The 21 best parks and gardens in New Haven

Whether you're a local or just passing through, this park is a must-visit for anyone who loves the outdoors. The main attraction is the summit. Getting there is half the fun, and you have options! You can drive a winding, scenic road to the top, which is perfect for those with limited mobility or families with young kids. For the more adventurous, the park offers a variety of trails. While it's a workout, the 360-degree views from the top make every step worth it. East Rock Park is an excellent day trip destination. It's a fantastic spot for a picnic, to snap some photos, or simply to sit and take in the view.

Cool park with an AMAZING cliff side view of downtown New Haven. Can drive up during summer season and during park hours but they close the gate for fall and winter so it's walk or bike up only. Has about 100 parking spots up top and some picnic tables and grilling spots, as well as a castle and a couple great spots to sit and enjoy the view. If you hike up from bottom lot it's about 15-20 min up and is very easy.

This was truly one of the highlights of my trip! The view from the top of East Rock is absolutely breathtaking — you can see the whole city of New Haven, the river winding below, and the horizon stretching out toward the Long Island Sound. It’s even more stunning at sunset when the sky turns gold and pink over the trees. The park is peaceful, clean, and easy to access whether you drive up or hike. It’s the perfect place to pause, take photos, and soak in the beauty of Connecticut in every season. If you’re visiting New Haven, don’t miss East Rock Park — it’s a must-see!

This was a nice little hike, with easy to follow trails. There aren't many maps of the trails, but if you make it to the top by the Monument they have some. Additionally, Google maps can me of some help. Will say that the steps going up are pretty steep, but not hard to climb. The views were good, but wish that I got to see it with more fall foliage.

This place provides a simple and humble trekking experience for a newcomer. This is a great place to refresh and relax which is easily accessible as well. It offers a splendid view and has a spacious park atop.

A calm, scenic spot perfect for relaxing walks and enjoying nature’s quiet beauty.

It’s enchanting — you absolutely must go. In summer, you can use insect repellent for the bugs, and then just enjoy the peace.

Love this park! Many places to explore: The community garden - a great spot to sit or roam and smell the flowers. The greenhouses: you can buy plants here! The sales benefit a nice nonprofit. There are also cool plants in the greenhouses to look at (like cacti and tropical plants!) Big grassy area for picnics and sledding in the winter. There’s a wooden swing under a big tree. There’s chickens in one corner of the park! In the summertime they do Shakespeare in the Park here as well as a bonsai show. Top tier park! ☺️

Beautiful hidden gem. I felt as if I was walking in a small country else where. This park has a nice open view. Just peaceful.

What a beautiful afternoon walking through the park & sitting under the trees enjoying the scenery.

A beautiful park a short drive from downtown New Haven. Lovely pathways meandering through the property with benches for resting. There is also a public garden. A large fountain overlooks a field near the main entrance and there are many very large, majestic trees as well. Highly recommended.

We love coming here. It’s quiet and peaceful during the week and very lively in the weekends. Just last Saturday and Sunday there were wedding, birthday parties, picnics and classes being held in the open field. There is garden plot for rent. It’s enjoyable to see all kinds of flowers and vegetables being grown in each plot. We always look for the garden cat, Simba who lives here. Bring some cat treat with you and he might show up!

I LOVE this park. The greenhouse & especially the conservatory are phenomenal. The park is extremely clean & well maintained. It's the perfect place to read, picnic stroll or jog. I always encounter the friendliest people & so many dogs! It's also just big enough that privacy can be accomplished. There isn't a playground but wide enough spaces for children to run around or picnic. Such a beautiful spot.

Huge, beautiful park! The greenhouse is especially lovely, and has so many sections. It also has a bunch of plants that are for sale! There's a community garden near the greenhouse and it's always lovely to walk through and see what everyone is growing.

Great park with some fun hikes. The trail around the lake is tame enough we can bring our toddler or do something with a little more elevation gain to get some nice views.

We did the lake wintergreen loop trail. The first and last one thirds were quit easy but with little shades. The middle parts were harder with unpaved roads and rapid elevations, the views were ok. Overall, it is worth giving a try if you are visiting New Haven.

I recently had the absolute pleasure of visiting West Rock Ridge State Park with my family and friends, and the experience was nothing short of amazing. The park’s rugged traprock cliffs rise majestically above the surrounding landscape, offering sweeping views that seem to go on forever. Each trail felt like a new discovery — some winding gently through shaded forest, others climbing steadily toward dramatic lookouts where you could see beaches shimmering in the distance. We meandered between peaceful, secluded paths and broad scenic vistas, breathing in the crisp summer air and catching whiffs of pine and wildflowers. The picnic areas were clean and inviting, giving us the perfect spot for a long, laughter-filled lunch. It’s the kind of place that makes you appreciate the generosity of preserved lands — many places here in the West have expertly managed to preserve lands they took from native peoples while keeping the natives themselves out. By the end of the day, we were happily exhausted, phones full of photos, and hearts full of gratitude. West Rock Ridge State Park isn’t just a place to visit — it’s a place to return to, again and again, for its peace, its beauty, and its quiet reminder of what public lands can mean when shared freely.

Breathtaking view with a newly paved road all the way up. Perfect little ride or hike up!

West Rock Ridge State Park is an incredible place to enjoy nature and panoramic views. The trails offer stunning lookout points, and the atmosphere is calm and refreshing. It’s ideal for hiking, photography, or simply escaping the noise of the city. A perfect destination for those who love both adventure and tranquility.

This is a very beautiful and relaxing park. It has a very nice view at the summit. There is also a small historical cave that even young children can climb and explore. The cave is the size of a very small playground. We hiked as a family that included people of ages ranging from 6 to 60 as well as a puppy. There are no public bathrooms that I know of. Foot traffic was low but It was a warmer winter day. The park is handicap accessible at the ground level.

The park gates were closed for winter but you can park around easily and get to the park. Well marked trails, we hiked the blue and green. The green merges with the blue (longer route than green) overlooking the city on top and has a loop leading to the Judge's cave and down the road to the parking lot.

New Haven Green is a 16 acre green space located in downtown New Haven. Surrounding it is the hustle and bustle of the city. There are beautiful historic architecture everywhere you look when you're standing in the Green. It was built in 1638 and is the location for many events and festivals, in the past and present. There are three historic churches located there. Also, it is one of the oldest town green in the U.S. It was even used as a cemetery back in the day and the bodies are still buried there, but the headstones were removed. My family and I enjoyed walking through. There were many benches and there were plenty of walkways throughout. Also, they now have wifi if anyone wants to work remotely from here or have a picnic. I'm a fan of historic places and this place definitely has a rich history.

Decent size park located in the hearth of the downtown area of the city. 1st time visiting this city and wanted was one of my last stops.

Downtown New Haven Green is absolutely gorgeous—a beautiful spot for a Sunday stroll, a peaceful sit, or simply soaking in that charming New England vibe. Just a note: you may encounter some houseless individuals, some of whom may be dealing with mental health challenges. They’re generally harmless, but it’s always good to stay aware and be respectful of the shared space.

The New Haven Green at DWNTWN New Haven is really cool. Lots of green and friendly to all New Havenites. Take a seat on one of the benches or just plop down in the middle of the Green and enjoy the sounds of the water fountain. Sometimes there are concerts and such. If this doesn't work for you then take BUS 261 to the Milford Mall or the BUS 212U to Target / Best Buy / Dick's & BJs (always a lot of fun if you have a couple dollars to spare)

The grounds are well kept and dog friendly. But, new haven ignores the homeless and this is a refuge for some of them. It's a pretty scary place after dark because of the bus traffic and homeless just trying to find a place to sleep. They don't have any public restrooms besides the library so be warned it smells like a toilet.

I have mixed feelings about New Haven Green although I like this park

New Haven Green is a pretty good place to enjoy views of downtown New Haven or go for a stroll, but it is also very messy.

This isn't really a park. It's actually just undeveloped land that runs along an estuary. Other than a paved road along Marginal Drive which is blocked off from traffic, a small clearing shown in a photo with a few parking spots there is no park infrastructure. The space is full of garbage, fallen trees and debris. I can't believe it's called a park. If you like to walk it's nicer than walking on a sidewalk in Hew Haven but that's about it.

West River is an Urban Oases park and a historic Tidal River Park, full of wildlife, including nesting Osprey on platforms in the river. Lots of other birds, and fish, shellfish and the animals that eat them. Brackish water that ebbs and flows with the tides. Like its name says, it's a War Memorial Park to those from this city who served and died in World War I. Popular sports fields are well used for soccer/football and rugby, and a basketball court. There's an area to launch non- motorized boats - kayaks & canoes. It's really a huge Basin area of the West River, between Boston Post Road, Rt. 1, and Derby Ave, with fields on the edge. It was designed to perfectly reflect West Rock in the pool when looking north from south end of park at Rt. 1, like the reflecting pool in Washington DC. Years ago, rowing clubs and colleges used the Basin for practices. Most have moved out to boathouses on longer stretches of water like the Housatonic River nearby.

Great place to catch fish and blue crabs.

Very nice and clean park. Great for playing baseball or softball. Nice trails lead you up to 3 Judges Cave on top and there is a Summit View on the opposite side.

Good day for a walk in the park!!

Beautiful strip of land bordering marshlands and bird habitat, basketball and child play area as well. New Haveners should not take this gorgeous land for granted!

I took a picture of a american eagle in the tree

I like taking pictures here. The park has a nice set up of trees in a row. IG: @cortes_collection

Such a beautiful park by the water for a peacful walk! It's clean, big, has lots a trees for shade, and free parking!

A favorite of mine. A big park with plenty of parking lots of shade, walking paths, basketball court, and a shoreline to enjoy during low tide. Very peaceful

Nice place to bring your children and pets. Nice atmosphere and plenty to do and explore.

Never gets old going there. Very relaxing environment and plenty place to walk.

It use to be a beautiful park back a couple of years ago. They just dont up keep it lile they use to. The grass is a couple feet high. Not good.

The park is located next to ocean and view is beautiful. Best if you have dogs or want to jog. Childers have good play options and there are tennis courts, baseball fields and soccer fields. Ample parking options. I love this park! Enjoyed sunset today.

On a windy, rather cold afternoon for early September, we visited Pardee Seawall Park. Although the wind made us pull at our coats, the scenery more than made up for it. The park, which stretches along Morris Cove, provides a broad view of Long Island Sound and New Haven Harbor with a horizon that suggests, "Just enjoy it." Wide and easily accessible, the paved promenade is lined with benches that appear to be in the ideal location for seeing the tide as it rolls in or spotting aircraft from the adjacent airport. Despite the lack of food sellers and facilities, the area is spacious, tidy, and incredibly tranquil. We parked on a side street, not long enough for anyone to care.

What a special place. During the off season, this park is peaceful and homey. With a beautiful view of the harbor, Pardee park is a nice place to stoll by the water's edge or to sit, picnic and take in the view. No restrooms, many trash cans, ample seating and parking. Handicap accessible and paved walkway on the waterfront. No swimming but free, unlike Lighthouse Point Park. Highly recommend a visit at sunrise or sunset, just beautiful.

Absolutely stunning location to view a wonderful Long Island Sound, gorgeous homes and to enjoy beautiful jets taking off from the local airport! An all-in one gem of a location!

Nice park to stroll and to enjoy the sunset. Parking is along the streets.

Awesome place far a short walk. The atmosphere is very peaceful. My dogs love coming here for walks.

The best place to see sunset in East Haven, even better than the lighthouse in my opinion.

No where to park and then when we found a place it was so dirty and we had to walk through these sketchy dirty woods to get there. But once we were there it was pretty to take pictures and sit by the water

It was breathtakingly beautiful! The amazing staff and students do such amazing work with taking care of the plants at the Marsh Botanical Garden! Also my toddlers loved looking the coy fish pond😊 Our experience was wonderful, because it was only us when we went there lol. We had the whole place to ourselves!😁

Loved this place. They have 2 large green houses that you can go into with literally hundreds of plants. From hanging vines, to trees, to carnivorous plants. If your a plant lover definitely come check out this area.

When I went there was no one around, there are some species of flowers and plants to see but most of the greenhouse were closed. I think they got lazy and not really interested in making the botanic garden what it can really be. It has a lot of potential but the people working there must be willing to make it more interesting. I think if they add a few more interesting flowers, add some decors, this could be a gem for New Haven tourist attractions.

One of my favorite places on campus :) I love the flowers and plants here!

There is an outdoor flower area and 3-4 large greenhouse areas. Not all of the greenhouse areas are accessible to the public at all times. Some are badge access or for researchers, or off limits if they are spraying pesticide that day. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful place. Basically just drive up and walk around; there’s not really any organization to it (no tours or admission ticket required).

Beautiful plants and flowers in the greenhouse and a lovely Koi pond area. This is where the one star was merited. I brought my elderly residents there for a tour, and two staff members were friendly and helpful. However one man in particular was rude and very dismissive to me and my group. People like that shouldn’t be working in a botanical garden and treating people like that. Train your staff to be KIND and RESPECTFUL to ALL PEOPLE or don’t work around people at all!

If you are a plant lover, this is Heaven!!! So many exotics!!! Some of the greenhouses were locked but I got to peek in. It was worth a 50 minute drive!!!

It's okay , just basketball hoops and a little walking trail...not much but at least it's something... I wish it could be fixed up a bit because a lot of kids do play basketball there. Not much space at all to park though.

PLEASE NOTE: The pretty photos that accompany this Google listing are mostly photos of Peter's Rock Park and Trails -- NOT Middletown Avenue Park. Peter's Rock Park is just a little further up the road, just past the North Haven border. Entry to Peter's Rock Park is marked, but you have to drive through the gas station -- I think it's called First Fuel -- to get to the parking lot. There is nothing terribly wrong with Middletown Avenue Park but it is tiny, not particularly well-maintained and would never be considered a destination unless you live very near it. It has a small basketball court and a short, black-top walking track (it's not marked but I'd estimate going around it once to be about 1/6 of a mile). Also note that there are a whole lot of underground wasp nests all along the perimeter of the walking track. numbers these They aren't aggressive and probably won't bother you but it is worth mentioning if you are allergic and have a reaction to wasp bites. Otherwise, it's fine -- any bit of green along this well-trafficked stretch is welcome. The people who frequent it to play basketball and the walkers are all very nice. The park has a safe feeling. And the track, such as it is, is plenty good enough for getting in your daily steps. But there are no amenities -- no water fountain, no porta potties, so if you're playing basket ball bring a water bottle. So if you are looking to do more than play basketball or get in your steps, you would probably be better off driving a minute or so past Middletown Avenue Park to Peter's Rock Park, just beyond the North Haven town line. There, you will find a picnic table area, pretty flower beds and several well-marked trails, some very easy, some challenging. There is a seasonal bathroom and pooper scooper bag receptables. It is really very nice considering how easy it is to get to and it is never crowded because nobody seems to be aware that it exists.

Great for walking, exercising nice scenery

Went walk the track quiet peaceful

Nice, clean and quiet park

Lot's of stuff here.

Basketball and walking trail

Here is the happiest place in New Haven during summer. Jets of water shoot up constantly from the ground, filling the air with a refreshing mist. When sunlight passes through the droplets, a beautiful rainbow appears in the spray. The most popular feature is the colorful tipping buckets—once they’re full, they suddenly tip over with a splash, soaking the children and setting off bursts of laughter. There are also rotating water cannons that kids can aim in any direction, chasing one another and playfully spraying their friends. The entire splash pad becomes their joyful summer battleground.

the playground has that spongy ground which cushions falls for little ones. They have a bigger kid and a younger kid playground set with many sets of swings. Splash pads in the summer are awesome. Several basketball courts, calisthenics bars for pull ups and dips, pickle ball courts and a skate park.

A very clean, safe park, books and barbecue stands to enjoy as well as rain dance kind of place to enjoy for kids.

Has everything you need. Lots of open space for picnics and much more!. Although, there are way too many holes in the ground at the playground which could be dangerous for the kids. Still very fun, definitely recommend.

Really nice playground for little ones and big kids. There's even a splash pad they can enjoy. There are benches and tables available. You can take long walks around the area. There's even a skating part. It's a very large park. I love that the grounds are properly maintained, and I didn't see nasty trash just hanging around. Which is a plus for me. You can do just about anything there. I will definitely go back again with my kids.

The park was awesome took my grandson there and we had a ball people came in with hot day the water they have their is awesome for the children beautiful Park what more can I say we enjoyed ourselves

It was nice lots of information. Lots of things for the children to do. The food line was just too long waiting in the Hot sun.

Lots of nice people to talk to and friendly dogs to play with. They also provide tennis balls for dogs to play with, poop bags, and an awesome doggy water fountain!

Typical city park - long but narrow, along the street. Parking is hard to find, but this is a very nice neighborhood park. The one major issue is that the train tracks run right on the other side of the fence (opposite the street side) so dogs who are sound sensitive might be scared. Mostly dirt, with a bit of gravel. The trees will give some nice shade once the leaves come back. There are some bags and a single trash can. Water bubbler is available, once the pipes unfreeze.

great place for your pup. a lot of regulars come here so there are always plenty of playmates for your dog. I'm the summer there is a water fountain for them as well.

Nice and functional little dog park. It's secure too. There's a sturdy fence with secure gates. Your dog won't get out. There's a fountain too, and the other people and dogs there are nice. The location isn't that scenic, but it's pleasant and well shaded. It's also away from the green and main downtown area, so it's fairly quiet. Just two blocks from Wooster Square and Little Italy as well (Pepe's Pizza and Sally's Pizza).

This is generally a nice little dog park that our dog loves to visit for play time. HOWEVER, there have been multiple occasions now where we’ve experienced nasty run ins with a large grey doodle mix. This dog has seemingly for no reason at all attacked our much smaller dog twice now, and based on what we’ve heard from others frequenting the dog park, our dog is hardly the first one that this has happened to. The last time this happened the dog even BIT my fiancé when he went to pull the dog off ours! BE WARNED: keep your dog away from this grey doodle mix. He is nasty and his owner appears to not care at all that his dog is overly aggressive and vicious!

Bigger than it looks. Cute little park. Super convenient in downtown area.

This is a fenced area with a few trees on Union at Chapel. There is a smaller, separate area, with separate entry for small dogs that prefer not to play with big dogs (or big dogs recovering from surgeries, etc or staying away from other dogs). The ground is a mix of stones, uncovered dirt, and a little grass. The dog park is lightly frequented in the morning before the traditional workday, and heavily frequented in the evening after the traditional workday (5-7ish). It tends to be empty outside of those hours, so choose your timing carefully. Many people who come to the park are yoing professionals and most folks who come to this park are regulars who walk their dogs from one of the many dog-friendly apartments and condo complexes in the area. The crowds tend to be friendly, though some less talkative that others. Things to know before you go: 1. There is not a bathroom or water fountain for humans, but there is a manually-operated water fountain for thirsty dogs to share. 2. You are expected to clean up after your dog at this park, but unless someone kindly leaves behind a few bags in the posted metal bins, there are not bags provided, so remember to bring your own (and some to share with others who forget.) 3. There is a bag hanging on the fence that is meant to store balls at the park, but there are rarely balls (or frisbees, etc.) left there, so plan to bring your own, and then plan to share and to even have another dog "steal" it and use it for a game of dog-chase instead. 4. The park is not well-shaded, so plan accordingly. Also, if it is the least bit rainy, or if it even has drizzled earlier in the day, know that the park will likely be empty when you go. 5. Bringing treats is not forbidden at this park as it is at others, so it is a good spot to train dogs to do the right things even with distractions. Do note, however, that if you bring treats, *you* will likely be the distraction for strong-nosed dogs of all kinds. Keep treats and toys you don't want to share at home or high up on your person where they are less likely to be detected. 6. At this park, you and your dog will experience trains passing by; people walking or otherwise traveling by and even suddenly leaning over the fence to pet or talk to the dogs; cars, emergency vehicles, and motorcycles speeding by; noise and/or smells from the auto shop across the street, etc. This is a somewhat busy area, so plan for your dog's needs in relation to that. 7. Your dog should really be unleashed at this park (unless aggressive, in which case absolutely don't bring them to the park). Leashing your dog (or picking up your dog) in a crowd of unleashed dogs leads to things such as leash aggression; squirrel-instinct chasing, etc. At this park, the dogs all run around unleashed. If your dog is a puppy or is just plain small but wants to be in the area with the big dogs, others will surely help your dog safely integrate into the crowd. Otherwise, instead of leashing your dog, use the less busy small dog area. 8. The dogs present all have their own personalities, just as the people. Some dogs will just sniff and wander. Other dogs will play by running, engaging in games of chase or tug-of-war, wrestling and play-biting, or even teasing one another with toys or sticks. Some dogs will play loudly, even with rough-sounding noises, others more quietly. You'll need to be prepared for a range of types of play. Educate yourself in advance about the way these are all normal dog behaviors; learn your own dog's patterns and needs (for example, when your dog is getting amped up and needs to take a time out); and then communicate openly with others, who know their own dogs well. Watch out for play that isn't mutual (dogs should take turns initiating wrestling or chasing after one another, for example) or play involving pack mentality (two or three dogs repeatedly trying to wrestle the one same dog all at the same time). But try to relax about normal play behaviors because human anxiety can lead to dog anxiety and weird behavior in the park among all the dogs.

I was very excited about this park, there seemed to be a great sense of community with lots of dogs even in the winter! The fenced in area was on the small side, but very nice; however, all of the dogs were in the open area down the hill. Love that there’s a nice space to run my large dog. I wish it would’ve worked out, but unfortunately my dog was attacked by an aggressive dog. Will not be returning to this park.

Small, but decent sized for a city park with peastone and dirt ground cover. This park is set next to a school, so parking would be extremely limited on weekdays. Bags, trash, and a water fountain - a few benches and the trees provide some good shade one they have leaves.

Super cute park. Lots of shade! The ground is covered in small gravel so no mud! Water fountain dog bowl. The only downside is it’s a little smaller than we’re used to

Great little spot to bring your canine and let him loose. However, just behind there is a giant field that is better for bigger dogs.

Great dog park. Good people, too. Unfenced area down in the field next to the park.

clean park, friendly dogs, the main entrance is doubled fence for safety. this park has some toys that have been very used, and bags to pick up poop

Nice little park with a water fountain and separate small dog area. It's not the biggest park in size but it's not tiny either. Ran into three other dogs there that we're all sweet and had lovely owners. The ground is mostly pebbles so there isn't much mud which is a big plus.

This place has the potential to be one of the greatest parks in New Haven County! It has a nice trail for walking with a very nice view of Long Island Sound. There are also two separate fenced in dog parks on the premises one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs. There are basketball and tennis courts as well as a nice large playground for younger kids. The only problem(s) I have with Fort Hale / Black Rock Park is the hard drug use in and around the area; especially after the sun goes down. And unfortunately there is often trash littered throughout the grounds.

Very clean place to let your kids play or to just lay in the sun..