Ice Cream Potato

Location: Boise, ID
What It Is: The dessert consists of vanilla ice cream formed into the shape of a potato and rolled in cocoa. After some time in the freezer, the potato is sliced open and topped with whipped cream, crushed chocolate cookies and nuts on top. Chef Lou Aaron created this Idaho icon for his West Side Drive-In, located in downtown Boise.

Up Next: Sushi Pizza

Sushi Pizza

Location: Milford, PA
What It Is: Bar Louis (in Hotel Fauchere) makes sushi pizza with Ahi tuna, spicy tobikko sauce and a tempura rice crust. Prepared by Executive Chef, Michael Glatz, the dish can be ordered as the main dish for $18 or requested as an appetizer and served in as three-minis for $12.


Up Next: Meat Pies

Meat Pies

Location: Natchitoches, LA
What It Is: Created in Natchitoches in the late-1700s, the meat pie was once a common street food. Now they're available at restaurants and festivals throughout the state. One of the biggest festivals is the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival. Each fall, cooks compete in recipe contests, gourmands battle to see who can consume the most pies, and triathletes vie for the top spot in the Meat Pie Tri.

Up Next: Taffy

History of Salt Water Taffy

Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Story: One night in 1880, as the story goes, Mr. Bradley's candy stand on the Boardwalk was swamped by a storm. The next day, when a child asked for some taffy, he replied sarcastically, "You mean Salt Water Taffy, don't you?" And just like taffy to teeth, the name stuck. James' Original Salt Water Taffy was developed with a recipe that would no longer "pull out the teeth." Some of the original makers are still staples along the Atlantic City Boardwalk.


Up Next: Avocado Capital

Avocado Capital

Location: San Diego, CA
Reason: San Diego is America's avocado capital and produces over 300 million pounds of avocadoes each year. Some local restaurants make fresh-made guacamole in front of the diners, using a molcajete (traditional Mexican mortar and pestle).

Up Next: Grits a Ya Ya

Grits a Ya Ya

Location: Pensacola, FL
Details Pensacola serves an abundance of seafood with a little Southern hospitality. Entrees include shrimp, fried crab claws, fried mullet, and blackened red fish, served with Southern sides such as fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, collard greens and black-eyed peas. One of the famous dishes is the Grits a ya ya (jumbo shrimp served over savory gouda cheese grits).

Up Next: Aebleskiver

Aebleskiver

Location: Solvang, CA
What It Is: Danish heritage favorites include aebleskiver (light and airy pancake balls dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam), frikadeller (meatballs), medisterpølse (Danish sausage), rødkaal (red cabbage), the smorgaasbord (buffet), kringles, marzipan, and almond rings.


Up Next: Sorghum Syrup

Sorghum Syrup

Location: Blairsville, GA
What It Is: In early October, the farmers start cutting and stripping the cane, and before November comes, thousands of gallons of syrup are ready to enjoy. The special flavor that comes from the soil, the mountain temperature, the gentle winds and the syrup makers of Union County.

Up Next: Dewberry Capital

Dewberry Capital

Location: Cameron, NC
Details: The Lucretia Dewberry was introduced in 1892. This cultivated blackberry was grown around Cameron. Cameron became the dewberry capital of the world attracting buyers from as far away as Florida. Cameron still has a variety of dewberry goodies for you to enjoy.

Up Next: Brunswick Stew

Brunswick Stew

Location: Brunswick, GA
What It Is: Recipes for this hearty, tomato-based concoction are as different as the chefs that prepare it, but typically include chicken, beef, pork and various vegetables. During the annual Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee in October, teams come from far and wide to vie for the honor of serving the "Best Brunswick Stew," in peoples' choice and judged competition. This traditional small-town festival features a menu of fun activities including a road race, pet parade, live entertainment and more.

Up Next: Ball Park Peanuts

Ball Park Peanuts

Location: Delaware
Details: Hot roasted peanuts in the baseball stadiums all but disappeared in the late 1980's during a peanut drought. Delaware North Companies is now re-introducing hot roasted peanuts at eight Major League Ballparks across the country.


Up Next: Pepperoni Rolls

Pepperoni Rolls

Location: Fairmont, WV
What It Is: Pepperoni rolls are made of spicy pepperoni encased in a soft chewy dough. For those wanting an extra zing, add pepper jack cheese. It was originally created as portable fare for coal miners in North Central West Virginia by Guiseppe "Joseph" Argiro, owner of the Country Club Bakery, in the 1920's.

Up Next: Hot Doug's

Hot Doug's

Location: Chicago, IL
What It Is: The modest exterior of Hot Doug's (full name: The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium) is frequently flocked by a crowd of devotees lined up around the block. Dozens of sausage choices change daily, offering unexpected meats like kangaroo, boar, duck, antelope and rabbit paired with exotic cheeses, imaginative sauces, and even more imaginative names. Staples like the classic Chicago-style dog ensure there's always something for the more traditional "encased meats" enthusiast.

Up Next: Ben's Chili Bowl

Ben's Chili Bowl

Location: Washington D.C.
What It Is: It's hard for city residents and visitors to stray far from a DC "power lunch" at Ben's Chili Bowl, home of Washington's signature dish, the chili half-smoke. Ben's is a favorite of Bill Cosby, who often took his wife Camille there when they were dating in the 60's. Located in the U Street corridor of DC, this casual neighborhood staple also played host to musicians like Cab Calloway and Ella Fitzgerald. Vegetarians need not beware -- Ben's also offers veggie dogs.

Up Next: Fusion

Fusion Of Spanish, Filipino, and Pacific Cuisine

Location: Guam
What It Is: Delicacies include whole roast pig, tropical fruits, yams, taro, coconut crabs, and red. Barbecue specialties include reef fish, sausages, ribs, chicken, breadfruit, and tortillas. To transform dishes into Chamorro meal, request finadene, a piquant sauce packed with local chili peppers, soy sauce, lemon juice, and onions.


Up Next: Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk Pie

Location: Rutledge, GA
What It Is: In downtown Rutledge you will find "Yesterday's Cafe", which is famous for it's truly local Southern dish (an old African American recipe passed down through generations) -- buttermilk pie. Last November, this buttermilk pie recipe won first place in Good Morning America's Best Bites Challenge.

Up Next: Voodoo Doughnut

Pitchfork Fondue

Location: Medora, ND
What It Is: Deep in the heart of the North Dakota Badlands, rib-eye steaks are speared with pitchfork prongs and simmered in a juicy cowboy cauldron. Savor your steaks in a family-friendly venue that overlooks the scenic Badlands and the historic town of Medora. You'll experience the west with all five senses as the members of the Medora Musical cap the night with a serenade of western songs.

Up Next: More National Tourism Week Features

Find inspiration and get great getaway ideas on AOL Travel.

• More About National Tourism Week


• Beautiful Boardwalks in the USA


• Fun Theme Parks


• Local Arts & Culture in the USA


• Unique Museums Across America


• Unusual Zoos and Aquariums


• Weird and Wacky Landmarks