New and unique culinary attractions are taking place this spring and make a perfectly flavorful addition to any vacation. Book a trip to these destinations below and enjoy these food and drink trails and festivals. There’s something for everyone—from a “Southwestern Sonoma” and a fun hometown celebration, to trails featuring delectable treats and beachside beverages.
Visit Lubbock is excited to announce the launch of the Texas High Plains Wine Trail, a curated collection of local wineries and wine festivals offering participants the opportunity to explore, experience and celebrate Lubbock’s award-winning wineries. As the leading grower of Texas wine grapes, with more than 85% grown and produced in the area, the Lubbock area is a pillar in the Texas wine industry.
Participants who sign up will receive an interactive mobile pass to serve as a guide featuring a detailed map of the trail and information about each participating winery and event. Visitors to participating wineries will present a code to the cashier to earn points toward prizes and discounts. Those who visit four participating locations, earning 400 points, can redeem a one-time commemorative Texas High Plains wine and Visit Lubbock wine cork and cheese board. Each stop along the trails earns
participants 100 points. For 300 points, participants can redeem 50% off one general admission ticket to Lubbock Uncorked.
The Texas High Plains Wine Trail aims to highlight the Texas wine industry, which got its start in the High Plains. Known as the leading producer of fruit for the state, the High Plains boasts award-winning wineries, a two-time James Beard nominated winemaker – Kim McPherson – and a climate conducive to growing a hearty grape worthy of all praise. Lubbock is home to not only Clinton “Doc” McPherson, also known as the Father of Texas Wine, but to the second oldest winery in the state, Llano Estacado Winery. Here, the legacy lives on through generations of talented winemakers. Throughout the Wine Trail, guests will have the opportunity to taste the High Plains through each sip of award-winning wine while learning more about the industry.
Enjoy exclusive discounts from wineries and events including Llano Estacado Winery, Farmhouse Vineyards, McPherson Cellars and Uncorked Wine Festival. Participating wineries also include Burklee Hill Vineyards, English Newsom Winery, Idalou Harvest Co., Prairie Chick Winery & Milieu, and the McPherson Cellars’ Texas Wine, Hops & Shops Wine and Beer Festival.
For more information, click here.
Home to the last remaining Maxwell House plant in the United States, those who live and work in Jacksonville are familiar with the regular fresh brewed coffee smell Downtown. It should come as no surprise then, that Jacksonville’s cup is overflowing with local coffee shops and fresh baked donuts for everyone, especially visitors, to enjoy. That’s why Visit Jacksonville is excited to announce the new Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail!
The Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail invites coffee and donut lovers on a self-guided tour of more than 30 shops across the city, including local donut favorites Mini Bar, The Donut Shoppe and Old Soul Donuts, and quaint coffee shops like Sippers Coffeehouse, Show Pigeon Coffee and Tiki Java Jax.
Those wishing to hop on the trail can download the Visit Jax app and select the Coffee & Donuts Trail icon. By checking in at each location visited, trail participants are eligible for free coffee and donut-themed prizes from Visit Jacksonville depending on the number of places they visit.
“We regularly see new coffee and donut shops opening in Jacksonville and felt it was time to create something to help people discover those,” said Katie Mitura, chief marketing officer at Visit Jacksonville. “We are hoping the popularity of the Jax Ale Trail will flow over to the Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail as locals and visitors enjoy a freshly baked donut and fuel their day at one of our many local coffee shops.”
The collaboration with local coffee and donut shops for the new trail gives Visit Jacksonville an opportunity to promote some of the best food and beverage spots in the city while at the same time giving visitors a unique destination experience that can only be enjoyed in Jacksonville. The full list of participating businesses is available at coffeeanddonutstrail.com. The Jax Coffee & Donut Trail Passport is free and available only on the Visit Jax App. Learn more at visitjacksonville.com/jax-coffee-donuts-trail/.
Visit Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand Brewing Company are set to release Beach Easy beer, the official beer of The Beach. Beach Easy will be available beginning March 14, 2024, at Grand Strand Brewing Company and will soon be accessible at various local retailers and restaurants.
“By creating Myrtle Beach’s first-ever official beer, we’re not only highlighting the area’s growing reputation as a craft beer destination, but also inviting locals and visitors alike to enjoy a taste of our beach life, no matter where they are,” said Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Myrtle Beach. “It’s a testament to our commitment to serving our residents and promoting Myrtle Beach as the ultimate destination for relaxation, enjoyment and community, encouraging enthusiasts to experience the joy of beach living through a refreshing local beer.”
Beach Easy is an easy-drinking wheat beer that captures the essence of Myrtle Beach’s laid-back, sunny lifestyle. Epitomized by the tagline, “Be you. Be happy. Just be.,” the collaboration with Grand Strand Brewing Company is designed to showcase the unique way of living and vacationing that can easily be found along the 14 coastal communities of the Grand Strand. The can’s artwork serves as a warm, Southern welcome featuring the following invitation, “Welcome to The Beach! Here the sun is warm, time stands still and you can be your best self. Just sip this thirst-quenching liquid vacation in a can and you can have a beach day, anytime, anywhere.”
“Myrtle Beach is a very grateful beer scene. People here are really excited about beer and excited about the breweries that have opened up in the past few years,” said Clayton Burrous, Owner, Grand Strand Brewing. “This is a great time for us to grow and for our entire beer scene to do some things that are really special. And we’re excited to be part of that.”
For those looking to explore The Beach’s ever-evolving craft beer scene year-round, the Myrtle Beach Beer Trail offers a comprehensive multimedia guide featuring a dozen breweries and many beer-themed attractions. The trail is designed to take locals and visitors on a refreshing journey to the Grand Strand’s finest local breweries, brewpubs and beer experiences. Along with a printed guide, the digital passport allows participants to “check-in” at featured locations using their mobile devices to unlock exciting prizes. To learn more about the Myrtle Beach Beer Trail and the vibrant beer scene at The Beach, go to: Visitmyrtlebeach.com/beer
The annual Hastings Cabbage, Potato and Bacon Festival is back and better than ever! Held in the heart of downtown Hastings, Florida, the Festival celebrates the town’s agricultural roots through creativity and good, old-fashioned fun.
Embark on an exploration of cabbage, potato and bacon from a culinary perspective with host Chef Hari Pulapaka. On Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m., Chef Pulapaka and Chef Art Smith come together for a farm-to-table cooking demonstration and educational session. Beginning at noon, Farm to Diner, via Chef, is an intimate look at the farm-to-table journey through conversations with the area’s farmers who grow and nurture the produce guests will be sampling. The panel conversation will feature moderators Lauren Titus of Edible Northeast Florida, Chef Genie and Jeff McNally of The Floridian Restaurant, and Chef Pulapaka.
It’s finally time to eat at the Taste of Hastings! From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., festival-goers can sample an array of delectable dishes prepared by popular local chefs, including Chefs Hari Pulapaka, Genie McNally, Michael Lugo, Ned Pollack, Ellie Schultze, Dejuan Roy, Sebastian Sikora, and Rebecca Reed. Each chef will craft their own plate using cabbage, potatoes, and bacon. Tickets to the Taste of Hastings are $35 for general admission and $100 for the VIP experience and may be purchased online at www.HastingsFL.org/meet-the-chefs.
Sunday features the prestigious American Culinary Federation (ACF) Sanctioned Cooking Competition, where three accomplished chefs will showcase their skill and artistry using any or all of the three main ingredients. With all the flash and sizzle of televised cooking competitions, these chefs will race against the clock and each other to impress the judges. The ACF Sanctioned Cooking Competition begins at 1pm and tickets are $20 and may be purchased here.
The Spud Run and Cabbage Crawl Fun Run on Saturday, April 27, is a hallmark of the Festival. Athletes of all ages can take on the 5K, 10K, 15K or 1-mile Fun Run. No matter the distance, runners, walkers, and joggers can enjoy the picturesque scenery of the region’s rich agricultural landscape on a course that meanders through Hasting. Prices vary depending on distance and registration period. Runners can register here.
The Great Hastings Mow Down Lawn Mower Races are a sight to be seen! With the course running straight down North Main Street, there’s plenty of action. Racers can compete in two racing classes, Open Stock Adult (ages 18 and older) and Young Rider Open Stock (ages 15-17), with heats running from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. Mowers can then don their best decorations and join the Mow Down Parade.
Who will win the title of Potato Queen? A long-standing tradition in the Potato Capital, this pageant is a local favorite. Contestants from surrounding counties participate in age categories from newborns to 23 years of age. The contest spans Saturday and Sunday, with Baby to Tiny on Saturday, Little Miss to Miss interviews on Saturday, and the pageant on Sunday.
Artists, makers, and tantalizing bites will line North Main Street on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will offer everything from curated clothing collections and jewelry to flowers and art. The best local food trucks are serving fall-off-the-bone barbeque, fried chicken, seafood, lemonade, and more. The atmosphere is complete with live music throughout the weekend at the Bozard Stage, featuring favorites like Bad Dog Mama, Damon Slaughter, and Billy Buchanan.
Don’t miss this hometown festival that celebrates the impactful contributions of the humble cabbage, potato, and bacon. Plan your trip to Florida’s Historic Coast with our helpful trip planner.