TAKE 5 Will Travel FOR FOOD

Pack your bags—and your appetite. From tart cherries to fiery chiles, these straightfrom-the-farm foods across the country are well worth building a trip around.

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Cherries in Door County, Wisconsin

If there were a periodic table for destinations based on their best-known foods, Door County, WI, would be listed under "Ch" for cherries.
Dubbed Cherryland, U.S.A., the county, which sits on the peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, is home to some 2,500 acres of orchards. During the short peak season for tart cherries (mid-July to early August), those trees, along with 300 miles of diverse shoreline, make the area a huge draw for vacationers. Spend time on the water or visit one of the many arts destinations—check out Edgewood Orchard Galleries and The Hardy Gallery, in particular. Then get your fill of as many cherry-inflected culinary delights as you can.

In Fish Creek, treat yourself to the cherry-stuffed French toast at The White Gull Inn before strolling the shops along Main Street. Or head to Lautenbach’s Orchard to pick your own fruit for pie-making or a batch of Door County bounce (cherries and sugar steeped in brandy). While you’re there, sample one of several cherry wines and try your skill at the Cherry Pit Spit. Grab a patio table at Thyme in Sister Bay and dig into the local whitefish dip served with Door County cherry mustard or order the fried cheese curds with a side of cherry BBQ sauce for dipping. Take in the views from the water on a Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tour, then make a pit stop at Wilson’s, a quintessential soda fountain in Ephraim, to share an Eagle Harbor Perfection sundae with hot fudge and Door County cherry sauce.

STAY HERE: With large, contemporary Scandi rooms, The Dörr in Sister Bay is a comfortably chic spot to tuck in. For a more casual vibe, Fish Creek offers two nicely renovated motel options—Cedar Court Inn and Fresh Coast Motel—within walking distance of shops and restaurants. —Oma Blaise Ford