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Family travel hub  >  Planning a family vacation  >  Fun and delicious… ideas

Fun and delicious family foodie vacation ideas

March 15, 2024 • 5 min read
Food is a big part of traveling — some would argue the best part. From food halls to food trucks to gourmet markets, there’s no better way to expand your kids’ culinary horizons. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas for family foodie vacations across the US that include plenty to do when you’re not eating, too.

Points of interest

  • Brunch and lunch are generally easier to eat out with kids
  • Places like breweries and food trucks have space for kids to run around
  • When getting kids to try new cuisine, limit snacks in the hours before mealtime
Top-down view of a young family enjoying a meal at a beachy picnic table.

Amazing Southern fare: Charleston, South Carolina

You might mistake Charleston for a European city, with its pastel-hued facades and cobblestone streets. There’s so much to do with the family here, whether you want to pose next to a giant pineapple fountain, grab an afternoon history lesson at Fort Sumter, or wander along the waterfront.
  • Must-try local eats. You can’t go wrong with some fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese, and they’re not hard to find here — especially for breakfast.
  • Sit and stay a while. Brunch and lunch are the perfect time of day to get out for a meal that’s a little more casual (and often more wallet-friendly). Stop by Poogan’s Porch for the southern brunch classics like She-Crab Soup or grab a table at Miller’s All Day, a modern spin on a retro diner. Edmund’s Oast is a laid back brewery with incredible sandwiches, or if you’re feeling a little fancy, pop by Leon’s Oyster Shop during the day before the dinner crowd descends.
  • Dessert, please? What’s not to love about donuts and plants in one place? Head to BKeDSHoP for fluffy, brioche donuts and pick up a plant souvenir to bring home with you.

Healthy eats (and sweets): Portland, Oregon

Portland is the best of all worlds: unreal natural wonders, big-city culture, offbeat charm, and a plethora of family vacation food ideas. Kids will love stopping to smell the many roses at the International Rose Test Garden and picking up a new book at Powell’s, the “City of Books.” Grab a vacation rental in one of the many neighborhoods that are a short walk to easy, fun food and drinks for the whole family.
  • Must-try local eats. Searching for a mouthwatering healthy snack? Hit up a local farmer’s market and grab some marionberries in the summer. If you’re open to a bit of a drive, head to a local U-Pick farm to pick your own local fruit.
  • Food cart cravings. When it comes to quick food ideas perfect for family vacations, the options in Portland are endless. However, when you’re trying new foods together, sometimes having a lot of options is a fun place to start. Go on a culinary adventure together at Lil’ America or Prost Food Cart Pod, where you can pair classic options like pizza with more adventurous ones like poutine.
  • Dessert, please? Experiment with ice cream flavors together at Cloud City ice cream, where kids will love scoops like the Sasquatch Tracks and grown-ups can try inventive flavors like Earl Grey Blueberry.
A mom wears her infant on her chest while perusing a farmers’ market.

Barbecue and eclectic cuisine: Austin, Texas

There’s so much to do in Austin from chilling in natural springs on a hot day to finding your new favorite band inside a live music venue. But it’s also one of the best places for families to eat with laid back restaurants that serve up bold flavors. Grab a vacation home near Zilker Park for easy access to Barton Springs, an awesome playground and sprawling green space — or cozy up in the quieter Hyde Park, where cafes and shops are mixed with Victorian-style homes.
  • Must-try local eats. Barbecue is kind of a big deal here. There’s always going to be some healthy debate over which spot is best, but if you’re looking for classics, take the kids to Terry Black’s or Franklin’s. And if you’re not into barbecue or looking for a vegetarian option, pop by Veracruz All Natural for breakfast and order the Migas.
  • Food truck heaven. Dare your kids to try some spicy Thai street food at the Dee Dee Thai truck, find out why pastries are such a big deal in Texas when you savor the Brisket + Cheddar kolache at Kerlaches, or grab some donuts at Gourdough’s — including The Baby Rattler with a two-foot gummy worm.
  • Dessert, please? Bring the kids to Chez Zee and grab a slice of cake or pie to split.

Okay, but… what if I have a picky eater?

Trying something new can be daunting for anyone, especially little ones. Try these ideas to make new foods a little more kid-friendly.
  1. Mix the new with the familiar.
    2.  Make sure there are always a few things your kids recognize on the plate, along with those new ones.
  2. Make sure they’re hungry.
    3. Keep pre-meal snacks to a minimum and offer a small bite of something new before they fill up on their favorites.
  3. If all else fails, try, try again.
    4.  Mix things up with the way you present the food to your kids, try it in a new context, or just give it a little time for another small taste.
  4. Welcome silliness to the table.
    5. Let little kids pick up food with their hands, tear it into bits, or just explore it for a while — it’s part of the process.
No matter what your favorite cuisine is, you can’t go wrong in these cities. Plus, traveling might inspire a new family recipe — and make the kids more open to trying out new foods at home.
Two children at a picnic look up at the sky through binoculars.

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