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Planning Vacation? Group Lists Unusual Destinations

No-Passport Needed, Group Says

POSTED: Wednesday, March 8, 2006
UPDATED: 10:15 am CST March 8, 2006

AP Image
Rainbow over golf course in Kauai, Hawaii
WASHINGTON -- The National Trust for Historic Preservation has released its annual list of historic sites worthy of visits by tourists.

This year's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" includes Lewes, Del., which was founded by Dutch settlers in the 1630's.

The group said that Lewes is called "the first town in the first state."

Except for Waimea on Hawaii's Kaua'i island, the destinations don't call for expensive trans-ocean travel.

Other suggestions:

  • Bartlesville, Okla., enriched by an early oil strike, boasting the only skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

  • Bowling Green, Ky., with notable Civil War sites and an old cavern where outlaws and soldiers hid.

  • Milwaukee, Wis., the U.S. beer-making capital, home of a famous art museum and zoo and a deep German tradition.

  • Monterey, Calif., once the Spanish and Mexican capital of the region, site of a huge aquarium and the setting for John Steinbeck's "Cannery Row"

  • Palm Springs, Calif., an oasis known for its famous residents, its climate and jet-set life style.

  • Philipsburg, Mont., a mining tradition in a beautiful landscape, the state's oldest operating school, jail and opera house.

  • Prescott, Ariz., born overnight when gold was discovered, celebrating the wild West and Native Americans in its museums.

  • Saranac Lake, N.Y., a health resort since the early 1800s, amid lakes, mountains and evergreen forests.

  • West Chester, Pa., an old Quaker village with brick sidewalks and period architecture.

Every year since 2000 the National Trust for Historic Preservation names a "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" appealing to tourists' taste for historic places.

This year's destinations were chosen from 93 nominated in 39 states.

The group said the 12 winning communities met the following criteria: well-managed growth, a commitment to historic preservation with a protected historic core and meaningful context, interesting and attractive architecture, cultural diversity, activities for families with children, an economic base of locally-owned small businesses, and walkability for residents and visitors.

"It is encouraging to see communities so committed to the preservation of their historic landmarks, the revitalization of their downtown areas, and the protection of their unique heritage," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "These 12 communities represent a truly distinctive slice of America that makes them exciting alternatives to the homogenization of many other vacation spots."

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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