The votes are in, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Keene, New Hampshire, as one of America's top "Distinctive Destinations". So what's the big deal? This small-town enclave is a haven for smart growth, historic preservation, wonderful family activities, outdoor recreation, and beautiful architecture.

Located in the I-91 corrdidor of loosely settled rolling hills, Keene enjoys a significant amount of isolation from the bustle of half the American population. Within a few hours, residents are within striking distance of major cities like Boston, Hartford, Providence, Portland, and Albany. Indeed, Keene enjoys a strategic location as a major stopping point on the Interstate highway system connecting together 50% of the entire country's population.

Being a small town with 22,000 people, many of the buildings here are historic and date back to the 1800's. There are many legacies left behind here from the Civil War, including several re-enactment groups that have won awards. Among the other accolades that Keene has received, how does one of the '10 great places to raise a family' by Parenting Magazine sound to you? It's also prominently featured in the book "The New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities" published in 1997.