News & Trending Travel News

8 U.S. Cities That Feel Just Like Europe (But Cost Way Less to Visit)

European influence is alive and well right here in the United States.

woman tourist with suitcase
Updated Nov. 26, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

A European vacation is a bucket list item for pretty much everyone. From iconic sights and museums to out-of-this-world cuisine, the continent has plenty to offer. But let’s face it: plane tickets to European destinations are expensive, and the flights can feel agonizing.

Fortunately, there are American cities with comparable offerings that allow you to save money on travel — all while feeling like you’ve been swept across the Atlantic. Here are 10 to add to your bucket list.

Editor’s Note: Pricing is based on estimates from Google Flights and reputable, well-rated listings on Airbnb close to city centers for the first week of March 2025.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Boston, Massachusetts (Dublin)

fukez84/Adobe acorn street around beacon hill

Flight round-trip from New York City: $113 ($475)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: $~139 (~$141)

The Irish influence in Boston is undeniable. It’s evident in the rich history, ubiquitous Irish pubs, and wide availability of delicious Irish food.

And, of course, there’s the proud population of Irish descendants to celebrate with. So take the hundreds you’ll save on the flight and raise a glass!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Munich)

skostep/Adobe milwaukee wisconsin

Flight round-trip from New York City: $168 ($750)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: ~$85 ($~107)

With affordable breweries on seemingly every corner and centuries of influence from German immigrants, Milwaukee is one of the most German cities in the U.S. It boasts one of the biggest German festivals, too, with all the bratwurst and strudel you can eat.

A stop at the Bavarian Bierhaus is a must, where “it’s Oktoberfest every day.”

Los Angeles (London)

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Downtown Los Angeles with traffic

Flight round-trip from New York City: $249 ($401)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: ~$84 ($~100)

From Hollywood to the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, Los Angeles has so much to offer. Like London, it’s a financial center with stunning architecture, a diverse population, and abundant cuisine where it’s impossible to get bored.

Unlike London, it’s not all the way across the pond, ergo, it’s a more affordable destination.

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Glasgow)

Spiroview Inc./Adobe Philadelphia skyline

Flight round-trip from New York City: $265 ($521)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: ~$85 (~$104)

Both Philadelphia and Glasgow are hubs for stunning Art Deco architecture, incredible art scenes, and enriching cultural attractions. They’re also easy-to-navigate grids, though getting to and staying in Philly is cheaper.

The resemblance is so uncanny that the 2013 movie "World War Z" was shot in Glasgow to stand in for Philly.

Portland, Oregon (Amsterdam)

Josemaria Toscano/Adobe beautiful vista of portland oregon

Flight round-trip from New York City: $277 ($405)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: ~$60 ($91)

Seriously bike-friendly and beautifully bohemian, Portland emanates Amsterdam energy — just trade the tulips for roses. 

This proudly weird city serves up local coffee, delicious food, and recreational libations aplenty — no long, expensive flight across the ocean needed.

Portland is also a very welcoming city, like Amsterdam, so you can completely be yourself.

St. Augustine, Florida (Málaga)

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe river bridge at st. augustine florida

Flight round-trip from New York City: $237 to Jacksonville ($642)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: ~$64 ($~65)

A beautiful port city with stunning beaches, an actual fortress, and delicious Spanish cuisine? You can definitely find that in Málaga, but it’s cheaper and easier to discover in St. Augustine.

The “oldest city in America” also has a super walkable downtown with quaint shops and brick-laid streets, just like the Spanish city.

Tarpon Springs, Florida (Santorini)

SR Productions/Adobe sponge diver statue

Flight round-trip from New York City: $208 to Tampa ($997)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: ~$99 (~$186)

Want to visit Greece without leaving the country? Not far from Tampa is the coastal town of Tarpon Springs, which is largely influenced by Greek culture. 

Known for its iconic sponge docks and abundant Greek restaurants, immigrants from Greece originally settled here to run the docks. You’ll often hear Greek spoken in public spaces.

Huge savings on flight and cheaper lodgings mean you can experience Aegean vibes without spending nearly as much cash.

Washington D.C. (Paris)

Andriy Blokhin/Adobe young woman in coat sitting

Flight round-trip from New York City: $237 ($378)

Airbnb price for one night starting at: ~$78 (~$87)

Washington D.C. has a lot in common with the City of Love. They’re both major capitals divided by a river that have gorgeous gothic Cathedrals, world-class museums, and seriously rich histories.

Once again, you can take the hundreds you’ll save to enjoy some of the most iconic sites in America.

Bottom line

Nomad_Soul/Adobe stone stairs along mountain

Travel to Europe is exciting and life-changing, but it almost always means booking an expensive flight. Avoid the slog over the Atlantic — and that expensive plane ticket — by visiting affordable destinations in the U.S. that are full of European charm and appeal.

Save even more by using your best travel credit card on your trip, which is sure to compound the savings with points and rewards. That’s definitely what we call a bonus.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Benefits

Card Details

  • $0 annual fee
  • Simple, flat-rate rewards
  • Flexible redemption options
  • Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
  • Apply Now
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card
4.1
info
Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

+

Why we like it


Author Details

Cat Lafuente

Cat Lafuente is a Florida-based writer and editor with extensive experience in digital and print content spaces. Her own personal finance journey — particularly consolidating debt and paying it off, in turn boosting her credit score and becoming a homeowner — inspired her to join the FinanceBuzz team; she hopes she can help others do the same.