5 of the Most Interesting Food Museums in the United States

If you’re searching for somewhere fun and educational to visit, look no further than a food museum. Often focusing on a single culinary item, these houses of knowledge will fill your brain with fun facts while also stimulating your appetite. After you’ve reached your education quota for the day, indulge in a delicious meal knowing you earned it. The following 5 food and beverage museums are just few of the many in the United States that are worth visiting.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum – New Orleans, LA

Dedicated to educating visitors about traditional U.S. Southern cuisine, this museum features a wide range of unique exhibits and artifacts. It regularly hosts tastings, lectures, demonstrations, and special exhibits. Perfect for any foodie who fancies southern food, the Southern Food and Beverage Museum houses Toups South—a 2,000-square-foot restaurant that serves southern classics while also acting as a living exhibit.

The museum has both permanent and rotating exhibits. So even if you’ve visited before, there’s nearly always something new there that you haven’t seen. For younger visitors, the Southern Food and Beverage Museum offers a “Kids in the Kitchen” program. A bi-monthly opportunity for children ages 7-11, “Kids in the Kitchen” provides hands-on cooking training. “Master Classes” are for kids aged 11-13 and provide more detailed culinary training.   

The Museum of the American Cocktail – New Orleans, LA

For adults who crave a more beverage-based experienced, The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) is located right next door to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. The MOTAC focuses on mixology principles while also stressing responsible drinking. Included in the museum is an exhibited dedicated to New Orleans prohibition between the years of 1919-1933.

The SPAM Museum – St. Austin, MN

Ever wonder what goes into the miraculous piece of meat that’s best known as SPAM? If you have, then The SPAM Museum is well worth a visit. Located in St. Austin, Minnesota, the museum celebrates the magical mystery meat that first appeared in 1937 and quickly became a world-wide sensation.

With a variety of educational and interactive exhibits, The SPAM Museum offers a distinctly unique experience. Its friendly SPAMbassadors help guide you around the facility, while one special wall allows you to answer the question, “How many SPAM cans tall are you?” But perhaps the best part of the SPAM Museum is it’s free!

Idaho Potato Museum – Blackfood, ID

It only makes sense that America’s most prominent potato museum would be located in Idaho. Greeting visitors with an enormous potato sculpture, the Idaho Potato Museum immediately sets the tone for a fun day of learning. Information about potato history, nutrition, and both the growing and harvest processes are ubiquitous throughout the museum. The museum’s curriculum covers everything from the first potato planted in Idaho to the largest potato crisp manufactured by the Pringle’s Company in Jackson, Tennessee.

Located within the museum, the Potato Station Café allows visitors to indulge in a meal once they’ve finished the tour. In addition to offering classic baked potatoes and French fries, the café also carries delicacies like potato cupcakes and potato ice cream. If you’re going to opt for a baked potato, make sure to order at least 2 hours in advance since, as it takes time to cook a perfect potato. Be certain to also stop by the gift shop and browse its collection of potato-related souvenirs.

National Mustard Museum – Middleton, WI

Mustard aficionados should accept no substitutes. Founder Barry Levenson came up with the idea after his beloved Boston Red Sox blew the 1986 World Series and he was left to ponder the meaning of life. A late-night supermarket run gave him the answer: mustard!

The National Mustard Museum is home to over 5,992 mustards that have been gathered from all 50 states and over 70 different countries. Included in the museum’s collection are modern jars, antique tins, and vintage advertisements. Admission is free, and the museum always goes all out for National Mustard Day, which is August 4^th this year.