Whether they’re in the tent or outside, Music in the Mountains is a favorite with music lovers from across the West. Sunset magazine has named the classical music festival as one of four finalists for Best Cultural Attraction in its first-ever Travel Awards.

Courtesy of Music in the Mountains

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Whether they’re in the tent or outside, Music in the Mountains is a favorite with music lovers from across the West. Sunset magazine has named the classical music festival as one of four finalists for Best Cultural Attraction in its first-ever Travel Awards.

Courtesy of Music in the Mountains

Spruce Tree House glows as it is lit up for the annual Mesa Verde National Park luminaria night during the holidays. Sunset magazine has named Mesa Verde as one of four finalists for Best Cultural Attraction in the magazine’s first ever Travel Awards.

Sam Green/Cortez Journal file photo

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Spruce Tree House glows as it is lit up for the annual Mesa Verde National Park luminaria night during the holidays. Sunset magazine has named Mesa Verde as one of four finalists for Best Cultural Attraction in the magazine’s first ever Travel Awards.

Sam Green/Cortez Journal file photo

Sunset magazine has documented the Western lifestyle for decades, but in 2015, it will hold its first-ever Travel Awards program – and two of the four finalists for Best Cultural Attraction are here in Southwest Colorado.

Mesa Verde National Park and Music in the Mountains are up against the LanSu Chinese Gardens in Portland, Oregon, and the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle. They made the cut from applications from 13 Western states as well as British Columbia and Alberta in Canada.

The contest pits apples against oranges, creating a challenge for Sunset editors and the contest’s Advisory Board, which will pick the winners. They will be announced in the June 2015 issue.

Will it be like the Academy Awards, where actors nominated for more than one award split their votes, or will Sunset recommend a visit to our part of the country for a twofer?

Visit www.sunset.com/travel/sunset-travel-awards.

Herald Staff