Criteria for Inclusion
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, or hosting sporting events.
Brewery: A licensed site which shall be open to the General Public for daily 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.
Unique Natural Areas: A naturally occurring area or site of interest to the general public. Area must be legally accessible to the public and endorsed for inclusion by local jurisdiction and site managing organization.
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 an educational or museum component.
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: An independent market of at least 300,000 square feet 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 an iconic local landmark (in business for a minimum of 25 years) and tourism attraction.
Winery: A licensed site, which produces a minimum 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.
Cultural/Institutional
Arenas: Includes stadiums with minimum of 30,000 permanent seats and indoor arenas with a minimum of 9,000 permanent seats.
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.
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.
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.
Museums: A facility in which works of artistic, historical, or scientific value are cared for and exhibited to the General Public. Facility must be open to the public a minimum of 5 days per week.
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
- 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, Canoe or Rafting Facility: A public facility for the docking or launching of boats or public areas with established canoeing and rafting facilities.
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.
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.
Indoor Sports Facilities: Regional sports facilities of at least 60,000 square feet offering an on-site, full-service bar and restaurant. Facility must be open daily.
Outdoor Sports Facilities: Regional sports facilities of at least 10 acres of outdoor space in dedicated sports fields or courses designed for championship and tournament play.
Water Recreational: Areas designated for water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, or motorboats.
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 area with parking facilities.
Tourist Services
Visitor Information Centers: A facility where the primary purpose of its operation is to provide, information, and tourist supportive services. Visitor center locations must be officially endorsed by local jurisdiction.
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/Bus/Ferry Stations: A public passenger terminal currently 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.