Overseas travel will always be the best way to get a feel for other cultures, but the cost of plane tickets, accommodations, and sightseeing can put it out of reach for many — even with very careful budgeting. Happily, there are several places in the U.S. that make it possible to enjoy “international” destinations without paying the steep costs of foreign travel. Here are 18 spots to consider if you want to travel, without traveling too far. (Did we miss any of your favorites? Tell us in the comments at the bottom.)
delray77/istockphotoWhere you’re really going: Denmark
Just up the Pacific coast from Santa Barbara, Solvang is an impossibly picturesque Danish village, complete with a windmill and horse-drawn streetcar. The town is worth a stroll year-round to enjoy shopping in charming boutiques and art galleries, tasting local wines and dining on Danish fare such as aebleskiver (pancake balls) as well as modern eats. This year, Solvang Danish Days return Sept. 16-18 with plenty of traditional Danish breakfasts, folk dancing, and other events.
AnnKuz/istockphotoWhere you’re really going: Germany
The architecture in Leavenworth will clue you in quickly: This town is all about everything Bavarian, and the Cascade Mountains setting does a credible impression of the Alps. Check out the town’s glockenspiel, traditional maypole, Nutcracker Museum, and scores of German restaurants and gift shops. Notable traditional events include Oktoberfest and the Christkindlmarkt just after Thanksgiving.
bluejayphoto/istockphotoWhere you’re really going: China
Among San Francisco’s many worthy attractions is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, and the oldest in North America. Packed with shops, restaurants, and landmarks such as the Dragon’s Gate archway, the iconic area is worthy of deep exploration. Another can’t-miss destination is the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, which showcases visual art and has served as a jumping-off point for guided tours.
Head to the Little Havana neighborhood on the third Friday of the month and you’ll understand why Miami is America’s hotspot for Cuban culture. Viernes Culturales offers plenty of music, dancing, traditional arts and crafts, cigar rolling, and even a free walking tour of the neighborhood. Also worth visiting is the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, which showcases the work of Cuban artists and thinkers born outside of (or exiled from) Cuba.
stevegeer/istockphotoWhere you’re really going: The Netherlands
The name gives this one away, but Holland is one of the best places in the U.S. to get a dose of all things Dutch. Highlights include Nelis’ Dutch Village theme park, where you can watch traditional Dutch dancing and browse shelves of wooden shoes, and the Holland Museum for plenty of culture and history. Go in May for the Tulip Time Festival to see roughly 5 million dazzling tulips in bloom.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park by Jasperdo ((CC BY))Where you’re really going: Mexico
There are plenty of places in the U.S. to experience Mexican culture, but San Diego remains one of the best. The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park offers insight into the city’s Mexican roots with restored buildings, restaurants, and shops, while the Barrio Logan neighborhood is a thriving modern Mexican-American neighborhood (be sure to check out the colorful murals in Chicano Park). Choose from a range of events during Cinco de Mayo.
The Basque Country, though part of Spain, is linguistically and culturally distinct. In the U.S., it has gained an improbable foothold in Boise, where you’ll find the historic Basque Block neighborhood. It’s home to The Basque Museum and Cultural Center and spots such as Bar Gernika, where you can sample authentic Basque dishes. The San Inazio Festival has traditional music, dancing, games, and more.
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Orange County, California
Gary W./YelpWhere you’re really going: Vietnam
You’ll find a staggering number of Vietnamese shops, restaurants, and other businesses packed into Orange County’s Little Saigon neighborhood, only a few miles south of Disneyland. One of the area’s biggest events is the Tet Parade, which celebrates the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (dates vary). Thousands have turned out in past years to watch the lion dances, colorful floats, bands, and more.
New York City
Allard1/istockphotoWhere you’re really going: Italy
Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many others can all lay claim to significant Italian heritage, but New York City is still a great place to soak up some culture despite the fact that Manhattan’s Little Italy neighborhood isn’t as big as it used to be. The Italian-American Museum (expected to reopen this fall) and the Tenement Museum tell the story of Italians and other immigrants starting out in New York. Notable events include the massive Feast of San Gennaro in September and the Columbus Day parade in October — and there are still more classic Italian restaurants than any visitor could ever hope to discover.
Front Street Northeast by Steven Pavlov ((CC BY-SA))Where you’re really going: Norway
Nicknamed “Little Norway,” Poulsbo does a credible impression of a Scandinavian town perched on a fjord — or in this case, Puget Sound, not far from Seattle. There are galleries and breweries galore, and plenty of shops selling Nordic-inspired wares. Visitors can get out on the water on boat tours or rented kayaks, and there are plenty of festivals and events year round. One of the most notable is Viking Fest, complete with a parade, carnival, food, crafts and more.
Eve L./YelpWhere you’re really going: Ireland
While it has plenty of stiff competition, Beantown is still the best place to embrace Irish culture, claiming the highest percentage of residents in the U.S. with Irish ancestry. Follow the sprawling Irish Heritage Trail to check out sites including the Boston Irish Famine Memorial and Boston City Hall. Check out eponymous Irish pubs such as The Black Rose and mark your calendars for St. Patrick’s Day and its famous parade through South Boston.
anouchka/istockphotoWhere you’re really going: Russia/Ukraine
It’s no surprise that the melting pot that is New York City makes two appearances. This time, it’s the Brooklyn neighborhood of Brighton Beach, otherwise known as “Little Odessa,” that offers a peek into another world — Russia and Eastern Europe. You’ll see plenty of restaurants and shops offering food and products from the motherland, and even newspapers printed in Cyrillic. Pick up your nesting dolls at Saint-Petersburg Global Trade House, or catch a Russian-inspired show while stuffing your face at flashy Tatiana Restaurant and Night Club.
Los Angeles by Ripper777Where you’re really going: Korea
Los Angeles’ massive, thriving Koreatown offers a formidable array of restaurants, bars, spas, markets, bookstores, beauty shops, and more that may make you forget you’re still in the U.S. Los Angeles is also home to the Korean Cultural Center, which hosts a variety of events and exhibitions, and will soon host the Korean American National Museum in the heart of Koreatown. The Los Angeles Korean Festival is scheduled for September this year and offers plenty of traditional food, shopping, and performances.
Fibonacci Blue by Fibonacci Blue ((CC BY))Where you’re really going: Somalia
You’ll find the largest Somali community in the U.S. in the Twin Cities, including plenty of immigrant-run small businesses in the city’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Learn more at the Somali Museum of Minnesota, which claims to be the only museum of Somali culture anywhere in the world. The annual midsummer Somali Week was held earlier this month with events celebrating Somali independence and more.
Saundra Latham regularly exploits her grocery’s fuel-points program for free tanks of gas and skips the salon in favor of the $5.99 sales at Great Clips. She has made her home in areas with a low cost of living, such as Dayton, Ohio, and Knoxville, Tenn.
Before joining Cheapism as the site’s first staff writer, Saundra freelanced for websites including Business Insider, ConsumerSearch, The Simple Dollar, The Motley Fool, and About.com. She was previously an editor at The Columbus Dispatch, one of Ohio’s largest daily newspapers. She holds a master’s in communication from Ohio State University and a bachelor’s in journalism from American University.
