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Criteria for Inclusion

Step 1

A Destination must fall under one of the following categories and meet the criteria established for this system. If a destination fails to meet these requirements, they cannot be considered for inclusion in the sign program.

Commercial Attractions

Agri-Tourism:  A permanent working farm or ranch of at least 200 acres offering agriculturally-based operations or activities that bring visitors to the facility. The facility must offer at least three Agritourism activities, eligible activities include, picking produce from a field, educational initiatives, navigating a corn maze, feeding animals, petting zoo, meeting/conferences spaces, hosting sporting events or staying at a B&B on a farm.

Amusement Parks:  A permanent facility that may include structures and building, where there are multiple devices for entertainment, including rides, booths for the conduct of games, or sale of items, buildings for shows and entertainment, and restaurants and souvenir sales. The facility must be open a minimum of 5 months out of the year.

Brewery:  A licensed site which shall be open to the General Public for tours, tasting and sales, a minimum of 1,500 hours per year, and provide an educational format for informing visitors about beer and beer processing.

Caverns and Other Unique Natural Areas:  A naturally occurring area or site of interest to the General Public.  May include caverns, waterfalls, caves, or special rock formations.

Commerce Park:  A group of commercial manufacturing facilities, at least 25 acres in size, recognized and signed as a commerce park by the local authorities.

Indoor Entertainment Facility:  A unique permanent indoor entertainment facility of at least 75,000 sq ft. The facility shall include multiple devices for entertainment and a educational  or museum component.

Racetracks and Speedways:  A permanent facility used for the primary purpose of presenting organized horse or automobile racing events.

Roadside Farm Market:  A stationary retail sales establishment operated by one or more farmers for the purpose of selling farm and food products directly to consumers.  Operations by which the consumer harvests their own farm or food products shall be considered roadside farm markets.  Roadside farm markets shall be open at least two days per week throughout the harvest season or year.

Specialty Shopping Center:  A group of 30 or more specialty shops (antique, craft, outlet, farmers' market, etc.) or retail stores with ample parking facilities.  Specialty shops must offer goods or services of unique interest to tourists, and which derives the major portion of its income during the normal business season from motorists that do not reside in the immediate area.  The goods or services shall be readily available to tourists, without the need for scheduling appointments or return trips.

International Market:   A independent market of at least 300,00,000 square ft offering specialty foods from around the world. In addition to  goods or services of unique interest to tourists, the market must provide at least 3 of the following; tours of the facility, educational sessions , specialty festivals or meeting/conference spaces.

The facility must be commonly recognized as a iconic local landmark (in business for a minimum of 25 years) and tourism attraction.

Winery:  A licensed site, which produces a maximum of 200,000 gallons or wine per year.  Sites shall maintain a minimum of 3,000 vines or 5 acres of vineyard; be open to the General Public for tours tasting and sales, a minimum of 1,500 hours per year, and provide an educational format for informing visitors about wine and wine processing.

Zoos, Zoological Gardens, Animal Parks and Aquariums:  A place where animals, reptiles or fish are kept, often-in combination of indoors and outdoors spaces.  Must have facilities, which are open to the General Public.

Cultural/Institutional

Arenas:  Includes stadiums, auditoriums and civic or convention centers.

Art Studio:  A permanent working artist studio of at least 25,000 square ft., offering artistic demonstrations that bring visitors to the facility. The facility must offer at least three artistic based activities, eligible activities include, demonstrations of specialty techniques, tours, free educational lectures. The art studio shall be open to the public and readily available to tourists, without the need for scheduling appointments or return trips. The studio must meet all safety and maximum occupancy requirements.

Business District:  An area within a city or borough which is officially designated as a business district by the local officials.

College of University:  An educational institution that is nationally accredited and grants degrees.

Courthouses/Government Buildings:  A public building, structure, or complex used by a Federal, County, State or municipal government for the purpose of convening official legal activities.

Fairgrounds:  Includes county and state fairgrounds.

Institution:  A health care center operated by a County, State, or Federal government.

Library:  A repository for literary and artistic materials, such as books, periodicals, newspapers, recordings, films, and electronic media, kept and systemically arranged for use and reference.

Military Base:  A facility operated by the State or Federal government for training or support of military troops, or for inventorying and warehousing military equipment.

Museums:  A facility in which works of artistic, historical, or scientific value are cared for and exhibited to the General Public.

Observatory:  A facility designed and equipped to observe astronomical, meteorological or other natural phenomena.

Religious Site:  A shrine, grotto or similar type site, which is of a unique religious nature.  The facility must have a minimum average of 20 visitors per day on the busiest day of the week.

Schools:  Any facility for the performing arts, exhibits, or concerts, which has a minimum occupancy capacity of 150 people.

Historical/Architectural

Historic Site:  A structure or place of historical, archaeological or architectural significance listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the U.S. Department of Interior or otherwise designated by the State Historical and Museum Commission (HMC), or a County Historical Commission or Agency.  The site must be accessible to the General Public and provide a place where visitors can obtain information about the historic site.

Historic Sites may include the following types, provided they meet the above criteria:

  • Encampments and Battlefields
  • Forts
  • Houses
  • Commercial buildings
  • Farms, farmsteads and barns
  • Religious sites, places of worship, cemeteries and monuments
  • Mills and factories
  • Coal mines and coke ovens
  • Bridges
  • Canals
  • Railroad Stations
  • Cemeteries

Historic District:  A district or zone listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the U.S. Department of Interior or otherwise designated by the State Historical and Museum Commission, or County Historical Commission or Agency.  Historic districts shall provide the General Public with a single, central location such as a self-service kiosk or welcome center, where visitors can obtain information concerning the historic district.

Historic Districts may include the following: 

  • Historic residential streets
  • Shopping streets and districts
  • Courthouses and public buildings
  • Railroad line
  • Canal

Recreational

Boat Launch:  A public facility for the docking or launching of boats.

Campground:  A facility with continuous operation for at least 6 months per year and a minimum of 20 overnight sites.  An attendant shall be available during the hours of operations and rest rooms with showers, running water and flush toilets shall be available.  A public telephone also shall be available on the site or within 500 feet of the property.  Accommodations sold on annual or time-sharing basis or otherwise not available for General Public use will not be counted toward the minimum requirements.

Canoeing and Rafting:  Public areas with established canoeing and rafting facilities.  Individual private Attractions are not eligible to be mentioned.

Golf Courses:  A facility open to the public and offering at least nine (9) holes of play.  Miniature golf courses, driving ranges, ship and putt courses, and indoor golf shall not be eligible.

Hiking and Biking Trails/Routes:  Areas designated for recreational hiking, biking, walking, etc. which are publicly accessible, and owned and maintained by either the Local or County government or the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, or non-profit organizations.  Signs will only be installed at locations that direct the motorist to an established trailhead with parking facilities.

Horseback Riding Areas:  Areas designated for horseback/pony back riding for the General Public.

Hunting and Fishing Areas:  Areas so designated and under the jurisdiction of the State Game Commission or the State Fish and Boat Commission.

National, State and Regional Parks and Forests:  An area so designated and under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Historical and Museum Commission, National Park Service, and U.S. Department of the Interior, County Government, or non-profit organization with facilities open to the General Public.

Snowmobile Trails and Winter Sports Areas:  Areas with marked snowmobile trails, ice skating rinks, snowboarding, sleigh rides, and toboggan runs, that are open to the General Public.  Signs will only be installed at locations that direct the motorist to an established trailhead with parking facilities.

Sports Facilities:  Regional (multi-jurisdictional) facilities such as minor league and little league baseball fields, and school recreational fields.

Water Recreational:  Areas designated for water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, or motorboats.

Tourist Services

Bed and Breakfasts:  A private residence located in Rural Area that contains ten (10) or fewer bedrooms used for providing overnight accommodations to the public, and which breakfast is the only meal served and is included in the charge for the room.  Must be rated by a national or state lodging or bed and breakfast rating program.

Country Inn:  A facility located in a Rural Area that contains 25 or fewer rooms and also has full service dining.  Must be rated by a national or state lodging-rating program.

Hospitals:  An institution providing primary health services and medical or surgical care to persons, primary inpatients, suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity and other abnormal physical or mental conditions.  The facility must have 24-hour emergency care with a doctor on duty at all times.

Resort:  A facility with at least 75 rooms where the primary attraction is generally recreational features and activities that are the main focal point of a vacation.

Rural Restaurant:  An establishment where food and drink are prepared, served and consumed on premise and provided by waiter service.  The facility must provide a minimum of twenty (20) seats.  Excludes drive-through or franchised sit-down service.  Must be located in a Rural Area.

Visitor Information Centers:  A facility where the primary purpose of its operation is to provide, information and tourist supportive services.  Must be approved by local Municipality Economic development department.

Transportation

Airports:  A public use facility licensed by the State Department of Transportation for landing and takeoff of aircraft, and for receiving and discharging passengers and cargo.

Heritage Roads, Historic Routes and Trails:  A road, trail, or route designated by the State Department of Conservation and National Resources (DCNR), United States Department of the Interior, or other Federal agency as being part of a national or state recognized historic or heritage park/trail system.

Railroad Trips:  Scenic or historic railroad trips recognized by the local Chamber of Commerce, the regional Tourist promotion Agency, State Department of Conservation and National Resources, or State Historic Museum Commission.

Railroad/Bus/Ferry Stations:  A passenger terminal utilized for discharging and picking up passengers and ticketing.

Scenic Overlook:  An area, usually at the side of the road, where persons can observe a scenic area such as significant geology, unique botanical resources, or across expanses of land such as farmlands, woodlands, or across mountaintops or ridges.

Water Tours:  A guided tour on a body of water using a passenger-carrying vessel with access to a docking facility and adequate legal parking.

Waterfronts:  Areas with access to and views of the rivers of the State, which are recognized by the County or State as having significant recreational or cultural value and are open a minimum of 30 days per calendar year.