Photography courtesy of Visit Pella
Vermeer Windmill in Pella, Iowa
A group of Dutch immigrants who had been persecuted for their religion founded Pella in 1847. They named their new home after a biblical city of refuge. Stepped gable rooftops, a working canal drawbridge, and the tallest working grain windmill are just some of the Dutch features in this small town. Don’t miss the wooden shoemaker shop, the wooden shoe-shaped pond, and Frisian Farms Cheese House, where you can find a wide selection of goudas.
The neighboring villages of Kimballton and Elkhorn are home to the country’s largest rural Danish settlement. The main attraction: an 1848 Danish windmill, which was reassembled in Iowa. Inside, you’ll find the Danish Windmill Museum and Welcome Center, where you can buy plates, cookware, Christmas decorations, and Viking and other heritage gifts. Since its 2013 donation, the Morning Star Chapel, a tiny, one-person place to pray, has been operated by the Danish Windmill and is open to the public.
In 1847, a group of Dutch Calvinist separatists set up their home on the banks of Lake Michigan, appropriately naming it Holland. Today, Forbes has dubbed it one of "America’s Prettiest Towns." In its picturesque downtown, brick stepped, gable-roof buildings house more than 100 locally-owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and pubs. Just beyond the downtown area, you’ll find a 250-year-old Dutch windmill in Windmill Island Gardens. From late April through mid-May, it's surrounded by millions of tulips, with the annual Tulip Time Festival taking place in May.
Can’t make it to Munich for Oktoberfest? Head to New Ulm, Minnesota, for one of the best celebrations outside of Germany. During the first two weekends in October, there are festivities and plenty of opportunities to sample local beers from glass steins. The 45-foot-tall Glockenspiel, with its 12 historic figurines that rotate on the platform, is a highlight. At Domeier’s German Store, you’ll find chocolates, food, toys, ornaments, and other items from Germany.
Photography by Aaron Burden, courtesy of Frankenmuth Convention & Visitors Bureau
If you’re wanting a Bavarian experience, then head to Frankenmuth, a town that feels so German, you’re likely to forget you’re still in the U.S. German-inspired buildings line the streets and house restaurants that serve soft pretzels, schnitzel, and plenty of beer. Take a Bavarian Belle Riverboat tour to learn more about the town’s Franconian roots, and visit the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience for demonstrations on forging skills. You can even test your own hand at it. And if you visit during the Christmas season, you'll see the entire town transformed into a German Christmas Market.
Once you observe the chalet-style buildings of First Street in New Glarus, you’ll understand why the village has been nicknamed "America’s Little Switzerland." You don’t need a lot of time to explore this small village, with only 2,266 residents, but there are a few places that you don’t want to miss. Head to New Glarus Brewing Company to grab a pint and take a self-guided tour. At Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate Haus, you can choose from a variety of Swiss chocolates and cheese. During the summer months, visit the Swiss Historical Village and Museum, complete with a circa-1850 Swiss settlement.
With its rich German culture, sprawling views, and wine vineyards, Hermann is an easy day trip or weekend getaway from St. Louis. Founded in 1837 by German immigrants, the town celebrates its history with festivals throughout the year. In March, professional meat processors from across Missouri gather for Wurstfest, a festival with plenty of sausage and sauerkraut. The beginning of spring is celebrated at the annual Maifest with Maypole dancers, heritage tours, and German music and dancing. And, of course, Oktoberfest turns the entire town into a festive biergarten every weekend in October.
With its brick-lined streets and historic homes, German Village in south Columbus is full of charm. Founded in the 19th century by German settlers, the village is today loaded with restaurants, boutique stores, coffee shops, and pubs. Visitors can explore the village with a self-guided tour or during a 90-minute scavenger hunt, in addition to organized tours. And if you visit during the summer months, there are Shakespeare performances in Schiller Park.
