Hotels in Essex

Aboard the historic Essex Steam Train, the Connecticut River unfolds its secrets as bald eagles soar overhead and Victorian villages appear like paintings come to life. The Connecticut River Museum chronicles maritime history in a restored warehouse with interactive exhibits. Art galleries and antique shops line Main Street in 18th-century buildings, housing treasures both refined and quirky. Seafood restaurants serve lobster rolls that locals debate with scholarly intensity. The Ivoryton Playhouse, a former piano key factory, stages productions where Broadway stars sometimes appear. Harvey's Beach offers a perfect swimming spot when summer humidity demands relief. For the full experience, visit during the annual Shad Bake, where this traditional fish is prepared as it has been for generations.