EXPERIENCES

Winter Warmer Lunch Series

March 29, 2025

Join us for one of our 2 hour lunch excursions through the scenic Connecticut River Valley while you keep an eye out for spectacular winter sights along the way. Cozy up in our vintage train cars with your favorite friends and family, and beat the cabin fever with us this winter! Tickets will sell fast, so book your excursion today… and don’t forget your binoculars!! Wildlife is abundant in the valley this time of year.

A Royal Afternoon Tea

April 11, 2025

All aboard for an afternoon tea like no other! Our “Royal Spring Tea” is the perfect way to usher in the beauty of spring in the river valley, all while disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. You’ll be stepping back in time as you’re welcomed into one of our beautiful 1920s dining cars. A complimentary prosecco will begin your hour and a half journey followed by a curated selection of Harney and Sons Fine Teas.

Wine & Chocolate Dinner Train

April 5, 2025

You are cordially invited to board our vintage train for a specially created 3 course dinner while you sample a selection of wines sourced for you by our guest wine steward. The experience will become even more decadent when our guest chocolatier from Fascia’s Chocolates joins the conversation and introduces you to some amazing chocolate pairings.

Bunny Breakfast

April 12 & 13, 2025

Hop aboard the Essex Steam Train for our annual Bunny Breakfast excursions! Families will delight in a spring train ride through the beautiful Connecticut River Valley as they enjoy a family style platter of breakfast or brunch items suitable for all ages. An abundant family style platter for the whole table will include french toast, scones and pastries, fresh fruits, hard boiled eggs and breakfast sandwiches. The Easter Bunny will greet all guests as he passes through the train cars along the route. Photo opportunities will be available on the platform after the train ride.

Easter Egg Hunt

April 12 & 13, 2025

The Easter Bunny will join you as you enjoy a 45 minute train ride in the Connecticut River Valley. Before returning to Essex Station he will have the engineer stop the train in a secluded meadow for an Easter Egg Hunt and photo opportunities! All children will get a small basket to fill with the eggs they collect during the hunt. It’s going to be an egg-cellent time, so get your tickets today!

Day Out with Thomas™: The Party Tour

April 26 & 27, May 3 & 4, 2025

Thomas & Friends will be here on April 26-27 & May 3-4 with departure times every 45 minutes from 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Passengers select a departure time when purchasing a ticket (ride is approx. 25 minutes), but can enjoy fun-filled family activities all day long!

All Aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone’s favorite #1 blue engine, is coming to town and we’re celebrating big this year for Thomas’s 80th Birthday. Day Out With Thomas: The Party Tour will be stopping at Essex Station!

Midnight at the Masquerade

May 16, 2025

The rustle of silks and feathers under muted conversation was probably the last thing heard by the tragically and unexpectedly deceased at the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball. With a mystery under each feathery façade, unmasking the killer may be quite a challenge. It’s up to you to determine which partygoer is guilty, bring this crime to justice, and save the party!

Attend the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball and help get this soiree back on track by trading clues with your guests, gathering information, and solving the crime before the masked menace gets away! Evening wear, ball gowns, Venetian masks, suits, and tuxes are what to wear to this high class night of masks and murder.

PREMIUM EXPERIENCES

2025 Hand on the Throttle

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about and actually operate a full size steam locomotive! Registrants receive home study materials covering railroad and steam locomotive safety as well as basic steam locomotive theory and operation.