I’ve been to 3 Bavarian-style villages in the US. They’re charming, but just one made me feel like I was in Germany.

• I’ve traveled to three towns in the United States that try to recreate the alpine style of Bavaria.
• Helen, Georgia, and Frankenmuth, Michigan, had beautiful views and architecture.
• I’ve visited Germany several times, and only Leavenworth, Washington, felt like the real deal.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, offered lovely vibes but lacked an alpine landscape.

Leavenworth, Washington, felt bigger than I expected, and its theming was on point.

Set in the Cascade Mountains and only a few hours east of Seattle, the town offers a rugged landscape just begging to be explored.

I visited in the summer when hiking and careening along the town’s alpine coaster was on the agenda, though the region also offers great skiing in the winter.

Even though Leavenworth is technically smaller than Helen and Frankenmuth by square miles, it felt the largest to me because of how much it has to offer.

The heart of the downtown area was free from vehicle traffic, making it very walkable. There were also plenty of beer gardens and breweries to visit.

Of the cities I visited, Leavenworth is the only one that made me feel like I was in Europe.

I fell in love with this adorable town as I walked its pedestrian-friendly streets, passing a fun statue of a lederhosen-clad bear and restaurants filled with cheerful accordion music.

My husband and I enjoyed skipping between beer gardens and munching on giant pretzels, just like we did on our honeymoon in Munich.

Ultimately, Leavenworth really transported me back to my past visits to Bavaria.

This story was originally published on November 21, 2024, and most recently updated on October 9, 2026.