Abby Price

In Boise, Idaho, potatoes aren't just a side dish. They're the star of an entire food trail, with participating restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and other local businesses finding creative ways to celebrate the state's most famous crop. “Idaho is widely known for potatoes, and Boise’s chefs, brewers, and bakers are incredibly creative in how they use the state’s iconic vegetable,” says Carrie Hughes, executive director of Visit Boise. The organization launched the Boise Potato Trail in September 2023 to celebrate Idaho’s agricultural heritage and give visitors an easy way to discover the many ways they can indulge in potatoes while visiting the city. RECOMMENDED: This New Mexico City has one of the most unique cocktail trails in the U.S.—and it’s rooted in 400 years of history The Boise Idaho Potato Trail invites visitors to sample potato-inspired dishes around the city, from a cinnamon-sugar donut made with Idaho potatoes to fries, pizza, and even an ice cream dessert that looks like a baked potato. Visitors can follow the trail with the Boise Potato Trail Pass and check in at participating stops along the way. Photograph: Courtesy Traveling SpudWylder With more than 20 stops to choose from, you don't have to visit every business to get a taste of the trail. “The trail is self-guided, so visitors can build their own route based on their taste buds,” Hughes says. Visit Boise recommends picking a neighborhood, exploring on foot, and enjoying a couple of stops at a time. Wit

Driving into Santa Fe feels completely different from what you might expect, especially the first time. Even before you reach the city, the drive begins to reflect Santa Fe’s blend of landscape, culture, and culinary traditions embodied by the Margarita Trail. As the miles pass by, the landscape slowly shifts into something that feels entirely its own. While many travelers imagine the region as an endless desert, Santa Fe’s high elevation, sitting more than 7,000 feet above sea level, creates a surprisingly lush environment filled with rolling grasslands, piñon trees, and four distinct seasons. RECOMMENDED: These are the 12 best wine vacations in the U.S. for a crush-worthy vacation The farther you drive, the more dramatic the backdrop becomes, with the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising in the distance. At the same time, adobe homes and earthy-toned buildings begin appearing along the roadside. By the time you reach the heart of the city, it feels as though you’ve stepped into another world entirely, one shaped by centuries of art, heritage, and tradition, unlike anywhere else in the United States. It’s also what makes the Santa Fe Margarita Trail feel less like a tourist attraction and more like an extension of daily life in the city. Photograph: New Mexico TrueSanta Fe, New Mexico In a city where creativity and culture spill into nearly every corner, even something as simple as ordering a margarita becomes an experience rooted in storytelling, local ingredients,