Take Your Kids to These European City Dupes Without Leaving the Country

Let’s face it, European travel this summer can be quite expensive, especially when taking the whole family overseas. But who says you need to leave the country to experience European-inspired cities? These two cities are so embedded in European culture, you’ll forget you’re still in the United States.

New Orleans, Louisiana

We all know the French Quarter has European vibes, but did you know the city’s origins as a Spanish colony can still be seen, heard and even tasted today? The city’s language, music, food and architecture embody different elements of Spanish culture. To immerse the family even further in the city, stay at The Eliza Jane, a hotel steps away from the French Quarter. Situated within a quartet of historic warehouses, the hotel pays homage to its former days as a manufacturing and distribution center for liquor, gunpowder and the city’s daily newspaper. The Eliza Jane also offers unique programming and antique architectural flair.

Washington, D.C.

The country’s capital was designed by a Frenchman named Pierre L’Enfant. First president George Washington dreamed of a city rivaling Paris, and L’Enfant delivered. Low buildings, expansive green spaces, walkable streets and traffic circles all comprise our capital city and transport visitors to a European city altogether. For parents, if you have a glass (or two) of wine at one of the city’s many brasseries, you may eventually think you are in the City of Light! For the night, stay at The Kimpton Banneker, a 144-room, European-inspired hotel with a rooftop bar and lounge. The hotel is the perfect hub for trips to the White House, National Mall and National Cathedral.