Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are perhaps the most well-known towns in Pennsylvania (along with Scranton, like any fan of Office will tell you), but there is a world of opportunity to be found in the vast expanses of land between these iconic urban centers. With over 46,000 square miles to explore, choosing a route through this huge state can seem like a daunting task, but luckily there’s a new food-focused platform that’s perfect for any first-time visitor to Pennsylvania.

Launched in September 2021, Visit PA’s Culinary Trails program features a host of unique itineraries designed to thoroughly familiarize newcomers with every inch of the Commonwealth’s food and drink scene. “From sweet bologna to scrapple, spit to ciders, Pennsylvania history comes to life through the local dishes, recipes and culinary traditions captured on our culinary trails,” says Carrie Fischer Lepore, assistant marketing secretary, of Tourism and Cinema in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “We pride ourselves on sharing our strong culinary heritage with tourists and locals and providing them with an understanding of Pennsylvania’s identity through the small businesses and vendors who have carried on the unique Commonwealth culinary traditions for generations.”

There are plenty of salty and sweet snacks to discover on every trail, but these routes aren’t limited to just food. Behind every road lies a rich cultural tapestry that dates back centuries, echoing customs and traditions that have been respected throughout Pennsylvania for generations. On a journey through the Deli Trail, guests can learn about the history of Lebanese bologna – a beef-based cured sausage first created in Lebanon County in the 1700s – or sample spicy elk jerky straight from the source in Elk County.

Along with these savory selections, there’s a sweet treat that can be found in abundance on the Fermented Trail: a certain sassafras drink called root beer. This beloved American soda is an entirely Pennsylvanian invention, created in the 1870s by pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires. At the opposite end of the flavor spectrum, an equally beloved Pennsylvanian dish exists in the form of sauerkraut. Although this pickled cabbage product was probably first invented in East Asia, it became a culinary staple of Pennsylvania in the 1700s thanks to the high concentration of German settlers in the area, and by the 1900s it had swept across the country.

For a truly unique perspective on the state, visitors can combine their culinary tour with a second non-food itinerary. One particularly relevant option is the Biden Trail, a route that highlights some of the most important landmarks associated with the first lady from Pennsylvania and the 46th President of the United States, with several stops through Scranton and Philadelphia from start to finish. . For best results, pair this trip to the Commonwealth Ice Cream Trail as an ode to President Joe Biden, a big supporter of chocolate chips.

Whether you’re planning to go apple-picking in the crisp fall air, beat the summer heat with freshly churned vanilla ice cream, or escape the winter wind with a cup of hot cider, there is a culinary trail perfectly suited to all possible visitors. From the idyllic shore of Lake Erie to the shores of the Delaware River, Pennsylvania is a treasure trove of fascinating cafes, taverns and pubs begging to be explored.