I'd read that the one-of-a-kind blooming bridge was easily within daytrip distance of my home in central Connecticut, and with the help of About's former Western Massachusetts Guide, Jason Simon, I found it--and the wonderful New England town where it's situated--on a spectacularly sunny Sunday in May of 1999.
While the Bridge of Flowers is definitely Shelburne Falls' "claim to fame," drawing an estimated 15,000 visitors per year to stroll its expanse and admire its fragrant and colorful displays that bloom continuously from April through October, there are just enough additional attractions to make the village a perfect place to spend a day. From the glacier-carved "potholes" at the base of the falls to a museum that commemorates the age of trolleys, delightful shops and galleries where you can watch artisans at work and many fine examples of 19th century Victorian architecture, Shelburne Falls defies the pace of modern life--even I left my laptop at home (but not the digital camera)!
Unlike some of the classic New England towns that are overrun with tourists in the summer and fall, Shelburne Falls remains a bit of an undiscovered pot of gold at the end of a bridge decked with a rainbow of blossoms. Here's your guide to finding Shelburne Falls and visiting its shops and attractions.
Shelburne Falls Guide
Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum
For more information about Shelburne Falls, visit the Shelburne Falls Area Business Association Web site or call 413-625-2544.
