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Essex Escape

Find out why the Lower Connecticut River Valley is one of the state’s most popular destinations – with a train ride, river views and much more.

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Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Griswold Inn Water's Edge Resort & Spa Connecticut River Museum Connecticut River Expeditions
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

Here’s a train ride with a difference. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers at least a couple of ways of getting up and down the Connecticut River. There’s the train, which you can take from the Essex station, up the river and back again. There’s also a Dinner Train that serves a meal in your fully restored Pullman car. And then there’s the train and boat ride – up the river by train, back down on board the riverboat Becky Thatcher. There are special events, too.

Griswold Inn

Griswold Inn

Once back in town, head for your overnight accommodation at the historic Griswold Inn, one of the oldest (1776) continuously operated inns in the nation. The Gris is a lively place, full of history and good cheer, with a restaurant, taproom and wine bar — not to mention it's situated in quaint downtown Essex.

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Carlson's Landing

Carlson's Landing
Riverwind Inn Bed & Breakfast

Riverwind Inn Bed & Breakfast
Spectrum Art Gallery

Spectrum Art Gallery
Water's Edge Resort & Spa

Water's Edge Resort & Spa

You are within easy range of a waterfront resort, so why not take advantage? Even if you don't book a room, you can enjoy the beach and on-site restaurants!

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Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook

Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook
Sunset Bar & Grill

Sunset Bar & Grill
West Beach

West Beach
Joy Ride Charters of Connecticut

Joy Ride Charters of Connecticut
Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant (Westbrook)

Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant (Westbrook)
Connecticut River Museum

Connecticut River Museum

The next morning, stroll to the Connecticut River Museum’s dock for a good look at the big river and, if you’re lucky, some of its wildlife. Inside the museum, you’ll find exhibits highlighting the river’s historic legacy. But probably best of all is a river cruise on the museum’s Schooner Mary E, which leaves for afternoon or sunset cruises at regular intervals. The Mary E is a 75-foot gaff rigged schooner built in 1906 in Bath, Maine.

RiverQuest

Connecticut River Expeditions

Another way to see the river is in the very capable and knowledgeable hands of Captain Mark and the crew at Connecticut River Expeditions. Aboard RiverQuest, you’ll travel through the magnificent lower river valley, with many views of wildlife (ospreys, eagles) and gorgeous sunsets. In late summer come the one-of-a-kind Tree Swallow Cruises, where some 250,000 swallows perform a spectacular aerial ballet at dusk before diving down into the reeds for the night.

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