International influence abounds in the Midwest.
Immigrants who moved to the Heartland in search of the American dream brought with them new languages, new cuisines and new ways of life. They created strong communities that thrived, and their cultures are still experienced and celebrated more than a century later. Groups can connect with a variety of cultures without crossing an ocean in these standout Midwestern cities.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” was founded in the 1840s by a small group of German Lutherans who sought to create a mission colony for Native Americans. Frankenmuth means “courage of the Franconians,” and much courage was needed to found this little village. The German immigrants faced sickness, a harrowing journey across the Atlantic and a disheartening language barrier when they arrived. The village, just a 90-minute drive north of Detroit, was formally incorporated in 1904. Today, it’s a popular destination for visitors seeking charming Bavarian architecture and culture.
Groups can take a historic walking tour to hear Frankenmuth’s story and see some of the Bavarian architecture it’s known for. For fun on the water, they can drift along the Cass River on board the Bavarian Belle Riverboat, the authentic paddlewheel riverboat that operates May through October. Frankenmuth has a wealth of shops to explore on Main Street and in designated shopping centers, like Bavarian Inn Castle Shops. For some year-round holiday magic, groups can stop at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store. Authentic Bavarian culture comes alive at annual festivals, like Frankenmuth Oktoberfest, the World Expo of Beer and the Bavarian Volkswagen Festival.
For Bavarian food, groups will find plenty of options in Frankenmuth. At Bavarian Inn Restaurant, costumed waitstaff serve diners a choice of American and Bavarian classics like schnitzel, sauerbraten and bratwurst. Or guests can enjoy the restaurant’s famous family-style chicken dinner and opt for a pretzel-rolling demonstration. It wouldn’t be a Bavarian village without a little “bier,” and Frankenmuth offers its Bavarian Bierpass. The passport program encourages visitors to stop at local brewpubs, taprooms and breweries to sip lagers, pilsners and ales.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, the bustling eastern Iowa town bisected by the Cedar River, is a surprising well of Eastern European culture. That’s thanks to the influx of Czech immigrants that fled the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the mid-19th century; many were attracted to the city’s abundance of industrial jobs and built tight-knit communities where their cultures flourished for generations.
To learn more about the area’s Czech history and heritage, groups can visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. The museum’s collection of permanent exhibits includes a preserved 1800s immigrant home, personal belongings of immigrants and authentic Czech clothing. The Smithsonian-affiliated museum also features rotating galleries that include more cultural artifacts and information on influential Czech figures.
The museum is located in Czech Village. This neighborhood and New Bohemia collectively make up “The District,” a thriving, 40-block section of Cedar Rapids’ downtown known for its abundant art, historic architecture, restaurants and shopping. After exploring The District’s museums, groups can head to NewBo City Market, a collection of local vendors selling everything from home wares to baked goods. The District is also home to Lion Bridge Brewing Co., a local craft brewery and pub that serves elevated pub fare and delicious drafts on tap. For a true taste of Czech heritage, groups should seek a local bakery for an authentic kolache, a sweet pastry featuring a fruit center encased in puffy dough.
Lindsborg, Kansas
In 1869, a group of Swedish immigrants, led by their pastor Olof Olsson, settled an area of central Kansas alongside the Smoky Hill River. Their settlement, organized around their local church and cultivating the rich lands of the Smoky Valley, preserved their Swedish roots for generations to come. Today, Lindsborg is nicknamed “Little Sweden USA,” and as much as 30% of its current population has Swedish or other Scandinavian ancestry. It’s less than a two-hour drive from Topeka and less than three hours from Kansas City, making it a great option for a day trip from either city.
To discover more about the town’s Swedish roots, groups should first head to the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, a campus anchored by a flour mill dating to 1898 and several other historic buildings housing artifacts related to Swedish American heritage. The museum offers guided tours and hosts local cultural events and presentations. Another top cultural attraction in Lindsborg is the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, which highlights the works and legacy of the prominent Swedish American painter. The Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center can provide workshops for groups looking for a hands-on creative experience.
Lindsborg is also famous for Svensk Hyllningsfest — which roughly translates to “Swedish Honoring Festival” — a street festival that occurs biennially in October in odd-numbered years. This two-day celebration of Swedish culture features Swedish folk music and dancing, traditional cuisine, historic Swedish dress and a parade.
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Located just across the Mississippi River from Illinois and about an hour south of St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve is the oldest town in Missouri. It was founded by French Canadian settlers in the early-to-mid-18th century and was later governed by New Orleans. In the early 19th century, an influx of German immigrants added to the area’s cultural diversity.
The region’s history and its French roots have been preserved at the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park. Groups can take ranger-led tours of the park, which consists of carefully preserved 18th-century homes. The surviving structures are famous for their “posts in ground” vertical log construction and are some of the only remaining structures of their kind. The preserved buildings and the artifacts within paint a complete picture of French colonial life, and artisans and reenactors help tell the settlers’ stories. The park is also home to the beautifully landscaped Jean Baptiste Valle Gardens, which groups can wander at their leisure.
Another aspect of Ste. Genevieve culture that highlights the town’s French roots is the festival scene. Many of the city’s festivals are tied to its Catholic heritage, but some are a unique celebration of the area’s French history, such as the King’s Ball, held in early February each year, when residents dress in colonial attire and dance traditional dances. A French Heritage Festival, held annually in June, is another great way to participate in celebrating local culture.
New Glarus, Wisconsin
Founded by immigrants from Glarus, Switzerland, New Glarus is a small village in Green County, Wisconsin. It’s known as “America’s Little Switzerland” and is home to some important monuments to Swiss culture in the U.S., such as the Swiss Center of North America. While its population is just around 2,200, this quaint village is extremely rich in culture. The red geraniums, Swiss flags and chalet-style architecture keep the village’s Swiss roots alive for visitors.
New Glarus is home to the Swiss Historical Village, which is dedicated to preserving and telling the story of the colony and its original settlers. Groups can arrange guided tours of the museum’s 14-building campus; each building contains artifacts from the town’s founders and their descendants. The museum offers discounted rates for groups of 25 or more. The Chalet of the Golden Fleece, a Swiss Alps-inspired, chalet-style house museum, is open for tours beginning in May of each year.
Over Labor Day weekend, the Wilhelm Tell Festival commemorates the Swiss folk hero, and at the end of September, groups can attend a traditional Oktoberfest.
