Shelburne Falls, MA

Set along the Deerfield River in western Massachusetts, Shelburne Falls is a picturesque historic village that straddles the towns of Shelburne and Buckland. With around 1,700 residents, the community has a lively, walkable center anchored by the Bridge of Flowers, a repurposed trolley bridge covered in perennials that connects both sides of the river. Independent bookshops, glassblowing studios, and cozy cafes fill the old brick mill buildings, all framed by the wooded slopes of Massaemett Mountain and the scenic Mohawk Trail.

ATTRMarty Aligata / CC BY-SA 4.0

Because the village sits across two town borders, local services and municipal government are shared between Shelburne and Buckland, with students attending the nearby Mohawk Trail Regional School. Daily living revolves around the riverfront, where locals can view the glacial potholes by the falls, stop by the neighborhood bakery, and enjoy a relaxed, arts-friendly atmosphere in the Franklin County hills.