Bee & Thistle Inn

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Train & Boat
- Train & Boat
  Train & Boat
  Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 2½-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
- North Pole Express
  North Pole Express
  Board our locomotive-powered sleigh…for a magical nighttime journey to the North Pole. Every coach becomes a stage for a LIVE, musical performance of The Night Before Christmas. Celebrate the spirit of the season with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing-a-longs, hot chocolate and sugar cookies.
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- Santa Special
  Santa Special
  All aboard the Santa Special for a one-of-a-kind, daytime holiday experience. Make sure you’re camera-ready for that “special moment” when Santa and Mrs. Claus visit each child!
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- Sunset Cigars & Whiskey
  Sunset Cigars & Whiskey
  Join us as we host a night of refined pleasures on our popular Cigar & Whiskey Cruise designed for adults only.
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- Chocolate and Wine Cruise
  Chocolate & Wine Cruise
  Love chocolate? Who doesn’t? Love wine? Oh, yes! It’s a match made in heaven and we’re bringing it to you on Thursday, September 14th.
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- Brats and Beer Cruise
  Brats & Beer Cruise
  Beer, Bratwurst, and Beautiful Fall foliage on the Connecticut River. A great night is in store for you from the minute you smell the brats sizzling on the grill to the last sip of beer as you glide into dock after the end of a stunning sunset.
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- Rhythm by the Rails
  Rhythm by the Rails
  Rhythm by the Rails is a live lawn concert series throughout the summer. All bands perform rain or shine from 6:30-8:00 pm on the lawn of Essex Station and admission is FREE.
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- Swallow Sunset Cruise
  Sunset Cruises
  The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers Friday and Saturday Night Sunset Cruises aboard the Becky Thatcher.
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- Fall Foliage
  Fall Foliage Cruise
  Make this magnificent autumnal adventure an annual Fall Foliage tradition for the memory books!
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- Hand on the Throttle
  Hand on the Throttle
  A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about and actually operate a full size steam locomotive! Reserve your spot early…participation in the HOTT is limited to 8 students per day.
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- Music on the Riverboat
  Music on the Riverboat
  What could be more enjoyable than live music while sailing down the Connecticut River and watching a gorgeous sunset? NOTHING! And that’s why we’re offering three nights of music on The Becky Thatcher Riverboat.
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- Eagle Flyer
  Eagle Flyer
  The Eagle Flyer is a unique 2-1/2 hour round trip eco-excursion in the Connecticut River Valley. Trees stripped of their foliage afford clear views of the surrounding forest and the Connecticut River.
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- Day with Mom
  Day Out with Mom
  A special outing for the special women in our lives. Treat Mom to a memorable Steam Train and Riverboat ride.
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- Father’s/Family Day
  Father's Day, Family Weekend
  Treat your dad to a day of unique and fun family time!
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- Day out with Thomas
  Day Out with Thomas
  Toot toot!!! Thomas the Tank Engine, his buddy Percy, and Sir Topham Hatt have pulled into Essex Station for the “The Friendship Tour!”
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- East Haddam Concert Express
  East Haddam Concert Express
  Take advantage of this unique opportunity to travel the Lower Connecticut River Valley aboard vintage coach train cars on your way to enjoy the Music on the River series concerts.
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- Free Sat Hi-Rail Rides
  Free Saturday Hi-Rail Rides
  The Friends of the Valley Railroad provide free rides in the Valley Railroad “Hi-Rail” van on select Saturdays in September and October.
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- Thar Be Pirates
  Thar' Be Pirates
  The Saybrook Swashbucklers,” that nefarious band of pirates known to troll the CT River sail alongside and come on board The Becky Thatcher Riverboat.
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- Haddam Swing Bridge Special
  Haddam Swing Bridge Fall Special
  Board the historic Essex Steam Train for a late morning departure from Essex Station. The northbound trip skirts untouched woodlands, trestle bridges, tidal marshes and inlets as you revel in the bountiful Connecticut River valley foliage.
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- Friday and Sat Sunset Cruise
  Friday and Saturday Night Sunset Cruise
  The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers Friday and Saturday Night Sunset Cruises aboard the Becky Thatcher — a lovely ride down the Connecticut River from the boat’s dock in Deep River to the Baldwin Bridge and back again.
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- Celebrate Memorial Day
  Celebrate Memorial Day
  Thank you for joining us for our All-American Picnic, as we paid tribute to the brave men and women who have served, or are serving, in our military.
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- Neighbor Appreciation Weekend
  Neighbor Weekend
  Neighbor Appreciation weekend includes free Steam Train and Riverboat rides for residents in six towns along the Valley Railroad’s operating line.
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- Passengers from the Past
  Passengers from the Past
  Join us at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat as we host living history.
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- Back To School Ride
  Back To School Ride
  The summer season goes by fast, especially for the kids! Give them one final fun time outing before they head back to school.
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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, Essext 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 & Receptions
  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
- FAQs Christmas Trains
  FAQs-Christmas Trains
  Do you have questions about our Christmas Trains and all we offer? We have all your questions answered!
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- 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
- Packages
  Packages
  Learn more about the great packages EST&R has to offer!.
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- 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
  Emplyment 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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- Newsletter
  Newsletter
  Read about the latest happenings at EST&R with our monthly newsletter, The Smoke Stack!
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- Leadership
  Leaderhip & The Faces of EST&R
  See the wonderful folks who make the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat experience one to remember!
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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

North Pole Express

Santa Special

Sunset Cigars & Whiskey

Chocolate & Wine Cruise

Brats & Beer Cruise

Rhythm by the Rails

Sunset Cruises

Fall Foliage Cruise

Hand on the Throttle

Music on the Riverboat

Eagle Flyer

Day Out with Mom

Father's Day, Family Weekend

Day Out with Thomas

East Haddam Concert Express

Free Saturday Hi-Rail Rides

Thar' Be Pirates

Haddam Swing Bridge Fall Special

Friday and Saturday Night Sunset Cruise

Celebrate Memorial Day

Neighbor Weekend

Passengers from the Past

Back To School Ride

Functions & Charters

Dinner Train Charters

Riverboat Charters

Meeting Spaces

Weddings & Receptions

Caboose Birthday Parties

School Trips

Group Tours

FAQs-Christmas Trains

FAQs-General

Trackside Cafe

Gift Shop

Getting Here

EST&R Brochure

Essex Station

Food & Lodging

Oliver Jensen Gallery

Local Attractions

Packages

Discounts

Tourism Packages

About Valley Railroad

Valley Railroad History

Emplyment Opportunities

Accessibility

Press Kit

Photography Policy

In the Media

Newsletter

Leaderhip & The Faces of EST&R

Tourism & Packages

Bee & Thistle Inn

Posted on August 25, 2017

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