While most American communities feature your traditional neighborhoods with white picket fences and tree-lined sidewalks, a few municipalities really lean into their own unique identities. From hamlets themed around Christmas to others that look as if they’ve been lifted straight out of Bavaria, these fun and quirky places attract countless tourists looking to experience such unusual locations for themselves.
Forget temporary seasonal decorations, these small villages embrace what makes them stand out year round. Here are six themed towns throughout the United States that are absolutely worth visiting.
Santa Claus, Indiana
The town of Santa Claus, Indiana, is — you guessed it — a Christmas-themed haven. Even in the dead of summer, this Indiana village is a must-visit for Christmas lovers, featuring sites like the Santa Claus Museum and Santa’s Stables, the latter of which is home to several horses. You don’t have to visit Santa Claus to experience the town's festive nature. In fact, consider writing a letter to the local post office, which is the only post office in the world that bears Santa Claus’s name. Each year, thousands of boys and girls write into the Santa Claus post office, which first opened its doors in 1856, and local non-profits take the time to answer those letters from Santa Claus himself. If you're looking for a brief reprieve from the Christmas spirit, Santa Claus is also only five miles away from the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln.
Mount Airy, North Carolina
Mount Airy brings The Andy Griffith Show to life, turning the classic television sitcom into a real village. The entire town is designed to serve as a nostalgic reminder of Mayberry, the central location from the hit 1960s TV series. Fans of Andy’s can take a stroll down memory lane and visit fictional locations from the show that have been turned into tangible institutions, from Floyd’s City Barber Shop to the Old Mayberry Jail. You can also tour around inside a classic squad car, just like the one deputy Barney Fife (portrayed by Don Knotts) drove in the show.
Mount Airy is also the site of the boyhood home of Andy Griffith, which offers guests the chance to stay in the very house where Griffith spent his adolescence. Consider popping into the Andy Griffith Museum as well, which is home to countless keepsakes, props, and costumes from the beloved actor’s career.
Leavenworth, Washington
The Pacific Northwest town of Leavenworth was originally inhabited by the Wenatchi Indians before American settlers and the railroad arrived around 1892. Upon the city’s incorporation in 1906, it served as the headquarters of the Great North Railroad, though after the company moved away in 1922 the city struggled economically. Looking to adopt a new identity to benefit the town, the Leavenworth Improvement for Everyone Committee was formed in 1962 and decided to transform the entire village into a Bavarian-themed paradise.
The decision was a rousing success, as the community now welcomes nearly two million tourists annually, making it the second most-visited destination in Washington after Seattle. People flock to Leavenworth particularly around the time of Oktoberfest, which is considered among the largest celebrations of its kind outside of Germany. There are year-round activities as well, perhaps none more relaxing than strolling the scenic streets lined by buildings adorned with Bavarian-style architecture For a little bit of Christmas-themed fun, consider popping into the Nutcracker Museum, which contains over 7,000 nutcrackers from around the world. Furthermore, the village is home to the only ski jump on the West Coast. And of course there’s no better way to cap off a day on the slopes than by visiting one of Leavenworth’s many restaurants serving up delicious pretzels and bratwurst.
Solvang, California
Though not Bavarian-themed, the town of Solvang, California, still offers an authentic European atmosphere. Nicknamed the “Danish Capital of America,” Solvang brings Scandinavia to the west coast. Visit one of the town’s five Danish-style windmills, plus other beloved local landmarks from a giant red clog to the Little Mermaid Fountain — that statue is of course inspired by the work of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.
Though everyday is Danish-themed in Solvang, the Danish Heritage Festival each September truly brings out an added emphasis of that European culture. These Danish Days are free to the public and feature folk dancing, axe throwing competitions, and even aebleskiver (a type of Danish pastry) eating contests. For wine lovers, Solvang is also traditionally host to an annual grape stomping event, where oenophiles can stomp their very own glass of wine to enjoy afterwards.
Tombstone, Arizona
There’s no better place to feel like a cowboy than in Tombstone, Arizona. Once considered among America’s fastest-growing cities, Tombstone has maintained its small town, Wild West charm straight out of the late 1800s. Tombstone was once a popular spot for outlaws such as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, though those very real feuds have given way to modern-day reenactments. You can even stop by the O.K. Corral, the site of a famed 1881 gunfight where daily reenactments now occur.
Tombstone was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962, and has since fully embraced its old-timey atmosphere. Some of the more notable attractions found locally include the Bird Cage Theatre, a one-time brothel turned historic museum, as well as the many authentic saloons on Allen Street where you can enjoy a boozy beverage.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Located in the larger area of Williamsburg, Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg is a historic community that shows what life was like among American settlers back in the late 1700s. This living museum spans 301 acres and boasts historic buildings that have been restored to look just as they did back in the 18th century. From the historic Capitol building to the Governor’s Palace, employees of Colonial Williamsburg dress in period garb and perform day to day activities just as residents did back then, allowing for a unique opportunity to learn about and experience life at the time.
Some of those employees actually call this historic community home, as various rental properties on site allow those working actors to live atop the very same location as our American forefathers — don’t worry, they have electricity and running water. As a visitor, the community has something for everyone, whether you’re more keen to pop into a local tavern for BBQ and brews or interested in taking in a service at the still-active Bruton Parish Church.
