Well, technically, it was the town of Midway, which has aptly earned the nickname Utah's "Little Switzerland."
Nestled along the Wasatch Mountains, known as "Utah's Swiss Alps," is a town splashed with European influence and Germanic heritage.A view of homes in Midway, Utah.
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Hence its nickname "Little Switzerland." Altogether, Midway is home to about 6,100 people and located south of Park City.An art gallery in Midway, Utah.
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The tourism site for Heber Valley, where Midway is located, said Swiss settlers arrived in Utah in the 1850s, and, upon seeing the mountains, were reminded of the Alps' lush valleys and snowy caps.A view of the Wasatch Mountains from Midway, Utah.
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I was lucky enough to view the Swiss Alps a few years ago and saw the resemblance. Both ranges had green rolling hills that eventually turned into snowcapped mountain peaks.A view of central Swiss Alps's valley in the springtime.
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The mountains, similar to those in Switzerland, are also what make Midway a popular ski destination in the winter.Snowboarders at Brighton Ski Resort outside of Midway, Utah.
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On the outskirts of town, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center offers cross-country skiing in the colder months. It was also where a few of the Winter Olympics events were held in 2002.Competitors begin the men's 4x10Km cross-country relay at the Winter Olympics Sunday in 2002.
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A sign marks the entrance to downtown Midway. It displays children in traditional lederhosen attire along with "welcome" in German.A sign at the entrance of Midway, Utah.
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With the sign in my rearview mirror, I passed homes with varying architectural designs.A home with delicate trim in Midway, Utah.
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Some were modern homes with sharp edges, cement exteriors, and unique shapes.A modern home in Midway, Utah.
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Other homes had a strong Swiss influence with chalet-style exteriors, gabled roofs, and ornate overhanging eaves.A home in downtown Midway, Utah.
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My first stop was the Blue Boar Inn, an Alps-themed chateau, where I spent the night.The exterior of the Blue Boar Inn.
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The cozy chateau at the base of the mountains was the most European part of my stay.The entrance when guests first step into the Blue Boar Inn.
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The inn had a restaurant and pub with dark, wooden paneling, fireplaces, and a cozy atmosphere.The pub inside the Blue Boar Inn.
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Inside my room, the Alps theme continued with ornate furniture, a stone fireplace, and vintage snowshoes above my bed.My bed at the Blue Boar Inn.
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After some rest, I woke up the next morning itching for Swiss baked goods or a Swiss-inspired brunch, such as a rösti, a shredded potato dish.A rosti and sausage.
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I ventured to the Zermatt Utah Resort and Spa, one of the town's most well-known resorts, and grabbed a chocolate croissant at the traditional European bakery.A Swiss-themed resort.
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Still hungry, I headed to Midway's Main Street, hoping to stumble upon more restaurants and cafés selling traditional Swiss dishes.The main street in Midway, Utah.
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Instead, I spotted a doughnut shop and an Americana-themed café among the main street's stores and businesses.Side-by-side images of the donut shop and coffee shop in Midway, Utah.
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Even after researching Midway's restaurant scene, I didn't find many restaurants dedicated solely to Swiss food. Midway Mercantile, a New American restaurant, had cheese raclette on its menu, along with fish tacos, pizza, and burgers.Main Street, where Midway Mercantile is located.
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I did spot plenty of Swiss details sprinkled throughout downtown. For example, murals of men and women in traditional Swiss attire were sprawled across a physical therapy office.A building with a Swiss-themed mural.
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And a local cabinetry shop was decorated with stone, wood, chiseled brackets, and whimsical overhanging eaves.A local cabinetry shop in downtown Midway, Utah.
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Even chain stores like the Chevron convenience store had an Alps theme.The Chevron gas station on the main street in Midway, Utah.
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The town hall reminded me of a fairy tale. Every hour, a wood-carved Glockenspiel popped out to announce the time.The town hall had a European design across its exterior.
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As I learned more about the town, I discovered that each Labor Day, its main street fills with people celebrating the town's annual Swiss Days Festival.Main Street in Midway, Utah.
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A Swiss-themed parade marches down the street, and locals and visitors alike enjoy a market, food vendors, races, and performances.A view of the mountains from downtown.
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I made a note to make it back one day — either for the festival or skiing — and wrapped up my stay in Midway. While I didn't find Midway an exact replica of Switzerland, I did find a little European oasis worthy of a stop.The author in front of the sign welcoming people to Midway, Utah.