American cities that look and feel like Europe -

America’s European heritage can be found everywhere, but some cities and towns across the US really feel like they belong in the Old Continent. Many of these places were settled by European immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries and their legacy continues to this day. From architecture to traditions, there are places in the US that truly look and feel like Europe.

In this gallery, we take you on a journey across America and bring you a list of places you can visit if you’re looking for a European feel, without having to cross the Atlantic. Click on to get to know them.

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Holland, MI -

The clue is in the name, right? Holland is just like being in the Netherlands. Here you will find windmills, tulips, traditional pastries, and everything in between. The city’s Dutch heritage dates back to the 19th century.

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Pella, IA -

This historical village has a number of Dutch-inspired buildings, including windmills. Visit Pella in spring for the Tulip Time Festival.

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Leavenworth, WA -

Leavenworth was famously rebuilt to look like a German village in the 1960s. Fall and winter are the best time of the year to really enjoy the Bavarian atmosphere and enjoy some German food and beer.

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Helen, GA -

Helen will give you that Bavarian mountain vibe like no other city in the US. There are a number of traditional German music halls and pubs where you can eat and drink, and you can even buy a traditional Black Forest cuckoo clock at the Bavarian Clockworks.

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Solvang, CA -

If you’re looking for a place with a Danish feel, then look no further than this southern Californian city. From its architecture to wineries, and the many events that celebrate its Danish heritage, it’s easy to see why Solvang is known as the Danish Capital of America.

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Montpelier, VT -

Montpelier has a very European feel to it. After all, it was founded in the late 18th century and named after Montpelier, France.

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Healdsburg, CA -

Healdsburg, California, is probably the closest you can get to Tuscany in Italy without flying over the Atlantic. The two places actually share the same latitude and the appropriate climate to grow similar types of grapes. Why not enjoy a glass of Tuscan wine in California?

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St. Augustine, FL -

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the US. This is the place to go to if you want to feel like you’re in Spain. From a castle to stone fortresses and everything in between, St. Augustine lives and breathes Spanish heritage.

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New Orleans, LA -

No other US city blends French and Spanish heritage as well as New Orleans. Though the city was originally home to the French, the architecture of the French Quarter is, in fact, Spanish. It really does feel like you’re in Europe.

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San Francisco, CA -

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is one of the city’s most famous landmark structures. It turns out, it’s very similar to Ponte 25 de Abril in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Venice, CA -

Always dreamed of going to Venice, Italy? Well, you can enjoy very similar canals in Venice, California. These were originally built in 1905 in an attempt to recreate the Italian city’s atmosphere.

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Vail, CO -

This small town is best known for the Vail Ski Resort. It’s inspired by the town of Zermatt, Switzerland, and it really does feel like you’re in the Alps rather than in Vail Mountain.

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Georgetown, CO -

Featuring Victorian-style buildings, Georgetown is a quaint US town with a European feel.

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Lindsborg, KS -

Founded in 1868 by Swedish immigrants, Lindsborg retains its northern European charm to this day. Nicknamed “Little Sweden USA,” this is the place to enjoy traditional Swedish food, music, and folk dancing.

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Kansas City, MO -

From the towers to the courtyards, Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza is the closest you can get to Seville in Spain.

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Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA -

Carmel-by-the-Sea has all the charm you’d expect from an old English village. Even the name sounds like it’s from across the pond, right?

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Natchitoches, LA -

The oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase has everything you’d expect from a former French colony, including gorgeous European architecture.

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Poulsbo, WA -

The city of Poulsbo was founded in the 1880s by Norwegian immigrants. Scandinavian culture is widely celebrated to this day in "Little Norway on the Fjord.”

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Tarpon Springs, FL -

Florida is the closest you can get to Greece without leaving the US. Tarpon Springs has all the Greek charm you may want, and then some. The city is known for its sponges, an industry that dates back to the early 1900s when Greek sponge divers settled in the area.

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Frankenmuth, MI -

This city in Michigan has strong German roots and indeed it looks and feels like Bavaria. You can check out the Holz Brücke covered wooden bridge, and even test your forging skills with the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience.

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Savannah, GA -

Savannah is a charming Southern city with European influences all over. From cobbled streets to historical buildings, you may think for a moment that you’re in a British town.

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New Glarus, WI -

This 19th-century Swiss settlement is definitely worth a visit. Special celebrations include the Wilhelm Tell Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Swiss Volksfest.

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Ouray, CO -

This small Colorado town has an Alpine allure to it. It’s easy to see how it earned its nickname "Little Switzerland."

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Portland, OR -

Portland’s Gothic-style St. Johns Bridge and other buildings give the city a German vibe, that’s for sure.

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New Britain, CT -

Despite the name, this city in Connecticut has a strong Polish influence.

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Santa Barbara, CA -

Want a taste of the south of France? Head to California instead. Santa Barbara is known as "The American Riviera."

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Boston, MA -

If you’ve ever walked down Acorn Street, you know how European it feels. Indeed, the brick buildings, cobblestones, and lanterns, really make you feel like you’re in an old British town.

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Charleston, SC -

This city in South Carolina oozes European charm. It has many European architectural features.

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Las Vegas, NV -

And if you want to experience a bit of everything, then Vegas has got you covered. From Paris to Rome, and everything in between, the City of Sin can take you on a trip around Europe without leaving Nevada!

Sources: (Time Out) (House Beautiful) (The Travel) (The Parking Spot)

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