From a charming Colorado mining town nestled among spectacular red sandstone bluffs where Puebloan ruins abound, to a Southern city that's home to a presidential library and linked forever to a defining moment in American history, to an 18th-century drop-dead gorgeous Chesapeake jewel of a town, America offers a wealth of alternative vacation destinations that symbolize an increasing dedication to historic preservation.

In recognition of this travel trend, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the country's largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, today announced the selection of its 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States.

"From a historic Western frontier town like Durango, Colo., to Little Rock, Ark., a place that forever changed the face of race relations in this country, to Chestertown, Md., one of the most charming, well-preserved towns on Maryland's breathtaking Eastern Shore, these twelve communities represent a truly distinctive slice of America," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "It is my hope that more American cities and towns will follow the lead of these great destinations in preserving their own unique spirit of place."

The list of 12 destinations was selected from a total of 63 destinations in 27 states nominated by individuals, preservation organizations and communities.

In addition, the National Trust recognized the city of New Orleans for exemplary achievement in heritage tourism. The citation reads, "New Orleans is a richly unique, authentic, historic community that is reinventing itself through preservation-based revitalization. The National Trust salutes the unflagging spirit of the people of New Orleans."

"Almost immediately after the hurricane hit, the people of New Orleans realized that it would be impossible to imagine America without their hometown. Some places are just too important to let go," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "New Orleans' rebirth as a tourist destination is the untold story of the year."

This is the eighth time the National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a list of Dozen Distinctive Destinations. To date, there are 96 Dozen Distinctive Destinations located in 41 states throughout the country. In each community, residents have taken forceful action to protect their town's character and sense of place. Whether by enacting a local preservation law to protect historic buildings against demolition, rewriting zoning codes to prevent commercial sprawl, removing regulatory barriers to downtown housing, making downtown areas more walkable, enacting design standards, or taking some other major step that demonstrates a strong commitment to their town, residents have worked hard to preserve the historic and scenic assets of their communities, with rewards that transcend town limits.