Tale of three Bavarian-inspired towns in US

If you're longing for a taste of Bavaria without leaving the US, three American towns -Frankenmuth, Michigan; Helen, Georgia; and Leavenworth, Washington offer a charming escape that evokes the spirit of Europe. 

Over the past year, Amanda Adler visited three of America's most beloved Bavarian-inspired towns: Frankenmuth, Michigan; Helen, Georgia; and Leavenworth, Washington. Each offered a delightful opportunity to experience a taste of the Alps without needing a passport, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

While Amanda enjoyed exploring these European-style towns, having visited Germany multiple times, only one made her feel like she had truly returned to Oktoberfest. Amanda grew up in Michigan and had visited the charming German-inspired town of Frankenmuth several times in her youth. After several years away, Amanda returned last December and found that the town was still as enchanting as ever, with its Bavarian-style architecture and a glockenspiel that chimes the time regularly. It snowed during her visit, and the light dusting of white snow on the holiday decorations amplified her sense of being in Europe. Unfortunately, the area lacks mountains, which made it feel slightly less immersive. 

While Christmas ornaments may have originated in Germany, Frankenmuth offers plenty for those looking to deck their halls this holiday season. The town is home to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, a massive 7-acre store that claims to be the "World's Largest Christmas Store," offering thousands of ornaments and decorations across its sprawling aisles. Next, Amanda visited Helen, an alpine town nestled in Northern Georgia. In Helen, she discovered a hillier landscape that better captured the essence of Bavaria. The town's cobblestone streets and beer halls created an enchanting atmosphere, making it an ideal getaway. Helen’s relatively mild year-round climate drew her there in early spring. 

The sunny weather was much more appealing than the chill of northern towns like Frankenmuth during that time. With daytime highs reaching over 70 degrees Fahrenheit during her visit, it was significantly warmer than Munich in April. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen offers a range of outdoor activities, from waterfall hikes to tubing. The region is also known for its many wineries, making it a perfect destination for her annual girls' trip. 

For authentic Oktoberfest vibes year-round, nothing compares to Leavenworth’s European charm and beauty. Located in the Cascade Mountains, the town is surrounded by rugged terrain that’s perfect for exploration. She visited in the summer, when hiking and riding the alpine coaster were on the agenda, though the area also boasts excellent skiing in winter. Despite Leavenworth being technically smaller than Helen and Frankenmuth, it felt the largest due to its many attractions. The downtown area, free of vehicle traffic, made it incredibly walkable. 

She instantly fell for this picturesque town as she strolled through its pedestrian-friendly streets, passing a statue of a lederhosen-wearing bear and restaurants playing lively accordion music. Leavenworth truly transported her back to her previous visits to Bavaria. Amanda and her husband relished hopping between beer gardens and enjoying giant pretzels — just as they did during their honeymoon in Munich.

By Naila Huseynova