories. Gather stamps on a Donut Trail passport to earn discounts and other benefits for attractions within Butler County, near Cincinnati. Confused about where to start or how to make the most of your time on the trail? There’s a Donut Trail concierge on call to answer your most pressing questions.
For more: www.gettothebc.com/donut-trail
Barbecue in Kansas City, Missouri
You won’t want to visit this Midwestern town without savoring a dry-rubbed, slow-smoked slab of barbecued ribs or having your first bite of burnt ends. Rich with history and local culinary tradition, the smoky goodness has been attracting travelers since the early 1900s. According to the Kansas City Barbecue Society, there are more than 100 establishments blending a mouthwatering combination of flavors and styles. Among the favorites: Wabash BBQ, BBQ Shack, Gates Bar-B-Q, and Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue. Kansas City has crafted several BBQ Trails that make it easy for visitors to plan their culinary adventure.
For more: www.visitkc.com
Eat local, experience global
Many U.S. cities are home to cultural enclaves where small, family-owned restaurants dish up healthy servings of authentic favorites, combined with a bit of history from the homeland. When traveling to cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco or Miami seek out dining options in Little Italy, Chinatown or Little Havana, respectively. There, you can introduce the clan to more than just a good meal. Don’t forget to check out the options in your hometown.
For more: www.nyctourism.com/new-york/manhattan/little-italy and www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/little-havana
Lynn O’Rourke Hayes (LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer. Gather more travel intel on Twitter @lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com.
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