Skip Europe This Summer: This Village in Missouri Is Just as Picturesque as Germany

When you think “summer vacation in Missouri,” your first thought is probably Lake of the Ozarks, sunburns, and a cooler full of questionably labeled hard seltzers. There's nothing wrong with that, but sometimes, the summer getaway you actually need doesn’t involve jet skis or a lake house that smells like college. Sometimes, you want something a little different. Maybe even… European?

Sure, if you’ve got deep pockets and a high tolerance for airport delays, you might hop over to Europe. Germany, in particular, has a certain gravitational pull this time of year with it's timbered ho uses, hearty food, rolling vineyards, and locals who treat beer like water and water like an afterthought. But if you’re like me (i.e., someone who likes their travel charming, affordable, and lightly bratwurst-scented) skip the customs line and point your GPS toward Hermann, Missouri.

Yes, that Hermann. Nestled in the Missouri Rhineland and draped along the Missouri River like something out of a storybook, Hermann is a living, breathing postcard from 19th-century Germany. Founded in 1837 by a group of idealistic German settlers with big dreams and presumably even bigger mustaches, Hermann was designed to be the “heart of German America.” While the utopia angle may have softened over time, the vibes are still going strong.

Downtown Hermann looks like someone dropped a Bavarian village in the middle of the Midwest, and frankly, we’re better for it. The streets are lined with charming brick buildings, painted signs, flower boxes, and an almost suspicious number of sausages. You’ll find shops like Sugar Momma’s, where the fudge is dangerously addictive, and Doxie Slush, serving up wine slushies that hit just the right side of ridiculous on a hot day. The historic Hermannhof Winery is right in town and makes a compelling case for starting your wine tasting at noon. Stone Hill Winery, just up the hill, has roots stretching back to the 1840s and a view that’ll have you saying, “Napa who?”

And speaking of heritage: Hermann doesn’t just lean into its German roots, y'all, it throws a full-on polka party. Oktoberfest here isn’t a day; it’s a month-long (every weekend in October!) celebration of all things beer, brat, and lederhosen. Maifest in May kicks things off earlier in the season with live music, street vendors, and enough schnitzel to sink a ferry. And if meat is your love language, behold the glory of the Hermann Wurst Haus, where you can watch sausage being made and feel good about it.

If you’re craving activity, Hermann delivers. Pop into antique shops, tour the Adam Puchta Winery (still run by the same family since 1855), or catch some live music if the timing’s right. And here’s a local tip: hop across the river to explore McKittrick Mercantile, an intimate concert venue and dinner spot that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into something special... because you have.

Need a place to crash? There’s a stunning Airbnb just outside town that’s practically begging you to unplug, recharge, and stare at trees for a few hours. Tucked into the woods and still within striking distance of the town center, it’s the perfect home base for biking the Katy Trail or just pretending you live in a much more wholesome Nancy Meyers movie.

Want to take your Bavarian immersion to the next level? Pack a copy of German Men Sit Down to Pee and Other Insights Into German Culture. It's equal parts hilarious and enlightening; basically, your passport to understanding the humor and heart that inspired towns like Hermann in the first place.

So go ahead, skip Europe this summer. Visit one of the most magical cities in Missouri instead. Hermann, Missouri, is closer, cheaper, and comes with just as much Riesling... and way less jet lag.