Have you visited Cogswell's Grant? How about the Three Sisters Sanctuary, the Centerville Historical Society or the Luina Greine Farm?
If you haven't, you're missing out on four of Massachusetts' best off-the-beaten-path attractions, according to a new study of hidden tourist spots across the country. The study, commissioned by HawaiianIslands.comselected rarely rated but highly regarded museums, monuments, parks, gardens and historic attractions across the country.
The study looked at top hidden attractions by city and state. It's one of the few travel surveys that offers insights and occasional inspiration rather than spitting out numbers.
The study found that Boston's hidden gem is Little Brewster Island and Lighthouse, located in the Boston Harbor Islands. It is followed by the Ancient and Honorable Company of Artillery, the “oldest chartered military organization in the Western Hemisphere” on Faneuil Hall Square. Rounding out Boston's top five tourist gems, Boston Harbor Distillery, GrandTen DistillationAnd Jordan Room.
The top attraction in Massachusetts (according to the study) is an alpaca farm located in Groton. Luina Greine Farm spans 19 acres and, in addition to allowing visitors one-on-one alpaca interactions, it also sells essential products such as alpaca socks and alpaca teddy bears. The farm's website currently says it's closed for the season, so call first before getting your alpaca fix.
Rhode Island's top attraction (according to the study) is the Tomaquag Museum, an indigenous museum in Exeter. In New Hampshire, the Jackson Art Studio and Art Gallery won top honors. In Maine, Rocky Mann – Studio Potter on Mount Desert Island has been classified as the state's most important hidden gem. Vermont's top hidden attraction is Green Mountain Distillers in Morristown and Connecticut, Spacecat Brewing Company in Norwalk has been ranked as the state's best hidden gem.
The number of breweries and gun ranges on these lists makes the overall survey somewhat suspect (insert suspicious eyebrow here), but there are other hidden gems that seem charming, like a chocolate farm in Hawaii or a reindeer farm in Washington state. In Massachusetts, the survey found that the largest museum in the state is the Centerville Historical Museumthe main historic site is Cogswell Stock Exchange in Essex, and Sanctuary of the Three Sisters The Goshen Sculpture Garden is the best hidden gem park in the state. Let the arguing, bragging and exploring begin. You can find the full list at hawaiianislands.com/blog.
Christopher Muther can be contacted at christopher.muther@globe.com. follow him @Chris_Muther and Instagram @chris_muther.
