If you’re looking to experience something new this year, cultural trails might be just what the travel advisor ordered. Cultural trails offer visitors a chance to slow down, dive deeper, and meet the locals. Unlike traditional three-day itineraries that often rush travelers through famous – often overbooked – landmarks, cultural trails send you to-all new places and encourage you to take your time and really get acquainted with local life. With the added bonus of helping ease the pressure on more popular destinations. Below are several cultural trails worth exploring this year.
Read More: What Are Cultural Trails?
Lackawanna County Pizza Trail
Lackawanna County Pizza Trail (Pennsylvania, USA)
Home to Old Forge, the Pizza Capital of the World – Lackawanna County is one seriously awesome pizza destination. It might take a while to visit every one of 160 pizza shops located along the Trail, but the Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) Visitors Bureau wants you to try. They even have a passport to help you explore. A pizza trail mileage chart lets you calculate the distance between pizzerias in each region, so you can maximize time needed to get to your next ooey, gooey destination.
West Virginia Theater Trail
West Virginia Theater Trail (West Virginia, USA)
Culture vultures may not realize West Virginia has such a rich performing arts history. That is precisely why the West Virginia Theater Trail is so important. Founded in 2010 as a collaboration between the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the WV State Historic Preservation Office, the trail “celebrates Appalachian culture and creativity.” With 32 theaters across 21 counties, the trail offers visitors a chance to explore the state’s artistic legacy.
Western North Carolina (WNC) Cheese Trail
Western North Carolina (WNC) Cheese Trail (North Carolina, USA)
You’d expect Wisconsin, Vermont, and California to sport cheese trails – and they do. But who knew Western North Carolina boasts so many cheesy options? According to the WNC Cheese Trail, the non-profit organization’s goal is to “spread the word about the amazing artisan cheeses being made in Western North Carolina.” The WNC Cheese Trail is made up of a diverse community of members, including wineries, cideries, cheesemakers, restaurants, shops, farms, and more who support WNC Cheesemakers.” As of press time there are 30 sites along the trail.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Kentucky Bourbon Trail (Kentucky, USA)
It’s hardly surprising that Kentucky is home to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – complete with 56 distilleries, including many smaller craft sites. Along the way, you can enjoy tastings as well as other bourbon-related activities like cocktail classes and “bottle-your-own-barrel” events. There’s even an opportunity to learn about legendary bartender Tom Bullock, the first Black American to write and publish a cocktail book, at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.
New Mexico Wine Trail
New Mexico Wine Trail (New Mexico, USA)
If you were asked to name the oldest wine region in the U.S., you’d probably guess California. However, the first wine country in the U.S. is actually located in New Mexico, where Spanish settlers established vineyards as early as the 1600s. Today, the New Mexico Wine Trail includes nearly two dozen vineyards, tasting rooms, festivals, and favorite eateries, most of them located on the fertile lands that border the Rio Grande. Most are within easy reach of Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Native American Heritage Trail
Native American Heritage Trail (Massachusetts, USA)
Among the many Native American heritage trails across the U.S., the Native American Heritage Trail of the Upper Housatonic River Valley stands out. It’s a collaborative project involving the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, along with several other partners, including the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area. A trail highlight, visitors can take a one-mile walking tour of Stockbridge Main Street guided by a tribal expert.
U.S. Civil Rights Trail
U.S. Civil Rights Trail (USA)
The U.S. Civil Rights Trail links the churches, courthouses, schools, museums, and other landmarks across 15 states that were pivotal in the fight for racial equality during the 1950s and 1960s. State-by-state itineraries offer a comprehensive look at the defining moments in our nation’s history.
Arkansas Art Trail
The Arkansas Art Trail (Arkansas, USA)
More than just an arts trail, the Arkansas Art Trail connects the scenic beauty of the Ozarks with historic architecture and local heritage sites. Cutting through Eureka Springs — listed as one of the top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America — the Trail was created to celebrate the place where nature and culture meet. Be sure to visit or stay at the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, complete with horse-drawn carriage rides and nightly ghost tours.
Great River Road Wine Trail
Great River Road Wine Trail (Mississippi River, USA)
The Great River Road Wine Trail doesn’t just celebrate wine, it honors the bluff lands of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa where the vineyards are located. These lands, “filled with millions of years of geologic history [and] centuries of human habitation,” have also become home to the world’s newest wine producing regions. More than 50 wineries dot the Upper Mississippi River Valley (UMRV) region, with ten of them listed on the Trail. Wine produced from grapes in this region are labeled “Estate Grown” wines. In addition to wine, the Trail features lots of charming small towns all with great eats, ranging from farm-to-table dining to soul food.
NoQuisi cultural Corridor
Noquisi Cultural Corridor (Multi-State, USA)
When is a trail not a trail? When it’s a corridor. The Noquisi Cultural Corridor celebrates Cherokee heritage across several states and connects cultural, historical, and natural landmarks. You can visit museums, artisan shops, and sacred sites, all while learning about the rich cultural legacy of the Cherokee people. Learn more at Noquisi.org.
Dumpling Trail
Dumpling Trail (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)
Dim sum lovers unite. Then grab your chopsticks and head over to Richmond, British Columbia. The celebrated Dumpling Trail. Some 17 eateries are boiling, steaming, and frying up dumplings along what CNN called one of the world’s most enticing food and drink trails.
Each of these trails offers more than just another sightseeing opportunity—they open the door to experiencing culture in its most authentic form or flavor. Whether you’re interested in taking a deeper dive into the traditions of a region, or you want to explore something brand new, cultural trails are a perfect way to understand a place on a deeper level.
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