Virginia: Williamsburg/Yorktown/Jamestown
Score: 68

"Well-managed" historical sites that evoke key moments in U.S. history, linked by the picturesque Colonial Parkway. But suburban sprawl encroaches.

Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:

"Beautiful, with considerable historic character. The region has an excellent tourism infrastructure, and some areas are particularly well done: The recent work at Jamestown is superb, especially the archaeology and its interpretation; and the ongoing character of Williamsburg remains a key charm. The sustainability question is key—such as the expense of operating something like Colonial Williamsburg—and operational costs and government cuts to agencies such as the National Park Service (Yorktown) are a long-term concern."

"Williamsburg is a fascinating living museum. But its antiseptic quality belies the reality of life in the 18th century."

"The Colonial Williamsburg restored area and national parks at Yorktown and Jamestown are best experienced by the Colonial Parkway, which is still a pristine drive that links all three destinations and buffers them from the sprawl culture. Williamsburg has devolved into little more than an upscale suburban enclave. The growing residential population clings to a faux colonial aesthetic that is applied to homes, shops, and strip malls."

Virginia: Shenandoah Valley
Score: 62

"Another iconic landscape being nickel-and-dimed to death." The area is beautiful, relaxing, and rich in "locally grown products," but I-66 funnels inappropriate development from D.C.

Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:

"Beautiful area with a strong local culture and heritage, but in danger of overexploitation and poorly planned development."

"This is another iconic landscape that is being slowly nickeled-and-dimed to death. The biggest problems in the valley: too many truck stops and distribution centers, the spread of tract housing out from the DC suburbs, and the slow disappearance of historic houses and agricultural buildings. There is a new Civil War Battlefields National Park, which has preserved some small battlefield sites. Lexington and Staunton have done a great job with downtown preservation, and there are other signs of hope, but the Shenandoah Valley cries out for strong regional planning, much more aggressive land-protection efforts, strict sign controls, and better development standards."

"The national park is well managed, but is an impossible model for the rest of the valley, which still has the feel of something unified, but that might be coming apart."