Voters in a national poll have selected Florence as the country’s second-best small town for adventure.
In April, USA Today’s 10Best.com listed Florence as one of their top-20. Florence beat out such tourism heavyweights as Sun Valley, ID; Telluride, CO; Sedona, AZ; Moab, UT; Watkins Glen, NY; Bar Harbor, ME; and Stowe, VT. Florence was beat out by Marquette, WI.
The poll allowed voters to vote once per day on as many devices as they wanted for several weeks. Florence started the poll at number 11 and quickly rose to second. The poll closed Monday, May 14.
Florence was the only Oregon destination on the list. To make the list, each town had to have a population under 25,000. Florence’s population is just under 9,000.
In a similar USA Today poll last year Florence was voted second of the Top 20 Best Small Towns in the Northwest.
“We are super excited by this recognition and expect this poll will bring some very positive national attention and boost tourism in our area. Tourism is the backbone of our economy, providing 1300 jobs and more than $127 million of incoming money to the community,” says Bettina Hannigan, executive director of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. “Thank you to all who voted for Florence. This gives us some serious bragging rights as a travel destination.”
“USA Today’s writers pointed out that adrenaline junkies flock to Florence for some of the nation’s best sand dunes for buggy rides, sand boarding, hiking, and fat-tire biking. They also listed fishing, crabbing, and clamming as popular pastimes,” adds Hannigan.
“What they missed is kiteboarding, wind surfing, hiking and camping in pristine ancient forests, a long list of other outdoor pursuits, and the indoor adventures of our growing culinary and arts communities,” she adds. “After all, we are Oregon’s Coastal Playground and all these attributes and accolades prove it.”
Florence has also recently been named The Oregonian/OregonLive.com readers’ “Favorite Coastal Getaway,” Expedia.com’s “Most Beautiful Town,” and one of Flights.com’s “8 Coolest Places You Must Experience.” Two local destinations, the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area and Sea Lion Caves, made the Oregonian’s “Top 20 Oregon Landmarks.”
The full USA Today story is available at http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-small-town-for-adventure/.
For more information on Florence, or to receive a free Florence Visitor’s Guide, contact the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce at FlorenceChamber.com, info@FlorenceChamber.com, or 541-997-3128.
