Fall has a way of making travel taste a little better. Cooler temperatures invite long afternoons exploring new places, while harvest seasons bring fresh ingredients, seasonal specialties, and tasty food festivals. If you’re planning a getaway this season, consider letting the local food scene have a hand in helping you choose your destination. Keep reading for five suggestions of destinations where what you eat can be just as memorable as where you go!
New Orleans, Louisiana
NOLA is always a good idea for foodies, but since fall brings refreshingly cool weather, it makes wandering the city’s historic neighborhoods, stopping into restaurants, and enjoying outdoor spaces that much more inviting. New Orleans’ culinary traditions are a delicious blend of many influences, resulting in dishes that are unmistakable and world-renowned.
So, what should you order? Dig into Creole classics like gumbo and jambalaya, munch on a po’ boy or muffuletta, and whatever you do, you must save room for a plate of beignets. Beyond these iconic dishes, New Orleans has a thriving restaurant scene that ranges from casual favorites to upscale dining.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Similar to New Orleans, the fall season is a great time to visit Santa Fe because cooler (and much more comfortable) temperatures make it easy to explore the city’s architecture, galleries, and more. Fall is also an especially delicious time to visit, thanks to the annual green chile harvest. From late summer into early fall, fresh Hatch green chiles are harvested and roasted throughout the state.
Red and green chile are featured throughout the local food scene, making appearances in enchiladas, tamales, burgers, and even breakfast dishes. Order yours “Christmas” style if you can’t decide between the two. Beyond chile, visitors will find Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences throughout Santa Fe’s distinctive culinary landscape.
Portland, Maine
If seafood is your idea of the perfect vacation meal, put Portland, Maine, on your fall travel list. Maine itself is famous for its seafood, and with Portland’s restaurants making the most of the surrounding waters, that combination should make any foodie book their trip immediately! Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that Maine is also incredibly beautiful in the fall season.
Lobster gets most of the attention, but you can’t stop there. Try oysters, clams, scallops, and many other local seafood featured on the menus throughout the city. Pair your meal with a local craft beer or cider, and then plan on spending some time exploring Old Port, the city’s historic waterfront district.
Lexington, Kentucky
Kentucky bourbon, barbecue, and biscuits (and more tasty Southern favorites) set the scene for this fall getaway. Head to Lexington, where Kentucky’s bourbon tradition takes center stage. And for some, that’s all you need. The city sits in the heart of horse country and is surrounded by rolling farmland, a growing culinary scene, and of course, historic distilleries.
While bourbon is an obvious starting point, Lexington offers much more than its famous tasting trail. You’ll find that restaurants put their own spin on Southern favorites, with everything from biscuits and barbecue to seasonal farm-to-table dishes. With the season being a particularly beautiful time to visit Kentucky, a trip to Lexington is a great way to satisfy the inner foodie while enjoying scenic drives and time outdoors.
Quebec City, Quebec
For a fall getaway with a distinctly European feel (without the long flight), head north to Quebec City. Autumn brings colorful scenery to the historic city, while the cooler weather is perfect for exploring on foot and discovering cafes, bakeries, and restaurants along the way.
The cuisine here is hearty and comforting, making it especially well suited to the fall season. Look for traditional dishes such as Poutine and Tourtière, along with locally produced cheeses, cider, French-inspired pastries, and maple products. Grab your passport, because fall is an ideal time to explore the region’s harvest and enjoy seasonal ingredients.
