We might be your biggest cheerleaders for traveling the world, but sometimes a trip out of the United States just isn’t feasible. We’ve collected our top 5 destinations throughout the country that remind us of other countries across the globe.
St. Augustine, FL
Walk through the streets of this charming, coastal town, and you’ll know exactly why this destination is number one on our list! With warm, balmy weather and streets lined with Spanish Colonial architecture, you’ll feel like you’ve been completely transported abroad.
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine is known as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States with European origins. Of course, the modern city looks a bit different. So, what remains? After the city fell from a British invasion in 1702, the Castillo de San Marcos was left standing and is a popular landmark to visit today. While you’re in the Historic Colonial District, you’ll see 36 original buildings, and another 40 or so models that have been recreated. Learn more here.
New Orleans, LA
An exciting combination of cultures, the Big Easy has taken on its own distinctive identity and is one of the most visited destinations in the United States. Colonized by French settlers in the early 1700s, surrendered to the Spanish, and then ruled by the French once again after almost four decades, New Orleans’ early history constitutes for a lot of its current attributes, such as its architecture, city plan, etc.
Perhaps you identify New Orleans directly with either Cajun or Creole cultures, as the food, music, language, and overall way of life have grown from the combinations of people brought together in the region for generations. Visitors plan on feasting on gumbo, muffuletta, and beignets, and look forward to hearing Zydeco, Jazz, and Blues while walking up and down the lively city streets. Learn more about this destination by reading our travel guide.
San Francisco, CA
Yet another city colonized by the Spanish, this destination, however, has been and still is being continually influenced by countless cultures from around the world, creating a completely unique destination to discover. Named after the founder of the Franciscan order, St. Francis of Assisi, you’ll be able to see San Francisco’s Spanish roots firsthand and learn more about the California Missions at Mission Delores, located in the Mission District.
The Spanish’s hold on San Francisco didn’t last long, and shortly after, the city was put on a worldwide stage when gold was discovered in Sutter’s Mill. One can argue, that ever since the Gold Rush, people from around the world have flocked to the City By The Bay, thus creating neighborhoods heavily influenced by international cultures.
One of the famous ones is Chinatown, one of the oldest in the United States. But there’s also Japantown and Little Saigon, a 2-block stretch of Vietnamese-owned businesses. Head to North Beach, the Italian neighborhood filled with trattorias and cafes, or Mission District for some of the best taquerias around. The melting pot of all of these cultures and more can be found throughout the streets of this beautiful city, telling a story all its own.
Helen, GA
If you’ve ever wanted to go to Germany, this well-kept secret hidden in the mountains of northeastern Georgia will be the perfect getaway for you. The town of Helen feels straight out of a storybook, and that’s on purpose. The region was home to Cherokee villages, miners during the Great Georgia Gold Rush, and finally the Matthews Lumber Company, that is, until the town was deserted once the timber had all been cut.
Fast-forward to ingenious locals who dreamed of creating a Bavarian escape right in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The downtown was completely reinvented with Bauernhaus architecture. Complete with Biergartens, and other quaint restaurants and shops to find unique German fare, sweets, and gifts, visitors of all ages will love exploring the town of Helen. Learn more about this destination by reading our travel guide.
Ouray, CO
Our last destination on the list is known as the “Switzerland of America”. Ouray, Colorado, is almost completely surrounded by the San Juan Mountains in the southwest region of the Centennial State. Sitting at an elevation of 7,792, you can imagine that the town gets pretty chilly in the winter and receives a beautiful blanket of snow. It’s this exact landscape that gives the town its nickname, reminding visitors of villages in the Swiss Alps.
A lesser-known Colorado destination, Ouray offers impeccable skiing and hiking trails, the Ouray Ice Park, and the healing waters at various hot springs in the area. It’s no wonder that this alpine community is also known as the “Outdoor Recreation Capitol of Colorado”. While there are endless opportunities to get outside, visitors will also want to take a stroll through this Victorian-era mining town’s downtown.
