Connecticut River Museum in Essex, Connecticut
Museum with a major rail exhibitOpen Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; Steve Cryan's train show runs November to January
From its home on the Essex waterfront, the Connecticut River Museum tells the 410-mile story of New England's great river, and every holiday season it welcomes train lovers to Steve Cryan's annual model train show.
- Steve Cryan's 33rd annual train show
- Train show November 19 to January 31
- Three floors of river galleries
- Onrust and RiverQuest cruises
- ADA accessible
- Open Tuesday to Sunday year-round
Connecticut River Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; closed Mondays and major holidays
- Admission
- Adults $15, seniors $12, students $10, children 6 to 12 $5, under 5 free
- Train rides
- River cruises on Onrust and RiverQuest, booked separately
- Seasonal events
- Steve Cryan's Holiday Train Show, Eagles of Essex, River Tales, Live from the Boathouse! lectures
- Plan for
- 1 to 2 hours
- Best for
- Families, history fans and holiday model train lovers
- Best ages
- All ages; train show best for ages 2 to 10
- Accessibility
- ADA accessible.
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address67 Main Street, Essex, CT 06426(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(860) 767-8269
- Emailcrm@ctrivermuseum.org
- Alsocmalin@ctrivermuseum.org
- Websitectrivermuseum.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow Connecticut River Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Connecticut River Museum? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Essex.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A riverfront museum that brings the trains out every winter
The Connecticut River Museum sits at Steamboat Dock on the waterfront of historic Essex, overlooking Essex Harbor, and it describes itself as a gateway to the 410 miles of cultural history and natural heritage along New England's great river. Its focus is the marine environment and maritime heritage of the Connecticut River Valley: the Indigenous peoples who lived along the river, the shipbuilders and traders who worked it, the steamboats that carried passengers up and down it, and the wildlife that depends on it today. The museum is now marking 50 years and is gathering visitors' own memories of the museum and the river through an oral history project.
For train families, the museum's best-known tradition arrives with the holidays. Every fall, artist and train enthusiast Steve Cryan unveils a brand-new model train layout, an intricate miniature world that signals the start of the holiday season in Essex. The 2026 show is the 33rd, on view from November 19, 2026 to January 31, 2027, and the museum says it draws crowds year after year. Members get an early look at a members-only opening.
The rest of the year, the museum mixes permanent galleries, changing exhibits, lectures, children's story times and cruises on the river. Its current special exhibit, Rhythm of the River, gathers the sounds of the valley, including real steam whistles and dinner chimes from the passenger steamboats that once worked the river.
Three floors of river, plus a winter railroad
The galleries run across three floors. On the Great River traces the river's history from Indigenous peoples through the early nineteenth century, and The River That Connects Us looks at the valley's forests, stone, farmland and fast streams. In the eastern stairwell, the Vertical Gallery is a folk art mural by Russell Buckingham, painted in 2009, that winds up and down all three floors and covers all 410 miles of the river. Visitors can also climb aboard Turtle, named for the submarine used during the American Revolution.
From mid November through January, Steve Cryan's holiday train show adds a new model railroad layout to the visit. In winter, the Eagles of Essex exhibit from January through March follows the bald eagles that return to the open tidal waters of the lower river. Allow one to two hours for a self-guided visit, and leave time for the park-like grounds on Essex Harbor.
Don’t miss
- Steve Cryan's Holiday Train ShowA new model train layout every year, built by artist Steve Cryan; the 2026 show is the 33rd and runs November 19 to January 31.
- The Vertical GalleryRussell Buckingham's 2009 mural climbs three floors of the stairwell and shows the whole 410-mile river.
- TurtleA submarine named for the one used during the American Revolution, which visitors can climb aboard.
- Rhythm of the RiverSound recordings, sheet music and real steamboat whistles and dinner chimes from the river's passenger boats.
- OnrustA re-creation of the vessel Adriaen Block built in 1614, which takes visitors out sailing on the river.
Model trains, story time and a submarine
The holiday train show is the obvious draw for young train fans, and it stays up well into the new year. Year-round, kids can climb aboard Turtle and follow the river's path up the three-story Vertical Gallery mural. River Tales story sessions for young learners cost $3 per child for non-members, with museum admission separate.
Children under 5 get in free, and children 6 to 12 are $5, which makes a short family visit easy. The museum is ADA accessible. Cruises on Onrust or RiverQuest suit older kids who can sit for 60 to 90 minutes on the water.
Plan your visit: tips for Connecticut River Museum
- See the train show between November 19, 2026 and January 31, 2027.
- Buying an Onrust cruise ticket brings museum admission down to $5.
- Closing is 3 pm (last entry 2 pm) on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
- Museums for All: $3 adults and free children under 18 with an EBT card.
- Book docent-guided tours at least two weeks ahead.
Steve Cryan's 33rd Annual Train Show opens on November 19, 2026 and stays on view through January 31, 2027, with a members-only opening on November 24. Each year's layout is new, so even families who came last winter will find something different. Check the museum's website for any special pricing during the show. For more holiday rail outings in the state, see our list of Christmas train rides in Connecticut.
Members, donors and a community of river lovers
The Connecticut River Museum is supported by members, donors and community partners. Members get free admission and free entry to many lectures and story times, and gifts help fund the museum's educational programs and events. You can also share your own memories of the museum and the river for its 50th anniversary oral history project.
Ride the rails after the museum
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat is only about a mile away, an easy pairing for a full day in Essex. The Shore Line Trolley Museum is about 25 miles west, and the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum is about 26 miles north. For more, see Connecticut's train museums.
- Essex Steam Train & Riverboat / Valley RailroadEssex, CT · about 1 mi
- Railroad Museum of Long IslandRiverhead / Greenport, NY · about 17 mi
- Shore Line Trolley MuseumEast Haven, CT · about 25 mi
- Connecticut Eastern Railroad MuseumWillimantic, CT · about 26 mi
- New England Civil War Museum / historic railroad exhibitsRockville, CT · about 36 mi
- Connecticut Trolley MuseumEast Windsor, CT · about 42 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A winter train show has its own kind of magic: you come in from a dark December afternoon and suddenly there is a whole lit-up world of tiny trains. That is how the tunnel page in our book feels. Everything goes dark for Rally, and then there is a big bright light and happy cheers. My mom imagined that moment for him. If your little one wants a train book to bring along, our train books for toddlers list can help.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Connecticut: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Connecticut
- Halloween train rides in Connecticut
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Connecticut River Museum?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Connecticut River Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Connecticut River Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Connecticut River Museum on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
- Connecticut River Museum on X(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Connecticut River Museum: 20 questions for your visit
Where is the Connecticut River Museum?
The Connecticut River Museum is at 67 Main Street, Essex, Connecticut 06426, at Steamboat Dock on the Essex waterfront, with park-like grounds overlooking Essex Harbor. Historic Essex Village is right outside. Call (860) 767-8269 or check the directions page on the museum's website for the best route.
What are the Connecticut River Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Mondays. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday, and closes at 3 pm, with last entry at 2 pm, on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
How much is admission to the Connecticut River Museum?
As of October 2026, admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and up, $10 for students 12 and up, $5 for children 6 to 12, and free for children under 5 and members. Military members and their immediate family pay $12 each, and Museums for All visitors with an EBT card pay $3, with children free.
Does the Connecticut River Museum have a train show?
Yes. Every fall, artist and train enthusiast Steve Cryan unveils a new model train layout at the museum to mark the holiday season. Steve Cryan's 33rd Annual Train Show is on view from November 19, 2026 through January 31, 2027, and it is one of the museum's most popular yearly exhibits.
When is Steve Cryan's train show at the Connecticut River Museum?
The 2026 to 2027 show, the 33rd, runs from November 19, 2026 through January 31, 2027 during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Members are invited to a members-only opening on November 24. Remember that the museum is closed Mondays and on Christmas and New Year's Day.
Is the Connecticut River Museum train show good for toddlers?
Model train layouts tend to hold small children's attention, and children under 5 get in free, so the train show is an easy outing with toddlers. The museum is ADA accessible, which helps with strollers. Combine the layout with the Turtle submarine and the stairwell mural for a short, varied visit.
Does the Connecticut River Museum have railroad history exhibits?
The museum's railroad connection is mainly its annual holiday model train show by Steve Cryan. Its permanent galleries focus on the river itself, from Indigenous peoples to shipbuilding, trade and steamboats. If you are looking for a particular rail topic, email crm@ctrivermuseum.org to ask what is on view.
What is there to see at the Connecticut River Museum?
Permanent exhibits include On the Great River, about the river's history through the early 1800s, The River That Connects Us, about the valley's natural resources, and the Vertical Gallery mural. Visitors can climb aboard Turtle, see special exhibits like Rhythm of the River, and in winter see the holiday train show and the Eagles of Essex.
How long should I spend at the Connecticut River Museum?
The museum suggests allowing one to two hours for a self-guided visit to the galleries. Add time for the grounds on Essex Harbor and a walk through Essex Village, and plan extra time before or after if you are taking an Onrust or RiverQuest cruise.
Can you take a boat ride at the Connecticut River Museum?
Yes. The museum runs cruises on Onrust, a re-creation of the ship Adriaen Block built in 1614, and on RiverQuest, an eco-tour boat that looks for wildlife such as osprey and eagles. In winter, Winter Wildlife boat tours run too. Anyone with an Onrust cruise ticket pays only $5 for museum admission.
What is the Vertical Gallery at the Connecticut River Museum?
The Vertical Gallery is a folk art mural painted by artist Russell Buckingham in 2009. It winds up and down the three floors of the museum's eastern stairwell and shows all 410 miles of the Connecticut River, so kids can follow the river from its source to the sea as they climb.
Can you go inside the Turtle submarine at the Connecticut River Museum?
Yes. Visitors can climb aboard Turtle, named for the submarine used during the American Revolution. It is a favorite stop for kids and a good way to talk about how people once tried to travel under the water of the river and harbor.
Is the Connecticut River Museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum describes itself as ADA accessible, with exhibits across three floors. If you have specific questions about access to a gallery, the grounds or a boat, call Visitor Services at (860) 767-8269 before your visit.
Does the Connecticut River Museum offer group tours?
Yes. Groups of 10 or more can visit self-guided for $10 per person or with a docent for $15 per person, as of October 2026. Docent tours take about 60 minutes and should be booked at least two weeks ahead. Call Visitor Services at (860) 767-8269, extension 118, or email cmalin@ctrivermuseum.org.
Are there kids' programs at the Connecticut River Museum?
Yes. River Tales story sessions for young learners are held on select Saturdays, such as November 7, 2026, at 11 am or 1 pm. As of October 2026 they cost $3 per learner for non-members and are free for members, with museum admission not included. The museum also lists homeschool days and camps.
What are the Eagles of Essex?
Eagles of Essex is a yearly exhibit from January through March about the bald eagles that return to the lower Connecticut River. While rivers and lakes to the north freeze, the tidal waters near Essex stay open, so eagles come to fish. The museum treats their return as a sign of a healthy river.
Is the Connecticut River Museum open on holidays?
The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday, and every Monday. On Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve it closes early at 3 pm, with last entry at 2 pm, which matters if you are planning a holiday train show visit.
How do I become a member of the Connecticut River Museum?
Join through the membership page on ctrivermuseum.org. Members get free general admission, free in-person entry to many Live from the Boathouse! lectures, free River Tales story times and a members-only opening for the annual train show, while supporting the museum's educational work.
What else is near the Connecticut River Museum?
Historic Essex Village is a short stroll away, and the museum's grounds overlook Essex Harbor. The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat is only about a mile from the museum, which makes it easy to combine river history and a train ride in one day.
What train museums are near the Connecticut River Museum?
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat is about 1 mile away. The Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven is about 25 miles, the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in Willimantic about 26 miles, and the New England Civil War Museum in Rockville about 36 miles away.
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