As your travel plans for the year begin to materialize, dusting off the passport and booking a pricey flight through Heathrow might not be necessary. Myriad destinations in the United States evoke the richness of European influence, with quaint villages and spectacular scenery. Lean on these 12 European travel dupes for a long weekend or when the high costs, long flights, and pesky time differences seem a bit much.
Holland, Michigan
Feels Like: The Netherlands
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, the charming town of Holland, Michigan, offers a unique blend of cultural history and natural beauty. In the mid-1800s, Dutch immigrants settled here in hopes of a better life, and the town goes all out to celebrate this rich history. Dutch-style design, vibrant striped tulip fields, and twirling windmills are just the beginning. Visit the traditional clog factory to watch shoemakers at work, or come for the famous Tulip Time Festival, when five million flowers blanket the town.
San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Feels Like: The Swiss Alps
Colorado’s San Juan Mountains are frequently referred to as the “Switzerland of America” due to their striking alpine landscapes, rugged peaks, and picturesque towns that closely resemble the iconic scenery of the Swiss Alps. Matterhorn what? The San Juans are dotted with 13,000-plus-foot peaks, glacial landscapes, and wildflower-laden alpine meadows. Cozy mountain villages in the area, like Ouray, Telluride, Durango, and Silverton, welcome skiers and hikers with Victorian-era buildings and charming downtowns. Check out a snapshot of the area in this reel:
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Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Feels Like: The United Kingdom
Alexandria is often skipped over on Washington D.C. vacations, but Euro-lovers, take note! Along Old Town Alexandria’s cobblestone streets are colorful, well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings reminiscent of small towns in the U.K. The compact village is chock-full of outdoor cafés, boutiques, markets, street fairs, and the buzz of pedestrians and bikers. Along the Potomac River, the waterfront promenade transports you to a European riverbank.
Leavenworth, Washington
Feels Like: Germany
This unexpected German-style village sits at the foot of the Cascades Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Created in the 1960s to attract tourists, Leavenworth is wrought with Bavarian-style architecture, German eateries, a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, and a funky Nutcracker Museum. It’s even adopted a massively hoppy and happy Oktoberfest in the fall and dreamy Christmas markets in winter.
Santa Catalina Island, California
Feels Like: Coastal Italy, Greece, or Croatia
It’s not just the temperate climate that Catalina Island shares with many beachy hot spots in Europe. It’s got a picturesque, craggy coastline with crystal blue water and hidden caves. It’s got all the sea vessels — from kayaks to luxury yachts. It’s got an art deco casino and a quaint waterfront town called Avalon. No cars are allowed here, so once off the passenger ferries from numerous Los Angeles suburbs (or private planes?), strolling pedestrians pop into posh boutiques, peruse art galleries, and perch at outdoor tables sharing bottles of wine.
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St. Augustine, Florida
Feels Like: Old-World Spain
Consistently topping lists of buzzy U.S. cities, St. Augustine is dripping in Spanish Colonial charm. As the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States, founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine’s European influence is deeply embedded in its character and daily life. Ogle the Spanish colonial architecture, historic forts and churches, and narrow cobblestone streets dotted with Meditterean cuisine and soaring palm trees. There are even a few living history museums that keep the town’s unique history alive.
Solvang, California
Feels Like: Denmark
Often called “Little Denmark,” Solvang offers more than just visual echos of Denmark’s windmills and traditional architecture. Established by Danish settlers in 1911, the city’s heritage is on proud display during Danish Days — an annual festival of traditional dance, music, and food since 1936. If you miss the festival, don’t miss the delicious Danish pastries, wine from the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley, and intriguing museums. Here are five delightful Solvang scenes for you:
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Sequim, Washington
Feels Like: Provence, France
Often referred to as the “Lavender Capital of North America,” Sequim is located on the Olympic Peninsula and boasts numerous lavender farms. The quaint town’s unique microclimate, similar to Provence’s, allows for the cultivation of this fragrant and beautiful herb. After exploring the downtown, pop by Purple Haze Lavender Farm for shopping and learning about all things lavender. Outdoorsy animal lovers can check out Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Olympic Game Farm.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Feels Like: Germany
Get your lederhosen and explore this fun Hill Country town! Founded in 1846 by German immigrants, Fredericksburg remains reminiscent of a European village at every corner. The settlers’ original “Sunday Houses” still dot the historic main street where inns, shops, and restaurants now reside. Delicious bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, and pretzels are served year-round, but we suggest going for Oktoberfest in autumn or Christkindlmarkt around the holidays. Walk off the wine, Biergarten fun, and German delicacies in the nearby Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Here’s some magic of Fredericksburg at Christmas (but it’s enjoyable any time of year!):
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The Palouse, Idaho/Washington
Feels Like: Tuscany, Italy
A photographer’s paradise and a natural enigma, The Palouse is one of the most important agricultural areas in the United States. The picturesque rolling hills look like Tuscany, but instead of wine, plots of wheat, barley, legumes, and canola create a breathtaking patchwork of vibrant colors that change with the seasons. A Palouse trip might include visiting and dining at the region’s many farms, driving or biking the scenic byway, fishing the Snake River, and reveling in the two college towns of Pullman, Washington, and Moscow, Idaho.
Helen, Georgia
Feels Like: Germany
Helen, Georgia, was designed to mimic an alpine village in the 1960s after the area’s logging industry declined. Especially magical during the holidays, Helen feels like a slice of Europe nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Bavarian-style village can feel a bit kitschy at times. Still, its proximity to many other small towns like Dahlonega and Clayton and numerous outdoor adventures make it a worthwhile stop — even if just for a photo, a beer, and a pretzel! Here are some visual highlights of Helen:
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Tarpon Springs, Florida
Feels Like: Greece
Known for its Greek community and moniker, “sponge capital of the world,” the small town of Tarpon Springs has boatloads of Greek architecture, cuisine, and culture, making it feel like a small Greek village. In the early 1900s, Greek immigrants arrived in Tarpon Springs to work in the thriving sponge-diving industry, bringing their culture, cuisine, and faith. Today, the Sponge Docks are a vibrant destination with Greek restaurants, bakeries, and shops selling natural sponges, olive oil products, and souvenirs.
Happy trails — no passport required!
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