Digesting the local culture
Published by Christopher Staten on 5.29.2008 at 4:58 p.m.Every city has its own spin on touring. You can take ghost tours in New Orleans, gawk at monuments in Washington, D.C. or follow the star map in Los Angeles. But there’s one delectable theme any major city can feature: food.
Milwaukee’s epicurean walking tours attract foodies from around the country. Narrated by a guide, the tour features edible selections from local Italian bakeries, herb specialty shops, a sausage maker and a Wisconsin cheese shop. As an added bonus, the tour strolls down the fictional street of “Laverne & Shirley,” highlights local entertainment hot spots and offers a sampling of locally brewed beers. What more could you ask for? The tours run Fridays and Saturdays from June through September and are recommended for visitors at the beginning of their stay. www.milwaukeefoodtours.com.
Equally as enticing, Philadelphia regularly puts out an eclectic spread for its visitors during the Center City Food Lovers’ Tour. Four days a week, the tour takes visitors to tastings of imported cheeses, chocolates and teas and coffees. For Father’s Day, a new tour has been added to the list: the Beer and Food Tour. A great gift for any Dad, the tour kicks off with a variety of cheese tastings at the Old City Cheese Shop. The tour then makes its way to Triumph Brewing Company where a beer expert will not only serve eight flights of beer, but discuss brewing techniques, food pairings and beer styles. www.cityfoodtours.com.