Eco-Tourism
Some states have their own tourism websites, usually called oyster trails, where they list restaurants, dealers, retail outlets and farms where you can buy oysters and learn about aquaculture and sustainability.
ECSGA maintains a listing of member shellfish farms all along the East Coast that offer farm tours. Just visit our Buy Shellfish page and select "farm tours" from the drop-down menu for type of shellfish or services.
Alabama
One of Alabama's oyster trails is sponsored by the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program. It takes the form of a scavenger hunt through Mobile and Baldwin Counties. The trail is marked by giant, 4-foot oysters painted by local artists.
Alabama
A second Alabama oyster trail winds through the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach communities.
Louisiana Oyster Trail
The focus is on Jefferson Parish restaurants serving Louisiana Oysters, each sporting a 3-foot tall oyster sculpture hand-painted with flair by a local artist. The trail extends from restaurants in the metropolitan areas surrounding Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in Grand Isle.
Maine
The Maine Oyster Trail is an interactive guide that connects you to Maine oyster farms, their products, and Maine businesses that offer authentic oyster experiences. Use the digital Oyster Passport to check in at various locations along the Trail and earn free swag!
Maryland Crab and Oyster Trail
The focus is on southern Maryland and features more than 50 restaurants, farms and markets.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Oyster Trail has information on farm tours, restaurants, seafood markets, education, the arts, festivals and events.
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island oyster trail lists farms, restaurants and events featuring oysters in the ocean state, as well as an index to the different varieties (brands) that are grown.
South Carolina
South Carolina's Low Country Oyster Trail is an experiential tourism, economic development, and environmental initiative. While the focus is on food, fun, and discovery, a portion of the profits goes towards promoting and enhancing marine ecological research, analysis, and environmental stewardship for the region.
Virginia's website features trip planning, and lists of lodging, local vineyards, breweries and restaurants, It also has a handy listing of searchable categories for eco-adventures and facility tours showcasing Virginia oysters.