25 American Towns Where People Live Like They're in Europe

15. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: A Colonial European Gem

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, offers visitors a charming blend of New England history with distinctly European undertones. Founded in 1623, Portsmouth is one of the oldest cities in the United States and boasts cobblestone streets, Georgian and Federal-style architecture, and a picturesque waterfront that evokes the feel of a quaint English port town. The historic district is walkable and full of character, with colonial-era buildings housing bookstores, cafés, and bistros that channel European ambiance. Visitors can explore Strawberry Banke Museum, an open-air living history museum that showcases life from the 17th to the 20th century, or relax in Prescott Park, where flower gardens bloom beside the Piscataqua River. European-style cafés line Market Square, offering everything from crêpes to Italian espresso. In the fall, the city's golden foliage and old-world charm make it feel like a scene straight from a European village.