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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Timeless. Beautiful. Captivating. This year, step back in time to historic 1892 Essex Station and embark on an unforgettable 2.5-hour journey into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. A steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches on a narrated round-trip through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester.

It's fun for everyone... with all the bells and whistles. 

Essex Steam Train offers unique access to several coves and preserves, immersing passengers in an onboard eco-excursion. Don’t forget your camera. When you arrive at Deep River Landing, your steam train & riverboat excursion continues aboard the multi-deck, Becky Thatcher riverboat for a relaxing 1-1/4-hour cruise along the Connecticut River before returning to Essex Station via steam locomotive.

Essex Station is more than a family railroad attraction with a train-themed gift shop. We’re a destination for your special events, weddings, and other facility rentals with plenty of parking. Need your event catered? We do that, too. Visit our website for details. 

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1 Railroad Ave. Historic Essex Station Essex , CT 06426 United States

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Attractions | Restaurants and Specialty Foods

1 Railroad Avenue,Essex,06426

(800) 377-3987

http://essexsteamtrain.com

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Essex Board of Trade, Inc., P.O. Box 322 Essex, CT 06426 or email [email protected]

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Updated 3 months ago

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Review Highlights

“ The scenery, primarily the Connecticut River and it's tidal estuaries, was absolutely gorgeous. ” in 18 reviews

“ The ride itself takes you by Gillette castle and that whole area and my Middletown river I think that's what it is. ” in 11 reviews

“ Our recent excursion on board the North Pole Express was one we hope can become an annual event. ” in 13 reviews

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1 Railroad Ave

Essex, CT 06426

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About the Business

The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a nostalgic and exciting tourist destination operating live steam trains in the Connecticut River Valley since 1971. Our regular operating season is May through October. In addition to our venerable Steam Train & Riverboat excursion, we operate a Dinner Train (weekends), and special events such as Day Out with Thomas, Your Hand on the Throttle, The Valley Railroad Circus Train, and the North Pole Express. Visit our website for details about our operating schedule, prices, and event descriptions. …

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Is it worth it to upgrade to first class? Are the seats that much better? Is the view better? What drinks do they have for purchase in first class and how much are the drinks?

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Overall rating

178 reviews

This review is for the Essex clipper dinner served aboard the steam train. I booked this with a few family members, and it was a fun experience. I didn't have the highest expectations for the dinner because it was mostly about taking an old-fashioned train ride, which ended up being lovely and scenic. When we checked in at the station, we were directed to a train car, where a table was booked under our name. The table was set with a cheese tray containing nuts, olives, and fruit. They were also parker dinner rolls and a soft butter spread. We made sure we boarded early because the train leaves at seven and doesn't wait for late passengers. By the time we finished the cheese tray appetizer, we had become a little full. The servers were prompt and impeccably polite as they took our drink orders. The drinks were very strong and tasty. Every drink I ordered had a lot of alcohol, which is fine, and many other passengers were enjoying multiple cocktails. I had an elderberry cocktail and then a bloody Mary, which was really good and a little peppery. For the main course, one person in my party ordered the prime rib au jus, which was the last one available when I booked the meals (the main course has to be ordered in advance of the train ride). Someone else had the chicken francese, and I had the pesto pasta, which was perfectly cooked turned and tasty. Please note that there are a limited number of dinner options; the night I attended, there were four meals to choose from. The only one we didn't order was the mahi-mahi option. The dessert options were not available before we boarded, but they told us on the train that we had a choice of either cheesecake or flourless, chocolate cake, which I ordered. The chocolate cake was very rich and tasted like fudge. It was good. I also had coffee, which was included in the meal. Overall, I enjoyed the ambience and the nostalgic feeling of being taken back in time with the music, dim lights and velvet curtains. The train ride was 2 1/2 hours long, which was plenty. I would do this train ride again under the right circumstances. It's an experience that your guests need to be in the right frame of mind for to enjoy. It seemed as though all the other passengers were happy and talkative and enjoying their time on the train. Towards the end, the servers walked around and offered to take photos of people at their tables so we have some keepsakes of our experience. Overall, this was a unique dinner experience that I would happily do again. You get time to enjoy with your dinner guest without rushing, and you got a feeling for a time that we have since lost one life was more gentrified and dinners were more special.

See all photos from Pav W. for Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

I had a great time at their dinner train service. The service is very friendly, and the train ride is narrated well with the inclusion of historical tidbits. The food definitely surpassed my expectations - especially the pesto pasta dish with vegetables. This is definitely a fun way to try something new, especially if you were looking for a "blast from the past."

Loved the experience and the overall thing! It made me feel like we are back in time and there was something about it. It's 2,5 hours so prepare yourself accordingly. Train ride was great, recommend to sit on the right side because there's more to see. The same about the boat-right side provides good view on Gillette castle. It's a fun thing to do, especially with kids!

Where is the 10 star button at? What an awesome experience. Surprise dinner date and it was fabulous. The atmosphere, the set up, the service. Food needed flavor but I did not want that to ruin our night . From the first rolling of the rail wheels to the last whistle everything was perfect.

See all photos from Mary E. for Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

My friend & I did the dinner train ride. They paid no attention to the stated food allergies that I mentioned ahead of time, even though they acknowledged them in the email they replied to me in. The portions of food were nice -- the mushroom raviolis were amazing! Dont get the chocolate cake. It was disgusting and you could tell it was old and definitely not fresh. The cheesecake was great, though. Views were nice, got boring towards the end of the ride. Fun to do once as an experience, but probably will not do it again. There are bathrooms at the station and there was one in our car as well. I dont think people realized there was a bathroom on the train because the line at the station after the people de-boarded the train was crazyyyyyy. I was bummed that the gift shop was closed after our evening ride- I wanted to get a magnet or something to have as a memento from the trip.

DON'T DO IT! While the train ride was 'OK" the food was awful. Billed as a gourmet meal the 3 prime ribs were less than 5 ounces and so overcooked they were completely unappetizing. Worst of all when I called the next day to speak to someone in management to find out why they fell short I was asked to place my concerns in writing and send. I spoke to someone and was assured that the general manager and owner received my emails but did not get any response. I did check back weekly for 4 weeks and during the last call was assured that they received my emails and calls and the person answering the phone would 'encourage them to return my call'. Well guess what never received any response. This says to me that they do not care about their customers and have no concern when a person has a bad experience. So, I'll repeat, DONT DO IT, and I've already spoken to friends who were interested but now will not take the chance.

Appreciated a nice day aboard the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Saturday before July 4th weekend. Wonderful customer service from the staff. There is a gift shop (pricy) and picnic table at Essex Station if you want to bring a lunch or snack. It is wise to use the bathroom at Essex Station before your excursion, even though bathrooms are available on the train and the boat; they are small & tight but clean. Sit on the right-hand side for the steam train and the riverboat ride; the views are much BETTER! There is not much to see on the steam train except in the distance Gillette Castle State Park, wildlife, and some history. The ride was pleasant for a hot steamy day (keeping in mind no air conditioning). A child would enjoy this ride more than an adult. I would strongly encourage paying the extra money for first class on the train; the seating is much more comfortable, & drinks are allowed - (you can purchase or bring your own - not allowed in other cars - soda or alcoholic available for a reasonable price), & lastly chose the first excursion to avoid the crowds. The steamboat has three decks. The best place on a hot day is the lower deck. The breeze is great, & you can still see everything. The top tier is best for picture-taking. On the riverboat ride, you get a closer look at Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House, and the Haddam Swing Bridge. They sell snacks on board the boat - hamburgers, hot dogs, mac & cheese, picnic salads, chips, candy, soda, coffee/tea, lemon aid, and alcoholic beverages; normal pricing for an excursion. It would be best to take this boat ride in the fall during peak foliage season for adults. The train ride back to the station from the boat is quick - like the blink of an eye quick. You couldn't really enjoy a beverage back to the station. The only downfall is the train and boat are not handicap accessible due to their age, tight quarters, stairs to board the train, & grounds to board the steamboat, but the Essex Station has ramps to get into restrooms, a gift shop, and ticket area; it is on their website so we were aware ahead of time. If you have someone who uses a cane (which we had) with assistance from either family or friends, they can still enjoy themselves. The staff is not prohibited to assist disabled individuals due to insurance & safety reasons which is understandable coming from someone who has a family member facing these challenges daily. Great trip to take if you want to get out and do something for part of the day.

Gillette Castle - Zoomed in from Riverboat

I set my alarm and went on their website at 8:59am to be ready to buy tickets for 9am on the dot 9/12/2023. I kept refreshing the page until 9:02 when it finally allowed me to purchase a ticket. So they were late getting the ticket buying ti even open up and be an option. Very bad set up on their website, you have to click each day, then each time, , then each ticket, on a different page every time - this wastes time when you know tickets are selling our fast and by the second!). Finally I find some dates and times and look at the prices (I've uploaded pictures). It says right on their website that pocket prices range from $60-$90 per ticket, $90 is the first class ticket rate. So why are they charging $3300-4300 per ticket? Huge scam!!! Do not buy from these people!? I have uploaded pics!! Oh and here's the topper- I tried calling them as this was happening. I got a voicemail - they decided to close for 5 days including ticket purchase day and 4 days afterwards. They don't want you to call to ask about the tickets, or even be nice enough to help someone who might be having issues like I was trying to purchase the tickets due to the obscene lie in pricing. PLEASE DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. Better yet, spread the word so no one else gets their hopes let down like I did. All I wanted was to do something special for my kids and these selfish crooks done care about us.

SCAM! LOOK AT PRICES!

SCAM! LOOK AT PRICES! Was supposed to be $60-90 per ticket!

Overall a great experience! My wife & I tried three things. We did the first class train ride, the steam boat ride, and the dinner train. I'll split my review into three parts. Train Ride (4 out of 5) We were so glad we bought the first class because regular seat feels like you are riding a school bus. Both ride has no AC so in a hot day, the least crowded ride will feel more comfortable. In addition, we were served cold drinks which makes a huge difference in the heat. Steamboat (3 out of 5) The boat was pretty big so it accommodated a lot of people. Do not expect a personalized experience. The guide's knowledge is vast so he will keep you informed of a lot. We saw the Gillette Castle and a bald eagle. There was only a little bit of a breeze so we were pretty hot. I recommend the earlier the better so you miss out the hottest part of the afternoon. Dinner Train (5 out of 5) Very personalized. We dressed for the occasion and we were not disappointed. The ambience was very romantic. The view was the same as the train ride so we could have saved a bit and just did the dinner. The food was not bad but the view and the ambience made everything better. Your experience is also dependent who is serving you and who is near your. The other passengers were very friendly and made our experience very fun. Did I forget to mention AC!

See all photos from Terry F. for Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Great trip in the Fall as when we went. Food was excellent as well. Easy parking but, if you plan to stay overnight at a hotel close by, very limited.

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Essex CT Rail & Sail

Join us for a fun-filled steam train & riverboat adventure along the shores of the Connecticut River

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Essex Rail & Sail

Friday, september 6.

Travel on a vintage 1920s coach pulled by an authentic steam locomotive through the Connecticut countryside.  Our conductor will explain the history of rail travel and point out local points of interest along the 12-mile, narrated round-trip train ride into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. The picturesque countryside includes pristine meadows, a mill pond with waterfall, trestles and bridges over rivers and creeks. While on board our rail excursion, we will be treated to a delicious full lunch .  Then, we’ll board the Becky Thatcher, for a one-hour Riverboat cruise along the majestic Connecticut River . Along the way, we’ll see Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House, and the Haddam Swing Bridge. End the day exploring the quaint seaside village of Essex to shop the boutiques or relax on the waterfront

Departure Times

Dennis - 8:10 AM Barnstable - 8:25 AM Sagamore - 8:45 AM

Return Times

Sagamore - 7:15 PM Barnstable - 7:35 PM Dennis - 7:50 PM

L=Lunch included

Package Includes:

*deluxe motorcoach transportation

*narrated steam train & riverboat rides

*full lunch

*gratuities for lunch, bus driver, tour escort

Payments & Cancellations:

Cash, personal checks & money orders accepted

Visa & MasterCard payments accepted via phone.

Full payment is due 45 days prior to the trip, refundable up to 14 days prior to tour

Cancellation Protection is available for this trip for $7.00 per person

Lunch Menu:

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• Travel Tips

15 Mill Pond Way, East Falmouth, MA 02536 | Phone: 508-457-7461 | Toll-Free: 866-518-6877

Fall Foliage Excursions with Essex Steam Train

View the spectacular New England autumn foliage in style at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat! Offering a multitude of weekday and weekend options to experience this beautiful scenery from the train and the boat, Essex Steam Train has just the ticket for you and your family to see the fleeting vibrant colors of the season.

Choose from our Steam Train & Riverboat Excursion , a 2.5-hour nature excursion, available on weekends & weekdays, that takes riders through the valley on vintage train coaches. From there they will board the Becky Thatcher Riverboat for stunning views of the leaves reflecting off the water. Looking for more culture with the beautiful landscape? Opt for our Haddam Special train, a delightful fall foliage excursion that combines a river cruise, sight-seeing, and your choice of culture, shopping, or dining in the towns of Haddam and East Haddam. Or perhaps you’d prefer lunch while you ride on our Essex Clipper Lunch Train every weekend, offering seasonal fare in cozy first class dining cars! If romance is what you’re seeking, purchase tickets for our Friday Night Sunset Swallow Cruise , where you can watch hundreds of thousands of barn and tree swallows flock over the river with a breathtaking autumnal backdrop.

Website:   essexsteamtrain.com/special-events/fall-foliage

Phone:   860-767-0103

Email :  [email protected]

As you can see, Essex Steam Train has everything you need for an outdoor adventure at the turn of the season. Visit EssexSteamTrain.com for tickets and more information!

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Motorcoach tours:, cruises & vacations:, (631) 286-7329, (888) 444-0515.

MOTORCOACH TOURS,  VACATIONS & CRUISES  

Thurs, October 24, 2024.  $200.00 (per person)

All aboard the elegant Essex Clipper for a 3-course meal served in beautifully restored 1920’s Pullman diners pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive. Relax and reconnect while our scenic journey soothes away the stress of everyday life. The rhythm of the rails and the attentive staff transport you back to the day when rail travel was king and “dinner and the diner” was a delicious special occasion. Ambiance, impeccable service, and fabulous food are enhanced during a breathtaking sightseeing journey throughout the pristine Connecticut River Valley – designated one of the “last great places on Earth” by the Nature Conservancy. At Deep River Landing, passengers are escorted onto the Becky Thatcher riverboat for a cruise along the Connecticut River. The visual serenity of the river valley is on full display from Becky ‘s multiple decks. The deep water, coves, inlets, marshes, wildlife, and rocky shoreline are, all at once, simply breathtaking! Just as impressive are the historic sites, including Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House, and the Haddam Swing Bridge. Upon Becky ‘s return to Deep River Landing, the steam train welcomes passengers for the return trip back to Essex Station.

Includes: Motorcoach, Train Ride with Lunch & Riverboat Cruise..

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Lunch Excursion. October 24, 2024

Sunset Swallow Cruises Saturday September 19 & 26

The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers Saturday Night Sunset Cruises aboard the Becky Thatcher — a lovely evening ride down the Connecticut River from the boat’s dock in Deep River.  Enjoy exquisite 360-degree views of some of Connecticut’s prettiest countryside.  Snack bag included and beverages are available for purchase at the Becky Thatcher ’s Snack Bar. Take the Becky Thatcher Riverboat to a spectacular natural phenomenon as hundreds of thousands of Tree and Barn Swallows converge on the lower Connecticut River and swarm as a beautifully choreographed flock over Goose Island.

 NOTE LOCATION:

152 River Street Deep River, CT 06417

• 3+ hour cruise on the Connecticut River aboard the Becky Thatcher Riverboat (boat will return to dock at conclusion of Tree Swallow Event)
• Snack Bag (chips, trail mix, cookie, bottled water) included and bar service is available at the fully stocked bar (Due to our liquor permit, no BYOB allowed)
• Due to time and length of excursion, this product is not recommended for children under the age of 10
• The Tree Swallow event is anticipated to occur; however we can not guarantee it due to conditions such as but not limited to weather.
• The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is following protocol based on State of Connecticut and CDC guidelines to keep our customers and employees safe.
• You are required to wear a mask while on the property and unable to maintain 6 foot social distancing. You may lower your mask only when seated on your excursion. Our crew will be wearing masks at all times.
• Please wash your hands often and make frequent use of sanitization stations.
• The Becky Thatcher riverboat will be regularly sanitized for customer and employee safety.
• Always maintain a safe social distance from other guests.
• If you are feeling ill, please be respectful and stay home.