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Valley Railroad, Essex, CT

Photo: Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sightseeing

Valley Railroad

Vintage steam and diesel train rides and riverboat cruises along the lower Connecticut River Valley.

1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426 · Essex, CT

About Valley Railroad

Operated as the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, this heritage railroad has served the lower Connecticut River Valley since 1971. Visitors can ride historic steam and diesel trains and relax aboard a riverboat. The organization also offers seasonal holiday trains, lunch, dinner and brunch train experiences, and riverboat charters. Its stated mission centers on preserving the state's mechanical, industrial, and transportation heritage.

  • #steam train
  • #riverboat
  • #heritage railroad
  • #Connecticut River
  • #North Pole Express

What's around here?

The closest stops to Valley Railroad, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

    $25–$50

    Ride a vintage steam train through the lower Connecticut River Valley, then board a riverboat for a cruise.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Connecticut River Museum

    Under $25

    A maritime history museum on the Essex, CT waterfront with a working replica of the first combat submarine.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    1.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums

    Museum of Fife & Drum

    Check prices

    Connecticut museum run by the Company of Fifers & Drummers, showing fife and drum artifacts, some from the 1700s and 1800s.

    2.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Gillette Castle State Park

    No admission fee

    Tour actor William Gillette's fieldstone castle above the Connecticut River and hike the path of his miniature railroad.

    5.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing

    Harkness Memorial State Park

    Under $25

    Coastal state park on Long Island Sound centered on Eolia, a former summer mansion with formal gardens.

    16 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing

    Ebenezer Avery House

    Check prices

    Historic house in Groton run by the Avery family's descendants association.

    17 mi awayMore like this

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