7 Foodie Cities to Visit with Kids in the US

One of the main reasons I love to travel is to experience the different cultures and a huge part of that is the cuisine aka I like to eat! Before having kids I used to travel to different US cities each year with my girlfriends and we built our itineraries around where we wanted to eat. Now… I bring my kids with me!! 

U.S. Travel News releases a list of the Top 15 U.S. Foodie Cities each year so I thought it would be fun to select my favorites and share some of the fun family activities that each city has to offer. I know traveling with kids requires a little more thought and planning so I am always here  to help you plan a hassle-free vacation YOUR whole family will enjoy (that includes you;-) ) 

Charleston 

Charleston is one of my favorite food cities in the world. What Charleston lacks in diversity, it makes up for in superb low country cuisine served with a side of charming Southern hospitality. Known as rib-sticking comfort food, the authentic Southern staples, and fresh seafood offerings have earned this quaint city recognition from a variety of industry experts as a foodie haven and it has the highest concentration of James Beard award-winning chefs outside of New York. Charleston has plenty for families to explore from horse-drawn carriage rides to historic forts. I love spending a day or two before or after my nearby Hilton Head family beach vacation in this incredible city. 

Nashville 

Ok so I may have a love for Southern food and I love how in Nashville upscale dining establishments serve up international flavors while mom-and-pop local joints continue to be mainstays. One of my favorite restaurants in the world, Husk, is in Nashville. Kids will love all of the live music, Gaylord Palms, and Centennial Park. Don’t discount the museums the Country Music Hall of Fame has interactive displays, the Taylor Swift Education wing hosts crafts, music lessons, songwriting camps, and much more.

New York 

The city that never sleeps is known around the world for a dining scene that’s vast in both volume and diversity. There’s virtually no type of food travelers can’t find in the Big Apple. There is always a new food trend to try from rainbow bagels to raindrop cake. My kid loves all of the unique shopping at places like FAO Schwartz, the Disney Store, M&M Store, and the American Girl store. I can not wait until our next trip when she will get to see her first Broadway show! Most of New York’s incredible museums have a program dedicated to getting kids involved with their exhibits. Older kids will enjoy iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. 

New Orleans

The Big Easy offers a plethora of Cajun and Creole staple dishes: gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys … the list goes on. But what makes the bayou so special is the sense of tradition that’s present in every dish. I literally still dream about a sandwich I had there almost 10 years ago. You may wonder how this made the list of kid-friendly cities… the Big Easy may be best known for beads and Bourbon Street, but there is another side to this Louisiana city.  Your kids will love the Children’s and WWII Museums, carriage rides, alligator encounters, and live jazz music. Don’t forget to let them get a little messy with sugar-dusted beignets. 

San Francisco

While I have not personally visited San Francisco, it is a city known for innovation, and that extends to its restaurant scene. With scores of Michelin-starred restaurants, a wealth of farmers markets, and plenty of unique hole-in-the-wall eateries, there’s no shortage of creative options in the City by the Bay’s neighborhoods. Not to mention, it features one of the best food markets in America, the expansive Ferry Building Marketplace. Right near the Ferry building is one of the country’s coolest aquariums and while you are on the pier you can ride the carousel, walk through the Mirror Maze, go on a 7D Experience or watch the sea lions play. Instead of a Children’s Museum, San Fran boasts an Exploratorium which has hands-on exhibits which can keep kids entertained for days. 

Austin 

Like the rest of the city, the food scene in Austin is best described as a bit weird. Barbecue and Tex-Mex are the go-to culinary categories but don’t be afraid to try some chili or fried steak. Actually, don’t be afraid to try anything (within reason); some of the best bites can only be ordered from the small army of food trucks roaming the city. There are plenty of fun outdoor activities to work up an appetite at Zilker Park from the botanical garden, outdoor summer musical performances, 

San Diego 

All of the meals in this West Coast destination are nearly as colorful as the city itself. Visitors can stroll down the iconic Market Street to treat their taste buds to one-of-a-kind iterations of everything from cheeseburgers to acai bowls to burritos. Of course, this city has plenty for the kids to enjoy between meals – spend the day at the world-famous Zoo, Sea World, Legoland, or even just relaxing on the beach. 

Need a vacation but the idea of planning-it-all is overwhelming?

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