10 US Food Tours That Will Keep You Stuffed This Thanksgiving

Sure, Thanksgiving is about getting together with loved ones and practicing gratitude. But for food lovers, it’s also one of the best occasions for feasting of the year. After all, Turkey Day is just one meal—and once you’ve carved your way through the titular bird, it’s worth extending the festive indulgence.
This year, follow up the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie with one of these 10 inspired US food tours, which celebrate local culinary traditions in cities all across the country. Whichever you book, look forward to trying delicious bites, soaking up local history, and enjoying one more way to ring in the holiday season.
1. Indulge in Creole and Cajun classics in New Orleans, Louisiana
The Big Easy is the perfect destination for visitors with big appetites, and this French Quarter food tour offers an accessible and indulgent introduction to many of New Orleans’ most-loved dishes. Come ready to sample the classics that make up the city’s signature Creole-meets-Cajun cuisine, including everything from sugar-dusted beignets to gumbo.
And to really laissez les bon temps rouler, opt for a classic cocktail pairing (Sazerac, anyone?). This tour also offers a small-group option, if you’re looking for a more personal experience.
2. Save room for some hearty favorites in Chicago, Illinois
A Thanksgiving feast feels like a fitting training session for this Windy City walking tour, which stops at storied Chicago landmarks such as Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture (better known as The Bean), and includes a stroll down the Magnificent Mile. That’s before you even get to the classic Chicago eats, which are a marathon of their own.
Look forward to trying hearty fare such as deep-dish pizza, hot dogs “dragged through the garden,” and Italian beef sandwiches as you eat your way around the Loop.
3. Learn about Lowcountry cooking in Charleston, South Carolina
Southern hospitality (not to mention generous portions of South Carolina classics) is on offer on this walking tour of food-loving Charleston led by a local chef, during which you can learn all about the communities and cultures that have made Charleston such a longstanding culinary destination.
After a scenic stroll showcasing the city’s history, attend a cooking demonstration, then savor a 3-course lunch of Lowcountry dishes, featuring favorites such as shrimp and grits (plus wine). As a bonus, you receive a selection of your chef-guide’s recipes to recreate at home.
4. Explore Pike Place Market with a chef in Seattle, Washington
If you can’t settle on just one cuisine to sample during your time in foodie-favorite Seattle, head to Pike Place Market to try a bit of everything. The market has been open since 1907, and is home to dozens of vendors and artisan purveyors—little wonder it’s one of the city’s most in-demand food destinations.
This insider tour gives you the chance to explore with a local chef, who can guide you straight to the tastiest bites, and share stories about the market and Seattle’s wider food scene as you go.
5. Discover immigrant foodways in New York City’s Lower East Side
Manhattan’s Lower East Side has long reflected the Big Apple’s rich cultural mix and immigrant history. Unsurprisingly, it’s also long been one of New York City’s best neighborhoods for food lovers.
On this in-depth walking tour, learn more about the downtown district’s heritage, and discover how its history has fueled its dynamic, present-day dining scene. Along the way, stop for a wide range of bites, including dumplings in Chinatown, pizza in Little Italy, and Jewish deli favorites, including knishes.
6. Enjoy an introduction to Cuban cooking in Miami, Florida
The Little Havana neighborhood in Miami has been home to a thriving Cuban community for decades; today, it’s a foodie destination, known for its many family-owned Cuban restaurants, bakeries, and cafés.
For a one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving experience, head out on this walking tour of the area, accompanied by a guide and just a small group of fellow travelers. Along the way, look forward to tasting everything from empanadas and Cuban sandwiches to mojitos and guava-and-cheese pastries, all while your guide shares stories about the city’s longstanding Cuban heritage.
7. Try well-loved local specialties in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is home to one of the largest Thanksgiving Day parades in the country, which is no coincidence—the City of Brotherly Love takes its food seriously. You’ll need a breather between finishing off your pumpkin pie and embarking on this food tour, which packs in many of the city’s most popular (and notoriously hearty) dishes.
Once you’re ready to dig in again, look forward to trying Philly classics from cheesesteaks and soft pretzels to tomato pie. Finish things off with dessert at the historic Reading Terminal Market.
8. Taste your way through Georgetown’s culinary range in Washington DC
Washington DC may be one of the most underrated food cities in the United States. Although better known among visitors for its government buildings, museums, and memorials, the city is also blessed with vibrant neighborhoods and dining destinations that go well beyond the stuffy steakhouses on Capitol Hill.
On this walking tour of Georgetown, you’ll discover the city’s local side and taste your way through a range of bites (and cuisines), as well as spotting local landmarks.
9. Visit foodie hot spots in Los Angeles, California
On this small-group tasting tour of Downtown Los Angeles, you won’t just pair your bites with that endless LA sun—you’ll also discover an emerging foodie hub in the City of Angels. Along with classics such as local tacos and Insta-worthy doughnuts, you’ll sample everything from Thai street food to Korean cooking.
As you explore, follow your guide to local highlights such as the historic Grand Central Market—a perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir, if you want to get a head start on your holiday shopping.
10. Stroll a cool culinary neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia
Inman Park is one of Atlanta’s hippest neighborhoods, thanks in no small part to its top-tier dining scene. This food tour makes exploring the area (and its best bites) simple.
First, get acquainted with the local sights as you stroll the area’s leafy promenades, learn more about its history from your guide, and even scope out the popular Atlanta BeltLine. Then visit the lively Krog Street Market to sample a range of regional dishes, plus a cocktail. Finally, toast to your adventures, and to a completely delectable Thanksgiving weekend.
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