Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/52019
BY SONYA STINSON BY It's easy to tick off many of the things that make the Northeast such an inter- esting travel destination. You've got the dazzling fall foliage, and picturesque coastal play- grounds winter resorts; a wealth of acclaimed cultural attractions; plus the region's central role in America's Colonial, Revolutionary War and Underground Railroad history. Then there are the things you might not expect, like the region's thriving winemaking and winery tourism industry. In fact, New York is one of America's top wine- producing states. Beyond the vineyards, the Northeast is showing its green side through a variety of local sustainability initia- tives. There are hotels and convention center buildings earning LEED certifications and implementing envi- ronmentally friendly practices, while new parks, hiking and biking trails are springing up to encourage the enjoyment and preservation of green spaces. The destinations profiled here are located in or near some of the largest U.S. population centers — making them very accessible to meeting attendees — and many of the larger cities offer light rail, free downtown shuttles and other public transit options that make them easy to navigate once you arrive. Here's a glimpse of what's waiting to be discovered when you do. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial - Washington. DC Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 69