American destinations that feel like you're visiting another country



Slide 1 of 31: These spots may feel a world away from the USA but they're actually right on its doorstep. From dinky German-style towns to cities with Spanish flair, we look at the surprising places that are closer to the States than you'd think.
Slide 2 of 31: Holland is a fitting name for this pretty Michigan city. You'll feel as though you've been whisked away to the Netherlands as you soak in Holland's windmills, tulips and Dutch-style architecture downtown. Dutch settlers came to this area back in the 1800s and the charming place fiercely guards this aspect of its history.
Slide 3 of 31: There are lots of ways to discover Holland's Dutch heritage. Windmill Island Gardens is the USA's answer to the Netherlands' Keukenhof. Take a snap outside the DeZwaan windmill (tours have been temporarily suspended), wander flower-filled gardens and spot sights like the Dutch carousel. Other highlights include the De Klomp Wooden Shoe and Delftware Factory which sells traditional Dutch wooden shoes and pottery.
Slide 4 of 31: Fredericksburg proudly describes itself as having a Texas heart with a German soul, since it was established by German settlers in the 1840s. The city still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, with beautifully preserved German-style architecture, detailed exhibitions at the Pioneer Museum and events such as Oktoberfest.

Slide 5 of 31: The Historic District has sights such as the 19th-century Fredericksburg Memorial Library (pictured) and many German-style restaurants, bakeries and biergartens dotted around. Fredericksburg is also in the heart of Texas Wine Country, with wineries and the vineyards around its periphery.
Slide 6 of 31: Regarded as the oldest city in the United States, St Augustine has plenty to offer history buffs. The city was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century and its age-old buildings offer clues to the past. Foodies will also appreciate the Spanish influence on St Augustine's culinary scene – here restaurants run the gamut from intimate tapas joints to elegant seafood spots.
Slide 7 of 31: Castillo de San Marcos is the city's best-known historic site. A hulking Spanish fort dating to 1695 (the oldest of its kind in the continental US), it usually offers visitors the chance to learn more about Spanish colonial rule during this turbulent time in history. The National Monument is currently closed due to COVID-19; check the website for updates. Beyond the history, the breathtaking beach, balmy weather and narrow lanes offer an extra taste of the Mediterranean.
Slide 8 of 31: Touting itself as Little Sweden USA, this dinky place, tucked away in Kansas' Smoky Valley, is proud of its Scandi heritage. Swedish immigrants settled Lindsborg in the 19th century and still a sizeable percentage of its population is of Swedish descent. Take a look at these places you won't believe are in the USA.
Slide 9 of 31: A top attraction here is the herd of pretty Dala horses. A tradition in Sweden, Dala horses are intricately painted model horses, often given as gifts or erected as statues. In Lindsborg, brightly colored, fiberglass horses, alongside other head-turning works of public art, can be found all over the place. The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, which is principally dedicated to the Swedish-American artist, is another top stop for art-lovers.

Slide 10 of 31: A curious find in the heart of the Cascades, Leavenworth offers a taste of Germany's Bavaria. In the 1960s, officials decided to give the destination a European-style makeover in a bid to attract more visitors. The plan was a success and Leavenworth's stunning mountain location, gabled roofs and German restaurants are incredibly charming.
Slide 11 of 31: The makeover really did go all out. German-style joints serve bratwurst and schnitzel. Then there's the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, a museum dedicated to nutcrackers (it's currently closed; check the website for details), and local breweries. The city also usually hosts a mammoth Oktoberfest celebration in fall but it's been canceled for 2020 due to COVID-19.
Slide 12 of 31: If you look past the palm trees (and the multimillion-dollar homes), this pocket of Los Angeles is not too dissimilar from Venice. In fact, that was exactly what developer Abbot Kinney intended when he constructed the man-made canals in homage to the Italian city. Now these beautiful waterways are protected as part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Slide 13 of 31: The best way to explore the area is to take a stroll along the canals, spotting mansions reflected in the water and arching bridges that could be pulled straight from a Monet painting. The district offers the perfect respite from Venice's bustling beach and boardwalk. When you've finished wandering, head to Abbot Kinney Boulevard for some of the best shopping in the area.
Slide 14 of 31: The USA has its fair share of beautiful ski destinations and many of them could pass for the charming towns of the Alps. One such spot is Vail, a Colorado town and ski resort set at the foot of namesake Vail Mountain. In fact, Vail's founders, Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton, reportedly modeled the place after destinations such as Switzerland's Zermatt.

Slide 15 of 31: It's said that Seibert even measured the width of Zermatt's streets so he could replicate them as closely as possible in his own skier's paradise. Today, Vail is a quaint haven for lovers of winter sports but, just like its European counterparts, it has also established itself as a year-round destination. In summer, its bucolic surrounds are ideal for hiking.
Slide 16 of 31: Helen in Georgia proudly touts itself as having all the charm of Bavaria, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gabled, half-timbered buildings fill the town, which has less than 500 residents and natural beauty in spades. These are 99 things we love about America.
Slide 17 of 31: True to Bavaria itself, the town has plenty to offer lovers of the outdoors beyond its limits. There are many hiking trails through woodland and mountains, and thrill-seekers should also spend some time at Nacoochee Adventures, an adventure park with zip lines, high ropes and giant swings.
Slide 18 of 31: Some 45 minutes north of St Petersburg, the little-known Floridian city of Tarpon Springs is often compared to Greece. In the early 20th century, natural sponge beds were discovered in the waters around here. This led to the arrival of many Greek sponge divers and a community flourished. More than a century on, this Mediterranean influence is still tangible.
Slide 19 of 31: The city's principal attraction is the sponge docks. Along Dodecanese Boulevard you can find shops selling the natural sponges that brought Greek immigrants here in the first place and restaurants serving fresh Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Beyond the waterfront, the Tarpon Springs Historic District is another nice area for a stroll.
Slide 20 of 31: Considered a sacred destination and typically attracting thousands of pilgrims each year, Chimayó is situated some 30 miles (48km) north of Santa Fe. The town was settled by the Spanish in the 17th century and some impressive examples of the early architecture remain. The most impressive of all is the El Santuario de Chimayó (pictured), an adobe church that contains holy earth thought to have healing powers.
Slide 21 of 31: Chimayó is also still known for its weaving tradition, a custom which dates back to the early Spanish settlers, and shops and galleries are teeming with intricate woven goods. The famed orange-red Chimayó chili, which is grown only here, is hung from shop porches.
Slide 22 of 31: Another Bavarian bolthole, Frankenmuth is around a 1.5-hour drive north of Detroit. Established by German settlers from the Franconia region in 1845, the place is known as Michigan's Little Bavaria and it hasn't forgotten its German roots. Today Frankenmuth is packed to the gills with German-style timbered houses and Bavarian inns.
Slide 23 of 31: Although all have been canceled this year due to COVID-19, festivals usually held throughout the year are a nod to Frankenmuth's German heritage. There's the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival and, of course, Oktoberfest, when the beer and bratwurst flow. There's also the annual World Expo of Beer which typically happens here each May. But you can still celebrate the holidays year-round at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, supposedly the largest Christmas store in the world, which is currently open.
Slide 24 of 31: The influence of Santa Barbara's early Spanish settlers is still alive and well in this California city, from the architecture to the traditional festivals. Take to the streets, drinking in the whitewashed buildings crowned with orange-tiled roofs, and you'll have to remind yourself that you're not in the Med. Among the city's most impressive buildings is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, with its striking clock tower and lush grounds.
Slide 25 of 31: Beyond this, the most famous sight of all is the Old Mission Santa Barbara (pictured), founded by Spanish Franciscans in the late 1700s. There's a museum and sacred garden here but they're currently closed due to COVID-19 – check the website for updates. Take a look at the strangest sights in America's biggest cities.
Slide 26 of 31: As the name suggests, this is Miami's storied Cuban neighborhood complete with incredible Cuban restaurants, bright street art and cool bars. The Calle Ocho stretch is the busiest part of town: here shops sell hand-rolled cigars and the rich smell of coffee wafts from traditional Cuban cafés. Look out for the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame whose plaques pay tribute to Cuban film stars, musicians and more.
Slide 27 of 31: Another must-visit in this neighborhood is Máximo Gómez Park, also known as Domino Park, where mostly elderly locals gather for a coffee and a catch up over a game of dominos. Unsurprisingly there are also plenty of places to try Cuban cuisine in the area. Look out for sandwiches, traditional meat dishes and more alongside an array of Cuban-style cocktails.
Slide 28 of 31: Despite its location in the Santa Ynez Valley, less than an hour from Santa Barbara, Solvang is worlds away from most other Golden State destinations. Often described as a Danish village, Solvang was built up by early Danish immigrants and its half-timbered buildings, bakeries and windmills are all tributes to this heritage.
Slide 29 of 31: The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art is a great place to learn about Solvang's history (it's currently closed due to COVID-19; check the website for updates). The town also usually celebrates its heritage with the Danish Days festival every September. Since 1936, the event has included parades and traditional dance performances, plus Scandinavian arts, crafts, food and drink. This year, due to coronavirus, there'll be online experiences and some scaled-down in-person events – check the website for details.
Slide 30 of 31: A fully fledged destination in itself, The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas was of course modeled on the northern Italian city. While it doesn't have quite the history or elegance of the real thing, there's no doubting the attention to detail at this Sin City property, which has a copy of everything from St Mark’s Square to Rialto Bridge.
Slide 31 of 31: The top attraction here is a ride on one of the gondolas. To make you feel as if you're truly in Venice, a gondolier will whisk you down the Grand Canal, warbling a tune as they go. Unlike in Venice, the glittering lights and slots of the strip will be waiting for you once you're on dry land again. Now take a look at American hotels hiding historic secrets.

Places you won’t believe are in the USA

Holland, Michigan

Holland, Michigan

There are lots of ways to discover Holland’s Dutch heritage. Windmill Island Gardens is the USA’s answer to the Netherlands’ Keukenhof. Take a snap outside the DeZwaan windmill (tours have been temporarily suspended), wander flower-filled gardens and spot sights like the Dutch carousel. Other highlights include the De Klomp Wooden Shoe and Delftware Factory which sells traditional Dutch wooden shoes and pottery.

Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg, Texas

The Historic District has sights such as the 19th-century Fredericksburg Memorial Library (pictured) and many German-style restaurants, bakeries and biergartens dotted around. Fredericksburg is also in the heart of Texas Wine Country, with wineries and the vineyards around its periphery.

St Augustine, Florida

St Augustine, Florida

Castillo de San Marcos is the city’s best-known historic site. A hulking Spanish fort dating to 1695 (the oldest of its kind in the continental US), it usually offers visitors the chance to learn more about Spanish colonial rule during this turbulent time in history. The National Monument is currently closed due to COVID-19; check the website for updates. Beyond the history, the breathtaking beach, balmy weather and narrow lanes offer an extra taste of the Mediterranean.

Lindsborg, Kansas

Touting itself as Little Sweden USA, this dinky place, tucked away in Kansas’ Smoky Valley, is proud of its Scandi heritage. Swedish immigrants settled Lindsborg in the 19th century and still a sizeable percentage of its population is of Swedish descent. Take a look at these places you won’t believe are in the USA.

Lindsborg, Kansas

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth, Washington

The makeover really did go all out. German-style joints serve bratwurst and schnitzel. Then there’s the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, a museum dedicated to nutcrackers (it’s currently closed; check the website for details), and local breweries. The city also usually hosts a mammoth Oktoberfest celebration in fall but it’s been canceled for 2020 due to COVID-19.

Venice, Los Angeles, California

Venice, Los Angeles, California

Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colorado

It’s said that Seibert even measured the width of Zermatt’s streets so he could replicate them as closely as possible in his own skier’s paradise. Today, Vail is a quaint haven for lovers of winter sports but, just like its European counterparts, it has also established itself as a year-round destination. In summer, its bucolic surrounds are ideal for hiking.

Helen, Georgia

Helen in Georgia proudly touts itself as having all the charm of Bavaria, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gabled, half-timbered buildings fill the town, which has less than 500 residents and natural beauty in spades. These are 99 things we love about America.

Helen, Georgia

True to Bavaria itself, the town has plenty to offer lovers of the outdoors beyond its limits. There are many hiking trails through woodland and mountains, and thrill-seekers should also spend some time at Nacoochee Adventures, an adventure park with zip lines, high ropes and giant swings.

Tarpon Springs, Florida

Tarpon Springs, Florida

Chimayó, New Mexico

Chimayó, New Mexico

Chimayó is also still known for its weaving tradition, a custom which dates back to the early Spanish settlers, and shops and galleries are teeming with intricate woven goods. The famed orange-red Chimayó chili, which is grown only here, is hung from shop porches.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Although all have been canceled this year due to COVID-19, festivals usually held throughout the year are a nod to Frankenmuth’s German heritage. There’s the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival and, of course, Oktoberfest, when the beer and bratwurst flow. There’s also the annual World Expo of Beer which typically happens here each May. But you can still celebrate the holidays year-round at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, supposedly the largest Christmas store in the world, which is currently open.

Santa Barbara, California

The influence of Santa Barbara’s early Spanish settlers is still alive and well in this California city, from the architecture to the traditional festivals. Take to the streets, drinking in the whitewashed buildings crowned with orange-tiled roofs, and you’ll have to remind yourself that you’re not in the Med. Among the city’s most impressive buildings is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, with its striking clock tower and lush grounds.

Santa Barbara, California

Beyond this, the most famous sight of all is the Old Mission Santa Barbara (pictured), founded by Spanish Franciscans in the late 1700s. There’s a museum and sacred garden here but they’re currently closed due to COVID-19 – check the website for updates. Take a look at the strangest sights in America’s biggest cities.

Little Havana, Miami, Florida

As the name suggests, this is Miami’s storied Cuban neighborhood complete with incredible Cuban restaurants, bright street art and cool bars. The Calle Ocho stretch is the busiest part of town: here shops sell hand-rolled cigars and the rich smell of coffee wafts from traditional Cuban cafés. Look out for the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame whose plaques pay tribute to Cuban film stars, musicians and more.

Little Havana, Miami, Florida

Another must-visit in this neighborhood is Máximo Gómez Park, also known as Domino Park, where mostly elderly locals gather for a coffee and a catch up over a game of dominos. Unsurprisingly there are also plenty of places to try Cuban cuisine in the area. Look out for sandwiches, traditional meat dishes and more alongside an array of Cuban-style cocktails.

Solvang, California

Solvang, California

The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art is a great place to learn about Solvang’s history (it’s currently closed due to COVID-19; check the website for updates). The town also usually celebrates its heritage with the Danish Days festival every September. Since 1936, the event has included parades and traditional dance performances, plus Scandinavian arts, crafts, food and drink. This year, due to coronavirus, there’ll be online experiences and some scaled-down in-person events – check the website for details.

The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada

The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada

The top attraction here is a ride on one of the gondolas. To make you feel as if you’re truly in Venice, a gondolier will whisk you down the Grand Canal, warbling a tune as they go. Unlike in Venice, the glittering lights and slots of the strip will be waiting for you once you’re on dry land again. Now take a look at American hotels hiding historic secrets.

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