32 Times Small-Town America Felt Like a Hidden European Village

22. Frankenmuth, Michigan, Michigan’s Little Bavaria

If you want an authentic Bavarian experience without leaving the U.S., Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the place to be. With its timbered architecture, Bavarian-style inns, and traditional German restaurants, the town is a festive European escape year-round. Known as "Michigan's Little Bavaria," Frankenmuth is famous for its world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s, and its Oktoberfest celebrations, which rival those in Germany. Whether you're indulging in a giant pretzel at the Bavarian Inn or taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, Frankenmuth offers a cozy, storybook retreat that feels straight out of Bavaria.