Many of us would probably love to enjoy a European getaway but might have the time or money to make it happen. Fortunately, America is filled with some fantastic towns with a strong European influence to enjoy. These destinations offer lots of European charm to help soothe the cravings of almost any world traveler, from a Bavarian town in the Pacific Northwest to the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine boasts fabulous old-world ambiance and historic architecture that makes it feel as if it’s part of Spain rather than Florida. The oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America was founded by the Spanish in 1565, after explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed on its shores and named them after the Roman saint. Many historic buildings still stand today, like the 1672 Castillo de San Marcos, the Old City Gates and the Plaza de la Constitucion. You can even walk in Aviles’ steps at the place where he came ashore near the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park just north of Castillo de San Marcos.
Leavenworth, Washington
Set along the eastern edge of Washington State’s Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth was transformed into a Bavarian village in 1960 to promote tourism. Stroll down the main street and you might think you’d just been dropped into the Alps. While it’s famous for its Oktoberfest celebrations and Germany holiday traditions, it’s a dreamy destination year-round. Indulge in mouthwatering Bavarian cuisine paired with more beer than you’ll ever be able to finish, explore the Nutcracker Museum with its over 5,000 nutcrackers and celebrate Christmas throughout the entire month of December with the annual Christmas Lighting Festival featuring old fashioned caroling, holiday characters and endless lights.
Solvang, California
This unique town looks like it should be in Denmark, but it lies in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, about a 2.5-hour drive north of Los Angeles. The Scandinavian half-timbered architecture truly makes it feel as if it’s an authentic European village, thanks to the Danish-Americans who arrived around the turn of the 20th century. It comes complete with windmills, and plenty of odes to the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, best-known for his beloved fairy tales. Enjoy around 150 boutiques and shops to find Danish items and indulge in mouthwatering Danish pastries or Aebleskiver in one of the many bakeries. Explore the Hans Christian Andersen Museum to learn more about the author’s life and work, which includes over 3,380 tales like The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley is about as close as you’ll get to Italy’s renowned Tuscany region, with its endless rolling hills and vineyards. Castello di Amorosa Winery is a must-visit as an authentically-styled, 13th-century Tuscan castle constructed using historically accurate medieval building techniques. It functions as a winery and comes complete with a drawbridge, moat and a dungeon with a functional Renaissance-era iron maiden. The stunning frescoes in the Great Hall and Knights’ Chamber are handpainted, with roughly 8,000 tons of Napa Valley stone while the Hapsburg-era bricks, hand-forged nails, chandeliers, and 500-year-old fireplace were all imported from Europe.
Vail Village, Colorado
Vail Village was modeled after the mountain town of Zermatt in Switzerland. If you want to visit the Swiss Alps without traveling overseas, this may be the closest you can get, with its architecture boasting elaborate decorative woodwork, detailed doors and picturesque balconies. Some of the restaurants and bars serve quintessential Alpine fare while the majestic Rockies provide a similar Alps-style backdrop. Winter draws many to take advantage of the outstanding skiing, but the warmer months are ideal for treks on scenic hiking trails. Many of the lakes and streams offer world-class trout fishing too.
Montpelier, Vermont
The capital city of Vermont, Montpelier has a distinct New England feel but it’s surprisingly a lot like a village in the French countryside too. The name itself is a nod to America’s strong friendship with France during its early days, and you’ll find traditional European architecture, fabulous farmers markets and charming shops along with lush, green hills. There are plenty of restaurants serving locally-sourced cuisine, while the literary crowd makes it seem even more French-inspired.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans was settled by the French before being turned over the Spaniards, returning to the French once again before becoming part of the U.S. Some say it’s more European than any other city in the U.S., with the food, music, architecture and language all reflecting a strong French and Spanish influence. Surprisingly, the French Quarter is more Spanish, aside from a handful of buildings that still stand today, it’s known for being the most architecturally Hispanic neighborhood in the country. Savor those tasty beignets, marvel at the Old Ursuline Convent and the iron-railed Pontalba Buildings, and indulge in the rather risque nightlife that calls Paris to mind.
New Ulm, Minnesota
Minnesota is famous for its high concentration of Scandinavian-Americans, but the town of New Ulm is decidedly German with the population made up of over 50 percent German-Americans. It’s home to Schell’s Brewery, the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the U.S., founded by German immigrant August Schell, and it hosts lots of festivities celebrating German culture with plenty of German-style beer. It’s even home to a glockenspiel with bells that can be heard chiming throughout the day, the gorgeous Hermann Monument, and a genuine Turner Hall.
Tarpon Springs, Florida
One of the prettiest towns in Florida looks as if it should be in Greece. In fact, Tarpon Springs is home to the highest concentration of Greek-Americans in the country. Its history dates from the 1890s when sponge divers from Greece came to harvest the rich sponge beds. By the 1930s, in its heyday, there were more than a thousand Greeks living here. Its Greek Orthodox Church has a significant influence on the local culture, and there are lots of Greek eateries lining the sponge docks, with baklava and gyros filling the air. The color scheme of bright white and pale blue comes straight from the Greek flag.
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara sits along a stretch of Central California coast that’s referred to as the “American Riviera,” with beaches that can even rival that of coastal France, but at the same time, Santa Barbara is also reminiscent of colonial Spain. Its Mediterranean feel is accented further by the Spanish Colonial architecture with elegant streets lined with white stucco buildings that have red-tiled rooftops. One of the most popular attractions, other than the beaches, is the beautifully preserved Old Mission Santa Barbara. Plus, there are top-notch wineries, olive oil producers and lots of fabulous restaurants.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is home to the country’s oldest continually inhabited street, Elfreth’s Alley with residents living here since 1702 – in fact, there are 32 houses here built between 1728 and 1836. But it boasts a lot more than British colonial history, like the magnificent City Hall, a French Second Empire masterpiece, while the Philadelphia Museum of Art looks like a Greek temple, not to mention the significant Italian presence that gave birth to the Philly cheesesteak.
Boston, Massachusetts
The city of Boston was founded in 1630 as one of the oldest cities in the United States. Walking the narrow cobbled streets of Beacon Hill alongside the Federal-style rowhouses and gas-lit lanterns, you might have to remind yourself that you aren’t in England. Head to the North End and you’ll think you’ve reached Italy. Of course, there’s plenty of Irish too. Test your knowledge of the city’s Irish-American legacy on a guided tour along the Irish Heritage Trail to learn 300 years’ worth of interesting tidbits, including the role of the Irish in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Afterward, enjoy a pint of Guinness in one of the many Irish pubs.
Holland, Michigan
You’ll even find a Holland in America, reminiscent of the cobblestone streets and bridges in Amsterdam. This Dutch-inspired destination can be found in Michigan, named after the homeland of many of the immigrants who settled here in the 1800s. The descendants of those settlers continue to celebrate their heritage, with the annual Tulip Time Festival that draws a million visitors every year and more. It’s also home to the oldest working Dutch windmill in the country, De Zwaan.
New Glarus, Wisconsin
Recognized as “America’s Little Switzerland” by the country of Switzerland, New Glarus even shares the same name as one of Switzerland’s cantons (states), which capitalizes on cheese and chocolate. This is the place to go if you’re craving authentic fondue or Swiss chocolate, with lots of Swiss restaurants and Swiss bakeries. You can even visit the Swiss Historical Village and Museum, a cultural and educational destination that brings to life an original Swiss settlement, while the Swiss Center of America contains Swiss-American artifacts. After exploring, relax with a pint from New Glarus’s craft brewery.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Michigan also has its own Bavaria, a captivating old-world German town that plays host to the Bavarian Fest, The World Expo of Beer, Oktoberfest and the Snowfest. The creatively-crafted exhibits at the Castle Museum of Saginaw County reveal how a 19th-century French-style castle that once housed a post office became a fantastic place to find out about the area’s history. The town also hosts the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, a wealth of museums and multiple festivals with German influence.
