Bee & Thistle Inn

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Train & Boat
- Train & Boat
  Train & Boat
  Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 2 1/2-hour journey begins at the historic 1892 Essex Station for a 12-mile, narrated round-trip into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley.
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- Schedule & Fares
  Schedule & Fares
  Schedule and fare info is just a click away. All pricing for excursion packages to fit your budget. Plan your excursion today.
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- Gillette Castle
  Gillette Castle
  The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat offers a unique hiking experience to Gillette Castle.
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- Saybrook Special
  Saybrook Special
  The historic 4-mile stretch of rail south of Essex Station to Old Saybrook is available for passenger travel aboard the Saybrook Special!
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- Caboose Weekends
  Caboose Weekends
  The caboose is owned by the non-profit Friends of the Valley Railroad, and was named in honor of Ralph H. Gibson.
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- Lunch Excursions
  Lunch Excursions
  Enjoy a 3-course lunch aboard restored 1920’s Pullman dining cars as part of a 3.75 hour lunch, train and riverboat sightseeing excursion.
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Dinner Train
- Dinner Train
  Dinner Train
  All Aboard the elegant Essex Clipper for a four-course meal served in beautifully restored 1920’s Pullman diners, pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive.
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- Dinner Train Menu
  Dinner Train Menu
  Enjoy a 3-course lunch aboard restored 1920’s Pullman dining cars as part of a 3.75 hour lunch, train and riverboat sightseeing excursion.
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- Dinner Train Schedule
  Dinner Train Schedule
  All Aboard the elegant Essex Clipper for a four-course meal served in beautifully restored 1920′s Pullman diners, pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive.
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- Historic Train
  Historic Train
  See a listing of all the Historic Dining Cars and locomotives.
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- Dinner Train Charters
  Dinner Train Charters
  The Essex Clipper Dinner Train is available for groups, private parties and chartered events.
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Seasonal Excursions
Private Events
- Functions & Charters
  Functions & Charters
  No matter what your event is, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat can make it extra special with a variety of choices. From the Riverboat to the Dinner Train, to our grounds and facilities, Essex Steam Train can make your event the talk of all your friends!
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- Dinner Train Charters
  Dinner Train Charters
  The Essex Clipper Dinner Train is available for groups, private parties and chartered events.
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- Riverboat Charters
  Riverboat Charters
  Breathtaking views from the Becky Thatcher riverboat set the stage for a memorable party, wedding, rehearsal dinner, family reunion, or corporate event. Our riverboat, a Connecticut River Valley fixture, is available for evening charter, May – October.
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- Meeting Spaces
  Meeting Spaces
  No matter what the event, EST&R has the right venue for you. From weddings to birthday parties, and everything in between we have you covered with delicious food options and attentive staff.
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- Weddings & Reception
  Weddings & Receptions
  Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers a variety of special wedding packages that will be the perfect for the wedding of your dreams!
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- Caboose Birthdays
  Caboose Birthday Parties
  Your child’s dream – a party on a Little Red Caboose! Available May through October.
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- School Trips
  School Trips
  Here at Essex Steam Train we love kids! A ride on the Essex Steam Train and the Connecticut Riverboat offers many educational touchstones.
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- Group Bookings
  Group Tours
  Fun in numbers! At Essex Steam Train we love groups of any size! Learn more about what EST&R can offer for your next group gathering.
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Plan A Visit
- FAQ General
  FAQs-General
  Go ahead and ask us. We've got your questions covered!
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- Trackside Cafe
  Trackside Cafe
  Stop by Trackside Café for a tasty, convenient, and affordable lunch while visiting the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat.
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- Gift Shop
  Gift Shop
  Come visit The Gift and Memorabilia Shop at the Essex Steam Train for traditional Engineer Caps and Train Whistles, as well as dozens of new t-shirts, toys, and activities.
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- Directions
  Getting Here
  We are looking forward to seeing you! Let us help you get here easily.
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- Brochure Download
  EST&R Brochure
  To view our full brochure, please click the download link below.
  Download
- Essex Station
  Essex Station
  View a map of the EST&R grounds with helpful information on specific areas to help you navigate.
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- Food & Lodging
  Food & Lodging
  See what the surrounding areas of this beautiful corner of Connecticut has to offer for dining and lodging.
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- Oliver Jensen Gallery
  Oliver Jensen Gallery
  The gallery is named in honor of Oliver Jensen, offers seasonal shows, usually featuring an exhibition in summer and winter.
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- Local Attractions
  Local Attractions
  Learn more about places to explore in our own backyard, along the Connecticut shoreline, in the greater Mystic area and beyond!
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Specials
- Summer Fun at Essex Station
- Discounts
  Discounts
  We often extend specials and discounts for different groups. Click below to see our current discounts.
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- Tourism
  Tourism Packages
  EST&R has partnered with some of the areas most spectacular Inns so you may experience what this beautiful corner of Connecticut has to offer.
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About
- About
  About Valley Railroad
  The Valley Railroad Company, operating the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, has been serving the lower Connecticut River Valley since 1971.
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- History
  Valley Railroad History
  The Valley Railroad Company has been in existance in one form or the other since 1868.
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- Employment
  Employment Opportunities
  Find out more about our seasonal job opportunities and how to become a part of our EST&R family.
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- HANDICAP ACCESS
  Accessibility
  Essex Station is proud to be an ADA compliant site. However, for safety & insurance requirements, it is necessary that all guests be able to move around our grounds without our assistance.
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- Press
  Press Kit
  For press and media inquiries or information, please click Learn More.
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- Photography Policy
  Photography Policy
  We love your photos! For information on our photography policy, please click Learn More. Sharing on social media? Don't forget to use our hashtag #essexsteamtrain
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- In the Media
  In the Media
  Come see where we've been featured!
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- Side Tracks Blog
- Valley Railroad Radio
- Community Contributions

860-767-0103

Tourism

Tourism & Packages

Posted on August 25, 2017

- Built in 1756, the Inn in Old Lyme, CT is rich with over 300 years of Connecticut history
- Friday-Tuesday overnight stay at The Bee & Thistle Inn
- Two tickets to the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat excursion
- Bottle of wine and Cheese & Crackers when you arrive after your excursion
- Dinner for two at the Chestnut Grille
- Continental Breakfast
- Package pricing starts from $450.00, excluding tax and fees
- Booked through The Bee & Thistle Inn / 860-434-1667

<< Back

Train & Boat

Schedule & Fares

Gillette Castle

Saybrook Special

Caboose Weekends

Lunch Excursions

Dinner Train

Dinner Train Menu

Dinner Train Schedule

Historic Train

Dinner Train Charters

Functions & Charters

Dinner Train Charters

Riverboat Charters

Meeting Spaces

Weddings & Receptions

Caboose Birthday Parties

School Trips

Group Tours

FAQs-General

Trackside Cafe

Gift Shop

Getting Here

EST&R Brochure

Essex Station

Food & Lodging

Oliver Jensen Gallery

Local Attractions

Discounts

Tourism Packages

About Valley Railroad

Valley Railroad History

Employment Opportunities

Accessibility

Press Kit

Photography Policy

In the Media

Tourism & Packages

Bee & Thistle Inn

Posted on August 25, 2017

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