This is a great little spot on the CT River, that is quiet and relaxing. This isn't a park with…read moreactivities for kids. Pack a lunch, bring a fishing pole and get back to basics. There is plenty of open space for a gathering, if you wanted to bring some lawn games, a cooler and a grill. The grounds are always clean and there is ample parking. Unfortunately, this park is directly across from a stable. On warm days, you can not escape the smell of manure.

PLAYGROUND WITH AN APP!! What a great park! Butternut Hollow is located on a cute little pond that…read moreactually gets stocked with trout in the spring (a great spot to take your kid to catch their first fish). The park was newly renovated in 2017 with a brand new playground. Slides, shapes, swings, monkey bars, and more. There are even several music stations. They also have an expression swing, which allows guardian and child to both be seates face to face. There is even a phone app you can download that coordinates with some of the equipment. The park gets busy during summer and weekends, you you might need to park on the street.

A great place to bring the kids to have fun in the sun. They have plenty of large slides swings and…read morejungle gym area. There are two covered picnic areas perfect for eating lunch or having a Bday party. The parking lot is a bit small but you can park your cars on the road if you need too. The pond has geese that will come up to you if you have food. It's a nice stroll to walk around.

Crystal-clear water + sunny spring day = perfect hike…read more Spent a beautiful spring sunny day at Wadsworth Falls State Park, and it did not disappoint. I took so many pictures of the clear river. It's seriously that stunning. The swimming water vanished. We hiked the Wadsworth Falls Loop (3.6 miles, easy, great waterfall views) and also checked out part of the Main Trail. Trails were in good shape; just a little mud here and there, but totally manageable. Bonus tips from my visit: · Dogs welcome on leash · Free for CT-registered cars; $10-15 for out-of-state · Restrooms, parking, and picnic tables available · Get there early on a sunny day to beat the crowds If you love clear water, peaceful forest walks, and two distinct waterfalls, don't miss this spot. Already planning to come back with an all-terrain wheelchair for a friend (you can reserve one in advance). Would I go again? 100%.

Gorgeous gorges! Although this park has ample signage against swimming, the Coginchaug River is…read morelovely on the eyes and ears, and being centrally located, Wadsworth Falls is a great local escape. If you have the right footwear in winter, it's a place for a rewarding hike! Boots and grips and the occasional side stepping is good for your winter trip. Mind the tracks, or crews tending the still in-use tracks, then enjoy the lovely views of multiple waterfalls, some frosted over, but water audibly rushing beneath the ice. Starting out, we didn't see the blue trail marked on the yellow and orange junction map, but the trails were well-marked with vertical tree blazes, so if you take the orange, yellow, or blue trails, you should be in good shape. If you don't have the time for a decent hike and just need a restful stop, large falls are just below the parking lot (those no access signs on the trails don't kid!). All year, enjoy! There are zero facilities here, and the only amenities appear to be accessible recreation and a dog waste station beneath the parking lot, but you aren't in the middle of nowhere. Pack in, pack out, and enjoy as much or little woods as you like, and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of the many falls.

Decent upkeep and clean playground. Pool and pool area somewhat small. Some benches with covering…read moreavailable. Kiddie pool area available

This park is huge! I only came to go to the dog park, I've heard great things. When I drove in I…read morewas shocked at the baseball fields, skate park, rolling hills, amphitheater, and more! The dog park was gigantic and needless to say the nicest I've been to in Connecticut so far. There's tons of room for dogs to run, lots of friendly people and friendly dogs for the most part. My girl had so much fun running around with the dogs and made some dog friends. The park was clean and peaceful, running water for the dogs. I could sit there for hours, it was so tranquil!!! I've been coming back everyday and my dog loves it!

They have a great trail that goes along the water that it pretty flat it just has a lot of roots…read more The Meriden parks department did a goat walk there and I highly recommend following them to know when the next one is !

USE CAUTION! This trail resides along a steep cliff side (not the main trail area) and may not be…read morefor suitable for a beginner hiker. Dogs are welcome on leash. Oaths are uneven with roots poking through. Watch your step One of my favorite local parks where every season is beautiful! Well maintained and marked trails, fishing areas a free little book library and a path to the rock quarry if lucky to find! If you travel to the far end of the reservoir (main entry area next to trail map) you come to a nice opening along the reservoir. Venture a bit further along the pond to the furthest end of the water; Left brings you further into the woods and over the bridge brings you full loop around the reservoir

Harbor Park is located right off the highway in Middletown. This park offers a beautiful view of…read morethe Connecticut River. The grass is nicely manicured, there's people walking, some jogging, dogs walking, most people are fishing. This is a small park, don't expect to make 20,000 steps here. There are some benches where you can have your lunch. Since this is right off the highway, it isn't the most peaceful park, the highway makes it a bit noisy. The parking lot is substantial, but it is shared with the restaurant, Tate's. This restaurant's outdoor seating, overlooking the river is very popular. Harbor Park is a nice park if you're in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to access it.

Harbor Park has a really nice walking path in Middletown, Connecticut that is along the Connecticut…read moreRiver. Along with the path there is greenery for all sorts of activities. Lots of people use it for yoga or having a catch. Others use the shade while they fish in the Connecticut River. Nearby is a dock that can be used to launch boats. Local high schools and Wesleyan use the dock for crew. The walking trail is accessible right off Main Street. There is an underpass that gets you there safely. I wish the trail was a little longer as it only takes about 10 minutes to walk one way. Still has beautiful views. There is a section of Harbor park known as Middletown Lions Park in honor of military veterans. Thank you to Lions International for this great work! Located in Harbor Park is the Canoe Club. It is a restaurant with beautiful views. It just re-opened under new ownership. Altogether, Harbor Park is a really nice spot to go for a walk in Middletown!

Beautiful hike, not too hard, but not necessarily for beginners either. I wood bring water and good…read moreshoes

I hosted a birthday hike at Quarry Park and brought a bag of spray paints- we had a blast! The hike…read moreis fair, not easy but not difficult. The graffiti was beautiful art. The only downfall is that we put bug spray on, but I came home with 42 mosquito bites- but I will go back when there's not as many mosquitoes!!

Excellent CT State Park with a number of trails with varying degrees of difficulty. The White Bar…read moreTrail is the longest, around a 55 minute hike, perhaps the most difficult but only in certain spots. There is one area on that trail with a 104ft 35° verticle ascent which will get your heart pumping, the rest of the White Bar is fairly easy. Because the Park is predominantly a hardwood forest the best time to hike would be in the Fall foliage season. This place is a gem, don't miss it..!!!

River Highlands State Park is made for people like me. People who say they like to hike, but who…read moredon't want to work super hard. People who expect a hike to provide some kind of natural payoff, but who don't want to work super hard for it. From the time you park, it takes about 15 minutes (with a dog who likes to sniff everything) to transverse the forest and reach a part of the trail with a Connecticut River view. The way there winds up and down, over and around - but never too suddenly. When you reach the CT River, the trail splits and you can go north along the River or south. The trail at that point is fairly high relative to the River. Hence, the name of the State Park is (1) "River" because the trail is adjacent to the CT River, (2) "Highlands" because you are on high land. Explosion! Mind blown emoji! In my experience, River Highlands is never too crowded. The parking lot is small, but I've never seen it full. I've encountered families, couples, dog walkers, mountain bikers and sight-seeing birds. You know - the usual. May be best to avoid this park when professional golfers are in town. Four Stars.