13 U.S. Towns That Will Make You Think You’re Strolling Through Europe
Some towns in America look as European as the cities in Europe, complete with stone-paved streets, old-world architecture, and fairy-tale Christmas markets—Whether you want a taste of the cozy Swiss village or the idyllic French countryside, these towns will transport you to Europe.
Every one of these delivers you to another world where you can embody the spirit of Europe’s most popular states. From the rustic alpine-style towns to cute little towns by the ocean’s shores, these towns will likely give you the impression you’re in another part of the continent.
Leavenworth, Washington
Situated in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is a picturesque town whose design looks like it was borrowed from the Bavarian Alps. Timber-framed structures, joyous celebrations, and strictly German meals make the town magical. Do not leave without witnessing the Christmas Lighting Festival, where the town turns into a lighted city.
Solvang, California
Solvang is famously called the “Danish Capital of America,” visitors are guaranteed an authentic Danish experience. Walk alongside streets featuring windmills, bakeries, and shops with products from northern countries. It hosts an annual Danish Days festival where you will find folk dancers and serve æbleskiver.
New Glarus, Wisconsin
New Glarus is often dubbed “America’s Little Switzerland” because many of the town’s buildings are built in the distinctive Swiss style. People can then take time to look at the main attraction area at the Swiss Historical Village Museum or taste an authentic Swiss meal that the country’s restaurants have to offer. You should taste fresh beer; it has the name of a town of Swiss origin.
Holland, Michigan
Holland, located in the US, has many features similar to the Netherlands, such as tulip gardens, windmills, and buildings. The Tulip Time Festival, which takes place annually, offers tourists colorful fields of tulips and shows of Dutch culture. For a complete Dutch experience, a visit to Windmill Island Gardens is compulsory.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a historic city founded by the Spanish in 1565, making it the oldest city in the US. Afterward, stroll around open, cobbled stone roads and marvel at the historical Spanish–Mediterranean Revival structures, such as the Castillo de San Marcos. The Nights of Lights festival is indeed one of the best things about the city, as the whole city turns into a glow during the festive season.
Pella, Iowa
Pella is among the smallest Iowa cities, but it seems exceptionally popular for its Dutch roots. The Tulip Time festival is the right time for this town, which is flooded with thousands of blooming tulips in the spring. Flowers are grown all around, bakeries give the appearance of a traditional Dutch town, and there is even a half-built windmill!
Helen, Georgia
The fantasy of Bavaria is set up in a Von-Herrnhausen city in Georgia, a real village christened Helen. Self-service restaurants that resemble German Bier estates, quaint shops, and pretty streets with cobblestone streets make Helen a true European-style resort. Oktoberfest has been celebrated in the town for many years, and the festivals here are considered one of the oldest in the United States.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Favored as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” it has a Christmas in July festival and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store. If you eat Bavarian food at any big eateries, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery by taking a riverboat ride.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea has a European flare, with storybook-type houses, art galleries, and curbed streets. There is a lot of artistic activity and beautiful beaches, and people can shop in a rather peculiar manner here.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg is a beautiful city that combines German culture and Texas traditions. People who like wine and good food and enjoy the atmosphere of German festivals will be delighted with this town. Main Street of Colorado has shops, restaurants, and breweries that embrace the German influence in the city.
Vail, Colorado
Vail has a very European alpine feel, particularly in winter, as everything turns to snow. The architecture of many buildings is chalet, the skiing and snowboarding slopes are first-rate, and the lodges are aesthetic and comfortable to give a true European alpine atmosphere. The scenery of après skis is also warm with cocktails and enthusiastic discussions at Vail.
Montpelier, Vermont
It may be a small town named Montpelier, but with its French-sounding name and New England architecture, you’ll feel like you’re in Europe, not the Green Mountains. Due to a range of facility and coordination issues, the town’s historical downtown is imbued with the comfort of local officers, cafés, and artisan shops, which makes the town especially welcoming in the autumn and winter seasons.
Napa Valley, California
The beautiful wine landscape with slopes and hills that resemble Italian wine regions, especially Tuscany, is found in Napa Valley. This one is for the lovers of wine and wine-and-food pairing as it spotlights beautiful landscapes, excellent wine producers, and fine dining. A visit to Napa is like a picturesque countryside tour of Italy with great wines to boot.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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