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Heritage Rail Bikes Is Now OPEN in Willimantic, CT!
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Heritage Rail Bikes is officially open at the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in Willimantic — and people are already grabbing ride times. The first weekend was completely sold out.
This brand-new outdoor attraction lets guests ride directly on the railroad tracks aboard specially designed four-person rail bikes. It is fun, easygoing, and unlike anything else currently offered in the Willimantic (CT) area.
Ride the Rails in a Whole New Way
This is not a train ride. It is not a bike trail. It is something different entirely.
Guests board a specially designed rail bike and pedal along the tracks toward the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum. There is no steering required because the rails guide the bike along the route.
Each bike seats up to four guests, making Heritage Rail Bikes a great outing for families, couples, friends, and small groups looking for something new to do together.
A Short Adventure That Fits Into Your Day
The experience is designed as a short, manageable trip that takes guests up the tracks to the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum.
Once the group reaches the museum, riders step off the bikes and have time to check out the historic locomotives, rail cars, and other railroad equipment on display. While guests explore the open-air museum, the Heritage Rail Bikes team turns the bikes around and prepares them for the return trip. Guests then board their rail bikes again and pedal back to the starting point.
The complete experience takes approximately one hour, making it easy to fit into a family outing, date, weekend trip, or afternoon in Willimantic.
Early Riders Are Giving It Five Stars
The first guests to experience Heritage Rail Bikes in Willimantic have had a great time, and many have already rated their ride five stars. Riders have enjoyed the novelty of pedaling directly on the railroad tracks, checking out the trains at the museum, and sharing an activity that feels different from the typical family or group outing.
With each departure limited to a small number of bikes, the experience feels personal and gives guests plenty of time to enjoy the ride and museum stop without committing an entire day.
Make It Extra Special With a Sunset Ride
Guests looking for an extra-special experience can book one of the premium Sunset Rides time slots.
These departures are scheduled around sunset, allowing riders to begin the experience as daylight starts to fade. Heritage Rail Bikes are equipped with headlights, so the ride can continue comfortably if it becomes dark before the group returns.
Sunset Rides offer a memorable way to experience the rails and are expected to be among our most popular departures. Availability is limited, so guests interested in a Sunset Ride should reserve early.
Something Different for Families, Couples, and Groups
Planning a family outing? Ride the rails.
Looking for an unusual date idea? Ride the rails.
Trying to find an activity that your group has probably never done before? Ride the rails.
Heritage Rail Bikes combines outdoor recreation, railroad history, and a genuinely unique experience into one manageable adventure. Because the ride lasts approximately one hour, it is easy to pair with lunch, shopping, or other activities in and around Willimantic.
Popular Ride Times Are Filling
Opening excitement is building quickly as more and more people discover that rail biking has arrived in Willimantic. Because each departure has a strictly limited capacity, guests should not wait too long to choose their date and ride time. Once a departure is full, that time is gone.
Tickets can be purchased on the homepage of HeritageRailBikes.com or by selecting an available date from the calendar below. For a limited time only, use code "SUMMER" at checkout to save 10% on all ticket purchases. To see more dates (including for this Saturday and Sunday), click the right arrow button the top of the calendar below.
