Bringing A Destination's Story to Life: Recent Website Launches
Review some of the latest destination websites designed and developed by Tempest.
We firmly believe in the transformative value of destination websites as a community's single most powerful asset. Through recent collaborations with DMOs across North America, we've embarked on a journey to not only create visually compelling web projects but to redefine how these platforms can be preeminent authorities for their destinations and use this digital landscape as a catalyst for growth and vitality within the community.
At Tempest, we're passionate about creating websites that are not only aesthetically and functionally dynamic, but also bring to life the narrative of the people and experiences it represents.
What begins with an immersive Creative Brief eventually culminates in a curated website, each intricately designed to showcase the distinctive charm and allure of its respective locale. Check out some of our most recent web launches below.
Coastal Charm Meets Salty Spirit
The new Visit Morro Bay website captures the salty spirit of this Central Coast community with design that’s as bold and free-spirited as the place itself. Anchored by the town’s iconic Morro Rock and surrounded by surfers, sea otters, artists, and an event calendar full of oddball charm, the site mirrors the destination’s personality with textured edges, illustrated art, and gritty, weather-worn details. A mix of video, photo mashups, and fog-inspired gradients create a layered sense of place while headline overrides, quirky icons, and hand-drawn typography keep things playful, unique, and wonderfully local.
www.morrobay.org | Launched June 2025
Key Features:
- Hero sections support custom vector illustrations and headline overrides to amplify the brand
- Fog-like white gradients and irregular textures mimic the natural elements of the bay
- Custom typography, photo corners, and lively colors give every page a strong personality
Elegant, Editorial, and Effortlessly Iconic
Designed to echo the elegance of a fashion magazine or art gallery, Pasadena's new website allows rich visuals to take center stage. The architecture of the layout is airy and balanced, using typography and clean lines to build an elevated user experience. Every detail has a purpose. From subtle tone-on-tone backgrounds to understated arrow-driven calls to action, the site communicates more by doing less and does it in a beautifully sophisticated way.
www.visitpasadena.com | Launched April 2025
Key Features:
- Minimalist layouts and limited color customization preserve the brand’s high-end aesthetic
- Large-scale photography and ambient video backgrounds provide an immersive sense of place
- Sophisticated typography and restrained visual hierarchy support a museum-like browsing experience
- Utility-driven tools are simplified and stylized, ensuring content remains accessible while feeling premium
Elevated Style with a Local Voice
Cedar Rapids’ new site delivers an upgraded digital presence that matches the sophistication of its food and arts scene. With layered backgrounds, cleaner typography, and a more refined color scheme, the design brings elegance without losing personality. It’s a visual step forward that still feels rooted in the city’s creative community.
www.tourismcedarrapids.com | Launched March 2025
Key Features:
- Polished design reflects the city’s elevated food and culture scene
- Flexible tools support customization for evolving storytelling needs
- Layered textures and color blocking add visual richness
- Typography and color improvements maintain accessibility and style
A Campaign-Inspired Creative Evolution
Visit Mesa’s updated website brings its latest marketing campaigns to life with an energetic and modern edge. Angular design features inspired by the logo keep the layout in motion, while colorful line art and border accents bring a spark of personality to each section. A strategic use of black in navigation creates visual balance, and the new toolkit offers creative flexibility that allows the team to build fresh layouts without sacrificing cohesion.
www.visitmesa.com | Launched February 2025
Key Features:
- Angular cuts and animated accents deliver a more dimensional, immersive experience
- Line art and border details extend Mesa’s brand across partner and content areas
- Strategic color use enhances visual clarity while preserving logo integrity
- Customization options allow for endless creative combinations across pages
Built to Inspire and Explore
Visit Lake Havasu’s redesigned website fully embraces the destination’s adventurous personality. Oversized imagery, tall scroll sections, and gallery sliders draw users in visually, while gritty textures and bold fonts give the site an edge. Every tool was built with flexibility in mind, so content can evolve over time. And with events featured prominently throughout, the site never loses sight of what makes this city shine.
www.golakehavasu.com | Launched February 2025
Key Features:
- Expansive visuals and tall banners create a bold, immersive entry point
- Distressed edges and custom line art bring character to the design
- Event-forward structure showcases the city’s calendar of happenings
- Creative modules support storytelling and real-time content updates
A Seamless Digital Coastline
The new Visit Galveston website mirrors the rhythm of the Gulf with flowing transitions, coastal wave accents, and clean layouts that guide the journey naturally. From historic districts to seaside escapes, the content is thoughtfully organized with a design that’s light, airy, and full of movement. Each element works together to reflect Galveston’s layered identity as both a vibrant beach town and a cultural destination.
www.visitgalveston.com | Launched February 2025
Key Features:
- Hero wave graphics and flowing transitions reflect the island’s coastal vibe
- A clean, open structure keeps users moving smoothly between sections
- Flexible layout options allow for creative storytelling and dynamic updates
- Custom iconography and line details reinforce the local theme throughout
Historic Character with a Creative Edge
The new Choose Marshall website captures the town’s storybook charm through textured details and bold simplicity. Brushstroke accents, layered backgrounds, and playful icons lend a handcrafted, historic vibe, while clean navigation and creative layout blocks keep things feeling fresh. The result is a beautifully balanced blend of past and present that invites exploration.
www.choosemarshall.com | Launched December 2024
Key Features:
- Textured visuals and background patterns reflect Marshall’s historic character
- Eye-catching typographic layouts highlight important site sections
- Streamlined interface supports an intuitive user flow
- Clean, impactful design keeps content front and center
Where Elegance Meets Everyday Fun
Visit Peachtree City’s new site brings polish and personality together in one stylish package. With a refined color palette and bold typography, the design feels elevated without being stiff. Golf cart icons, playful line art, and butterfly-inspired graphics bring charm to every corner. The structure is smart, but the tone stays light—just like life in Peachtree City.
www.visitpeachtreecity.com | Launched January 2025
Key Features:
- Refined visual styling with bold, readable typography
- Playful elements like golf cart icons and layered shapes add local flavor
- Flexible toolkit supports events, attractions, and business content
- Unique design choices create moments of surprise throughout the site
Modern Design, Handcrafted Feel
The new Discover Lancaster website blends modern design sensibilities with touches of rustic charm. Custom illustrations echo the artisanal spirit of local markets and makers, while textured backgrounds and colorful blocks add a handcrafted warmth to the layout. The site reflects Lancaster’s welcoming nature, honoring its roots while delivering an experience that feels fresh and inviting.
www.discoverlancaster.com | Launched December 2024
Key Features:
- Hand-drawn elements inspired by local food packaging and market labels
- Rustic textures and color modules bring warmth and depth to the page
- Refined layout balances modern usability with nods to tradition
- ADA-conscious design choices ensure accessibility without compromising style
A Bavarian Getaway With Every Click
The new Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau website is a delightful dive into Michigan’s Little Bavaria, filled with whimsy, charm, and a dash of Bavarian cheer. From animated gnomes to vibrant duotone banners, this digital experience embraces Frankenmuth’s unique spirit. With playful details and bold design, the site showcases everything from waterparks and world-famous chicken dinners to cozy shops and welcoming streets. It’s not just a website; it’s a virtual adventure into a storybook town that’s always ready to greet you with a warm “Willkommen!”
www.frankenmuth.org | Launched October 2024
Key Features:
- Hero image takeovers offer various customization options, including pendant overlays, adjustable heights, and flexible headline placements with script font inserts
- Vertical banner libraries provide animated illustrated backgrounds, showcasing iconic Frankenmuth experiences
- Bavarian design accents throughout the site enhance the theme, with triangular shapes highlighting imagery and ornamental checkered details adding emphasis to headlines, pull quotes, and calls to action
Sunshine, Rivers, and Vibrant Adventures
A new brand refresh of Visit Tri-Cities website is as bright and lively as the destination itself! With bold colors, striking photography, and dynamic design, this refreshed digital presense feels like diving into the region’s sun-soaked landscapes and flowing rivers. Inspired by the local visitor guide, the updated website blends personality with adventure, capturing the warmth and excitement that define the Tri-Cities.
www.visittri-cities.com | Launched October 2024
Key Features:
- Customizable interface with prominent text callouts and unique colors for the five main categories, ensuring a personalized user journey
- Water accents and footer waves add visual movement, reflecting the area's vibrant river activities
- Interactive mapping features offer custom neighborhood views, routing, and group maps, enhancing site navigation and user engagement
Where Colorful Experiences Surprise You
The new Visit Grand Forks website extends the city’s fun, colorful brand with fresh, customizable design tools. Whether travelers are looking for deals while shopping or creating memorable family vacations, this website brings the artistic creativity and outdoor adventures of Grand Forks to life. It’s an engaging gateway to thrilling competitive sports, exciting live entertainment, and diverse local flavors.
www.visitgrandforks.com | Launched September 2024
Key Features:
- Customizable design tools enhance the brand’s lively personality, while image banner cutouts feature iconic visuals for a fun, approachable look
- The large fork mosaic mashup helps showcase the variety of experiences available for visitors while further branding the website
- Script fonts, lighter font weights, and mixed-case typography make the website friendlier and easier to read
- The redesigned color hierarchy incorporates more green tones, making calls to action and design accents more eye-catching and engaging
Proud, Bold, and Ready for Game Day
The new Visit College Station website is a true reflection of Aggie pride—an electrifying upgrade with progressive design elements and intuitive features that make the digital experience extraordinary. With high-end visuals, dynamic animations, and a sleek athletic aesthetic, the new website feels as exciting as a Saturday at Kyle Field.
visit.cstx.gov | Launched August 2024
Key Features:
- Sleek design elements like intuitive story carousels, cut-off imagery corners, and duotones create a more progressive user experience
- Small line art icons and animations mirror the brand’s logo, adding a touch of personality without overpowering the design
- Large outlined or translucent typography gradients serve as an opportunity to weave in the strong values of Texas A&M, brand messaging, or fun calls to action.
- Extensive customization tools for typography, color, and alignment foster a creative page-building process
A Burst of Louisiana Charm
The new Experience Ruston website is a burst of bold color and personality, capturing the lively, artistic spirit of this Louisiana gem. It’s an inviting visual journey that celebrates Ruston’s charm through playful design details and captivating typography, creating a virtual playground for visitors eager to explore.
www.rustonlincoln.com | Launched August 2024
Key Features:
- Playful design elements like paint strokes under buttons, colorful drop shadows, and duotone imagery add a lively and interactive feel
- Seamless navigation and intuitive layout create a smooth user experience, transitioning fluidly between sections
- Authentic Ruston flavor shines through with artistic dog sculptures, distinctive Louisiana photo elements, and vibrant duotone banners that inspire curiosity and anticipation for a visit
As we reflect on our journey with these diverse destinations, we are reminded that our commitment extends far beyond web design. For us, it's about cultivating genuine partnerships, where we invest in the success of each client. Our collaborative mission involves in-depth discovery and a cross-discipline team approach, ensuring we deeply understand your destination's needs.
Beyond launch, our efforts continue with SEO-friendly platforms and ongoing digital marketing support. We don't just design websites; we unlock the full potential, value, and importance of your destination.
These digital platforms transcend traditional websites; they become dynamic resources and authoritative hubs, catering to both the local community and the eager travelers seeking an authentic experience. Positioned as the official go-to resource, DMO websites play a pivotal role in stimulating economic growth. Partners benefit from impactful marketing that translates into overall community development. It's a testament to the profound impact tourism can have on every facet of a city, and we take pride in crafting experiences that resonate and contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of your destination
At the end of the day, our vision is to bring yours to life.
Contact Tempest today to learn more how we can help elevate your brand and foster meaningful connections.
