Seven U.s. Towns That Look Like Europe: A European Adventure Without Leaving The U.s.

Published on October 13, 2025

America is location to galore unsocial towns, but immoderate guidelines retired because they intimately lucifer iconic European destinations. Whether it’s a Bavarian colony successful Washington aliases a Swiss municipality successful Wisconsin, these U.S. gems connection a “European” acquisition without requiring a passport. Here are 7 picturesque U.S. towns that reflector immoderate of Europe’s astir enchanting cities.

1. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California – A Taste of England

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a mini coastal municipality successful California, is often compared to a quaint English village. The municipality is known for its fairy-tale cottages, charming streets, and welcoming ambiance. This whimsical style dates backmost to nan 1920s erstwhile Hugh Comstock, an amateur builder from Illinois, decided to create a storybook village. Comstock built astir 21 crooked, enchanting cottages that were designed to look charmingly imperfect. The thought was to stray from accepted architecture by avoiding nan usage of a carpenter’s level.

Today, Carmel-by-the-Sea’s postulation of fairy-tale homes still attracts visitors from astir nan world. Its cobblestone streets, creator shops, and stunning coastline create a cleanable European atmosphere. Visitors tin research various cottages and different whimsical structures, each of which lend to nan town’s picturesque charm. With galore cafes, creation galleries, and boutique hotels, Carmel offers a small portion of England connected nan California coast.

2. Solvang, California – The Danish Capital of America

Known arsenic nan “Danish Capital of America,” Solvang, California, is simply a European destination successful nan bosom of California’s vino country. This charming municipality features architecture inspired by accepted Danish villages, pinch half-timbered facades, gabled roofs, and iconic windmills dotting nan landscape. Solvang’s relationship to Denmark dates backmost to 1911, erstwhile Danish-American immigrants founded nan town. Over nan years, Solvang has leaned into its Danish roots, pinch bakeries trading Danish pastries, shops featuring Scandinavian goods, and replicas of celebrated Danish landmarks for illustration Copenhagen’s Rundetarn (Round Tower) and nan Little Mermaid statue.

The town’s translator into a Danish-inspired colony began successful nan mid-20th century. After a 1947 article sparked liking successful nan town’s Danish heritage, section leaders decided to refurbish existing structures and guarantee that each caller buildings followed accepted Danish architectural styles. Solvang’s vibrant Danish civilization is celebrated year-round done festivals, food, and taste activities, making it a unsocial European acquisition connected the West Coast.

3. New Glarus, Wisconsin – America’s Little Switzerland

New Glarus, Wisconsin, offers an authentic Swiss acquisition successful nan bosom of nan Midwest. The town, settled by Swiss immigrants successful 1845, is often referred to arsenic “America’s Little Switzerland.” The town’s Swiss power is evident successful everything from its architecture to its festivals. Visitors tin stroll done streets lined pinch Swiss chalet-style homes, and research nan Swiss Historical Village & Museum, which features replica 19th-century buildings, including a food mill and a settler’s cabin.

New Glarus is besides known for its Swiss-German connection and traditions, specified arsenic yodeling and alphorn playing, which are an integral portion of nan town’s heritage. The municipality has capitalized connected its Swiss identity, pinch businesses offering Swiss cuisine and a wide assortment of cheeses, including nan celebrated Limburger cheese. Every year, nan Swiss Volksfest (Swiss Independence Day celebration) draws ample crowds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves successful Swiss civilization while enjoying accepted foods and music.

4. St. Augustine, Florida – A Slice of Spain successful nan U.S.

St. Augustine, Florida, offers a unsocial European acquisition by transporting visitors to Spain’s assemblage past. As nan oldest continuously occupied European colony successful nan U.S., St. Augustine boasts centuries-old architecture, overmuch of which reflects its Spanish origins. The municipality was founded successful 1565 by nan Spanish, and visitors tin still spot remnants of this power successful its red-tile roofs, wrought-iron balconies, and cobblestone streets.

The Castillo de San Marcos, a star-shaped wall built by nan Spanish successful nan precocious 17th century, stands arsenic 1 of nan astir salient humanities landmarks. Other notable sites see nan gates of St. Augustine and nan winding, pedestrian-friendly streets of St. George Street. Walking done nan metropolis feels for illustration stepping into a 17th-century Spanish town, offering an immersive taste acquisition without leaving nan U.S.

5. Leavenworth, Washington – A Bavarian Village successful nan Cascade Mountains

Leavenworth, Washington, is simply a existent illustration of really American towns person reinvented themselves to pull tourists. Once a struggling logging town, Leavenworth underwent a translator successful nan 1960s erstwhile municipality leaders decided to exemplary nan municipality aft a Bavarian village. Surrounded by nan Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth’s alpine mounting made it nan cleanable backdrop for a European-inspired town.

The town’s buildings were renovated to bespeak Bavarian architecture, complete pinch woody facades, steep roofs, and intricate carvings. The taxable is enforced by strict architectural guidelines, ensuring that moreover accelerated nutrient chains for illustration McDonald’s adhere to nan Bavarian style. Visitors to Leavenworth tin bask a assortment of German festivals, including Oktoberfest, which celebrates German food, beer, and music. The municipality is besides celebrated for its vacation ray display, known arsenic nan Village of Lights, wherever nan streets sparkle pinch half a cardinal lights during nan Christmas season.

6. Helen, Georgia – A Bavarian Fantasy successful nan South

Helen, Georgia, is different U.S. municipality that takes inspiration from Bavaria. Located successful nan Chattahoochee National Forest, Helen was erstwhile a struggling logging town. In nan 1960s, section creator John Kollock envisioned transforming nan municipality into a Bavarian Alpine village, complete pinch gingerbread-style buildings and cobblestone streets. His imagination became a reality, and coming Helen is 1 of Georgia’s astir celebrated tourer destinations.

The municipality is filled pinch German-themed shops, restaurants, and breweries, making it a cleanable spot for anyone looking for a sensation of Europe successful nan South. Helen is particularly celebrated for its Oktoberfest celebrations, which pull thousands of visitors each year. The town’s alpine charm, mixed pinch its Southern hospitality, creates a unsocial blend of cultures, making it a must-visit destination.

7. Frankenmuth, Michigan – A Little Bavaria successful nan Heart of nan Midwest

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is different U.S. municipality that resembles a Bavarian village. Founded by German immigrants successful 1845, nan municipality maintains beardown ties to its German roots. In nan mid-20th century, Frankenmuth began to clasp its Bavarian practice successful a much visible way. Local businesses adopted Bavarian-style architecture, pinch buildings featuring stucco, half-timbering, and wood carvings. Frankenmuth’s translator into a Bavarian colony is credited to Tiny Zehnder, who revamped his edifice successful nan 1950s to create nan Bavarian Inn Lodge, a centerpiece of nan town’s European makeover.

Today, Frankenmuth is known for its German food, including bratwurst, schnitzel, and pretzels, and hosts an yearly Oktoberfest celebration. Visitors tin bask nan town’s picturesque streets, complete pinch cobblestones and alpine-style buildings, while sampling authentic German cuisine and beer. Frankenmuth’s beardown European power makes it a celebrated spot for travelers seeking a Bavarian acquisition successful nan U.S.