7 Places in North America That Feel Like Europe

If it looks like France and sounds like France, then—nope, it still might not be France. But you’d be forgiven for the mix-up in Quebec City, which was founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608. One of the first European settlements on the continent, Quebec’s history shows within the fortified heart of Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether exploring the cobbled streets of the Lower Town on a walking tour, tasting French-inspired treats, or admiring sights like the Château Frontenac, you’ll find a city with a seriously Gallic sensibility.

Imagine rolling golden hills punctuated by row upon row of grape vines, all offset by villas, wineries, and cypress trees. That vision may sound like Tuscany, but you don’t need to go to Italy when you can head to Napa Valley, California instead. Arguably the best-known wine region in the US, Napa has long drawn visitors with its striking scenery, world-class vino, and Michelin-starred restaurants. While you may notice that your sangiovese and montepulciano have been swapped for cabernet sauvignon and merlot, embarking on a wine tour is sure to resolve any complaints.

Quick—picture a Bavarian town. What do you see? Chocolate-box, half-timbered buildings? Snowy alpine peaks in the distance? The occasional dirndl or pair of lederhosen? If that sounds appealing, you can skip a trip to Germany and go instead to Leavenworth, Washington. Offset by the Cascade Mountains and featuring architecture inspired by Bavaria, Leavenworth also has a nutcracker museum, where more than 7,000 of the traditionally decorated tools are on display. And, if you wish to hoist a maß like you’re in Munich, Leavenworth is the place to go for its annual Oktoberfest celebrations.

There are places in Philadelphia that couldn’t be anywhere else—the Rocky statue in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the skyscrapers of Center City, the hubbub of South Street. But venture into Old City on a walking tour and suddenly you could be in historical England. From its traditional taverns to its brick-lined streets, its quaint townhouses to landmarks like Independence Hall, this scenic section of the City of Brotherly Love may have been the birthplace of American independence—but it still looks a lot like the Old World.

If most of Mexico’s cities have Mesoamerican origins, then Puebla is a newcomer. Founded by Spanish colonizers in 1531, the city still retains a distinctly European sensibility—its UNESCO-listed historic center is particularly reminiscent of Spain. From buildings with ornamental facades to the soaring architecture of the Cathedral and the Convent Church of San Francisco, Puebla’s Old World scenery can be admired on a walking tour. Lest you think you’ve found yourself in Spain, going on a culinary excursion to sample the city’s signature dishes, such as mole poblano, will quickly remind you you’re in the land of tacos, not tapas.

Who needs the Matterhorn when you have the Rockies? From its chalet-style architecture to its soaring peaks, its enviable powder to its splashy après-ski scene, Vail, Colorado is North America’s answer to Switzerland. Winter is the high season in these lofty climes. So, if you’re only in town for a short time, book a premium ski rental service to hit the slopes without delay. But don’t neglect a summer visit—with activities including hiking, fishing, and mountain biking, this outdoorsy destination is a year-round favorite.

Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland is both a place unlike any other and an uncanny twin of Western Norway. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is unique for its association with continental drift and plate tectonics; there are places where ocean crust and mantle rocks can be viewed. But the Atlantic park is also known for its dramatic, glacier-carved fjords and moody setting, which would look perfectly fitting in Bergen or Trondheim.