Germantown, Wisconsin
With roughly 44% of Wisconsin locals claiming German ancestry in the 2000 census, you won’t have a rough time finding incredible German food, shops, and other goods just about anywhere you go in the state.
But if you’re looking for a true US Bavarian village, Germantown, Wisconsin, is THE place to be. It offers a tiny but mighty Bavarian experience. Germantown, which began as a single square mile, comprises more than 35 square miles nowadays, some rural.
The benefit of this eclectic environment is that it’s home to everything from the Sila Lydia Bast Bell Museum to the pick-your-own experience at Lannon Sunflower Farm.
At Sila Lydia Bast Bell Museum, you can see bells worldwide, including a giant bell weighing over 1,000 pounds. And after working up an appetite, stop by the heart and soul of Germantown, Von Rothenburg Bier Stube and Garten.
This special US Bavarian village will lift your spirits and make you sing “Ein Prosit” before you even know what you’re doing! Besides the indoor restaurant, there’s an outdoor beer garden, excellent for the days when the warm sun and cold beer go perfectly together.
You’ll see plenty of lederhosen and dirndls and even live band outside. Their menu includes Bavarian favorites and an excellent selection of authentic beer.
22 thoughts on “6 German-Inspired Towns in the US You MUST SEE”
I’ve been to Helen, GA, many times and enjoy it every time I go. Also, it is not that far from The Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee.
Yes those towns are cute but you forgot one; SOLVANG CALIFORNIA!
They have shops, restaurants, bakeries, wine tastings, little museums and art galleries.
You can rent a Surrey With The Fringe On Top and stay in a hotel with a windmill. Walking is a great way to see the town.
Solvang is lovely but it is Danish, not German.
Zehnder restaurant in Frankenmuth, Michigan has no german food on the menue. I was born a d raised in Bavaria, Germany.
U forgot Little Switzerland 🇨🇠in North Carolina
Yes, lovely, but Swiss is not German.
Frankenmuth, MI IS ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRET GERMAN TOWNS IN MICHIGAN!
WHERE IS SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA?????
Hello Maureen! Solvang is about a 2 hour drive, on the 101, from Los Angeles.
It’s a Danish town, not German.
New Braunfels, Texas and Amana, Iowa are very German towns, featuring German restaurants and German heritage.
I’ve been to Helen, GA several times. I had family that lived in that area. Helen does not disappoint, there are so many great places to eat and shop. I always find something there I can’t live without. They also have the most delicious candy shop. I LOVE their chocolate covered cashews, makes my mouth water thinking about them. I would recommend this resort town to anyone, You will probably love it as much as me.
Thanks so much for your feedback Sharon! We love Helen, Georgia too.
I love Fredericksburg TX. Till the 1970’s the news paper was still in German. It is still a very small town with lots of tourists.
We agree Marc. It’s one of our favorites too!
Leavenworth! WA! I am 90 miles West of this place and Yes I been there More than a few times, very cute! Close to Lake Wenatchee as well thee BEST PLACE to camp in the PNW! The thing I do not like about the situation is that its really kool to visit here for christmas BUT the mountain Pass is treacherous! ALSO Shops charge a killing for stuff! Still I love this town!
Hello Justin. Thank you so much for your feedback!
Dont forget to Mention Sugarcreek Ohio which is a German Swiss style town also with an Amish Mennonite Flair and Holmes County Ohio.
Hi Paul! Thanks so much for the tip!
We found Hermann, MO, by chance years ago on our first cross-country trip west (where we’d moved) to east (where we are from & where all relatives reside). We were looking for an interesting place for gas & lunch. We ended up spending half the day there, soaking in the architecture/ambiance, & lunching on best ever home-made loose sausage sandwiches(& that’s sayin’ something b/c I grew up in Amish country in PA) & a split of local wine, with best sparkling grape juice ever for our kids. We all still recall it fondly years later. Would make it a destination in a heartbeat.
I HAVE BEEN TO HELEN GA, A FEW TIMES MY FAMILY AND ME ARE GOING BACK AGAIN WE LOVED EVERY IT, EVERY TIME WE GO
Hey Richard! We love that area too. Thank you for sharing with us!