harkness memorial state park

The views, grounds and buildings are all lovely. Room for plenty of people. Entry fee high. Popular for weddings and pictures and kite flying.

This was such a nice find! We were driving around and saw a sign for this place so we decided to check it out. I am so happy we did! It is a state park on the water with tons to see and lots of land. The beach is clean and spacious with a cute little area to stand and take pictures from. The park has lots of room to run around, take a walk or have a picnic! There is also a mansion on the property with a pretty garden and good photo opportunities. If you ever get a chance to check this state park out, I highly recommend it!

Great place to relax, fly a kite, walk your dog, romantic, study architecture or admire the garden.There is one ranger who gets a little carried away with his authority, but the others are most friendly and helpful.

This is a vast, open park facing the Long Island Sound. There are restrooms, picnic tables, and a few park charcoal grills available. The mansion on site has nice English gardens and the view out to the water is beautiful. They discourage swimming, but you can always get your feet wet and look for seashells. During the summer months, the parking lot fills with mobs of families, especially on the weekends. Be prepared to pay the State an entry fee. Also, a it's safe spot to let your younger ones learn to ride bikes and try out roller blades.If you are looking for a good swimming beach, drive a little further down to Waterford Beach- great sand and has lifeguards.

great history and can't beat the views; grounds well maintained; lot of places to explore; great for birdwatching, people watching and dog running

I've been going here for about 10 yrs, (since moving to the area in 2004.) But, did not look past the grounds and beach for a nice walk,(a long walk, if you are up to it.) A very peaceful walk, beautiful scenery, the waves crashing on the beach. The mansion, in it's stone opulence, guarding the beach to the rear and welcoming friends, family and visitors in the front courtyard. About 2 yrs ago a friend of mine asked if would like to help at "Family Day." I did. Had a great time. My friend and her husband have been working with therapy dogs for many years. And they were invited to participate in the event. (They raise and train Siberian Huskies.) Family Day is the last event of the year, before the park closes. It's free to all. To come and enjoy the day. That was the first time I was inside the "Mansion". They have a a tea in the 'Tea Room", at the rear of the Mansion. Volunteers donate tea sandwiches, desserts etc and help serve. That was also the first time I got to tour the Mansion. I was hooked!!! I also got to visit the indoor bowling alley, the cutting garden, the green house, the dog kennel and so much more. (You'll have go there, to see for yourself, what I mean.) After that visit, my friends gave me a membership to the park!! Now I am a "Friend of Harkness." I did some research, (I won't bore you with details, you can research,) but, I encourage you to do so. As I encourage you to to visit. I have put in a request to become a "Docent," to give tours of the Mansion and educate the public on this treasure. Wish me luck. And ... when you come to the park and take the tour, be sure to mention "727', that way I'll know I 'm on the spot, to live up to this review.

Nice park for walking or picnic time but no swimming allowed. You can also do fishing. Perfect venue for a wedding!

Nice park to visit just unfortunate you can't swim there. Very well maintained. Great place to bring your dog too.

Always love coming here you can go to the beach area enjoy the view or visit the mansion and gardens. A great place to take the family or just enjoy it for some quiet time alone.

Friday evening, before sunset.....sun glistening on the water. Violin playing, vows being exchanged. Leisurely walk across the lawn, to the incredible mansion for the reception. Gorgeous views, light breeze, amazing gardens. What a perfect venue for a wedding!! So many nooks and crannies to explore, so much beauty to admire. So much history, and it was wonderful that a park employee was on hand, and was able to answer all the questions we asked!! So interesting!!

Rode our bikes there, beautiful place for a picnic, beautiful grounds. No swimming but bring your kites.

Went to an evening wedding here this past Sunday. Nice little amphitheater for the ceremony, short walk to mansion for reception. The grounds looked very nice, we did not see the beach. Park did not look overcrowded. It was hot and muggy, and there was no breeze - mansion did not move air through, so it got a bit warm. Views from mansion to water are very pretty. A serene setting, for sure.

Harkness is one of the great treasures in Connecticut. The grounds are well kept and it is a great place to walk, explore the site gardens, mansion or hit the small beach! It's a place where you can go daily and never get bored!

If you want someone to go where there's plenty of space, a bit of beach, and plenty of fresh air, then Harkness is a great park. There's a small mansion to visit, but most of the attraction of the park is the view over the sea towards Long Island Sound and the fresh air. There's plenty of large tables for families to picnic at and loads of space to run around and play games.The only negative is the Gift Shop (it doesn't sell snacks and the gifts are few).

This place is a must see for anyone visiting the Area. Beautiful manicured grounds, picnic tables, A beautiful Mansion, beautiful flower gardens. All on the Coast. A lovely spot for just about anyone. This place is a relaxong home away from home where you can take a wak and admire the beauty, Fly a kite, BBQ or just sit and rnjoy the cool ocean breeze.