Elizabeth Park
Elizabeth Park
4.5
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
This walkers' haven, with several gardens along its wildflower trail, a lovely pond and sports and concert facilities, is best known for its magnificent rose garden, with 800 varieties of roses.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
428 reviews
Excellent
302
Very good
107
Average
15
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Marcela M
Wakefield, MA226 contributions
May 2020
Just moved here from Boston in March. My boyfriend and I took a walk around the block and to our surprise we walked right into the park. 7 min walking distance from out house! Of course there was nothing to quite see yet but you could tell it was going to look beautiful in the spring. We walk down there at least 3xs a week. Its so big there is tons to see. They have a cute little cafe, which I assume they will not open until this COVID is over. We were recently there 2 weeks ago and some of the garden was blooming & some of the roses were about to bloom. I absolutely love it there.
Written June 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alawrencetraveller
Lawrence, KS70 contributions
Nov 2020
Can't wait to go back when the roses are in full bloom. I can't even imagine how beautiful it will be when all the arches have blooms on them. I loved visiting even when it was just the vines so I know I will love it even more in another season. The park is a beautiful walk all the way around the rose gardens. Highly recommend for a nice walk outdoors or sitting on a bench near the water.
Written November 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD9,059 contributions
Jun 2021
We stopped here today for lunch. After parking on the north side, we walked downhill ~1/4 mile, passing the pond with fountains and geese to the center feature, the large circular rose garden.
What a perfect place to picnic, sitting in one of the shaded benches watching the visitors taking photos with kids and dogs in tow.
What a perfect place to picnic, sitting in one of the shaded benches watching the visitors taking photos with kids and dogs in tow.
Written June 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan
Enfield, CT77 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Elizabeth Park is famous for the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden, but my absolute favorite is the dahlia display near the greenhouse in the fall. They are HUGE and beautiful. There are several gardens: The Kaman Rose Garden, The tulip garden, the perennial garden, heritage rose garden, herb garden, dahlia garden, iris garden, medicine garden and hosta garden. It's a great place for a leisurely picnic or a brisk walk around the paved walkways. There is the Pond House Cafe for food and events, but I personally haven't had good experiences there.
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Table42
Clifton Park, NY331 contributions
Jun 2023
Finally got to visit when the roses were in bloom (June 2nd) and were thrilled with the variety, size (2.5 acres) and landscape of the Helen S Kaman Rose Garden. It was modestly attended on a Friday afternoon, which made for a pleasant visit. Elizabeth Park is much more than the rose garden, so its always worth a visit to take a walk in a beautiful environment.
Written June 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madalyn L
Oviedo, FL10 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Absolutely beautiful! Magnificent rose and other floral gardens. Interesting tree specimens and an old stone bridge by the pond. Enjoyed a wonderful, delicious lunch at the outdoor cafe. The most beautiful garden’s I’ve ever seen.
Written January 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fewarechosen
Nashville, TN46 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Very nice park with a wide variety of roses, well maintained paths, and ample parking. Visitors center has bathrooms and a gift shop. Good for sightseeing and walking the dog. Glad we stopped on our way through Hartford. Parking and admission are free.
Written October 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeEcsedy
Brookfield, CT141 contributions
Jun 2020
We went in late June for the roses. This was the most extensive area covered with roses I've ever seen, more than at any botanical garden! They say it's the third largest rose garden in the country. The garden is aesthetically well designed as far as symmetry and colors. There are other beautiful gardens as well (e.g., rock garden)
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gwennz2018
West Hartford, CT17 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
I used to love to go to Elizabeth Park. The flower gardens were spectacular. I have learned that the conservancy let go of some of it's extremely knowledgeable and dedicated staff that used to run the place and plan out the gardens. They were super nice people that would take the time to answer questions and the woman Andrea knew tons of information about the history of the place. I can see the loss reflected in the gardens spaces this year. Sad. Sometimes stupid management doesn't know a good things when they have it. Very disappointed. Also be careful after dark!
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kzsull01
Windsor, CT365 contributions
Jun 2021
My husband and I visited the Rose Garden at Elizabeth Park, currently named the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden, on the morning of Tuesday June 22, 2021. It is definitely a great place to enjoy nature and outdoor beauty. The roses were in full bloom and spectacular this time of year! There are many different types of beautiful rose bushes and arches laid out in nicely designed ornamental flowerbeds across multiple rows. Currently the garden includes over 2.5 acres with over 15,000 bushes and over 800 varieties of roses in many different vibrant colors having exquisite fragrances. There were plenty of opportunities to take some rather impressive pictures during our visit.
There were many people at the park for a Tuesday morning about 10:15 AM with rain on its way. We parked along the road next to the Pond House Cafe with only one remaining space available. The large parking lot next to the Garmany Visitor Center was full. Based on this, I would expect to see many people on the weekend, with only limited parking available. There is no admittance fee into the park, gardens or Visitor Center. Parking is also free.
In addition to the parking lot mentioned above, there is another parking lot in the park near the Picnic Area and Western Loop and parking is available along the roads, when allowed. Picnicking is permitted in designated areas but no grills are allowed. Picnic tables are available on a first come, first served basis or you could bring a blanket. Dogs on a leash are also allowed and it is a great place to walk a dog.
History of the Park and Rose Garden:
Elizabeth Park was opened in 1897 and the Rose Garden in 1904, having historical significance being currently the oldest municipal rose garden in the country as well as the third largest. In 1983 the garden was listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The park and rose garden are located on what was formally an estate owned by Charles and Elizabeth Pond called Prospect Hill Farm where they built a grand Second-Empire-Style mansion on Prospect Avenue in 1870 that was demolished in 1956.
The design of the garden is formal from the Victorian era. When the garden opened in 1904 it was in the shape of a square with a vine covered gazebo in the center. A semi-circular section was added to the south end in 1912 and to the north end in 1937. Fortunately the beautiful rose garden was saved from being totally demolished in 1977 by the Friends of Elizabeth Park, currently named the Elizabeth Park Conservancy.
The Garmany Visitor Center:
The park includes the Garmany Visitor Center which has been nicely restored and opened in 2020, and was formerly the Comfort Station built by the Works Program Administration (WPA) in 1940. The Visitor Center, which is open May 1st – October 1st, includes a very nice gift shop featuring art from local area artists and restrooms. The staff member working at the Visitor Center at the time of our visit was very friendly, polite and helpful. There are also pictures of the rose garden and documentation/brochures available depicting the history of the park and rose garden as well as a nice map of the park at the Visitor Center. We got the following brochures from the Visitor Center and found them to be quite helpful, providing great background information:
• ‘From Estate to Public Park: Elizabeth Park’s History & Significance’, Provided by the Elizabeth Park Conservancy and includes a nice milestone timeline of important events applicable to the park,
• ‘.Elizabeth Park: Map and Visitor Guide: Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden, Kim Arboretum’ Provided .by the Elizabeth Park Conservancy, and
• ‘Helen S. Kaman: First President of the Elizabeth Park Conservancy’, Provided by the Elizabeth Park Conservancy.
Other Gardens in Elizabeth Park:
Along with the background information on the park and rose garden, the documentation described the various other gardens in Elizabeth Park. Opposite the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden there are four more gardens that connect through pathways and entrances, that are also beautiful and are nice to take photographs of. These include:
• The Heritage Rose Garden
• The Julian and Edith Eddy Rock Garden
• The Perennial Garden
• Robert A. Prill Tulip-Annual Garden
In addition, there is the Charlie Ortiz Hosta Garden located by the Pond as well as multiple horticultural gardens and a medicine garden. There is also the Kim Arboretum with native and unique trees, some even planted by Charles Pond.
The Pond House Café:
One of our favorite restaurants, the Pond House Café, which is open for dining and banquets, including weddings, is also located in the Park. We hope that the Pond House Café extends its hours that it is currently open very soon. We have always enjoyed the restaurant and hope that we could continue to.
More Information:
In addition, the park has tennis courts, baseball fields. lawn bowling, basketball courts and a playscape..
.
To plan an event in the park you need to contact the City of Hartford for a reservation, a permit and associated fees.
This is definitely a very nice park to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful gardens, including the spectacular roses, with the added bonus of it being free. This park has a lot to offer and that is why I have rated it with an excellent rating.  
There were many people at the park for a Tuesday morning about 10:15 AM with rain on its way. We parked along the road next to the Pond House Cafe with only one remaining space available. The large parking lot next to the Garmany Visitor Center was full. Based on this, I would expect to see many people on the weekend, with only limited parking available. There is no admittance fee into the park, gardens or Visitor Center. Parking is also free.
In addition to the parking lot mentioned above, there is another parking lot in the park near the Picnic Area and Western Loop and parking is available along the roads, when allowed. Picnicking is permitted in designated areas but no grills are allowed. Picnic tables are available on a first come, first served basis or you could bring a blanket. Dogs on a leash are also allowed and it is a great place to walk a dog.
History of the Park and Rose Garden:
Elizabeth Park was opened in 1897 and the Rose Garden in 1904, having historical significance being currently the oldest municipal rose garden in the country as well as the third largest. In 1983 the garden was listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The park and rose garden are located on what was formally an estate owned by Charles and Elizabeth Pond called Prospect Hill Farm where they built a grand Second-Empire-Style mansion on Prospect Avenue in 1870 that was demolished in 1956.
The design of the garden is formal from the Victorian era. When the garden opened in 1904 it was in the shape of a square with a vine covered gazebo in the center. A semi-circular section was added to the south end in 1912 and to the north end in 1937. Fortunately the beautiful rose garden was saved from being totally demolished in 1977 by the Friends of Elizabeth Park, currently named the Elizabeth Park Conservancy.
The Garmany Visitor Center:
The park includes the Garmany Visitor Center which has been nicely restored and opened in 2020, and was formerly the Comfort Station built by the Works Program Administration (WPA) in 1940. The Visitor Center, which is open May 1st – October 1st, includes a very nice gift shop featuring art from local area artists and restrooms. The staff member working at the Visitor Center at the time of our visit was very friendly, polite and helpful. There are also pictures of the rose garden and documentation/brochures available depicting the history of the park and rose garden as well as a nice map of the park at the Visitor Center. We got the following brochures from the Visitor Center and found them to be quite helpful, providing great background information:
• ‘From Estate to Public Park: Elizabeth Park’s History & Significance’, Provided by the Elizabeth Park Conservancy and includes a nice milestone timeline of important events applicable to the park,
• ‘.Elizabeth Park: Map and Visitor Guide: Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden, Kim Arboretum’ Provided .by the Elizabeth Park Conservancy, and
• ‘Helen S. Kaman: First President of the Elizabeth Park Conservancy’, Provided by the Elizabeth Park Conservancy.
Other Gardens in Elizabeth Park:
Along with the background information on the park and rose garden, the documentation described the various other gardens in Elizabeth Park. Opposite the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden there are four more gardens that connect through pathways and entrances, that are also beautiful and are nice to take photographs of. These include:
• The Heritage Rose Garden
• The Julian and Edith Eddy Rock Garden
• The Perennial Garden
• Robert A. Prill Tulip-Annual Garden
In addition, there is the Charlie Ortiz Hosta Garden located by the Pond as well as multiple horticultural gardens and a medicine garden. There is also the Kim Arboretum with native and unique trees, some even planted by Charles Pond.
The Pond House Café:
One of our favorite restaurants, the Pond House Café, which is open for dining and banquets, including weddings, is also located in the Park. We hope that the Pond House Café extends its hours that it is currently open very soon. We have always enjoyed the restaurant and hope that we could continue to.
More Information:
In addition, the park has tennis courts, baseball fields. lawn bowling, basketball courts and a playscape..
.
To plan an event in the park you need to contact the City of Hartford for a reservation, a permit and associated fees.
This is definitely a very nice park to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful gardens, including the spectacular roses, with the added bonus of it being free. This park has a lot to offer and that is why I have rated it with an excellent rating.  
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the park decorated for Christmas, or are there special events?
Paulabina
Wallingford, CT58 contributions
I have no idea about Christmas decorations. Sorry
Fearless10187766314
Plainville, CT
I have elderly parents. Can you drive thru and see the flowers
OppKnocks
Hartford, CT20 contributions
Not really a driving experience. The parking lot is just a few feet away, but to really experience the garden you have to enter on foot - or wheelchair. The paths seem pretty accessible.
my6christy
Stratford, CT
Are the roses in bloom this weekend, June 9-10 2018?
Dona B
West Hartford, CT32 contributions
Yes
950JenniferB
Greenfield, MA
Is there a map of the park grounds available online? I can't seem to find one. We're visiting for the first time next weekend. We're looking to do a nice scenic 1 hour walk Saturday morning.
Colleen F
Vernon, CT19 contributions
I don't believe there is a map - but you really don't need one
What are the park hours
Cheryl D
United States63 contributions
The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
kagoodrum
Orange, CT
Would this park be appropriate to bring 2 young active toddlers? They love to run. Are there trails they'd need to stay on so they don't ruin the grass or if they came, could I let them wander freely (with respect to the flowers, of course)?
Paulabina
Wallingford, CT58 contributions
Yes, there is plenty of room for toddlers to run around; however, be aware that there is a beautiful rose garden area and other smaller garden areas. My daughter got stung by something when we were there in June this year and after taking benadryl and icing it, it took about 1 1/2 hrs. for the sting to go down. We do not know what she was stung by because we couldn't find an insect or a stinger, but beware that in the rose garden area there are lots of different sizes/kinds of bees. That said, there is a huge area in front of that garden and one a few others on the property-drive through it where my kids have always run around and we have had picnics. Another thing to keep in mind is if you have a picnic after rain (we had rain today in Wallingford), it can still be a bit muddy there so eat at a picnic table or do not sit on grass and watch sliding in the grass in front of the Pond House area after it has rained. You could bring the kids over to see the ducks and geese in the Pond House area as well. Outside the Pond House there is a window where you can get snacks and icecream with one of those CUTE HUGE chairs-nice photo op with little kids!! I'd take them and let them run around for like 20-30 minutes. Bring a ball for them to kick and roll towards each other. Have fun!
How is it for someone in a wheelchair to get around?
Beverly M
Bloomfield, CT15 contributions
I completely agree with the other answers. There would not be a problem including having a meal in the cafe. I have often seen groups of residents from a variety of facilities in the area.
Jennifer P
Waterford, WI3 contributions
Can you bring in food from places other than the cafe?
Lolliepopstyle
East Hartford, CT4 contributions
Yes. There's designated areas where u can picnic at
DRJMM
Myrtle Beach, SC44 contributions
What hours is it open and is the restaurant open every day
bi4ever
west hartford,CT46 contributions
Elizabeth park is open from sunrise to sunset daily
Lunch:
Tuesday-Saturday, 11AM-5PM
Dinner:
Tuesday- Thursday, 5PM – 8PM
Friday & Saturday, 5PM – 9PM
Saturday Brunch:
Saturday, 9:30AM – 2:30PM
Sunday Brunch:
Sunday, 9:30AM – 2:30PM
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Claim your listingElizabeth Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Elizabeth Park
- Elizabeth Park is open:
- Tue - Sun 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Hotels near Elizabeth Park:
- (1.62 mi) Delamar West Hartford
- (2.25 mi) The Goodwin Hotel
- (2.70 mi) Hartford Marriott Downtown
- (3.05 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford
- (7.92 mi) Simsbury 1820 House
- Restaurants near Elizabeth Park:
- (0.11 mi) Pond House Cafe
- (0.86 mi) Tangiers International
- (2.33 mi) Salute
- (1.75 mi) Treva
- (1.84 mi) Restaurant Bricco
Elizabeth Park Information
Excellent Reviews | 302 |
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Very Good Reviews | 107 |
Elizabeth Park Photos | 335 |