The Shore Line Trolley Museum - East Haven, Connecticut

andrea puzio

Absolutely wonderful experience I didn't even know about this hidden gem in my own backyard. I loved how the trolley stopped and they let us get off and explore the trolley yard and the other trolleys that they have. The staff was so friendly and told us all the history also please check the inside of the museum station. I fully one hundred percent recommend this to everyone.

L Dilley

My 4yr old and I got tickets for an 11 am tour. There is plenty of parking space behind the museum. The museum itself has a small historical exhibit, large accessible washrooms and gift shop. The trolley has large open windows and travels along a scenic track where you can observe osprey nesting in the marsh. The trolley makes one stop on it's short trip. Everyone gets off and is guided through a series of barns which house other trains. People also use the tracks as a walking path and we saw a few locals walking along the tracks. The folks who organize and operate the museum are all volunteers. Grateful this place exists.

Michael B

When I was a kid, my mother took me here from time to time. Since then, there have been some upgrades and restored trolleys and subway cars. Today I was a 'guest operator' and was taught and allowed to drive one! WOW. Worth the money, as far as I'm concerned... It was super fun, AND how often do you get to operate a piece of history?! The volunteers are super nice and really opened up to me and my girlfriend even more the more interest I showed. Big shout-out to Ethan! You really made the day special!

Tangentially to my operator experience, I attended on a day where they opened up an exhibit put together by volunteers that let visitors on a subway car that was part of a subway train partially crushed during the attack on the WTC on 9/11. It was a surreal surprise to set foot on that car and such a welcome surprise to find it here. For this, shout-out to "Subway Al," who was kind and generous with his stories, experiences, and personal property that he added to the museum to enhance the exhibit.

Overall, I got a very serious sense of a community of volunteers who work together to make this a really special place. All those who have contributed over the years have polished up what was this hidden gem!

Greg Caruso

Really charming museum with a working trolley line going over a mile into a beautiful estuary.
They have over 70 trollies, many in working order but only a
dozen or so on display, which is plenty. Also the staff is really into it.

Rolanda Murphy

It was a Great place to go and experience! I was looking for something to do with my daughter for the 4th. Found this on things to do in Ct. it was less than 15 minutes away and the price was doable. We learned a lot about the railway and say many cars. I believe it’s a great place to take your children or child no matter what age. My daughter is 19 and she enjoyed every moment of it. Will be going back again. And we had the last trip of the day so we received extra attention we were the only ones on the trolly 😁. The conductor and the rest of the staff were great and very informative.

John K

We were in from Chicago visiting family and I saw this on Google maps. So glad we went. Trolley ride was fun and enjoyed the tour of the barns with many more trolleys. Everyone one was very nice and the museum has many interesting items with a great trolley train layout.

Kevin Cartwright

Delightful trolley museum with operating trolley rides along a scenic section of original trolley line including marshlands, woodlands, bridges, a large collection of trolleys and artifacts available for touring, and a standing opportunity to become an involved member.

Jessica LaPolt

It was a wonderful experience but unfortunately there were three events running simultaneously and a quick Storytime program turned into a nearly 2-hour adventure. While trying to wrangle 4 kids under 3 years old, it was stressful to say the least.