Oktberfests, the annual beer festivals fill the month, so if you’re traveling, take along your taste buds if not your lederhosen.
Hermann, Mo.
This town in Missouri River Valley is wine country, filled with Victorian houses and 19th century charm. Its Oktoberfest here is the town's most popular festival and lasts the entire month. Tourists will find wineries, interpretive displays at historic sites including the Historic Herman Museum and German School, and enjoy food and drink at the German biergarten in Sesquicentennial Park on Gutenberg Street. For more info on the festival and schedules, visit www.visithermann.com/.
Gatlinburg, Tenn.
This ski resort Ober Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains celebrates Bavarian heritage with special beers to go with the schnitzel and sauerkraut, music played by costumed band members, plus sing-alongs, folk dancing and yodeling. The celebration is held daily during this festival that runs through Nov. 4. For details, visit www.gatlinburg.com/.
Coral Gables, Fla.
Florida's largest Oktoberfest takes place in this city on the Gulf Coast the last two weekends of the month (Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28). The celebration hosted by the German-American Social club features nonstop live music, dancing, a tented biergarten and plenty of brats, dumplings and schnitzel. For more info, visit www.capecoraloktoberfest.com.
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