Top U.S. Travel Destinations for 2013

[Caliga]

 

Top U.S. travel destinations for 2013
By Katia Hetter, CNN
updated 11:46 AM EST, Thu December 6, 2012

(CNN) -- Attention American travel aficionados: There's no need to leave the United States to find the next hot destination.

With Lonely Planet's Top 10 U.S. Destinations for 2013, innovative cuisine and drink, hopping art scenes and spectacular nature are available -- all without a passport.

They include emerging destinations, locations that have something special for 2013 and longtime favorites with something new to offer visitors.
"U.S destinations are always going to be popular for U.S. residents," said Robert Reid, Lonely Planet's U.S. travel editor. "It's a big country and we don't have as much vacation time as Europeans."
So consider putting that limited time to good use at one of these top destinations:

Louisville is the new Portland?

Louisville, Kentucky, was named the top U.S. destination for 2013, following travel publisher Lonely Planet's discussions among its group of U.S. editors and authors. While they tend to debate entries into each year's Top 10 list, everyone agreed on Louisville, said Reid.

While many horse lovers descend upon this Southern town the first Saturday in May to witness the Kentucky Derby, also known as the "greatest two minutes in sports," there's more to Louisville than one horse race.

With its hip bourbon scene (including microdistilleries), fine dining and emerging East Market District, also known as NuLu, Louisville may just be the new Portland, Oregon. Reid said. Consider exploring the city via the Urban Bourbon Trail for a powerful introduction to Kentucky's famous spirit.

The rest of Lonely Planet's Top 10 destinations: Fairbanks, Alaska (2); San Juan Islands, Washington (3), Philadelphia (4); American Samoa (5); Eastern Sierra, California (6); northern Maine (7); Twin Cities, Minnesota (8); Verde Valley, Arizona (9); and Glacier National Park, Montana (10).

[derspiess]

They must have some affirmative action-type spots reserved each year in their top 10.  Cincinnati got #3 for 2012.

That said, I may be passing through "Loolvul" next weekend.

[Caliga]

Cool, why?

[derspiess]

Cool, why?

Trying to convince the wife to go down to the Maker's Mark distillery so I can get a couple bottles from "my" barrel.

[Barrister]

The rest of Lonely Planet's Top 10 destinations: Fairbanks, Alaska (2); San Juan Islands, Washington (3), Philadelphia (4); American Samoa (5); Eastern Sierra, California (6); northern Maine (7); Twin Cities, Minnesota (8); Verde Valley, Arizona (9); and Glacier National Park, Montana (10).

[/quote]

You know, I've been to the Twin Cities and Glacier National Park, which are both nice.

But any list that puts Fairbanks, Alaska at #2 is a deeply flawed list.

[Caliga]

Trying to convince the wife to go down to the Maker's Mark distillery so I can get a couple bottles from "my" barrel.

Thank you for your business.

[Ed Anger]

No reason for me to pass through Lewieville anymore.

[11B4V]

Why would anyone want to go to Hickville?

[The Minsky Moment]

Funny, no Lonely Planet mention of the fantastic filling station cuisine.

[Caliga]

Yeah, isn't that strange? 

[The Brain]

Can you leave Kentucky?

[katmai]

The rest of Lonely Planet's Top 10 destinations: Fairbanks, Alaska (2); San Juan Islands, Washington (3), Philadelphia (4); American Samoa (5); Eastern Sierra, California (6); northern Maine (7); Twin Cities, Minnesota (8); Verde Valley, Arizona (9); and Glacier National Park, Montana (10).

You know, I've been to the Twin Cities and Glacier National Park, which are both nice.

But any list that puts Fairbanks, Alaska at #2 is a deeply flawed list.

this

[PDH]

Fairbanks always seems lovely when I see it on Alaska State Troopers.

[Tonitrus]

The San Juan islands are on my "retirement locale" list. 

[Tonitrus]

The rest of Lonely Planet's Top 10 destinations: Fairbanks, Alaska (2); San Juan Islands, Washington (3), Philadelphia (4); American Samoa (5); Eastern Sierra, California (6); northern Maine (7); Twin Cities, Minnesota (8); Verde Valley, Arizona (9); and Glacier National Park, Montana (10).

You know, I've been to the Twin Cities and Glacier National Park, which are both nice.

But any list that puts Fairbanks, Alaska at #2 is a deeply flawed list.

this

From what I found, Fairbanks is basically included based on the Northern Lights alone.