Outside Magazine Best Town semi-finals end today; Ludington remains a contender.

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Voting can take place at www.outsideonline.com/2056761/best-towns-2016.

Voting in the semi-finals of Outside Magazine’s “Best Town in America” ends today at midnight. Ludington is currently running against Billings, Montana while Jackson, Wyoming is competing against Seattle, Washington. The winners will then run against each other for the top title.

As of 1:15 p.m., Ludington was trailing slightly. Initially, Ludington was among 60 towns that were selected by Outside Magazine editors in the beach category, one of four key categories: Beach, river, mountain and culture. Ludington won Best Beach Town.

“We’re pretty pumped to be on this list and see Ludington advance against other cities with bigger name recognition,” said Kathy Maclean, executive director for the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’d love to challenge all Michiganders to get behind Ludington and help take us to the Semifinals. But no matter the outcome, we already know we have a winning town with Ludington.”

Billed as “America’s leading active and adventure lifestyle brand,” Outside Magazine has covered travel, sports, adventure, health, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world since 1977. Outside Magazine defines the Best Town in America as “the kind of place with top-notch restaurants, vibrant farmers’ markets, friendly neighborhoods, and unparalleled access to hiking and biking trails. In short, the perfect jumping-off point for adventure.”

The magazine will feature the final 16 towns in its September 2016 issue, including Ludington.  Below is a list of the initial 60 cities nominated for Outside’s Best Towns 2016 Competition:

• BEACH: Bolinas, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Bellingham, Wash.; Cape May, N.J.; Wilmington, N.C.; Ketchikan, Ala.; Ludington, Mich.; Miami, Fla.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Duxbury, Mass.; Islamorada, Fla.; Fairhope, Ala.; Yachats, Ore.; Bayfield, Wis.; Pacific Grove, Calif.; Grand Marais, Minn.

• RIVER: Milford, Ohio; Phillipsburg, Mont.; St. Louis, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; Salida, Colo.; New Orleans, La.; Nevada City, Calif.; Livingston, Mont.; Boise, Idaho; Bend, Ore.; Gunnison, Colo.; Charlotte, N.C.; Leavenworth, Wash.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Harper’s Ferry, W.Va.; Billings, Mont.

• MOUNTAIN: Silver City, N.M.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Durango, Colo.; Jackson, Wyo.; Sun Valley, Idaho; Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Sedona, Ariz.; Tucson, Ariz.; Bishop, Calif.; Waynesville, N.C.; Waterbury, Vt.; Marquette, Mich.; Jim Thorpe, Pa.; Staunton, Va.; Talkeetna, Alaska; Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

• CULTURE: Cleveland, Ohio; Ojai, Calif.; Taos, N.M.; Atlanta, Ga.; Princeton, N.J.; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Wash.; Denver, Colo.; Amherst, Mass.; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Brunswick, Maine; Hanalei, Hawaii; Aspen, Colo.; Savannah, Ga.; Beacon, N.Y.; Imperial Beach, Calif.