I’ve spent years wandering cobblestoned villages in Europe (38 countries’ worth, to be exact) and I’m still surprised when a place in the U.S. gives me déjà vu. From Bavarian-style chalets in the Rockies to pastel waterfronts that could fool you for the Amalfi Coast (at least from the right angle), these American towns aren’t perfect replicas, but they carry a certain charm that feels straight out of Europe.
I’ve visited every one on this list, and while some lean a little kitschy, others genuinely made me forget I was still on U.S. soil. Whether you’re craving Old World architecture, café culture, or just a quirky weekend escape, these spots deliver a taste of Europe without the overnight flight.
Overview of towns in the US that feel like Europe
Exploring towns in the US that feel like they’re straight out of Europe offers an exciting opportunity to experience unique cultures without the need for a passport. Here’s a quick overview to get you ready for our virtual tour across America:
- Most German Town in the US: Frankenmuth, MI
- Most Dutch atmosphere: Holland, MI
- Most Scandinavian influence: Lindsborg, KS
- Most Swiss ambiance: New Glarus, WI
Ready to begin our journey? Let’s kick things off with Solvang, California, a little Danish paradise that’s like stepping into a European fairytale.
1. Solvang, California
I’ve been to Copenhagen three times, and honestly, walking through Solvang gives me those same Danish vibes without the 12-hour flight. The windmills scattered around town aren’t just for show – they actually transport you to that Scandinavian mindset I love so much.
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery is where you need to go first thing in the morning. They open at 7am and I always grab their almond tarts and butter cookies before the crowds hit. The family that runs it brought their recipes straight from Denmark in 1970, so you’re getting the real deal. I spent way too much money there on my last visit, but those Danish butter cookies are worth every penny.
The Danish Days Festival happens September 19-21 in 2025, and it’s actually pretty awesome. They have authentic folk dancing and this Viking beer garden that gets surprisingly rowdy for such a quaint town. If you’re staying mid-week between January and April 2026, hotels are offering $100 spending credits – which is perfect for wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley.
What I love most about Solvang is that it doesn’t feel fake European like some places do. The architecture is spot-on, the bakeries serve actual aebleskivers, and you can easily spend a whole day just wandering the five walkable blocks. Plus, it’s only 45 minutes from Santa Barbara, so you can hit the beach and get your European fix in one trip.
- Read next: Best Things to Do in Solvang, California
2. Holland, Michigan
Tulip Time in Holland is absolutely insane – and I mean that in the best way possible. I’ve been to Amsterdam multiple times, and when those 6 million tulips bloom here in early May, it honestly rivals what you’d see in the Netherlands.
The DeZwaan Windmill is the real star though. It’s the last working windmill they let leave Amsterdam, and you can actually tour all five floors to the top. I loved getting flour milled right there – it’s such a nerdy souvenir, but I actually baked bread with it when I got home. Regular admission is $15 for adults during Tulip Time, which is pretty reasonable considering what you get.
Windmill Island Gardens gets packed on weekends, so I always tell people to go on weekdays if possible. They open at 9am during festival season, but the parking lot fills up fast. I learned this the hard way and had to park downtown and walk a mile – which wasn’t terrible, but plan ahead.
The Dutch Dancers performing throughout downtown are actually entertaining, not cheesy like I expected. And the Tulip Immersion Garden they added is this incredible photography setup with 50,000 raised tulip beds that tells the history of tulips from Turkey to Holland to Michigan. It’s pretty genius, actually. The whole festival runs about $150 if you do the full motorcoach tour, but honestly, just walking around and seeing the free tulips in the parks is enough to get that Dutch experience I crave.
- Read next: Enchanting Places to Live in Michigan
3. Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth does the Bavarian thing so well that it sometimes feels more authentic than some places I’ve been to in actual Germany. The Alpine architecture against those Cascade Mountains is genuinely stunning, especially when they light everything up for Christmas from Thanksgiving through February.
Oktoberfest here runs October 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18 in 2025, and it’s become a legitimate festival. Tickets are $40-60 depending on what you want access to, but the Festhalle and Front Street Park venues both have great live music. They’ve got S-Bahn returning for all three weekends plus some Austrian yodelers, which is wonderfully ridiculous.
I love the Christmas Lighting Festival even more than Oktoberfest though. They keep over half a million lights up all winter long now, and there’s no more crazy crowds fighting to see them turn on. You can just show up any night and enjoy the display, which is way more civilized. The Village of Lights atmosphere with snow-covered mountains behind it genuinely reminds me of Christmas markets in Bavaria.
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Summer in Leavenworth is surprisingly great too – river tubing down the Wenatchee and hiking with those mountain views. But honestly, I keep coming back for the winter vibe. There’s something about sipping glühwein while surrounded by Alpine buildings and actual snow that just hits different. It’s one of the few places in America where the European theme doesn’t feel forced.
4. Helen, Georgia
Helen transformed itself into this Bavarian village in the 1960s, and I’ll be honest – it’s a little more touristy than Leavenworth, but it works. The Blue Ridge Mountains backdrop makes everything feel authentic, and their Oktoberfest runs from September through early November, which is way longer than most places.
Tubing the Chattahoochee River in summer is actually a blast. The water’s cold even in July, which reminds me of Alpine rivers I’ve floated in Austria. Most outfitters charge around $15-20, and it’s a perfect way to cool off after walking around town in Georgia heat.
The Christmas Market they do is smaller than Leavenworth’s, but it has this cozy charm that I really appreciate. All the buildings maintain that German architectural style year-round, which some towns don’t bother with. Festhalle has solid German food – their sauerbraten is legit, and the beer selection includes actual imports from Bavaria.
What makes Helen work for me is the mountain setting. You’re in the Blue Ridge, so it actually feels like you could be in the German countryside. I’ve driven the Alpine Loop around Helen multiple times, and those winding mountain roads with Bavarian buildings scattered throughout genuinely transport you. It’s not perfect, but it scratches that European itch when I can’t get to the real thing.
5. New Glarus, Wisconsin
New Glarus bills itself as “America’s Little Switzerland,” and having been to Switzerland 7 times, I can say they’ve nailed the aesthetic. The New Glarus Brewing Company is honestly the main reason most people visit, and their free self-guided tours at the riverside brewery are solid.
Their Spotted Cow beer is legendary – you can only get it in Wisconsin, and locals get genuinely excited when you mention it. The brewery relocated their tasting room to 218 Hoesly Drive, and they’re open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-5pm. Tastings run about $5 and come with a souvenir glass, which is reasonable for what you get.
The Beer, Bacon & Cheese Festival on June 14, 2025 is ridiculous in the best way. $60 gets you unlimited samples of local beers, Wisconsin cheeses, and various bacon preparations – basically everything Wisconsin does best in one place. I went last year and honestly couldn’t move afterward, but it was worth it.
Swiss architecture throughout downtown is actually pretty faithful to what you’d see in places like Appenzell or Gruyères. The Swiss Historical Village gives you that old-world context, and their Oktoberfest includes live music in the festival tent all weekend. I love that they’ve kept the Swiss theme going strong for decades – it’s not just a marketing gimmick, it’s genuinely part of the town’s identity.
6. Vail, Colorado
Vail was literally designed to mimic European ski villages, and having skied in the Alps extensively, I can say they got it right. The pedestrian-only Vail Village feels like Zermatt or Chamonix, especially when it’s snowing and those mountain peaks disappear into the clouds.
Skiing here is expensive as hell – lift tickets hit $329 during peak times like Christmas week. But if you get an Epic Pass ($1075 for adults), it pays for itself after just a few days. I always tell people to buy passes by September 1st before prices go up. The Epic Friend Tickets are new for 2025 and give your friends 50% off, which is actually pretty generous.
Vail’s Back Bowls are legitimately world-class terrain. Blue Sky Basin and Sun Down Bowl remind me of off-piste skiing in Chamonix, just with better grooming and lift access. The village at night is magical – all those Alpine-style buildings lit up with the mountain backdrop. I love grabbing drinks at Red Lion after a day on the slopes.
Summer in Vail is underrated too. Epic Discovery has mountain coaster and zip lines, and the hiking is incredible. The European architecture works year-round here because the mountain setting is so dramatic. It genuinely feels like you’re in the Swiss Alps, just with better customer service and no language barriers.
- Read next: Things to Do in Vail at Night
7. Lindsborg, Kansas
Lindsborg surprised the hell out of me. I wasn’t expecting much from Kansas, but this Swedish town actually transported me back to places like Stockholm and Göteborg. The Dala horses painted throughout town are such a perfect Swedish touch.
Midsummer Festival runs in June and features traditional Swedish folk dancing, music, and crafts. I loved watching the maypole dancing – it’s authentic Scandinavian culture in the middle of America. The local bakeries serve Swedish treats like pepparkakor and prinsesstårta that actually taste right.
The art scene here is legit too. Multiple galleries showcase Swedish-inspired work, and the town maintains its Scandinavian heritage without feeling forced. McPherson County Old Mill Museum has interesting exhibits about Swedish immigration to Kansas.
I love that Lindsborg doesn’t try to be a theme park version of Sweden. It’s just this authentic Swedish-American community that’s maintained its culture for over 150 years. Walking down Main Street with the Swedish flags and traditional architecture, you could easily forget you’re in central Kansas. The College Hill area has some beautiful Scandinavian-style homes that remind me of neighborhoods in Uppsala.
- Read next: Pretty Places in Scandinavia
8. Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth goes hard on the Bavarian theme, and I’m here for it. Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is absolutely massive – they claim it’s the world’s largest Christmas store, and after spending three hours there, I believe it. It’s open year-round, which is either magical or overwhelming depending on your mood.
Zehnder’s family-style chicken dinners are the move here. I’ve eaten at both Zehnder’s and Bavarian Inn, and honestly, the chicken is legitimately good, not just tourist trap food. The portions are enormous – they keep bringing out chicken, sides, and desserts until you surrender.
The Cass River boat tours are surprisingly relaxing. River Place Shops line the water with Bavarian architecture, and when they light everything up for Oktoberfest, it genuinely feels like floating through a German town. The Covered Bridge is Instagram-worthy, but also just a nice spot to walk and appreciate the European vibes.
What I appreciate about Frankenmuth is that they commit fully to the Bavarian aesthetic. Every building downtown follows the theme, street signs are in German, and the festivals actually feature German music and dancing. Main Street feels like a Bavarian village that happens to be in Michigan, which is exactly what they were going for.
9. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel is pure magic – those Hugh Comstock fairy-tale cottages from the 1920s look like they’re straight out of Brothers Grimm stories. I’ve spent hours just wandering around looking for the original 21 cottages scattered throughout town. Hansel, Gretel, and the Obers House are the most famous ones.
The Tuck Box is actually a working restaurant inside one of Comstock’s original cottages, serving afternoon tea and English breakfast. It’s touristy but genuinely charming – you’re literally eating inside a fairy-tale house. Ocean Avenue has nearly 100 art galleries, which rivals some European art towns I’ve visited.
Carmel Beach is stunning – that white sand with Monterey cypress trees reminds me of coastal Portugal or Northern Spain. Scenic Road along the coast has incredible architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Walker Residence and Robinson Jeffers’ Tor House. The Michelin-starred restaurants like Aubergine and Chez Noir are legitimately world-class.
The whole town feels like a European artist colony. There are more restaurants per capita than almost anywhere in America, and the wine tasting rooms serve excellent Monterey County wines. I love that you can walk the entire one-square-mile village easily, and every street has these whimsical cottages that make you feel like you’re in some English countryside fantasy.
- Read next: My Favorite Luxury Hotels in Carmel-By-the-Sea
- You may also like: Epic Carmel-by-the-Sea Adventures
10. Pella, Iowa
Pella does Dutch culture right. The Vermeer Windmill is a working grain mill, and you can actually buy flour ground there, which I think is cool as hell. Tulip Time in May fills the town with thousands of tulips, and the Dutch parades feature traditional costumes and wooden shoe dancing.
The Scholte House Museum tells the story of Dutch immigration to Iowa, and it’s actually fascinating. Central Park has beautiful Dutch architecture and a proper European-style town square. The Klokkenspel (carillon tower) plays Dutch songs throughout the day, which adds to the authentic atmosphere.
Historical Village recreates 19th-century Dutch life with working craftsmen demonstrating traditional skills. I spent an hour watching the blacksmith and baker work – it’s living history that connects you to Dutch heritage. Jaarsma Bakery serves authentic Dutch treats like banket and Dutch letters that taste just like what I had in Amsterdam.
Pella succeeds because it’s genuinely rooted in Dutch immigrant history, not just themed architecture. The Dutch language is still spoken by some older residents, and the community maintains traditions that go back generations. Walking through downtown during Tulip Time, with those traditional costumes and Dutch music, you really do feel transported to the Netherlands.
- Read next: Jaw-Dropping Places in Iowa
11. Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier has this European capital city vibe despite being America’s smallest state capital. The State House with its gold dome reminds me of government buildings in Vienna or Prague. Downtown is perfectly walkable with Victorian and Federal-style architecture that feels authentically old-world.
The local cafe scene is incredible for such a small city. Capitol Grounds and Hunger Mountain Co-op serve excellent coffee and local food in settings that feel like European neighborhood cafes. The Green Mountains backdrop gives everything a Swiss or Austrian alpine feeling.
Fall foliage season here is absolutely spectacular. The combination of historic architecture and those brilliant New England colors rivals anything I’ve seen in European countryside. Hubbard Park tower offers panoramic views that remind me of lookout points in the Black Forest or Bavarian hills.
What makes Montpelier special is its authentic small-city European feel. It’s not trying to be theme park European – it just naturally has that old-world charm from its 19th-century architecture and compact, walkable layout. The sense of community and local arts scene reminds me of smaller European capitals like Ljubljana or Tallinn.
12. Amana Colonies, Iowa
The Amana Colonies are seven villages that feel frozen in time, and I mean that in the best way. These German religious communities maintained their traditional lifestyle for over 150 years, and walking through places like Main Amana and High Amana feels like stepping into 19th-century Germany.
Communal kitchens and bakeries still operate using traditional methods. Bread & Bratwurst serves German food made from original recipes brought over in the 1850s. The Woolen Mill and Furniture Shop demonstrate craftsmanship techniques that go back generations. I bought a hand-carved wooden bowl there that’s become one of my favorite kitchen items.
Amana Heritage Museum explains the fascinating communalist society these German immigrants created. For 89 years, they shared all property and work collectively – it’s a unique chapter in American history that most people don’t know about. The original brick buildings and cobblestone streets are beautifully preserved.
What I love about the Amana Colonies is their authenticity. This isn’t a recreation or theme park – it’s an actual German community that evolved naturally over 170 years. German is still spoken by older residents, and the traditional architecture and craftsmanship continue because they never stopped. It’s living European heritage in rural Iowa.
- Read next: The Most Scenic Spots to Visit in Iowa
13. Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown surprised me with its European sophistication. Known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” it has this old-world charm that reminds me of whiskey regions in Scotland or Ireland. Historic Downtown has beautiful Federal and Victorian architecture that feels authentically aged.
The Bourbon Trail distilleries here like Heaven Hill and Barton 1792 offer tours and tastings in facilities that have operated for generations. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train runs through the countryside in vintage cars, serving four-course meals while you watch Kentucky farmland roll by – it’s like something you’d find in the English or French countryside.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September turns downtown into a celebration that rivals whiskey festivals I’ve attended in Scotland. The combination of historic buildings, craft distilleries, and Southern hospitality creates an atmosphere that’s both uniquely American and reminiscent of European spirits regions.
Bardstown works because it has genuine history and craft traditions, not manufactured tourism. These are actual working distilleries with 19th-century buildings and traditional methods. Walking Court Square at night with those historic facades lit up, you could easily imagine yourself in a Scottish market town or Irish village – just with better bourbon.
- Read next: Kentucky’s Most Beautiful Places
