Five great German towns in the USA

May 18, 2010 7:18:16 PM

Robert Reid
Lonely Planet Author

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Germany! Oh Germany! If you can’t make it to Europe this year, but desperately need a lederhosen fix (sorry; it’s an obligatory lederhosen reference), you can find delightful German-American towns scattered across the US that offer an irresistible look into Old World customs, plus some great beers, sweet wines and all sorts of sausage.

Leavenworth, Washington

Blink all you want, but you really are still in Washington. Entering Leavenworth feels like some sort of Germanic hallucination — and it kinda is. The former lumber town ignored the British Invasion of the ’60s and opted for a complete Bavarian makeover. There’s a traditional Romantische Strasse village backed by a mountain right out of Sound of Music (OK, that’s Austria, but you get the picture). Linderhof Inn is a cozy Bavarian-style B&B, and you’ll find spaetzle and accordions galore at the fun Andreas Keller restaurant at 829 Front St.

Hermann, Missouri

Set like a Rhine castle above the Missouri River, between Kansas City and St Louis, the site of Hermann was hand-picked by German immigrants for its Rhine-like setting and climate, perfect for the eight wineries in the area. It’s a lovely town too — and one of the best reasons to take scenic Hwy 50 instead of I-70 across the ‘Show-Me State.’ Plus there’s a shocking amount of sausage and B&B options (including Hermann Hill) — and a funny town flag. This weekend it hosts its ‘Maifest.’

Fredericksburg, Texas

Settled in 1870, Fredericksburg is a frightfully dainty, yet rewarding destination between Austin and San Antonio (each about 75 miles away) amidst Texas’ lovely hill country. Visitors shop in boutiques in the collection of Victorian town houses, take in the area’s 15 wineries via the wine-trail map, and grab a bite to eat at Rather Sweet Bakery (249 E Main St), run by Dan Rather’s daughter.

Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Some 75 miles north of Detroit, Frankenmuth — aka ‘the Muth’ in these parts — is a heart-melter for a grab bag of serious German-inspired festivals — namely this weekend’s World Expo of Beer, June’s Bavarian Fest and Oktoberfest. It’s also a place that’s Christmas all year — at the ‘rah-rah Tannenbaum,’ 45-acre, year-round Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland.

Amana Colonies, Iowa

Just northwest of Iowa City (and off mind-numbingly monotonous I-80), this string of seven villages occupy a fun-to-take 17-mile loop. They were settled by German ‘inspirationist’ communities in the years before the Civil War. And unlike Amish or Mennonite religions, these communities embrace modern technology — evident in their successful chain of refrigerators. Aside from learning about local culture at a half-dozen museums including the insightful Amana Heritage Museum, it’s worth coming for truly wonderful German meals and a mug of local Millsteam wheat beer. Zuber’s Homestead Hotel is a good-value B&B in a late 19th-century building.

[Photo: Oktoberfest by 46137]

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Comments

22 May 2010 3:37AM opusfish Report this comment
I'm a little confused what Leavenworth, WA is doing on this list. The town is a tourist trap. It wasn't even founded by Germans. The sole purpose of the German theme was to prevent it from becoming a ghost town.
If you want to see Germany, go to Germany. Come to Washington to see Washington. It's worth the visit without having to be disguised as a European village.
25 May 2010 3:15AM seiftim Report this comment
You missed New Ulm Minnesota.?. A beautiful city that is genuinely ethnically German. Tim
26 May 2010 2:58AM leashchild Report this comment
I think it's awesome that Leavenworth is on the list!
I'm sure none of these towns can substitute a trip to Germany of course, but I live in Washington and Leavenworth is a fun place to hang out for a weekend!
27 May 2010 11:07AM sjas Report this comment
Don't forget New Ulm, MN Founded by Germans and proud of it. Schell's brewery (2nd oldest family owned in the US) Herman the German Incredible history in the Dakota Conflict of 1862.
30 June 2010 2:27AM accidentalbavarian Report this comment
Ah, opusfish. Why so cranky?
Do you also worry that Sleeping Beauty's castle in the Magic Kingdom was not really built by medieval serfs?
Many of those in Leavenworth are of German descent and take great pride in making it as authentic as possible.
I was in Bavaria last year and took some pictures. I was really surprised how well Leavenworth had done in making themselves "Little Bavaria". I wrote a blog with pictures where you can compare them for yourselves. Which is Bavaria and which is Leavenworth?
http://accidentalbavarian.com/wordpress/2010/01/is-it-live-or-is-it-memorex/
10 July 2010 4:21AM derfahrer Report this comment
Frankenmuth is a kitschy tourist trap. Akron, OH, if you go in December when they have a real Kristkindlmarkt, is more German.
30 September 2010 3:02AM gobart Report this comment
As an 'off the beaten path' traveler I try to avoid tourist traps. Having said that I don't think Leavenworth is one. There is a ton of cool outdoor activities you can do in the area, and the town is actually quite attractive. I loved the smell of fresh pastries on some of the streets. I recommend visiting on a weekday for a more authentic feeling. I visited on a Monday, check out my short video for a quick tour of the town: http://gobart.tv/ojxU
24 February 2011 2:25PM patricktx Report this comment
I love Leavenworth! A friend coordinates a bus trip up there every year at Christmas. An all you can eat buffet, drinks on the bus, games, Rankin and Bass videos and carols. Everyone dresses up and we have a fabulous couple of hours enjoying brats, hot buttered rums and occasionally snow, all that for $50. Ok, so I am prejudgiced.
When I was in the South of France I had dinner with two couples from England celebrating their anniversaries. Talk turned to where you are from and when I said Washington, they said "imagine our surprise when we took a drive up into the mountains and came upon a Bavarian Village". They said it was as authentic as anything they had seen and you can go river rafting in the Summer time.