Pennsylvania: Lancaster County

Score: 45

"It has ceased to be a distinctive cultural landscape. The Amish are lost amid the sprawl and schlock."

"Parts of the county still offer aesthetic and human-made appeal with their Amish population and farmsteads. Cities and towns such as Lancaster, Strasburg, Lititz, and Ephrata have much to offer in their architectural heritage. Sustainable tourism has been promoted in recent years by the county planning commission."

"Why can we not celebrate a historic area without making cheap junk shops, especially when the local handicrafts are of such excellent quality?"

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia historic areas

Score: 64

"Taken large scale, Old City, Society Hill, and the National Historic Site work well together, offering history, landscaping, and right-scaled big city experiences."

"The hidden churches and houses of early Philadelphia lie several blocks away, real lures in an otherwise gaudy tourist sea."

"To experience the life of Benjamin Franklin on site is an inspiring event. Interpretation is good and it is possible to find all kinds of information."

"Although Philadelphia suffers from many urban ills, the historic sites are intact and presented in imaginative ways (through tours, night shows, interpreters, etc.), ensuring that a new generation of visitors appreciates their importance."

"Tourism is well developed but not always that well integrated in the local cultural settings (e.g. predominantly African-American neighborhoods)."

"The Old City has become one of the 'coolest' parts of the city, with many great restaurants and entertainment options. Whether or not it retains its historical integrity is perhaps another question."