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

21. Galena, Illinois: Victorian Elegance Meets European Charm

Tucked along the banks of the Galena River and framed by rolling hills, Galena, Illinois, feels like an elegant 19th-century European town paused in time. Its meticulously preserved architecture—red-brick mansions, cast-iron balconies, and cobblestone streets—gives it the charm of an English village fused with the romance of rural Tuscany. Gas lamps light up its walkable Main Street, where boutique shops, wine bars, and galleries line the narrow sidewalks. You can tour the grand home of Ulysses S. Grant or ride in a horse-drawn carriage past ivy-draped B&Bs that wouldn’t feel out of place in Provence. Galena also boasts a vibrant culinary scene with locally sourced fare and nearby vineyards that offer tastings and scenic views. The region’s rolling countryside, dotted with orchards and wineries, adds to the impression that you’ve wandered into a European countryside getaway—only here, Midwestern warmth and history greet you at every turn.