10 Awesome Boozy Travel Experiences in the U.S.

See recent posts by Jordi Lippe-McGraw

Photo courtesy of Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski

Photo courtesy of Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski

In a recent survey conducted by American Express, 72 percent of participants said they would rather invest in experiences than material things. In 2016, Skift found that those experiences have largely revolved around spirits, craft beers, and other adult beverages. In response, several destinations and hotels around the U.S. are launching boozy trips as a different way for travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture. Here, we rounded up 10 of those awesome alcohol-inspired adventures.

1. Bucks County Wine Trail

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Experience Napa on the East Coast thanks to the Bucks County Wine Trail, which features nine unique wineries. Stop by New Hope Winery, which is housed in an old red barn, Buckingham Valley Vineyards, which produces their own special sparkling wine, and Crossing Vineyards and Winery, which is located less than a mile from where George Washington crossed the Delaware in 1776. Visitors can also sip vino at Sand Castle Winery, which is situated along the Delaware River. If you’re a beer drinker, don’t fret. Follow the Bucks County Ale Trail, which includes various distilleries and breweries like The Proper Brewing Company and Hewn Spirits.

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2. Rum Runners Package

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If there’s one city that knows how to do drinking right it’s New Orleans. To honor the city’s boozy heritage the 167-room Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery created the Rum Runners package, which includes a tour of Old New Orleans Rum Distillery. Located in the Ninth Ward, this spot was dreamt up by a local artist. Enjoy a cocktail before the tour, then visit the tasting room, where you can sample each of the products. To keep the fun going, guests will also score a bottle of Gingeroo to guzzle back in the room.

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3. Room with a Brew

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Those who plan on staying in Hotel Max‘s king, two bed, or studio suite rooms will have the chance to enjoy a private kegerator filled with their choice of The Pike Brewing Company’s Kilt Lifter, IPA, Naughty Nellie, or Pale Ale. Two 20-ounce Pike Brewing pint glasses, which you can keep as a souvenir, are also included.

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4. Cooperstown Beverage Trail

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There’s more to Cooperstown than the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Once the hops-growing capital of North America, this New York destination now boasts breweries, wineries, a distillery, and a historic cider mill. The beverage trail is comprised of several of these establishments, including Bear Pond Winery, Cooperstown Brewing Company, Rustic Ridge Winery, Cooperstown Distillery, Pail Shop Vineyards, and more. Expect tastings and a lesson on how the beverages are made at each spot.

5. Elkins Distilling Co.

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Estes Park has had a recent surge in brand-new breweries and distilleries. One of these newbies is Elkins Distilling Co., a whiskey distillery that opened this summer. This spot is known for high-altitude distilling, a process that’s slightly different than what occurs at lower elevations. The resulting taste is even different. This area is also home to the Stanley Hotel, which houses Colorado’s largest whiskey collection with more than 1,000 labels. Here, guests can indulge in whiskey tasting and pairing lessons. 

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6. Après All Day Package

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Waldorf Astoria Park City’s new Après All Day offering takes guests on a journey through the city’s best whiskey, beer, and wine. Start the day with a meal and morning tour at Park City Brewery, led by the brewmaster himself. Next up: head to High West Distillery for a whiskey-pairing lunch and behind-the-scenes tour of the property. This is followed up by a visit to Old Town Cellars for a wine flight and tasting experience. Finally, cap off the day at Powder, where chef Ryker serves up a menu that compliments your favorite wines from Old Town Cellars. 

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7. From Boots to Booze Men's Pedicure

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What’s better than a spa? A spa with booze-inspired treatments. The Four Seasons in Vail offers a foot treatment that begins with a Bourbon Bubbler scrub, which combines brown sugar and real Kentucky whiskey. The service, which is perfect after a hike or bike ride, relaxes sore feet and muscles. A soothing avocado hydration mask is then applied to the feet while guests sip on local bourbon or rye whiskey. A hot-stone massage and pedicure top off the experience. 

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8. JW Marriott Beer City USA Package

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Grand Rapids, which holds the title of Beer City USA, boasts some of the best brews in the country. Luckily, you’ll get to experience it all with the Beer City USA package from JW Marriott. Upon arrival, guests will receive four local beers along with a Beer City passport. Those who venture to all breweries listed will be awarded an exclusive Beer City T-shirt — as if you needed another excuse to drink.

9. Kentucky Bourbon Trail

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Get acquainted with the history behind bourbon (a.k.a. America’s native spirit). Guests will get an up close and personal look at what goes into crafting the booze through tours and tastings at several distilleries like Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve, and more. Some of the distilleries even date back to the mid-1800s. 

10. The Traveller Bar

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Loews Hotels has launched The Traveller Bar, a pop-up bar that’s constructed from an old elevator car and will visit each of the Loews Hotels’ 24 properties. Equipped with nearly 50 vintage recipe books, the bar doles out cocktails that are inspired by concoctions that date back to 1862. The Traveller Bar is currently visiting Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and will be there until September 3. It will then make its way to Loews Hollywood Hotel. Stop by for a drink before it’s too late.

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