Press Kit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 3, 2009

CONTACT:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, info@maynelymarketing.com

NORTH CONWAY NAMED AS ONE OF 100 GREAT TOWNS

North Conway, NH - North Conway is acclaimed as one of the top 100 vacation towns in the country in a new guidebook entitled The Great Towns of America by David and Joan Vokac. This guide to the best 100 getaways for a vacation or a lifetime singled out towns where the comforts and artistry of civilization blend easily with nearby natural grandeur for the perfect vacation or town in which to live. North Conway is the only town in New Hampshire included in the book, and is described by the Vokacs as "the peerless gateway to New England's biggest mountain playground".

To be selected as a "great town," North Conway competed with all cities and towns with less than 80,000 population.  From 221 semi-finalists, 100 communities were selected for their successful combination of scenic grandeur and memorable leisure-time features.  Since being revised as a follow-up to the original Great Towns book released in 1998, twelve of the original towns were replaced by new communities in the current edition.  However, the authors report that North Conway retained its status among the nation's best due to its scenic beauty combined with a multitude of historic attractions and lodging properties. 

In the book, authors David and Joan Vokac say "unspoiled high country and historic attractions are still here, along with many others now vying for travelers' attention.  Covered bridges, a colorful depot, a whitewashed landmark inn and other vestiges of earlier times are as beguiling as ever".  They go on to describe "There are also plenty of contemporary restaurants and lodgings, along with notable art galleries, a crafts center, antiques and regional specialty shops.  Along the main road into town is a major collection of tax-free outlet and name brand stores".  In guidebook-style, the book includes an extensive list of attractions and scenic spots, lodging properties, and restaurants  found throughout Mt Washington Valley not just in North Conway.  A special concluding chapter provides livability and affordability tables comparing North Conway to the other great towns in the book.

David Vokac, a former urban planner turned travel writer, is the author of ten earlier guidebooks.  He and his wife, also a former planner, devoted two years and 80,000 miles criss-crossing the nation in search of the hundred best communities among 221 semi-finalist communities.  Their rigorous field work in every town resulted in a comprehensive guidebook full of concise, accurate descriptions of the attractions, restaurants and lodging in not only the towns, but regions beyond. The book sells for $23.95 and is available in bookstores.  For more information about The Great Towns of America guidebook, visit http://www.greattowns.com/.  

To learn more about the great town of North Conway and visiting Mt Washington Valley for an unforgettable getaway, visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/ or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364) for all the trip planning tools you need. 

#   #   #