Von Trapp Brewing—yes, run by that von Trapp family—has hosted an annual Oktoberfest event in the Vermont mountains for over a decade. It features the brewery’s own exceptionally crafted lagers, Austrian-inspired bites including bratwurst with house mustard and eggplant schnitzel, live music, and other games and activities. At this one-day autumnal celebration, the hills are alive with the sound of Gemütlichkeit.

The best Oktoberfest in Wisconsin is Oktoberfest U.S.A., held in La Crosse every year since 1961. It's a bona fide institution born out of the region’s longstanding German heritage. Though it only runs for one weekend, the festival’s carnival-like attractions include several parades, lederhosen games, bands, fireworks, and, of course, plenty of beer (including the traditional and craft varieties). Once you visit, you’ll see why this festival earned the nickname “Das Beste.”

For an Oktoberfest to remember, head to Cincinnati—err, sorry, Zinzinnati, also known as America's largest Oktoberfest. Every autumn, the Ohio city (a longstanding American brewing hub) transforms into a German outpost, attracting around 700,000 visitors. Of course, there are pretzels, beer, and brats, but don’t miss the "Running of the Wieners," where 100 Dachshunds wearing hotdog costumes race for the title of the city’s fastest dog.

The German heritage in Fredericksburg is evident everywhere from its Historic District to its “Polka Capital of Texas” nickname. It also holds an unmissable annual Oktoberfest. Tuba music serenades festivalgoers as they arrive, waltz and yodeling contests pay tribute to tradition, and a communal chicken dance offers a family-friendly way to let loose. And, because this is Texas, you’ll find plenty of Shiner beer, another homage to the area’s German history.

With classic half-timbered buildings and a backdrop of snowy peaks, Leavenworth, Washington looks like it could be set in Bavaria. In the 1960s, this historic logging town was rebuilt to resemble a village in southern Germany, and while it’s a popular spot throughout the year, it’s really at its best during Oktoberfest. Expect live oompah bands and dancing, ceremonial keg-tapping, and a range of locally made brews on draft, this celebration is the Pacific Northwest’s premier Oktoberfest event.