Stunning park! I've always heard such great things about this area and it was nice to finally check it out for myself. I went for a picnic and sat for a bit in the grass near Lot E. I would say this was the most peaceful part of the park as it seemed most people didn't really come out that far or if they did it was just to turn around. After we took a nice stroll through the Irish, English, and Oriental gardens. My favorite parts had to be the tree maze and hydrangea garden. I also got the chance to touch lamb ears for the first time... What an interesting experience! Can't wait to return to this park to explore more of the gardens and finally see the view of Hartford that everyone is always talking about. read more

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I thought this would be a great place for a date, and it is beautiful, however some areas are not very well kept. The museum/nature center was very dirty, dead bugs in most of the exhibits. The gardens were beautiful, however three of the main ones I wanted to see were reserved on the day we went. I wish it was advertised somewhere which gardens are available on which day, I assume they get reserved weeks or months in advance, so it was disappointing when we assumed they were open to the public right up until we almost walked in on someone's party. Some of the other areas are very worn and need work. In addition the birds are kept is very small cages, and it broke my heart :/ read more

Wickham Park - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

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This park is so beautiful and I absolutely love the vibe here! There are multiple different areas you can explore and different garden displays. We like to come here and have a picnic at a different area each time. There is also a playground for the kids and an aviary to look at. There is also an amazing photo spot at the top that overlooks downtown Hartford. It's 10$ per car to get in and it's exact cash preferred. All around a very beautiful spot that rarely gets super busy! read more

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This was my first time coming to Wickham Park. Autumn is my favorite season. Such a perfect time to visit. They have many wonderful gardens. Photographer's dream location. So many native plants, flowers and trees. They rescue handicap birds and create a habitat for them to live in for generations Small fee of $7. Well worth it. read more

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My husband and I went to Wickham Park on Mother's Day . We haven't been there for years! It was wonderful! Everyone else seems to know about it because there were many people there. The Chinese , English and Scottish and Irish gardens greet you as a first stop. We went to the aviary which had many exotic pheasants from Tibet, Burma so many far off places. The Aviary is home to injured birds who can't fend for themselves in nature anymore. We stopped at the sensory garden which was very informative with each area having a short talk to listen to explaining how our senses work and the related plants. We loved it. We drive around after two hours of walking because it started to rain. There are great picnic spots and a playground for kids ! It's a great family weekend spot or anytime to feel one with nature. It's a beautiful serene spot to relax in and enjoy a natural environment! Worth the $10 weekend fee and $7.00 weekday fee! So much to see there . You can walk in for free. read more

We were visiting Manchester and decided to go to Wickham Park. I'm so glad we did! This is a lovely spot to walk around and see beautiful gardens and nature. It's dog-friendly which was perfect since I had my dog with me. Of course, you have to keep your dog on a leash as you should. I enjoyed the wetlands, the Asian gardens, the English gardens, and the hikes through the woods. We spent several hours here and it was so worth the $10 per car entry fee. This is a special place and I encourage others to take advantage of its beauty and tranquility. read more

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I met a young couple at the park for a brief, simple ceremony. We were careful to follow the rules and avoided all garden areas that require additional fees. Instead, we stood on an empty hill overlooking Hartford, with no events or activity anywhere nearby. Despite this, the event coordinator and park ranger went out of their way to interrupt a five-minute ceremony to tell us it was not allowed anywhere in the park, and the couple was then asked to leave. This was we had both paid the park's entry fee. Interrupting such a short, quiet moment--especially for a couple of very limited means--felt unnecessary, heavy-handed, and completely lacking in discretion. This experience made it clear that the park prioritizes rigid enforcement over basic courtesy or compassion. I would not recommend Wickham Park, particularly for those looking for an accessible or welcoming place for a small, meaningful moment. read more

Extensive an array of woodlands ponds and picnic areas. Sporting facilities, Open Fields and gardens. Easy to get near Hartford, Connecticut. Accessible to cars, limousines and buses. Dog friendly. Also available 7-Day season passes. Senior discounts available., read more

Wickham Park - The hydrangeas this here are maddening absolutely a beautiful array of them. - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

Beautiful scenic park! Took my engagement photos here and it was simply perfect. There is a $5 entrance fee, which keeps the parks the way they should be! There is also a small bird sanctuary located in the middle of the park, along with different themed areas read more

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My middle daughter is a x-country runner & her high school home course was Wickham Park. We spent a lot of time there at meets. To see the field filled with tents of every color ( all the teams), felt like we were in a Harry Potter book. However there is another side of the park that is so wonderful to visit. Gardens, an aviary, fantastic views, picnic areas and a playground for younger kids. There is a cabin at the top of a hill where the view is amazing & I am sure sledding down that hill in winter would be so much fun. In late spring, the lilacs bloom there, and it's a great place for a picnic ( especially during Covid). Every time I go to Wickham, I always wonder why I don't go more often. If you live in the area - go! If you live farther away - make the trip! read more

Wickham Park - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

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It was amazing. We went to celebrate there we were that was awesome, but can't lie. The food was expensive $200 for four people.

It was Sunday early afternoon. There are lots of cherry blossoms and beautiful spring flowers. I believe, for the next two weeks will have many more flowers blooming. Many ponds and live birds, chickens, peacocks, animals. Superb landscapes. read more

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Amazing park! Small entry fee if you park is worth it! As a photographer this place always has the best photo spots year round...I actually wonder if you can sled there in the winter?? Oh I just thought about this. I hate winter but I have to see if this is possible now! read more

Always beautiful and likable private trails and great for all fur babies, the animals, and dialogue year around lovely

Beautiful very well maintained gardens. Nice aviary. Nature center needs some repair but over all a beautiful experience and friendly staff. read more

I have been to this park several times. This place is beautiful and unique. There are several gardens set up with features from different places like the English Garden, the Irish Garden, the Oriental Garden. There is also a Wetlands Garden that has self guide tour. There is a brochure that gives you information on each of the points along this path in the garden. There is also an Aviary. The Aviary contains different types of Pheasants, chickens, Hawks, Geese, ducks and more. There is nature center that has various types of stuffed animals such coyotes, bob cats, bear, owls and all sorts of birds. There is a beautiful spot to hold a wedding. read more

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Nice, well maintained park with paved or gravel trails. More of a garden than a park. There are several parking lots, so there is plenty of parking. There is a parking fee though, but worth it ($9 per car on the weekend). They have a few themed gardens as well as an aviary which seems to be everyone's favorite. There are chickens, geese, peacocks, owls, pheasants, and turkeys. You can also buy food for the birds (bring quarters)! read more

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Opens 930. Gates closed until then .saw some lovely birds ... peacocks were my fav ! Of course after paying 9 bucks for entry my toddler wants to stay on the playground instead of exploring! We will go back , its a full day pass so enter and leave and come back thru out the day. Looks so spacious and beautiful... check it out. read more

Such a great hidden gem. I love taking my little guy here. He loves feeding all the wild birds and the playgrounds are perfect. Such a great way to spend the day! read more

My first time here and it was Beautiful!! I didn't know this park was so big and there was so much to see. I was able to take a beautiful walk, relax, enjoy the scenery and take in what surrounded me. The beauty of nature. The botanical gardens. The mini bird expo they had. Next time, I would bring lunch and enjoy the day ! Highly recommend it . I can see why a lot of people come for weddings and pictures. It's lovely! read more

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I've lived two towns over for over 30 years and this was my first visit to Wickham Park in the summer . There were some lovely areas of specialty gardens and statues as well as some awesome views. The Irish Garden was a favorite and seemed to be the best maintained. Admission on weekdays is $5. This tens to keep the crowds down which is a plus. Attendees for the most part were not masked or even carrying a mask. Yes it's outdoors but there were some instances where you pass others on a narrow pathway and As a common courtesy, you'd pull up a mask. read more

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Wickham Park is a gem!! I had never visited before, or even heard other people mention it. It is a lovely park that is well manicured and includes several pretty gardens with statues. Even more of an attraction for me was the bird sanctuary that contained various peacocks, hawks, pheasants, ducks, and owls. Wickham park is large and contains spots for picnics, playing, and just enjoying nature. There was a $7.00 entrance fee, which goes towards maintaining it. The park was not crowded at all, and I thought it was truly enjoyable place to visit on a nice day. They also have a few parking lots, so you don't have to walk through the entire park. I am looking forward to going back in the spring! read more

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Grew up in the playground thinking lots of playgrounds must have amazing species of birds housed in attached aviaries. Now as an adult I see how special Wickham Park is. The location overlooking Hartford so beautiful for weddings. The "Oriental Garden" serenity. Winter, spring, summer and fall, so many vantages to see nature in its fullness. This park is a true gem of Connecticut in all seasons. Fun fact: most of Wickham Park, indeed all of the gardens, groves, shrines and pavilions, is in Manchester, and just one small part of Wickham Park, the sledding hill, is in East Hartford. read more

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Pretty park, lovely rare birds in the aviary. Watched the sunset on the hill. Clean park, great for a picnic.

This by far is one of the best parks I've been to in Connecticut! From it's beautiful gardens, to amazing scenery it's breathtaking how amazingly well it's maintained! There's a playground, a bird sanctuary, a nature center, museum, a fitness trail, and a whole bunch of mini themed parks and gardens! It's also nice and quiet and it's so big you don't see many people almost making it feel secluded and private! I'm definitely coming here more often! read more

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Great park with lots to see and do. You are charged by the vehicle, not number of people, so it's a good excuse to pack the car as full of friends and family as you can! We love the sensory garden and aviary areas the most, but we are also loving the new themed gardens as well. It's fun to visit the park a few times a year to get the full experience of the different flowers and trees since they bloom on different schedules. Pack some drinks and snacks or buy an ice cream or chips at the concession stand. read more

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Wonderful place to have a wedding or any celebration. A great place to stroll and enjoy your day close to nature.

This is an absolutely beautiful and serene park, tons of gorgeous scenery and a wonderful place to enjoy nature. The sights, sounds, smells- I get this shire feeling and it feels so good to take it all in. The amount of work that goes into this park to keep it so clean and lovely shows in everything- the playgrounds (3), bathrooms, gardens, it's just a wonderful park to be in. My 2 kids love the playgrounds, and we all love walking the gardens and having the kids learn about nature while we're surrounded by its earthiness in this enjoyable place. read more

Extending into both Manchester and East Hartford, Wickham Park is a non-profit private foundation with over 250 acres of gardens, open fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas, and sports facilities. With 6 different themed gardens (English, Scottish, Oriental, Italian, Lotus, Wetlands, Rhododendron) you'll see all sorts of events and ceremonies when the weather warms up. At the highest point of the park, the cabin garden and amphitheater has to be one of my favorite spots to capture a good panoramic shot of Hartford. The Oriental Garden is probably a close second. It's one of the larger gardens and has several spots to rest and relax in. Gardens aside, there's an aviary that include all sorts of birds like turkeys, pheasants, chickens, vultures, hawks, geese and owls. A nature center is right around the corner and exhibits local plant and animal wildlife. Only last year though did I take advantage of Wickham Park's 18-hole disc-golf course. With all sorts of terrain, and beautiful scenery -- Wickham Park provides the perfect backdrop for a fun pick-up game or competitive match. There are picnic areas, tennis courts, softball fields, horseshoe pits, and a children's playground. I like how the park has access to bike trails and hiking paths too. There's also a 1960's retro 20-station, outdoor-fitness trails that's pretty neat. It's a light-hearted and fun workout that anyone can do. Open 7 days a week, entrance fees are $4-5. However, if you look, you can find parking at the outskirts of the park, and just take a quick walk instead to avoid those costs. read more

Beautiful large park with so much to see. My husband brought me here for a surprise picnic on my birthday. It was a wonderful experience, the scenery is breathtaking, especially if you find the spot overlooking Hartford. At sunset time the sky is breathtaking with all hues of colors, lie down and take a breather and relax with nature. Plenty of parking lot available too. Don't forget to bring $5 to entrance fee, blanket, and bug spray! There can be many flies or mosquitoes depending on the time of day and season. Overall, loved it and plan on going back soon! read more

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This is a standard stop when ever I visit Connecticut. My wife grew up coming to this park and she gets to relive some of her memories when we visit. The grounds are beautiful and there is plenty of trails to walk. Birds galore to see and feed in the Avery area. Great view of Hartford from the top of the hill. They used to sled down it in the snow but I have never seen it. read more

Wickham Park - Warm Winter at the top - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

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Perfect park to dons the day. Bring a picnic lots to explore. Perfect for couples or families with kids. Our family enjoys the bird zoo and sensory garden. Lots of areas to play sports. read more

Wickham Park - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

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I come here all the time. From wanting to get my daily exercise in with the various forms of activities available, to simply sitting down and enjoying the nature. This park has lots to offer. What first drove me to come here was with the Pokemon Go App. I'll admit it, I came here mostly for that, but what I found was more than just Pokemon. I found gorgeous pieces of art, animals, and flowers. The park has paid parking. As of this review, it's 5$ on weekdays, 7$ on weekends/holidays. With how everything here is, you'd understand why there needs to be a small fee to withhold such a beautiful park. Walk down the various paths or take part in some of the monthly events they hold around the year. It doesn't matter. Go bring a friend and take a gander at the many animals for show. You can spend countless hours here during your first trip. It's always a blast to come back to Wickham Park. This isn't just your normal day-to-day walk in the park. p.s. It's a great place in the Manchester/East Hartford area for PokéStop! Tons of people come here for them! Get 'em while they're hot! read more

Wickham Park - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

Beautiful park to visit with family or just go for a walk and enjoy the beauties of nature. Very well maintained and organized. Lovely place here in town! read more

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Just park at so many hidden things to do especially if you explore a lot you'll find them all Maybe. Tennis courts have a wooden wall use for bouncing balls off I practice pitching there every Saturday when I have the time and then I do laps around the park while bouncing the ball for hand-eye coordination. It's pretty hard to go far without messing up the ball once because of all the little rocks that might be around. When I first started going to Wickham Park to exercise I weigh 186 now I'm down to a slim and trim 165 read more

Wickham Park - Race track road. Home to many highschool and other sanctioned road races every year. - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

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A Great Suburban Sanctuary Is your life stressful and busy? Escape to Wickham Park. This well-manicured park is a delight for the senses. (Speaking of senses, there is also a sensory garden near the playground area). Let your stress slip away here from the views and lush greenery. Note: if you need space for a family reunion or get together, you can rent out one of the pavillions in the back which has covered roofs in the event you run into rainy weather read more

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Amazing this is my favorite park and for good reason. It's so beautiful, clean, big and relaxing I am speechless every time I visit this beautiful plot of earth read more

Beautiful setting for any occasion. We recently married here in the Lotus Garden. It was a beautiful ceremony. Quiet, private and peaceful. Sarah Tilley, Events Coordinator, was very helpful and pleasant to work with. Our wedding was more of an elopement /micro-wedding planned within the same week we were married. Sarah took the time to help us with all the details and really took a lot of the stress out of this aspect of planning. I am forever grateful. read more

I pity the fool who hasn't visited this fine establishment. It is one of the best if not the best parks in Connecticut. Beautiful walking trails. The scenery overall is great. Up at the top of the hill is a marvelous view of the great city of hartford. Since you are on top the hill, one must not worry about bullets and things if you were downtown. If you want a nice romantic park to visit on a date , hands down this is it in this area. All praise the goodness that come of thee. read more

I was fortunate enough to spend two years of my life living accross the street from this place. Now that I've left, I truly realize how lucky I was to have Wickham Park as my own personal backyard for as long as I did. I can't think of a better place to spend a minimal amout of money for a maximally good time. The park is open April-September, and they charge a per-car fee, not a per person fee! And said fee is between $3-$5, depending on the day of the week, and the weather. How can you go wrong for that kinda money? Amenities include: - A full circular asphalt path for the more cautious - Trails and nature walks for the more adventurous - Four well kept tennis courts - Baseball and volleyball fields scattered about - An 18 hole disc golf course (super fun, free rental discs available from management) - A huge hill on the west side, great for sledding or circuit training - A beautiful view of the Hartford skyline at the top of said hill - A robust nature center and bird sanctuary right in the middle of the park And all of the aforementioned is FREE. That's right, you don't have to pay extra for a darned thing at this place... So pack a lunch, bring a bike or your baseball mitts, and have a great time for five bucks or less. read more