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Eight foodie stays to explore

Get a taste for travel and local flavors with these must-visit destinations. | By Leanne Philip | December 8, 2022 (Updated April 3, 2023)

You can learn a lot about a place, its people and its culture when you partake in its cuisine. Exploring new ingredients and food scenes allows travelers to get an authentic taste (quite literally!) of a destination, while also understanding a region’s history and traditions. If mealtimes are your favorite part of a stay away, then pull up a chair. Here are eight foodie cities to add to your must-visit list.

Tulum, Mexico 

For travelers looking to combine crystal blue waters, awe-inspiring cenotes and delicious food, head for Tulum. The Mexican coastal town is the perfect getaway if you have an appetite for adventure, fresh seafood and locally sourced cuisine.

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Los Angeles 

If the best part of your week is finding ingredients at your local farmer’s market, then Los Angeles is the vacation destination for you. Hit up the West Coast for world-class museums, golden beaches and all the fresh California produce you can get your hands on.

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Las Vegas

The party doesn’t stop when you’re staying on the Strip. For a getaway that combines noteworthy nightlife, outdoor adventures and delicious meals made for sharing, it doesn’t get better than Las Vegas.

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San Antonio

Get the best of both worlds (Mexico and Texas, that is) when you stay in San Antonio. The city — designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — boasts a vibrant Hispanic community, historic Spanish colonial missions and delicious Tex-Mex cuisine that makes this foodie city shine.

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Chicago

From pizza to hot dogs and popcorn, there’s a “Chicago-style” specialty to nearly every dish in the Windy City. Add some history — culinary and cultural, of course — and you’ve got a vacation destination that’s bursting with local flavor.

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New Orleans

Friendly locals, fiery Creole cuisine and a flair for celebrations guarantee a fun-filled stay in New Orleans. Add an enviable bar culture, Southern comfort food (and hospitality) and seafood delicacies and you’re all set to let the good times roll in the Big Easy.

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New York City

If you thrive on the hustle and bustle of city life — and an equally energetic foodie scene — a stay in New York should be number one on your travel list. Head here for famous museums and entertainment, sprawling green spaces and some of the most renowned restaurants and bakeries in the world.

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Washington, DC

Variety is the spice of life, especially in Washington, D.C. The American capital’s must-experience sights include national monuments and memorials, world-renowned museums and a diverse restaurant scene that makes this a must-visit food city.

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Leanne Philip is a content marketing manager at Hilton. She has written for numerous print and digital platforms, including Travel + Leisure, The Atlantan and Barneys New York.