Rekindle the nostalgia of a bygone era through the sounds, smells, and vistas that only a trip on an actual steam locomotive and train can provide with a rail excursion of the Connecticut River Valley. Head to Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park for a full-on 19th century railroad experience complete with an 1892 railroad station, steam locomotives, and vintage trains of historic cars. Here you can travel back in time on more than 12 miles of rails departing from Essex Station and continuing up the historic Connecticut River Valley, deemed one of the “Last Great Places on Earth” by the Nature Conservancy.

From the 1892 station in Essex, choose from a variety of train and combination train and riverboat excursions up the river valley. The rail yard alone is of interest to train aficionados with more than two dozen vintage rolling stock pieces, including a variety of engines, depending on the season and schedules.