Back in its heyday, "a resort" was typified by a large, expansive, pastoral piece of property, dotted with vacation cabins and cottages, a central dining hall, as well as multiple other structures. These would most likely include a ballroom, or perhaps an outdoor dance pavilion complete with a bandstand. There would be shops. There would be a golf course, tennis and swimming.

Arts and crafts classes would be available to take during the day. Or one could laze by the river or a small, privately owned lake and enjoy fishing, row-boating, swimming, birdwatching, or just lie and bask in the sun. Breakfast by the pool at 9:00, lunch at the Club at 1:00, dinner at the Pavilion at 9:00, dancing to follow.

Very few of these resorts exist any more in their original state. Vacation needs in the 1950s tended to be focused on activities, and "packing it all in" in a day. Today, more resorts focus on the meditative needs of vacationers who are already "packing it in" every day. In other words, modern day resorts are more like "retreats," where one goes to enjoy the quiet and peace of mind one can find best in a pastoral environment.

Tourist Town Residents: Permanent Vacation

In their place, tourist towns now cater to all vacation aspects visitors desire. Lovely hotels and convenient motels provide comfortable vacation lodging, some complete with private pools. Golf and other recreational opportunities are provided by public and semi-private clubs. Shopping, arts and crafts, and fine restaurants cater to the community at large, not just the privileged few. In other words, the town itself serves as the vacation resort, providing guests with all the rest, relaxation, and recreational opportunities that once were afforded only to the guests on the property. The luckiest of all, perhaps, are those who not only visit these charming communities, but live there year round.