Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts is a quaint New England town located in the scenic Berkshire Hills. The town is home to a number of historic landmarks and attractions, as well as a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Shelburne Falls is the perfect place to spend a day or weekend exploring everything that this charming town has to offer.

 

Some of the top things to do in Shelburne Falls include visiting the Bridge of Flowers, strolling through the Shelburne Artisans Market, and hiking the trails at the Mohawk Trail State Forest. For a more complete list of things to see and do in Shelburne Falls, check out this comprehensive guide.

 

The Bridge Of Flowers in Shelburne, Massachusetts

This bridge is a 400-foot long bridge that carried trolleys in an earlier life. In the 1930s the local women’s club began to transform the recently defunct bridge into a garden.

Over the next few decades it gained popularity in the Berkshires and became a venue for picnics and concerts. Today it is a bonafide tourist attraction (albeit a small one). Plan on visiting Shelburne Falls and enjoying the garden, stop for lunch at one of many highly rated restaurants, and check out the Glacial Potholes.

It makes a great day trip from Boston or New Haven.

I wish I knew how many gardeners it took to keep up this unique flowerbed, but I imagine it could take 4-8 people most of the day to maintain it.

But beautifully maintained the bridge of flowers is, and you will be hard pressed to stop taking pictures of the best of varieties. You will quickly discover that the bridge is nothing but the best varieties of flowers.

I know gardens aren’t always everyone’s favorite, but this unique one with a scenic overlook to the river below will charm anyone. No long walking involved, benches along the way, and lots of amazing smells.

My little guy who has never shown any interest in anything I garden was smelling the phlox to see which one smelled the best. When we got home I showed him the phlox in our garden, and he now smells it every morning!

 

After you spend some time enjoying the gardens, take a stroll through the charming town and grab some lunch at the Blue Rock Restaurant and do some window shopping.

The Glacial Potholes In Shelburne Falls

The glacial potholes in Shelburne Falls are actually a big deal. These are supposed to be the best collection of glacial potholes in the US.

You can easily walk across the main road from the flower bridge entrance. You can view these geological curiosities that were made over 100 million years ago by water that created a whirlpool and ground down the granite like a drill.

Shelburne Artisans Cooperative

The Shelburne Artisans Co-op is the perfect place to find unique gifts and souvenirs. The market features a variety of local artisans selling their handcrafted wares, including jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and more. The Shelburne Artisans Market is open from 11:00 to 5:00, making it great for window shopping while your walk through the small downtown.

Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum

The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is a must-visit for history buffs and train enthusiasts. The museum features a variety of exhibits on the history of trolleys and trains in the area, as well as a working trolley that visitors can ride. The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is open on weekends only.

 

Mohawk Trail State Forest

The Mohawk Trail State Forest is a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and camping. This nearby trail is a great spot for a walk after lunch or a way to extend the day in Shelburne Falls. The forest features over 100 miles of trails, as well as several waterfalls and scenic lookouts. The Mohawk Trail State Forest is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

If you come to New England in the fall, you will want to do some hiking here, as it is one of the most beautiful spots for fall foliage in the area.

 

This is a great little day trip for those who are visiting Boston or live in Southern New England. If you want to combine it with a longer trip, check out nearby Stockbridge!

Or you can make it part of a larger visit to New England.

 

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