Shelburne Falls Day Trip

Welcome to Shelburne Falls, MA (Home of the Bridge of Flowers and Glacial Potholes)

On the scenic Mohawk Trail, Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts is a small, historic town or business district in Western Massachusetts with a budding arts community and two of the most iconic MA attractions: The Bridge of Flowers and Glacial Potholes.

Update on visiting the Bridge of Flowers

The Bridge of Flowers is now open to stroll across, and you can visit through October 31. Here is a list of varietals in bloom, and there are so many colorful flowers and plants to gaze at.

Formerly a trolley bridge over the Deerfield River and originally built in 1908, the Bridge of Flowers is a short pedestrian walkway over the river with gardens that line each side and contain bedded flowers, plants and shrubs.

Glacial Potholes are a rare, large geological formation of melting glaciers from the Great Ice Age made by rocks cutting through the river bed.

There is about two-to-three blocks distance between these attractions, which makes for a quick and fun MA day trip especially as you’ll also find coffee shops, local diners and shopping in the village of Shelburne Falls too. Also, it’s great family trip because of how close the two attractions are and ease of walking through the town on paved sidewalks suitable for strollers and young kids.

Shelburne Falls location | Bridge of Flowers to Glacial Potholes

How to get to Shelburne Falls, MA

Starting on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), go west or east and take exit 4 North on I-91 to Holyoke, MA. Then, take exit 26 for MA-2A/MA-2 East toward North Adams and continue until arriving at Shelburne Falls.

If driving from the greater Boston area or Worcester/Central MA, you can take 190 North to MA 202 West or 122 North to MA 202 West. Plot your route from Worcester, MA here.

From 202, merge onto MA-2 West (to Orange and Greenfield, MA), or the Mohawk Trail. Continue driving on MA-2 West and turn left onto South Maple Street, then left onto Bridge Street and drive into the town center. Free, two-hour parking is available on both sides of Bridge Street.

What to see in Shelburne Falls

Once you park on Bridge Street, walk towards the Deerfield River, and you’ll see a small foot bridge. It’s only a few minutes to the Bridge of Flowers entrance, and there is an incredible variety of flowers and small plants and trees lining both sides of the bridge.

The other is over the Iron Bridge at the intersection of Bridge and State Streets. Even from the entrances, especially during the mid-to-late afternoon, you can see the vibrant colors of blooming flowers and plants.

You can walk across the bridge as many times as you’d like to see all the flowers and be sure to stop and look out on the horizon to see the Berkshires landscape and historic buildings in the background.

Tip: By walking on the Iron Bridge over to the entrance at the intersection with State Street, there is small rest spot where you can gaze out at the Bridge of Flowers from the entrance gate.

Tip: Get great views of the Bridge of Flowers during the late afternoon and evening during sunset by standing on the Iron Bridge crossing over the Deerfield River.

From the Bridge of Flowers, you can walk south on State Street to Conway Street or head back across the Iron Bridge. Turn right at the intersection of Water Street (becomes Deerfield Avenue), and it’s a short walk to the Glacial Potholes overlook. While you can’t walk down into the rock formations, at the overlook you can see both Salmon Falls and the Deerfield River cutting through it.

Tip: Take a moment without your camera to notice the water swirling like a whirlpool and cutting through the rocks.

Tip: When looking at the potholes, be sure to scan up towards the other side of Salmon Falls and see the powerful waterfall pouring into the formation