Check out these 5 food trails worth the road trip or quick flight from Charlotte
Some bites are so good, they’re worth traveling for and leaving the comforts of Charlotte behind for just a bit. Even better, there are whole food trails popping up everywhere so you can make a whole trip out of it.
Barbecue, beverages, seafood and even cheese — whatever you fancy, there’s a food trail to explore.
Many food trails aren’t focused in one city but are spread out across a state, making it more ideal for road trippers who want to pick and choose their own paths.
But if roaming isn’t your style, we’ve also found a few cities where you can fly in and out. Most of these trails also have swag opportunities tied to visits, so check out your destination’s tourism websites if that’s enticing to you.
Here are a few food trails worth visiting for you to check out:
Georgia Barbecue Trails — Atlanta
Distance: 244 miles from Charlotte, or a direct flight of about 1 hour, 30 minutes on American Airlines
Foodie finds: Although one could argue for days about various styles of barbecue and where to find the best, Georgia is stepping in to claim a stake in the game with its Georgia Barbecue Trails map. Its list of barbecue restaurants span the state, so you can choose your own adventure. But we suggest considering a trip to Atlanta, where you can stop at a handful restaurants all at once, including Twin Smokers BBQ and Wood’s Chapel BBQ, where “Barbecue is community.”
On the way there — or the way back — you can veer off I-85 to make a few more stops at places such as Cabin Creek BBQ Co. in Nicholson and Bar H BBQ in Franklin Springs.
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Other attractions: The Inman Park neighborhood — right between Twin Smokers BBQ and another Georgia Barbecue Trail stop, Wyatt’s Country BBQ — is known for quaint boutiques, coffee shops and dining galore.
And we were going to mention The World of Coca-Cola, but our coworker Zach, who calls himself a proud Chattanooga native (a couple of hours away), said: “The only time you go there is when you’re on a school trip and you rush to the room where you can try every flavor of Coke and then pass out from a sugar overload.” So at least be forewarned if you do go, you may be surrounded by a bunch of mini Zachs experiencing sugar rush.
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A culinary road trip to investigate the agritourism available in South Georgia is another detour to consider. The area is home to a variety of wineries, and you can even book a stay at White Oak Pastures, a 158-year-old family farm.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail — Louisville, Kentucky
Distance: 511 miles from Charlotte, or a direct flight of about 1 hour, 30 minutes on American Airlines
Foodie finds: The Kentucky Bourbon Trail stretches across the state with 46 distilleries to visit, and you’ll want to plan several months ahead to tackle it — reservations sell out quickly.
In Louisville, you’ll find Kentucky’s largest distillery — Heaven Hill — along with the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, with multiple options for experiences that include traditional tours, bourbon and chocolate pairings, and bartender and speakeasy encounters. There’s also the Urban Bourbon Trail, where each spot has bourbon flights, specialty cocktails and at least 60 varieties on hand to sample. And a bonus: Louisville is home to the state’s first Black-owned distillery, Brough Brothers.
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Other attractions: It’s hard to imagine a trip to Louisville without seeing horse racing haven Churchill Downs, famous for the Kentucky Derby and mint juleps. Another homage to American culture is the The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, where baseball lovers can explore exhibits or indulge in an All-Star Experience that includes taking home a limited-edition, personalized Louisville Slugger bat.
Mayport Shrimp Trail — Jacksonville, Florida
Distance: 383 miles from Charlotte or a direct flight of about 1 hour, 20 minutes on American Airlines
Foodie finds: Jacksonville is home to the Mayport Shrimp Trail, where you can indulge in wild shrimp that’s caught locally where the Atlantic and St. John’s River meet. Peak season is November and December, but Mayport shrimp are available all year long at restaurants such as Palms Fish Camp and Dockside Seafood at Jacksonville Beach.
The food-and-drink lover’s paradise also offers the Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail for starting your day off right with a few sweet morning staples at spots such as Good Dough and Artessence Coffee Shop. Later on in the day, the Jax Ale Trail features a self-guided tour of more than 20 bars for exploring craft beer.
Other attractions: Along with 22 miles of shoreline to sight-see, there are also galleries and public art displays to check out and all kinds of shopping from flea markets to trendy boutiques. Deep sea fishing is an option, as are other outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and horseback riding. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp games run late March through September.
Pro tip: Visit Jacksonville also touts suggested itineraries for Black travel, spots of Latino interest and LGBTQ+ getaway ideas.
North Carolina Oyster Trail
Distance: Varies
Foodie finds: The North Carolina Oyster Trail primarily stretches from the Outer Banks to Southport, but there are also participating restaurants in Raleigh-Durham and even Charlotte, so you can get a head start before setting off. (Hello, Sea Level!)
You can stuff your face with the freshest seafood the North Carolina coast has to offer at local restaurants such as Blue Water Grill in Manteo and the renowned Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham during peak oyster season from October through March. But farmed oysters keep the supply up year round. In fact, there are 14 shellfish farms on the Oyster Trail that offer tours.
Other attractions: Coastal Eco Adventures excursions can open up your eyes on tidal marsh and barrier island ecology — or take you on an all-in adventure to learn how oysters start out and end up with a tasting. Oh, and don’t forget all the opportunities to visit the state’s best beaches.
South Carolina Cheese Trail
Distance: Varies
Foodie finds: The South Carolina Cheese Trail is a self-guided opportunity to take a closer look at the state’s farms and creameries with stops in Anderson, Seneca and Charleston, and a few places in between. (While you can order it online, Clemson Blue Cheese feels like a must-try, nonetheless.)
If you veer off course a bit, you can add in a few restaurants known for their mac and cheese while sticking to the theme. (One is even in Rock Hill — The Dixie Pig — so again, a handy starting point from Charlotte.)
Another on-topic side trip worth thinking about is the Pimento Cheese Passport, which takes you through Columbia to explore delicacies such as schnitzel topped with pimento cheese and crumbled bacon at Bierkeller Brewing Company, pimento cheese-stuffed eggrolls at The Root Cellar and Pimento Cheeseburger Pizza at Terra.
Other attractions: Hootie and the Blowfish fans might want to look into Driving with Darius: A South Carolina Road Trip, which overlaps with several Cheese Trail destinations. On your way up I-85, it’s hard to resist making a brief stop to take a selfie with the Peachoid. There are also a variety of exceptional state parks and other places to hike, bike and relax at as you make your way across the state.
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
