Immerse yourself in these unique ethnic communities — no passport required.
International cultural experiences can be rewarding and educational and can broaden your worldview. But they can also be overwhelming and expensive — not to mention time-consuming, especially if the places you’re traveling to are far away or you need to wait for a passport renewal.
One alternative worth considering: Immersing yourself in other cultures closer to home. Take a look at these unique ethnic communities in the U.S. — no passport (and much less jet lag) required.
Deutschland in the Pacific Northwest
What do you do when the sawmill and logging industries that once sustained your town face a crippling downturn? The community leaders of Leavenworth, Washington, decided to convert their town into a European hamlet to provide unique international cultural experiences. Inspired by the surrounding alpine mountains, Leavenworth was rebranded as a Bavarian village and now welcomes 2 million lederhosen-loving tourists each year. Get a taste of German culture, music, and traditional dress — no matter the season — by attending one of their many festivals: Winter Karneval every weekend in January, with live ice carvings, fireworks, and performers; Maifest in the spring, with Bavarian music, Maipole dancing, and a Blumenlauf (flower run); or Oktoberfest in the fall, which features everything you’d expect in Munich plus games, contests, incredible music, and even a Kinderplatz (children’s place) with a Ferris wheel, bouncy obstacle course, and face painting, so every age group can partake in the fun.
How to get there: Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and rent a car for the 130-mile trek east through the gorgeous Cascade Mountains. Amtrak also offers daily train service from Seattle to Leavenworth, for an even more scenic trip.
Other places to travel to discover German and Bavarian culture: Frankenmuth, Michigan, and Helen, Georgia
Mediterranean in the Southeast
Head to the Sunshine State to feel transported to a coastal Greek village. The Gulf city of Tarpon Springs, Florida, has a long history of Hellenic cultural experiences dating back to the early 1900s, when sponge fisherman emigrated from the Mediterranean for work. Today, the sponge industry still thrives, and Greek heritage remains a significant part of the culture. Authentic restaurants, bakeries, and shops line the riverfront along Dodecanese Boulevard and Athens Street, and Greek culture is celebrated with events throughout the year. If you’re interested in the industry, you can book a tour through St. Nicholas Boat Line to learn more about the history of sponge diving in the area and watch a live diver — using traditional equipment — demonstrate sponge harvesting and retrieval. Each March, throngs of people line the streets waving distinct blue-and-white flags to mark Greek Independence Day with a parade and festivities. The city also offers First Friday and Athens by Night events throughout the year.
How to get there: Tarpon Springs is easily accessible and less than 30 miles from Tampa International Airport or St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.
Other places to travel to discover Greek culture: Visit Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado, or Baltimore
Scandinavia in the Midwest
Affectionately called “Little Sweden USA,” Scandinavian culture has prevailed in the city of Lindsborg, Kansas, ever since immigrants from Sweden began settling there in 1869. Challenge yourself to see how many Dala horse statues you can spot. These colorfully painted and iconic symbols of Sweden are positioned around the city. And find Swedish trinkets and treats (Dala horses in gummy and chocolate varieties, as well as Pepparkakor ginger cookies) in the local shops and eateries. Lindsborg has several lively celebrations throughout the year, such as Våffeldagen, or “Waffle Day,” in the spring, wherein locals and tourists alike can enjoy waffles and waffle-inspired dishes, take a photo with one of the costumed waffle mascots, and interact with waffle art. And as cultural experiences go, it’s hard to beat welcoming the summer solstice at the family-friendly Midsummer’s Festival, held the third Saturday of June each year, with games, craft demonstrations, dancing, traditional foods, and a Viking reenactment village. Svensk Hyllningsfest, held each October in odd-numbered years, celebrates the early Swedish settlers with parades, folk dances, and a savory smorgasbord.
How to get there: Located in central Kansas, Lindsborg is about 70 miles north of Wichita or a three-hour drive from Kansas City.
Other places to travel to discover Swedish culture: Kingsburg, California, and the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago
South Asia in the Southwest
The 1980s welcomed an influx of Indian immigrants to Houston, the most populous city in Texas, in part thanks to expanding industries such as engineering, academia, and medicine. An ethnic enclave developed, with many South Asian restaurants and shops opening on the west side of the city in the area between Westpark Tollway and Highway 59. In 2010, it received the designation of the Mahatma Gandhi District to honor these cultural experiences. It’s now among the top places to travel for amazing Indian cuisine in the U.S., offering everything from curries and samosas (deep-fried pastries filled with potatoes and vegetables) to tandoori chicken and dosas (a type of savory crepe).
Houston boasts one of the largest Holi festivals in America. Typically occurring in late February or March, Holi (Festival of Colors) is the Hindu celebration of spring, love, and rebirth. Observe or join the colorful plumes as participants cover each other in vibrant powders, each hue with a different significance — orange for strength and courage and green for happiness and new beginnings, for example. The whole family can enjoy carnival rides, live Bollywood performances, and street food vendors. Diwali (Festival of Lights) is celebrated in the fall with cultural performances, fashion shows, henna tattoos, and fireworks.
How to get there: The Mahatma Gandhi District is a roughly 30-mile drive southwest from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Other places to travel to discover Indian culture: Jersey City, New Jersey, and Hicksville (Long Island), New York
