Visit a National Heritage Area, specially designated places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form nationally important landscapes. There are currently 55 areas within the U.S. where communities have collaborated to share their resources.
Here are five to consider:
1. Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area: In 1984, this region became the first National Heritage Area when President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a “new kind of national park” with a focus on preservation, conservation, recreation, and economic development. Today, the area serves as an outdoor museum where visitors can explore the diverse stories of this living landscape, walking in the footsteps of Native Americans, French Explorers and Voyagers, canal workers and immigrants. Modern visitors can take a mule-pulled canal boat ride, hike or bike along the canal investigating historic towns along the way, explore state parks, fish on Maple Lake or kayak on the Illinois River. Contact: https://iandmcanal.org
2. Silos & Smokestacks, Iowa: Promising Midwestern hospitality, this region encourages travelers to explore the state via suggested travel loops that include picnic spots, quaint restaurants, museums, galleries and landscapes. Learn about Iowa’s agricultural history and its influence on our food system. Wander the backroads amid corn and soybean fields to discover unique and unexpected places of historical, cultural and natural significance. Visit Dubuque, Iowa’s oldest city, to find out how lead mining, a gentleman’s farm, and the mighty Mississippi River are all connected. Contact: https://www.silosandsmokestacks.org/explore/ag-adventure/
3. Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area, Alaska: Home to some of the most influential crossroads of Alaska’s history, the region offers historic, cultural, scenic, and outdoor recreational opportunities for those who venture to the Last Frontier. Explore mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, and fjords in an area comprised of north-south road, rail, and trail corridors from Bird to Seward as well as Girdwood, Portage, and Moose Pass. There’s also plenty to discover in Cooper Landing, Whittier, and the wild waters of Prince William Sound. The area offers a wealth of wildlife watching, history and nature tours, hiking, biking, fishing and backcountry options. Contact: https://www.travelalaska.com