If you are thinking about what to do for dad this Fathers Day, here’s a great suggestion: Bring dad to Shelburne Falls and start your day at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, which opens at 11 a.m. Sundays.
The museum will again this year offer free rides for fathers, as long as he is accompanied by any of his children.
The museum will be in full operation all day with activities for everyone from the youngest child to the oldest father. Take him on the 123-year-old trolley, which operated between Colrain and Shelburne Falls from 1896 to 1927. Enjoy the Visitors Center, which has exhibits that outline the history of the local trolley operation, as well as wooden and electric trains for the youngsters to play with during the visit and many wonderful gifts are available for everyone in the Trolley Gift Shop. Everyone will want to visit the restored caboose and if you are tall enough, you can ride the pump car — a ride you don’t want to miss.
But that’s just the start. As young children find out every weekend, when the visit is done at the museum, walk down the hill to Mo’s Fudge Shop — the sweetest store in town — and show your tickets. They will reward you with a chocolate candy.
When you leave Mo’s, cross the street and you enjoy a very nice walk over the world famous Bridge of Flowers. This bridge was built by the Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railway in the early-1900s and used by Trolley number 10 until it went out of business. But that’s not the end of the tour. When you return to the Buckland side of the bridge, you will see three excellent restaurants all within walking distance. Right next to you is the West End Pub, and if you look to the left on the hill, you will see the Blue Rock. A few steps away, you will find local eateries like Pondside Pizza, Mocha Maya’s and Baked.
There’s something for everyone — dad will have a great day to remember.