Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

Start the day with a visit to Lyman Orchard’s Apple Barn. This stop will allow us to roam the store that is housed with fresh baked goods, and sit on the deck that overlooks the pond.

Next, it is on to lunch. Often known as “The Gris,” The Griswold Inn opened in 1776, and continues to revere in the charm of yesteryear.

This afternoon, it’s “All Aboard” the Valley Railroad Steam Train for an old-fashioned ride back in time along the Connecticut riverbank. Characters dressed in costume of the days gone by go up and down the train selling newspapers, water, and juice. In Deep River, you leave the train for a comfortable hour-long riverboat ride on the Connecticut River aboard the Becky thatcher. This scenic boat ride is narrated.

Make this trip an Oktoberfest by lunching at East Side restaurant where there is always a warm Bavarian atmosphere. The staff will don traditional German clothing. Enjoy the specialized German food and culture all without a passport.