EXPERIENCES
Day Out With Thomas™: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour
April 25 & 26, May 2 & 3
Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the beat to heritage railways across the country! Hop on board for a real train ride with Thomas, strike a pose at photo ops and snag something cool at the exclusive gift shop. Then, keep the beat going at the Music Corner, packed with lawn games, hands-on activities, and music-inspired fun that’ll have the whole family dancing!
Mommy & Me Tea
May 9
Dress your little ones in their “Mother’s Day Finest” and bring them aboard to celebrate! Take in the beautiful spring scenery on this 1 ½ hour round-trip train ride through the Connecticut River Valley, as you enjoy this intimate family excursion. Delight in an assortment of teas, finger sandwiches, pastries, sweets and more, aboard a beautifully restored 1920s era Pullman Dining car.
Great Train Robbery
May 16
Step aboard the Essex Clipper Dinner Train for an unforgettable evening of dining, drama, and 1920s intrigue! Don your finest 1920s attire and start the night with a lively cocktail hour on our trackside patio before boarding the elegant train for a sumptuous dinner as you travel through the scenic Connecticut River Valley. But keep an eye on your wallets—a gang of vintage-era bandits is hot on your trail!
Cigar & Whiskey Experience
June 19
Settle into a smooth summer evening at Essex Station’s South Patio for our Cigar & Whiskey Experience 
Enjoy a laid-back, open-air night filled with bold flavors, live music, and great company. Sample a curated lineup of premium whiskeys while connecting with featured liquor reps, and explore top-tier cigars from Bongo Ron’s Cigar & Lounge.
Savor mouthwatering BBQ, kick back with friends, and let the Cobalt Rhythm Kings set the vibe with live tunes that carry you through the night.
Whether you’re here for the whiskey, the cigars, the music, or just a great atmosphere—this is your perfect excuse to unwind and indulge in a little smoke, spice, and soul.
Donuts with Dad
June 21
Princess Academy & Royal Tea
July 11, 12, 18 & 19
Let us make all of your wishes come true on July 11, 12, 18 & 19 when you attend our third annual Princess Academy and Royal Tea! Dress your princess in training in her prettiest gown and join our beautiful Belle of the Valley and her regal companions in the Grand Ballroom at Essex Station for an unforgettable and magical afternoon.
Family Pirate Adventures
August 1
Ahoy and avast, me hearties! Come aboard for a jolly good time and join the crew of the infamous Captain Kidd! Set sail with the scurvy scallywags of the Becky Thatcher on a fully immersive, one-of-a-kind treasure hunt along the Connecticut River. Hear tales of sea serpents, mermaids, and buried loot, and take part in the search for Kidd’s long-lost treasure—right aboard the ship! Sing sea shanties with our band of merry pirates and take home a piece of your newfound treasure.
Thar Be Pirates
August 21
Ahoy! Let us show you a wicked good time as you join the crew of the notorious Captain Kidd for an exclusive night of pirate fun on the Connecticut River. Join a gathering of the legendary pirates of New England as they celebrate the most notorious dread pirate of them all aboard the Becky Thatcher, the famed riverboat overtaken by a rowdy crew for this very occasion.
