10 U.S. Destinations That Feel Like An International Escape
Think you need a passport to escape the U.S.? Think again. Scattered across the country are places so wildly different, so unapologetically un-American, you’ll swear you’ve been transported across the globe!
From a Bavarian village in the Pacific Northwest to a sun-drenched Spanish outpost in Florida, these destinations rewrite the rules of domestic travel. It’s all here, just hiding in plain sight.
So, if you’re craving an international getaway but don’t feel like dealing with currency exchanges or long-haul flights, pack your bags. These 10 U.S. destinations will trick your senses into thinking you’ve left the country entirely.
1. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Step off the plane in San Juan, and suddenly, the U.S. feels like a distant memory. Spanish colonial architecture, cobbled streets bursting with color, and the rhythmic pulse of salsa drifting through the air—it’s more Havana or Barcelona than anything you’d expect stateside.
Old San Juan is a feast for the senses, where centuries-old forts like Castillo San Felipe del Morro stand tall against crashing waves, and street vendors fry up alcapurrias right beside boutiques selling handcrafted cigars.
Wander far enough, and you’ll stumble upon an impromptu dance party. Because here, music isn’t entertainment, it’s a way of life!
2. Leavenworth, Washington
One minute, you’re in Washington State. The next, you’re in a Bavarian fairytale. Leavenworth is a full-on Alpine escape, where half-timbered buildings, lederhosen-clad locals, and German beer halls make you forget the Pacific Northwest even exists.
Strolling through town feels like a scene from The Sound of Music. Snow-dusted peaks tower over chalet-style hotels, and every shop window is filled with cuckoo clocks, handmade steins, and enough bratwurst to fuel a festival.
And when winter arrives? It’s a straight-up European Christmas market! It’s complete with twinkling lights, roasted nuts, and mulled wine so good it could warm the Grinch’s heart.
3. St. Augustine, Florida
If you think Florida is all theme parks and beach resorts, St. Augustine is here to prove you wrong. It feels like a slice of old Europe. There’re fortress walls, narrow streets, and a deep-rooted history that could rival any medieval city abroad.
The city’s heart is the Castillo de San Marcos. It’s a massive stone fort that once guarded the coastline from pirates and invaders. Walk its ramparts at sunset, and you’ll swear you’re in coastal Spain, not the Sunshine State.
Even the street names—Aviles, Granada, Cordova—hint at a past that feels more Seville than Sarasota.
4. Solvang, California
Denmark in the middle of California? Absolutely. Solvang is a European daydream of windmills, thatched-roof cottages, and bakeries serving buttery kringles that taste straight out of Copenhagen.
A walk through town feels surreal. Horse-drawn carriages clatter down the streets, shopkeepers greet you with a cheerful “hej!”, and suddenly, you’re wondering if you should be paying in kroner instead of dollars.
Even the wine country here has a European touch! There’re rolling vineyards producing world-class Syrahs and Pinot Noirs, just like in France or Italy.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans doesn’t just feel like another country, it feels like another world! It’s a melting pot of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences. It refuses to be defined by anything but its own vibrant spirit.
The French Quarter alone transports you to a different era, with wrought-iron balconies, gas-lit alleyways, and Creole townhouses that feel more Parisian than American.
Just so you know, music is everywhere! Sometimes it’s in the clubs, sometimes on the street, but always played with soul.
6. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is where the U.S. stops feeling like the U.S. With its adobe architecture, centuries-old plazas, and an art scene that rivals any in Europe, it’s a world apart from the typical American city.
The moment you arrive, the earthy scent of piñon wood fills the air, and the warm, burnt-orange glow of the buildings makes everything feel timeless.
Wander through the labyrinth of Canyon Road, where galleries overflow with paintings, pottery, and sculptures inspired by the Southwest’s raw, natural beauty. Or step inside the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Here, the desert itself is the star.
7. Holland, Michigan
Step into Holland, and you’d be forgiven for checking your passport. Tulip fields stretcc to the horizon, authentic Dutch windmills turn in the breeze, and streets are lined with European-style shops. This Michigan town feels more like the Netherlands than the Midwest.
Every May, the Tulip Time Festival transforms the city into a Dutch wonderland, complete with wooden shoe dancers and streets bursting with color.
And just when you think you’ve left Europe behind, Holland surprises you with another twist—Lake Michigan. The beaches here are so pristine and the waves so endless, they could easily pass for an ocean.
8. Napa Valley, California
If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping wine in the rolling hills of Tuscany or Bordeaux, Napa Valley is the next best thing. In fact, with its sun-drenched vineyards, Michelin-starred restaurants, and luxurious countryside estates, it might even be better.
Every corner of Napa feels international. The estates are grand, the wineries feel like they belong in France, and the tasting rooms offer experiences you’d expect in the hills of Italy. Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride, and for a moment, you could convince yourself you’re floating over the Loire Valley.
And the food? Every meal is a masterpiece, from farm-to-table bistros to elaborate multi-course dinners that could rival any found in Paris. Pair it with a silky Cabernet Sauvignon, and suddenly, California feels very, very far away.
9. Taos, New Mexico
Taos doesn’t just feel different. It feels ancient, almost mystical! The high desert landscape, the earthen adobe homes, and the whisper of history in the air make it seem more like a lost city in the Andes than a small town in New Mexico.
At the heart of it all is Taos Pueblo. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.
And then there’s the wild side. Skiing down steep alpine slopes, hiking the rugged Rio Grande Gorge, or simply soaking in natural hot springs under a blanket of stars—it all feels like an adventure on foreign soil.
10. Friday Harbor, Washington
The San Juan Islands don’t feel like the U.S.! They feel like the coastal villages of Canada or even Scandinavia. Friday Harbor, the crown jewel of the islands, is an oasis of misty harbors, boutiques, and seafood so fresh it practically jumps onto your plate.
Orcas glide through the waters, pine-covered cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, and life moves at a blissfully slow pace.
Whether you’re kayaking along the shore or sipping coffee at a harbor café, it’s hard to believe you’re still in Washington State.