Elizabeth Park

9/10Mommy Approved Smiling Faces

1561 Asylum Ave

West Hartford, CT 06117

(860)231-9443

https://elizabethparkct.org/garden/rose-garden/

A visit to Elizabeth Park makes for a beautiful day out with the kids.  Two of the busiest times to visit would be Spring and Summer due to their tulips and spectacular rose gardens with enormous rose bush archways to walk through.

Upon visiting the first time we didn’t know how great Pond House Cafe is so, when we were informed, we just had to return and try it out ourselves.  We showed up on a rainy spring weekend and unfortunately the cafe was fully booked.  The host let us know we were welcome to order take-out.  They offer a brunch menu with numerous options.  The kids in snack-mode ordered french fries and lemonades and I ordered a grilled chicken wrap with a garlic-pesto aoli, roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts. It was super flavorful and absolutely delicious.  The decor inside the cafe is vibrant and artistic.   Numerous well-dressed patrons visit Pond House Cafe to celebrate special occasions and enjoy delicious meals.  The host assured me everything on the menu is remarkable!

During our spring visit we loved seeing a duck family with numerous little fuzzy ducklings waddling around near their mom.  The trees were in full bloom with colorful flowers everywhere too.  Even in the drizzle, a visit to Elizabeth Park is special.

Summer (June) at Elizabeth Garden offers a tremendous opportunity to see the most amazing rose varieties in a vast garden full of spectacular archways and bushes.  The rose garden is so gorgeous and fragrant that visitors will be awestruck by its beauty.  There is a lovely natural gazebo in the rose garden too.  It has benches inside and creates a focal point for the garden to relax and get some shade. Besides the flowers, this park has short paths throughout for strolls or runs, a very lovely playground honoring a child victim of Sandy Hook,  tennis and basketball courts, ball fields, lawn bowling, and a boutique style gift shop with specialty goods for all ages.  We hope you get a chance to visit and enjoy this lovely FREE park with your family.  It is just incredible!

 

The Skinny:

• Weather : besides the cafe and gift shop this is an outdoor activity so visit when it’s comfortable to walk around
• Parking and Admissions: FREE with plentiful parking except on event nights they do fill up
• Location : A beautiful garden offering events, a upscale venue and outdoor green space to enjoy
• Hours : dawn until dusk every day of the year!
• Duration : We spent 2 hours visiting the gardens, gift shop and cafe
• Tips and Recommendations : Picnics are welcomed but there are limited tables so pack a blanket. No alcohol is allowed.  Leashed dogs are allowed but not in the flower fields. Donations are appreciated to maintain the grounds.  See their activities page for upcoming events including tours and concerts.  The Pond House Cafe is open year round check their hours and consider reservations during Spring and Summer weekends.  It’s definitely worth a visit!

Jewel : 👍🏼

Jamison : 👍🏼

If you loved Elizabeth Park, you will also love a visit to New England Botanic Gardens in Massachusetts.  If you want to stay in Connecticut we also enjoyed visiting Mohegan Park in June for their rose garden and to relax , play and swim at the park.