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The Week in Germany

July 28, 2006

German-American Summer Travel Issue

German-American communities have been woven into the fabric of American life in remarkably different ways. While by no means exhaustive, this special issue aims to introduce you to some of the best German-American travel destinations for 2006.

	German Fest Milwaukee Thousands will converge on the Milwaukee shore of Lake Michigan this Friday for the kick-off of the largest German Fest in the United States. The festival, celebrating its 26th year, runs through Sunday, July 30. The "German Athens:" Milwaukee, WI

	New World Utopia: Old Economy Village, Pittsburgh The community the Harmony Society built on the banks of the Ohio River just north of Pittsburgh became known the world round for its rare combination of strict religious devotion and widespread economic prosperity.

	Germans helped form the nation’s capital in Washington, DC Many German immigrants shaped public life in the nation’s capital and left their mark on American history, most notably philanthropist Christian Heurich and architect Adolf Cluss.

	German heritage Texas style: New Braunfels New Braunfels, Texas, wears its German heritage on its sleeve. A proud mishmash of both Texas grit and German gemütlichkeit, it was founded by Prussian Prinz Karl of Solms Braunfels on Good Friday in 1845.

	German heritage Texas style: Fredericksburg Fredericksburg, Texas, as well has pride in German heritage that speaks loudly through its website, which greets visitors with a boisterous “Willkommen!” It holds true to its unofficial motto: blending German heritage and Texan hospitality for over 150 years.

	Pennsylvania Dutch Country: Lancaster The “dutch” in Pennsylvania Dutch refers not to the people of the Netherlands, but to the German-speaking (“deutsch”) religious sects that first settled in the area nearly three years ago. Today, three groups still carry out their lives much as they did in centuries past.

	The simple life: Amana Colonies, Iowa In 1842, following a 40-day journey across the Atlantic from Germany, Christian Metz, along with several companions, landed in New York City with the intention of finding a suitable home for the 800 members of the Community of True Inspiration (CTI).

	From “Kleindeutschland” to a re-emerging cultural scene: New York City New York City and Ellis Island have served as the gateway to the United States for millions of Germans. In New York, Germans lived in enclaves alongside Italians, French, Irish, Polish, and many other ethnic groups.

	American Oktoberfest: Cincinnati, Ohio According to the 2000 census, more than four in 10 Ohioans claim German ancestry. But go to Cincinnati, known to the German-American community as Zincinnati, and the proportion rises to one half.

	For Kids! German immersion camp offers best of Germany close-to-home Waldsee, literally “woods by the lake,” is immersion in action – up to an entire month of living in an entirely German-speaking environment where English is outlawed and American foods and pop culture are equally verboten.

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