The table below identifies those actual cities and towns across the United States that have an ethnic or cultural theme for promoting tourism, branding, and/or celebrating local pride, based on their unique local heritage. In many cases the theme is derived from the heritage of the founder(s) or early settlers to the area. A few are based on a specific period of time where the cultural is of interest (Colonial America and Wild West are examples). In a couple of cases the theme consists of multiple ethnic or cultural references – see Nauvoo and Santa Fe. In all cases, the theme is utilized in advertising, branding, architecture, and other efforts to promote the community and its unique identity. If any examples have been missed, please feel free to forward any suggestions, corrections, or revisions.
Please keep in mind this list is meant to depict examples of ethnic/cultural heritage, not other forms of heritage like industrial, transportation, or military. So places like Mystic (seafaring), Metamora (canal), Gwinn (model company town), and Bisbee (mining) have not be included.
In addition, living history museums are not included – BTW: Williamsburg, Virginia was a toss-up on whether it should be included, but since their is an actual city of Williamsburg, it has been added.
| Town/City | Cultural Theme | Slogan(s) |
| Amana Colonies, IA | Utopian/German | “Guten Tag” |
| Berne, IN | Swiss | |
| Biwabik, MN | Bavarian | |
| Charm, OH | Amish | |
| Deadwood, SD | Wild West | |
| Decorah, IA | Norwegian | “Drift less. VISIT MORE.” |
| Elk Horn, IA | Danish | “Heart of Dane Country” |
| Frankenmuth, MI | Bavarian | “Michigan’s Little Bavaria” |
| Fredericksburg, TX | German | “Immerse Yourself in History” |
| Granville, OH | New England | “NE Charm in Heart of OH” |
| Helen, GA | Bavarian/Alpine | “Georgia’s Little Bavaria” |
| Hermann, MO | German | “Experience Old World Charm” |
| Holland, MI | Dutch | “#One Holland” |
| Leavenworth, WA | Bavarian | “The Charm of Bavaria” |
| Lindsborg, KS | Swedish | “Little Sweden USA” |
| Lindstrom, MN | Swedish | “America’s Little Sweden” |
| Mineral Point, WI | Cornish | “Spend a Driftless Weekend” |
| Mount Carroll, IL | New England | “New England of the Midwest” |
| Mount Horeb, WI | Norwegian | “Troll Capital of the World” |
| Nauvoo, IL | Mormon/Utopian | “Beautiful Nauvoo” |
| New Glarus, WI | Swiss | “America’s Little Switzerland” |
| New Harmony, IN | Utopian | |
| Pella, IA | Dutch | “America’s Dutch Treasure” |
| “A Touch of Holland” | ||
| Santa Fe, NM | Spanish/Native | “The City Different” |
| Shipshewana, IN | Amish | “Heart of IN Amish Country” |
| Solvang, CA | Danish | “Danish Capital of America” |
| St. Augustine, FL | Spanish | |
| Ste. Genevieve, MO | French Creole | |
| Stockholm, WI | Swedish | “Small Village, Big HeART” |
| Sugarcreek, OH | Swiss | “Little Switzerland” |
| Tombstone, AZ | Wild West | “The Town Too Tough to Die” |
| Williamsburg, VA | Colonial America | |
| Zoar, OH | Utopian |
Sources:
- https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/wisconsin/articles/10-most-beautiful-towns-in-wisconsin/
- https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/tours/7-wisconsin-destinations-for-small-town-charm
- https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/minnesota/articles/the-10-most-beautiful-towns-in-minnesota/
- https://www.planetware.com/minnesota/best-small-towns-us-mn-133.htm
- https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/iowa/articles/the-10-most-beautiful-towns-in-iowa/
- https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-small-towns-visit-illinois/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ste._Genevieve,_Missouri
- https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/missouri/articles/the-10-most-beautiful-towns-in-missouri/
- https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/kansas/articles/the-10-most-beautiful-towns-in-kansas/
- http://www.google.com search for each state
- websites for each town/city in the table
- personal knowledge
- https://www.santafe.org
- https://www.frankenmuth.org
- https://visitdecorah.com
- https://www.exploregeorgia.org/city/helen
- https://www.exploreshelbycounty.com/elk-horn.html
- http://www.danishvillages.com
- https://visitsugarcreek.com
- https://www.solvangusa.com
- https://www.cityoflindstrom.us
- https://visitshipshewanain.com
- https://leavenworth.org
- https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com
- https://www.holland.org
- https://tombstonechamber.com
- https://www.mineralpoint.com/?utm_source=madden&utm_medium=googlecpc&utm_campaign=semcwi19&utm_content=visit&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIua2m9aCZ8gIVggutBh3-VQcREAAYASAAEgLwBfD_BwE
- https://amanacolonies.com
- https://www.beautifulnauvoo.com
- https://www.stockholmwisconsin.com
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