Cheesemakers around the United States are creating tasty goat cheeses, rich, sharp cheddars, mellow brie, and various other types. There’s a cheese for basically everyone, whether you like it plain, on toast, with fruit or chocolate, or in velvety mac & cheese. Artisan cheese stores, cheese trails, festivals, and workshops are available in addition to the products of these cheesemakers. Here are the best places in the USA you must see if you are a cheese lover!
Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a must for every cheese-related list, and we could include the whole state, but it’s pretty big! Madison is the place to go if you want to cover most of Wisconsin’s cheeses. Specialty cheesemakers, artisan cheese stores, and many restaurants are scattered all across the state capital. Many varieties of cheese from all across the state (and further) are readily available on virtually every corner. What makes Madison unique is that they also have many new small breweries that go great with all of that cheese. You also have to try a batch of Wisconsin cheese curds while you are in Madison!
New Orleans, Louisiana
Home of the blues and buttermilk chicken is also proud to have a lot of delicious cheese. New Orleans is also famous for its beignets and smoky coffee (both of which you should try), but it has also become a gastronomic haven in recent years. New Orleans is wonderful for a weekend trip, with many brewers, bakers, and cheesemakers waiting for you to try their products. You can easily find restaurants selling elegant cheese boards, informal cheese tastings, and stores specializing in all things cheese throughout the city. You can even visit a cheese farm if you travel just outside of the city. New Orleans has many things to offer to pair with cheese, and that’s why it’s one of the best places in the USA you must see if you are a cheese lover!
New York City, New York
In New York City, you can’t travel very far without encountering cheese. Every possible sort of cheese can easily be found here, from goat to vegan and back. Locals from Manhattan argue that the best cheese can be found at the Ideal Cheese Shop on 1st Avenue, with many imported kinds of cheese and other delicacies. However, if you are here for the first time, there are many things to do in NYC as a newcomer besides eating cheese. You must go roaming through Manhattan; even if you go through it randomly, you will run into many beautiful places. A great view of the whole of NYC is offered from the top of the Empire State Building, and trust us; you don’t want to miss that.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Although cheese and New Mexico may not appear to go together, this state is America’s fourth-largest cheese producer, with around 150 dairy farms. Visit Santa Fe for a weekend of art and hiking in the area’s National Park, followed by cheese sampling at one of the area’s numerous dairies. The sheer amount of cheesemakers makes Santa Fe one of the best places in the USA you must see if you are a cheese lover, because it offers a vast diversity of different cheeses.
San Francisco, California
With so many farms within driving distance of San Francisco, it’s no surprise that the city has some fantastic cheese stores. It’s also the site of one of the Cheesemonger Invitationals, which brings together the top cheese lovers from all around the country. Cheese connoisseurs should sign up ahead of time for The Cheese School’s three-day extensive cheese course. If that’s still too much for you, the school also offers cheese tastings and pairing lessons. Alternatively, pick up some traditional San Francisco sourdough and combine it with your favorite cheese from one of the city’s many cheese shops. To burn those calories you got from eating cheese, you should consider hiking while you’re in California. There are many great hiking destinations that will allow you to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world!
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This Florida city managed to beat Philadelphia in the number of cheesesteaks made. The Philly cheesesteak in Fort Lauderdale offers many options on which cheese will be used. You can choose from a variety of cheeses ranging from regular American cheese to artisanal goudas. If you plan on visiting Fort Lauderdale, make sure to take a road trip through Florida, since it has a lot to offer. Fort Lauderdale is also home to hundreds of cheese and wine events that happen almost every day.
Vermont
This small state has a lot of cheese. Vermont has the most cheesemakers per capita of any state, and they create over 150 different types of cheese. Plan a road trip through Vermont, following the Vermont Cheese Trail, and get the most out of this cheese destination. It will take you through beautiful landscapes, tiny towns with cheese sampling, and shopping possibilities at every turn. For cheese lovers everywhere, it’s a dream come true.
In conclusion
The United States of America has a lot of cheese destinations that you should visit. The diversity of cultures and different landscapes is represented in the diversity of cheeses. That’s why you should visit all of the best places in the USA you must see if you are a cheese lover. You will get to know the whole country better, and you will experience many different cultures and beautiful landscapes during your travels!