When early European settlers ventured across North America, it’s no surprise these people kept a piece of their homeland with them. As settlements sprung up, English, French, Spanish, Scottish and others named these new North American sites after their home cities back in Europe. Today countless U.S. towns and cities are named after European cities. Here are six towns and cities with both interesting names and things to do:

Athens, Georgia

About 70 miles northeast of Atlanta, this city is home to the University of Georgia and more than 125,000 people. Founded in 1801, Athens began as a trading settlement on the Oconee River. The city was named Athens because of the university (founded in 1785), which drew inspiration from Greek greats and academics like Plato and Aristotle to create the Platonic Academy. Today a visit to Athens might include heading to the Georgia Museum of Art, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a show or concert at the Georgia Theatre and a walk in the University of Georgia Campus & Arboretum.

Versailles, Kentucky

This town in central Kentucky (a mere 13 miles from Lexington) harkens back to 1792 when the town was named after Versailles, France, in honor of a family friend of the founder who served in the American Revolutionary War. In this place of history spanning the American Revolution, Civil War and the Jim Crow era, visitors can spend a day in this quaint town. Whiskey fans shouldn’t miss a tour of Woodford Reserve Distillery, where tastings await. Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum, Woodford Theatre and the grand Kentucky Castle also lie in Versailles.

Venice, Florida

Located in Sarasota County, Venice, Florida, earned its name back in the late 19^th century thanks to its similarity to the Italian city of canals. Best known for Venice Beach, it is nicknamed the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. Venice boasts many historical sites as well as the largest per-capita community theater in the country, Venice Theatre.

Birmingham, Alabama

Founded by entrepreneurs in 1871 during the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era, Birmingham, Alabama, was formed from three separate towns merged into one. Named after Birmingham, England, one of England’s major industrial cities, most of this city’s original settlers were of English descent. The site of important Civil Rights moments in the 1950s and ’60s where Martin Luther King, Jr. also visited and was imprisoned, the Birmingham of today is a 200,000-person city and growing. While there, visit the Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Southern Museum of Flight and many other museums. The city hosts many film and music festivals each year and is also home to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and sits not too far from the Great Smoky Mountains to the north.

Edinburg, Texas

At the southern tip of Texas lies Edinburg, a city founded in the early 20^th century and named after a businessman born in Edinburgh, Scotland. More than 77,000 people call it home today. The city features three new stadiums for basketball, baseball and soccer. Located about a three-hour drive from San Antonio, Edinburg is also home to the Museum of South Texas History and features one of the sites making up the World Birding Center.

Montpelier, Vermont

Did you know Vermont’s capital is named after a southern French city of the same name? The city received its name in 1781 because of the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War. There’s no shortage of sites to see in this historic city, including the Vermont History Museum, Vermont State House, Hubbard Park (one of three city nature centers in Montpelier) and more.