The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Buffalo one its 2009 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, citing the city's "staggering range of cultural resources as well as some of the country's most captivating architecture" as the rationale for Buffalo's inclusion on this very prestigious list. Since 2000, the Trust has annually selected communities across the United States that offer cultural and recreational experiences different from the typical vacation destination. In the Trust's estimation, Buffalo convincingly meets this standard.
The designation had been sought by the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau on two previous occasions, but it wasn't until this year that the Trust felt that Buffalo met its criteria, an indication of how far the community has come in recent years as projects such as the Darwin Martin House, Burchfield Penney and Erie Canal Harbor have come to fruition.
In making the announcement of this year's list, National Trust President Richard Moe was quoted as saying "The interweaving of great architecture, landscape architecture and important historic sites makes Buffalo a must-see destination."
The Trust announcement also made note of the Albright-Knox, Shea's Performing Arts Center, the Botanical Gardens, Elmwood Village and Buffalo's summers -"the most temperate in the Northeast."
The 2009 Dozen
Distinctive Destinations list includes destinations such as Athens, Ga., Fort
Worth, Tex., Santa Barbara, Ca., Santa Fe, N.M., and Lake Geneva, Wis.
great news.. but not matter how many lists and awards we win.. unless we make the experience of those visiting our city memorable and pleasant it means nothing. Word of mouth counts.
So when you see that lost tourist downtown, give them directions, maybe a restaurant tip. Or don't beep at that slow Georgia license plate. They are probably looking at the sights or for an address.
It also means that the city needs to get on the ball and start doing some of the little things that can make a huge different for a tourist. How about a map, and information sign outside of city hall directing them to information about transit, events, or the observation deck.
I was happy to see the mounted police patrolling around Rotary Rink Chippewa the other night. Everyone would skate over to see the horses. Really helped fill the atmosphere.