Visitor Information
Shelburne Falls for the First-Time Visitor
Shelburne Falls is the business district shared by the towns of Buckland and Shelburne. Once a prime Salmon fishing spot for native Americans, the village gradually emerged more than a century ago as a manufacturing community centered around industry on the Deerfield River. The village experienced a revitalization in the 1980s and 1990s, and unlike many similar communities, evolved and continues to be a vital downtown with a growing reputation as an arts community.
The village resisted the "urban renewal" trend of the 1950s and 1960s, which has left our generation with an historic, turn-of-the-century setting for a unique mix of locally owned businesses.
It's a village where you can buy either a head of iceberg lettuce or a hand-blown glass vase!
Shelburne Falls is home to the world-famous Bridge of Flowers, which attracts more than 35,000 visitors a year, as well as the Glacial Potholes, a curiously beautiful rock formation. The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum celebrates the village's transportation heritage.
Most everything in the village is within walking distance, so if you're planning to spend some time in the village -- and we hope you do! -- we encourage you to park in one of the free public parking lots off Bridge Street. (Follow the Parking signs, or see the location on the village map.)
Health Services
Medical Emergencies: call 9-1-1 anywhere in Franklin County.
Hospital
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
413-773-0211
164 High Street
Greenfield, MA
Public Restrooms
Public restrooms are available during open hours in the:
- Village Information Center, 75 Bridge Street
- Shelburne Town Hall, Memorial Hall, Bridge Street
- Buckland Town Hall, 17 State Street, Buckland side of the Iron Bridge
- McCusker's Market's Deli, 3 State Street, Buckland side of the Iron Bridge
- The Baker's Oven, 24 Bridge Street
- Mocha Maya's, 47 Bridge Street
- Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, Buckland rail yard, end of Depot Street
Directions and Parking
Parking is free throughout town but there is a 2 hour limit on most street parking.
From the East: Follow Route 2 for 12 miles from the Greenfield Interstate 91 rotary (Exit 26). Turn at the sign "2A West, Shelburne Falls, Buckland", by the Sweetheart Restaurant. Another quick left, following the "2A West" sign, brings you to Bridge Street. Drop by the Village Information Center at 75 Bridge Street, across the street from People's United Bank.
From the West: Turn at the "2A East, Shelburne Falls" sign onto State Street for .6 of a mile into the Buckland side of the village. Additional parking is available up the hill toward the Salmon Falls Artisans Showroom. On your left, just before the railroad tracks, is a large parking area; follow the signs.
Parking: There is free parking on Bridge Street (the main street through the village). Free parking is conveniently located in many areas throughout the town.
Ride Trolley #10 at the Trolley Museum
The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is dedicated to preserving and operating Shelburne Falls & Colrain Street Railway trolley car No. 10. This car was built by Wason Manufacturing Co. in Springfield MA in 1896. It was delivered new to Shelburne Falls and has never left the valley. For thirty years it served its namesake towns. For twenty years it crossed the Deerfield River on what is now the famous Bridge of Flowers. Saved by a local farmer, it spent sixty-five years as a chicken coop, tool shed and play house. Now, through the efforts of the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, you can ride it in the same freight yard where it used to load and unload passengers, apples, mail, milk and other freight, one hundred years ago. For more info, visit the website.
The Visitor Information Center
The Village Information Center is located at 75 Bridge Street is open from May 1 - October 31st, Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM and Sundays 12 PM - 3PM. Find information about local attractions, events, restaurants, and lodging. Handicapped accessible restrooms and internet access is available.
See the Glacial Potholes in the center of Shelburne Falls
The "Glacial Potholes" began to form after the last glacier age when the Deerfield River first started to flow over these rocks, about 14,000 years ago. The formation of these river-eroded features thanks to the great glacial lake, Lake Hitchcock, that filled the Connecticut Valley and also extended into the lower Deerfield Valley. While Shelburne Falls was not under Lake Hitchcock, it was under the sediments of the Deerfield River that built a delta into the lake. Lake Hitchcock drained by 14,000 years ago. The Deerfield River was then able to cut downward into its delta sediments. During this erosive process, which continues today, the river found itself on top of the gneiss bedrock and could start eroding holes in the hard gneiss.
The World-famous Bridge of Flowers
The World Famous Bridge of Flowers. In 2009, 34,346 visitors from around the globe walked over the Bridge of Flowers and signed the guestbooks - a 62.8% increase over the previous year! All 50 states were represented in the 2009 season while the number of foreign countries/islands was 91. The three busiest months of the year were July, August and October. Add to our total for this year by visting the Bridge of Flowers. For more information, visit the Bridge of Flowers website.
