1000 Favorite Places in Massachusetts

Residents asked to nominate their favorite Massachusetts places

Senator Jen Flanagan says new program gives district a chance to spotlight its special places

BOSTON-- Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster) invites Massachusetts residents of to nominate their favorite places in Massachusetts.

1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts is a new cultural tourism program that celebrates what is unique about our state, its communities, and its people, and also to stimulate cultural tourism. The program seeks to increase visitation to the state’s wide range of exceptional historic sites, cultural venues, and natural landscapes.

Nominations will be considered for a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts to be announced in May. “There are so many special historic sites, cultural landmarks, and natural landscapes in my district,” says Senator Flanagan. “I encourage my constituents to tell their stories about what makes our favorite places great.”

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has established a website to accept nominations from the public: www.Massvacation.com/1000greatplaces

All Great Places that are nominated must be open and available to the public. Only one nomination per person will be accepted. The nomination period will close April 1, 2010. The Commission will meet later that month to draw up a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts, which will be announced in May. The 1,000 Great Places Commission was created by the Legislature in 2009.

High Ridge

Wildlife Management Area

I'm hesitant to tell people about this one--we like hiking this one with the family and feeling like we own the place. We'd lived in Westminster for ten years before ever even hearing of the High RIdge Wildlife Management Area, and were turned on to it from our friend and Westminster Open Space Committee member Alicia Altieri.

There are a few access points with parking, and once you're in you can hike for miles and miles without seeing anyone. There are bog areas, hills that remind you of Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, pristine views, and even a bluebird sanctuary. Who knew?

Click here for a map of the area.

A few of our favorites to consider when voting--Westminster and the surrounding area has some gorgeous spots for free family-friendly activities. Nominate your favorite place now!

Midstate Trail

From Wikipedia:

The Midstate Trail is a scenic footpath which runs 92 miles (148 km) through Worcester County, Massachusetts, from the Rhode Island border to the New Hampshire border, approximately 45 miles (72 km) west of Boston. The trail is considered highly accessible, scenic, and remarkably rural despite its proximity to urban Boston. The trail includes the summits of Mount Wachusett and Mount Watatic, as well as many interesting geologic, historic, and natural features.

Click here to visit the Midstate Trail website.

Wachusett Mountain

State Reservation

Hiking Wachusett Mountain

Click here for trail map

From the Massachusett Department of Conservation and Recreation website: Rising above the surrounding forest to a height of 2006 feet, Mount Wachusett stands as a unique landmark within the central New England landscape. From the summit, a clear day reveals views of Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire, the Berkshires to the west, and the Boston skyline to the east. The 3,000-acre Wachusett Mountain State Reservation surrounds the summit and offers a wealth of natural and recreational resources. The Reservation's natural resources include forests, alpine meadows, ponds, streams, fields, and even a perched bog. Recreational opportunities abound at the reservation including hiking, nature study, hawk watching, picnicking, and skiing. The Reservation offers 17 miles of hiking and walking trails, including 3.9 miles of the Midstate Trail, which runs from Ashburnham to the Rhode Island border. Mountain Road stretches to the John Hitchcock Visitor's Center at the summit, a short distance from the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, which is the largest in eastern Massachusetts.

Wachusett Mountain is part of an extensive greenway area, including Leominster State Forest, Massachusetts Audubon's Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary and Minns Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also the location of the largest known area of Old Growth Forest east of the Connecticut River in Massachusetts, with trees dating over 350 years old. Evidence of the glacial activity which shaped the mountain can be seen at Balance Rock; two large boulders were stacked one on top of the other by moving glaciers thousands of years ago.

Click here for a list of trail maps for most of the State Parks in Massachusetts.

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