Essex to Providence train

Essex is a town in northeast Vermont adjacent to Burlington. The legal breakdown of cities, towns, and villages gets a bit complicated here, because the village of Essex Junction used to be within the town of Essex. However, in 2022, the village separated from the town and became the city of Essex Junction. Don't worry, locals (probably) won't quiz you on that. Essex Junction is functionally the downtown area of Essex, so you'll likely be spending most of your time in the local cafés and shops in Essex Junction.

Essex is a fantastic place for nature lovers and outdoorsy people, due to mountain biking trails on Saxon Hill and idyllic fishing on Colchester Pond. Many of Essex's parks have pools and ponds, too. Aside from the impressive parks, trails, and natural areas, you can also check out the Vermont National Guard Library & Museum and Fort Ethan Allen Museum for some local history.

Essex is known for having a vibrant scene for foodies, and beer lovers frequent the many brewing companies and brewpubs. Go all out with the cooking classes and incredible restaurants at the Essex Resort and Spa, set against the idyllic Green Mountains.

The Essex Amtrak station is one of the last stops on the Amtrak Vermonter route from Washington, D.C. Taking the train to Essex is a breeze whether you're traveling from Baltimore, Philadelphia, or New York. Essex Junction is located within five miles of the Burlington International Airport and shares VTrans local transportation with the rest of Vermont. Green Mountain Transit also provides transportation services to Essex.

Though some might say that it is overshadowed by nearby Boston, Providence is an interesting destination on its own. A quaint college town with a deep historical value, Providence allows fans of U.S. history to marvel at historic buildings such as the ones on Benefit Street, which boasts the highest concentration of Colonial houses. As you stroll around the streets of Providence at night, don’t forget to take a detour to WaterFire, a sculpture project that features bonfires along the rivers of Providence. Accompanying the bonfires are the sounds of ceremonial gongs and various music programs, which brighten up the night. For those seeking a unique cultural experience, the Federal Hill quarter sits among the most famous Little Italian neighborhoods, and it features some of the best Italian restaurants in town.

The staple dish of Providence is oysters, which are not difficult to find in the city. However, if you can endure a short drive, Matunuck Oyster Bar, an oyster restaurant located 40 miles south of South Kingstown, provides some of the freshest and most delicious oysters around. Some other notable establishments include Birch, Oberlin, and Tallulah’s Taqueria.

The Providence airport is located in nearby Warwick which is only a 6 miles’ drive from the city. The main bus hub for Providence is found at the Rhode Island Convention Center Parking Garage, where travelers could catch a bus from Greyhound or Peter Pan Bus Lines. The main Amtrak train station is located just a 10-minute walk across the Woonasquatucket River.