July 12, 2010 - The state's official list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts was released Monday and those holding their breath wondering if Northbridge was included can relax: it's there.

Northbridge, in fact, has three spots on the list: the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Lookout Rock, and the Whitin Mill made the cut for the list, compiled from nominations submitted to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism over the past few months.

“This list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts celebrates what a truly special place Massachusetts is,” says Eric Turkington of Falmouth, a former state representative who chairs the Great Places in Massachusetts Commission. “It reminds us how fortunate we are to have such a wealth of heritage, cultural diversity, and natural beauty right in our backyard.”

The list includes historic sites, cultural venues and natural landscapes. While Boston sites were a natural inclusion, the list also includes a few lesser-traveled places, touching on all of the state's cities and towns. "There are so many wonderful and exciting places to explore in Massachusetts," said Betsy Wall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, "the list of 1,000 Great Places gives visitors the opportunity to see the variety and richness the Commonwealth has to offer."

Central Mass highlights on the list include:

Auburn -- Goddard Rocket launching site at Goddard Park

Grafton -- The Willard House and Clock Museum, Grafton Common Historic District

Holden -- Holden Center Historic District

Leicester -- Washburn Square and Historic District

Millbury -- Asa Waters Mansion, Pearson Dairy Farm

Northbridge -- Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Lookout Rock, The Whitin Mill

Shrewsbury -- Artemas Ward Homestead, Musical/Dancing Fountains at Dean Park

Spencer -- Saint Joseph's Abbey, Spencer State Forest, Town Center Historic District, Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm!

Sutton -- Purgatory Chasm, Vaillancourt Folk Art

Upton -- The Upton State Forest

Uxbridge -- Riverbend State Park

Westborough -- Lyman School, Vintonsville/ West Main Street

Worcester -- Bancroft Tower, Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center, Higgins Armory Museum, Mechanics Hall, The EcoTarium, The Hanover Theater, Tuckerman Hall, Union Station, Worcester African Cultural Center, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, Worcester Historical Museum.