You don’t need to get a passport stamp to have a spectacular summer getaway. The U.S. has its own historic charms, often influenced by the Europeans that settled here. With the right view and an Aperol spritz, you’ll swear you were summering abroad.

Travel writer and blogger Janice Moskoff of Gather and Go Travel recommends three domestic destinations that offer the feeling of a European summer without the transatlantic price tag.

New Orleans, Louisiana

“See charming balconies, wrought-iron grillwork, and colorful facades framing its narrow streets, reflecting the French and Spanish influence on the city,” says Moskoff. “Combine this with the rich traditions and cuisine of its Creole and Cajun heritage and its world-renowned jazz scene—New Orleans uniquely expresses the best of the old and new world like nowhere else.”

New Orleans has an old-world feel but it’s been created by a distinctly American viewpoint. Pulling on French, Spanish, and Creole influences, the dynamic architecture and lively entertainment scene make this a perfect getaway. Though famous for the reveling on Bourbon Street, New Orleans can also offer a quieter visit filled with local art galleries, river cruises, and smooth jazz.

Boston, Massachusetts

“Although youthful by European standards, the American Revolutionary city of Boston, Massachusetts, exudes history, culture, and charm that could rival any continental counterpart,” says Moskoff. “Its narrow cobblestone streets and stately brownstones of the city’s North End neighborhood showcase this particularly well, as do its stately parks, open-air markets, and world-class museums and universities.” 

Boston Beacon Hill, Adobe Stock Image

Thanks to its rich history and proximity to Europe, Boston has long been considered to land more on the European side of aesthetics. Visitors can stroll the wide boulevard of Commonwealth Avenue admiring nineteenth century townhouses, sip tea inside the Boston Public Library overlooking a courtyard inspired by Renaissance cloisters, and peruse the local shops in tight Charles Street storefronts on Beacon Hill.

Vail, Colorado

“Expect to see quaint chalet-style architecture, fine-dining restaurants and pubs with patio seating on pedestrian walkways, and boutique shops that create a distinctly European ski town ambiance,” says Moskoff. “Visitors to Vail get slopeside access to a vast playground of ski and snowboarding trails in the winter and on-mountain hiking, biking, and adventure parks in the summer.” 

Though Vail is primarily known as a ski destination, it’s just as charming during the summer season, and usually less crowded. Pedestrian-friendly streets and Bavarian architecture are a refreshing change from other regions’ modern skyscrapers and highway-centric city planning. Mountaintop yoga, outdoor concerts, and cultural festivals also beckon in the summer.