The Essex Steam Train in Essex, Connecticut (map)
I’ve been hesitating to post this day trip because technically, it’s winter, but as I write these words, the temperature in Farmington is 54 degrees and the sun is blazing through my kitchen window. So here goes the Essex Steam Train Day Trip. This is pretty much a have-to-do for kids growing up in Connecticut; I still remember my mom and grandmother taking my brother Brian and I when we were in elementary school and we talked about it for weeks before and weeks after our trip. A day trip here is not quite a trip to Disney World, but old trains are a rarefied experience for kids.
In addition, as we talked about in Day Trip to Essex, Connecticut, this is a town that just has so much else going on, even a car ride from far-er flung parts of the state (Salisbury, Greenwich, Danbury) can be made totally “worth it” by combining a train ride with a great local meal and a stroll down Main Street. I’ve marked the restaurants below for their kid-friendly-ness in the itinerary.
DAY TRIP ITINERARY: Essex Steam Train in Essex, Connecticut
Each day trip itinerary includes the main event, plus suggestions — with names, addresses and maps — of places to eat, shop, or “notable neighbors” to check out while you’re in the area. There is baked-in flexibility to mix and match, or follow the itinerary to the letter. If you have suggestions, lemme know!
The Essex Steam Train (map)
1 Railroad Avenue
Essex, CT 06426
(860) 767-0103
DINING
For take out, snacks and ice cream…
Olive Oyl’s (map) kid-friendly
77 Main St.
Essex, CT
For anytime…
Black Seal Seafood Grille (map) kid-friendly
15 Main St # C
Essex, CT
(860) 767-0233
Griswold Inn (map) – tap room is kid-friendly
36 Main Street
Essex, CT
(860) 767-1776
NOTABLE NEIGHBORS
The Connecticut River Museum (map)
67 Main Street
Essex, CT 06426
(860) 767-8269
The French Hen (map)
16 Main Street
Essex, CT 06426
Goods & Curiosities At the Griswold Inn (map)
47 Main Street
Essex, CT 06426
(860) 767-0210