Originally published in Travel + Leisure.

8 Best Places to Visit in the U.S. for Cheese Lovers—With Cheese Vending Machines and Creameries You Can Visit

From Wisconsin’s cheese curds to Vermont’s artisan cheddar, these are the best U.S. destinations for cheese lovers, according to industry experts.

By Kristine Hansen

Various wheels of cheese on wooden shelves in a storage room a wedge of cheese placed in front

A shelf filled with large cheese wheels.Credit: 

Volodymyr Herasymov/Adobe Stock

Whether it’s a tiny town or bustling metropolis, what makes a destination ideal for cheese-craving travelers isn’t just a restaurant with a swoon-worthy cheese plate or a market’s tightly curated cheese stash. It’s cheese that’s locally sourced, from creameries that open their doors for tours and tastings (you might even meet the cheesemaker, and perhaps the sheep, goats, and cows that provide the milk) to cheesemongers who work tirelessly to stock the best hard-to-find fromage. Here’s where to go in the U.S. to satisfy your palate for cheese—no passport required.

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Salt Lake City, Utah

A wooden board with slices of Barely Buzzed cheese blackberries and almonds alongside a glass of red wine

A cheese platter featuring Beehive Cheese in Salt Lake City.

Beehive Cheese

Utah’s capital city is a mecca for exploring artisan cheese at farmsteads in its outlying areas, such as the creamery on Ballerina Farm in Kamas (founded by influencer Hannah Neeleman) and Heber Valley Cheese in Midway (which also hosts farm tours). Base-camping in Salt Lake City also means you can try cheese with every meal. “If you’re a cheese lover who’s looking to learn more, the best place to go is Caputo’s,” says Kolbie Peterson, the Salt Lake Tribune‘s food and drink reporter. “All of their employees are so knowledgeable and helpful. Caputo’s also has designated cheese caves, where they do magical things with cheese.” Another Salt Lake City hot spot for cheese is Beehive Cheese‘s stand at The Mercantile.

Visit Salt Lake (VSL) is the private, nonprofit Destination Sales & Experience Organization (DSXO) dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and activating conventions, meetings, sporting events and leisure travel that fuels the region’s visitor economy. In partnership with Salt Lake County, hoteliers, members and public-sector stakeholders, VSL helps generate $6.15 billion in annual visitor spending, $575 million in direct tax revenue and $1,700 in household tax savings while supporting more than 56,000 jobs. By championing Salt Lake's authentic urban-meets-mountain identity, VSL creates transformative experiences that benefit the community and visitors alike. For more information, visit www.VisitSaltLake.com.