Red Wing, MN, Named One of Top 25 Historic Destinations in the World by National Geographic Traveler

Red Wing, MN, has been selected as one of the Top Historic Destinations in the World  by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. The publication released a list of the top 109 worldwide historic destinations in its November-December issue, and Red Wing came in at #23. Only three other American cities and one Midwestern city made it in the top 25.

“We are very pleased to make this coveted list and absolutely thrilled to be named among the top 25 historic destinations in the world along with exotic locations such as Nikko, Japan, Aix-en-Provence, France and Sidney, Australia,” said Kathy Silverthorn, executive director of the Red Wing Visitors and Convention Bureau. “We have always known that Red Wing’s historic nature and idealic location on the Mississippi River make it extremely appealing as a visitor destination, but this prestigious honor on behalf of a well respected travel publication such as National Geographic Traveler really elevates our status as a key historic vacation spot.”

This is the fifth year National Geographic Traveler conducted the historic destination survey, which it describes as not a popularity contest but rather an assessment of authticity and stewardship. The magazine assembled 280 well-traveled experts in the fields of historic preservation, ecology, sustainable tourism, geography, travel writing and photography, site management, indigenous cultures and archaeology to evaluate locales with which they were familiar, and to judge them on the following criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future.

Earlier this year, Red Wing was named one of 2008’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations in the country by the National Trust for Historic Presevation for its vibrant downtown, cultural diversity, attractive architecture and strong commitment to historic preservation and revitalization.

Red Wing’s historic preservation of privately owned homes in addition to treasured landmarks including beautifully restored century-old Sheldon Theatre and the 1875 St. James Hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America, makes it a favorite destination for visitors seeking authenticity and history.

Red Wing is located on the Mississippi River along U.S. Highway 61, about an hour from Rochester and the Saint Paul Minneapolis metro area. For more information or to request a free visitors guide please call 800-498-3444.