This Road Trip Will Take You To the Most European Towns in the American Midwest
25.07.2023 - 10:47
/ matadornetwork.com
Endless miles of scenic highways that wind coast to coast and meander around breathtaking natural wonders and ever-changing landscapes make hitting the open road second nature in the US. When it comes to the Midwest there’s often a misconception that it’s all about flyover states and repetitive countryside. But away from the big cities, industrial centers, and sprawling farmland, you can stumble upon some of the most European cities in America.
This road trip through the Midwest presents an itinerary for getting acquainted with what enticed the European settlers across the Atlantic and witnessing how their legacies are celebrated by ancestors. The journey starts in Holland, on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, before taking in the Swiss-styled New Glarus and Cornish mining town of Mineral Point. There’s time to uncover a little bit of Germany in Minnesota and visit Iowa’s rural Danish villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, too. It all presents a veritable smorgasbord of cultures from the Old Continent without having to depart from North American shores.
Photo: Craig Sterken/Shutterstock
The banks of Lake Macatawa, which flows into Lake Michigan, mightn’t be the first place you’d imagine one of the most European cities in America. However, that’s where Albertus van Raalte and a group of Dutch Calvinist separatists made their home, called Holland, in 1847. Many immigrants arrived with the idea of finding a promised land, but it wasn’t always easy. Before things got good, the Dutch faced challenges from swamps, disease, and food shortages. Rumor has it that they also upset the native Ottawa people by stealing their sugar and meat — the Ottawas eventually moved north to protect their culture.
Make the Holland Museum your first stop for a glimpse into the town’s curious past and to peruse a collection of Dutch art. It stands on the northern side of Centenary Park, a social gathering point where tulip displays wrap around pathways. On the subject of the quintessentially Dutch tulip, you’ll see hundreds flourish in a kaleidoscope of colors from late-April to mid-May. The 12-mile-long Tulip Lanes, Veldheer Tulip Gardens, and Windmill Island Gardens are the best spots for this. The latter also houses De Zwaan, the only working Dutch windmill in the US. Head over to Nelis’ Dutch Village to experience a snapshot of daily life in the Netherlands. There’s cheese-making and tasting, clog carving workshops, and clog dancing performances alongside fairground fun for all ages.
Tip: Keep an eye on the Tulip Tracker for when and where to spot the emblematic flower during the annual Tulip Time Festival.
Photo: New Glarus Hotel Restaurant/Facebook
From Holland, it’s a good five-hour drive around the southern shores of Lake