12 Towns That Made The National Trust's 'Distinctive Destinations' List (PHOTOS)

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced their list of America's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" on Tuesday, i.e. places that tourists don't necessarily head to but should.

This is the 11th year the list has been released, each time selecting communities that offer cultural experiences but aren't your typical tourist destination (for instance, one place is Colorado Springs, not Aspen or Boulder or even Denver).

The kicker? The public can vote on their top place starting Tuesday (head to their site for more info), but we want to do our own vote here.

Take a look at the list below and let us know what should take the #1 spot. Or, if you think they messed up, submit your own ideas.

(And for more ideas for travel-worthy places around America, check out HuffPost Travel's picks for 12 great small towns in America).

 

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Eureka, California

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Located on the Northern California coast nearly 300 miles from San Francisco, Eureka is a beautifully preserved Victorian seaport that features a lively Old Town, the Carson Mansion (seen here)- one of the most photographed homes in America - and nearby forests of majestic old growth redwoods. Don Forthuber/Redwoods.info

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Located on the Northern California coast nearly 300 miles from San Francisco, Eureka is a beautifully preserved Victorian seaport that features a lively Old Town, the Carson Mansion (seen here)- one of the most photographed homes in America - and nearby forests of majestic old growth redwoods.

Don Forthuber/Redwoods.info

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Town

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Fine. Fab!

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Comments

[DanSc]

01:45 PM on 02/21/2011

I would definitely agree that Sheridan, WY is a great place to be.

[skippyB]

04:23 PM on 02/19/2011

Now I want to see pics of all of the towns mentioned in the comments. Thanks, Huffpo, and please revisit this topic. More, please!

[Shawn P Williams]

11:05 AM on 02/19/2011

Dandridge, TN? I live a county over, and I can tell you that outside of a small 4-block downtown, there isn't anything there...come to Sevier County...we have a national park.

[larmarch5]

04:59 PM on 02/16/2011

St. Augustine, FL
Marblehead, MA
Portland, ME
Fredericksburg, TX
Santa Fe/Taos, NM
Durango, CO
Ashville, NC
Oaks Bluff, MA (on Martha's Vinyard)
Savannah, GA

[CMB1969]

11:21 AM on 02/16/2011

Muskogee, OK is nice town, but my vote for a town to see in northeastern Oklahoma would be Tahlequah (the Cherokee capital). Eureka Springs, AR and Oxford, MS are also must-see towns in the South-Central part of the country.

[FALCON72]

06:36 PM on 02/20/2011

As a fellow Oklahoma resident, I agree.

[LawrenceRoth]

05:53 PM on 02/21/2011

This okie agrees also.

[roydoe]

08:49 AM on 02/16/2011

In the Eureka section, they don't mention the sulfurous stench from the pulp mills in Manilla.

[Prateek Panchal]

12:20 AM on 02/16/2011

I admire the inclusion of Alexandria Virginia .......

Nice listing, many would have different opinion but i am satisfied with this.

Thanks for sharing.

http://www.sacredvoyage.net/ruins-of-machu-picchu-tours-machu-picchu-structures.html

[azatrox]

10:30 PM on 02/15/2011

Colorado Springs? Seriously? I guess if you enjoy constant bombardment of religious right-wing rhetoric. "Progressive" is a 4 letter word there.

[elcue]

12:26 AM on 02/16/2011

You're right. I live here. It's unbelievably conservative (and I used to live in Salt Lake!). The city is a nice size and the climate is quite nice. But the atmosphere is socially and politically terribly conservative and judgemental. Will be glad to move away.

[azatrox]

05:29 PM on 02/19/2011

My brother used to live down the road from one of the mega-churches in Col Springs. They couldn't go anywhere on Sundays because of all the traffic from the church. It was down right creepy.

[larmarch5]

05:00 PM on 02/16/2011

Agreed. Go over to the west slope and take the Durango to Silverton RR.

[azatrox]

05:30 PM on 02/19/2011

LOVE the natural scenery of the west slope. Like it better than the front range.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

07:04 PM on 02/15/2011

Grass Valley CA.
Jerome AZ
Julian CA
Bisbee AZ
Solvang CA

[BobLobblaw]

11:53 PM on 02/15/2011

Yeah---Jerome is too cool.

[larmarch5]

05:04 PM on 02/16/2011

Sideways included Solvang. Beutiful area

[wernerholm]

07:01 PM on 02/15/2011

EEEW..... St Paul???? quite possible the most boring downtown.... ever. Only offices and a few restaurants..... if you want to shop downtown you need to go to Minneapolis. Besides... St Paul is hardly a small town.... same with Colorado Springs... that's a city too!
What about Montpielier, Burlington, Rutland, Aspen, Telluride, Park City, Brattleboro.

[ver1tas]

06:56 PM on 02/15/2011

How is Solvang (CA) not on this list?

Cutest town (dutch) I've ever been too.. made me feel like I was in Europe again.

[dketernal]

08:28 PM on 02/15/2011

Solvang is NOT a Dutch town. It is a Danish town. There is a big difference between the Netherlands (AKA Holland) where Dutch people come from and Denmark where Danes come from.

[ver1tas]

01:46 AM on 02/16/2011

Thanks for that little lecture but I'm European and I know the difference between Denmark and the Netherlands, since you know, we take Geography and all... I simply confused which one the town is.. because I also visited Holland, MI several times and that is in fact a Dutch town... so Solvang, Holland, Danish, Dutch whatever.

[magicsushi]

06:48 PM on 02/15/2011

I bookmarked this page so on my future travels, I will be visiting America. That is, after I win something.

[Coloradem]

06:29 PM on 02/15/2011

Colorado Springs? Home of "Focus on the Family", also knows as the "City of wide streets and narrow minds and one of the least friendly and welcoming communities I've ever visited.

No thanks. I avoid this armpit (I'd like to call it another body part, but doubt the post would stay remain) of Colorado at all costs....

[jukesgrrl]

05:31 PM on 02/15/2011

I have two words for anyone who thinks Colorado Springs is charming: Ted Haggard.

[Ivyleaguequaker]

05:10 PM on 02/15/2011

On the way up Pike's Peak, be sure to stop by the Sasquatch Crossing sign and take a pic with it!!