Every town has a history, but some cities make visitors feel as though they've traveled back in time as well as across the country. In North America, these classic cities feel almost European (never mind that European cities have more than a few centuries on even our oldest burg). History clings to their narrow, winding streets like Spanish moss, and heritage imbues their stately homes and monumental architecture with the grace of generations past.

We're blessed with many such places across the continent, but these are five of our favorites. That European quality is particularly evident in cities such as Montreal and New Orleans. Others — Richmond, Charleston — remind us of the bygone world of the Old South. And San Francisco uniquely unites the rugged West with the charms of the Victorian era.

Whether you're visiting for a vacation, to delve into your family's history in one of these places or a bit of both, these cities let you step back into yesteryear as easily as crossing the street.