35 Cities That Feel Like a Different Country Without Leaving the U.S.

7. Dearborn, Michigan – A Gateway to the Middle East

If you’re looking for a truly immersive Middle Eastern experience in the U.S., Dearborn, Michigan, is the place to go. Home to the largest Arab-American population in the country, this city is a bustling hub of Lebanese, Iraqi, Palestinian, and Yemeni culture, reflected in its markets, mosques, and mouthwatering cuisine. One of the highlights is Warren Avenue, where you’ll find bakeries selling fresh pita bread, cafés offering strong Arabic coffee, and restaurants serving lamb kebabs, hummus, and shawarma that taste like they came straight from Beirut or Baghdad. Don’t skip the kanafeh, a sweet, cheesy pastry soaked in syrup that’s beloved across the Middle East. For history lovers, the Arab American National Museum provides a deep dive into Arab heritage, immigration stories, and cultural contributions to the U.S. And just outside of town, the Islamic Center of America, one of the largest mosques in North America, is a stunning example of modern Islamic architecture.