It's no secret that airline tickets can break the bank and sadly, that's not changing anytime soon. We're obviously big explorers and want to see the world, but we also know it's not always easy to hop on a plane to travel across the country.
But how do we get to see some of the world' most famous monuments if it's not always realistic to travel to different countries to see them? We improvise. And while these replica monuments aren't exactly the same as the originals, we think you could easily trick your friends into thinking you're visiting the real deal.
Look familiar? These standing stones you see here are located in Washington and are a replica of the original Stonehenge, which can be found in England. The Maryhill Stonehenge was built to honor those who fought in WWI and is a popular destination for people to pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives. If you've been wanting to see the original Stonehenge but haven't been able to pull it off yet, this is a great alternative.
Castello Di Amorosa
Tuscan vibes, anyone? It's no Italy, but Castello Di Amorosa in California is a close second! This castle and winery will have you feeling like you're in actual Tuscany (and is a little easier to get to). Some say it's "a perfect replica of a European castle", but we'll let you be the judge. If you took a picture of this place, we think your friends would easily be fooled that you flew over to Italy and are enjoying Tuscany at its finest.
Solvang
We're suckers for Danish towns, and Solvang is no exception. You'll find this charming village in California (near Santa Barbara) and you'll be super impressed by how much this place feels like a real place you'd find in Denmark. From festivals to folk music and dancing, Solvang has that charm that'll make you feel like you're in the heart of Denmark, living your best Danish life.
You may have seen the real thing in Rome, Italy if you've been lucky enough to go there. If you haven't had the chance to see Trevi Fountain, there's a pretty awesome replica in Las Vegas that can hold you over. It may not be the same size as the original, but it definitely draws inspiration from it and still has that little bit of magic you'll feel at the real deal. There's a ton to do around the replica, so you'll be making memories no matter which one you visit!
Eiffel Tower Restaurant
It's the city of love!... in Vegas? Eh, just leave that last part out when you're sharing pictures of this Eiffel Tower experience with your friends. Just like the actual Eiffel Tower, you can head up to the top and enjoy some major Vegas views. This one is a half-scale of the real one, so you'll be heading up 46 stories. It offers 360 degree views so you'll definitely walk away with some pretty awesome pictures...There will just be a few more casinos at the bottom of them.
This full-scale Parthenon can be found in Nashville and is way similar to the actual one in Athens, Greece. The Parthenon you'll find in Tennessee doubles as an art museum, and also pays tribute to the ancient greek goddess, Athena (the inspiration for the real Athens Parthenon). It actually wasn't meant to be a permanent structure, but when it came time to tear it down, no one could take the first strike, so it stayed. No matter which Parthenon you visit, you'll still get some realistic pictures of a very famous monument.
There's no need to go overseas to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa when you can just head 15 minutes outside of Chicago and see the half-sized Leaning Tower of Niles. Sure...it's not the exact same, but it's still a tower and it's still leaning. It actually doubles as a YMCA, too. Just in case you wanted to get in a quick workout while visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa's (half-sized) replica.
You may not be able to convince everyone that you're actually at the real places, but it's worth a shot. And it's worth the money you'll be saving by staying in the country. If you do get a chance to visit the real-life monuments, soak it up while you can. The replicas will be back in the U.S. waiting for you!
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