We needed a break on our drive from MA to NJ and this was just about the mid-point for us and just…read moreoff the highway. It is a pretty state park for a short visit if you're in the area. Lots of college students throughout the park from nearby Quinnipiac University. There are plenty of open space, picnic tables and trails for everyone to enjoy. Lots of different trail options but the tower trail is the most popular. Not much shade on the tower trail and a fairly decent elevation change in a short distance. Make sure to check the weather and bring water. Beautiful views from the highest point in the park and you can go inside the tower.

This was such a nice and beautiful hike! We went here end of October when foliage season was coming…read moreto an end quickly. We got to see amazing views and lots of foliage. The hike was not bad and it was super busy. Huge parking lot and lots of people that day. The views at the tower were awesome and it's definitely a nice spot for pictures. A local gem.

Big playground with lots of shade, plenty of parking, and loads of different play structures. A…read morecouple minutes from a few hotels in the area or the beach. There is a playground on the beach about two minutes away, but this one is much nicer for actually playing on (Charlotte Bacon's playground).

Awesome park!!!!!! Lots of things for kids to play on!!!! Plus a spot for parents to sit onread more

Amazing park! Great for walking, hiking, or even jogging up (yes, lots of people do it!)…read more I would especially recommend going in the spring and summer - it's night and day versus the wintertime, when the trees are barren and the whole park looks a lot more sinister and imposing. However in spring everything is so green, light, and beautiful. Of course, the views from the top (at East Rock Peak) are especially great - and you can look out across the city of New Haven and all the way out for some awesome views!

This a beautiful, scenic park on a mountainous top outside of downtown New Haven and it offers…read moreopportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, leisurely strolls, etc. It's a big area and on the day of my visit, the paved road going inside the park was closed, so we had to walk a decent amount to get to spots like Soldiers and Sailors Monument and scenic overlook vista points. The hike to the monument and scenic vista point on the paved road trail (one-way) can take up to 30 minutes if not longer. There is a (sort of short-cut) trail that goes through the woods that has rocky steps and is a rigorous hiking route. It was a nice weather day and a perfect way to work-off the delicious New Haven pizzas we ate beforehand. We enjoyed our visit here while checking out the beautiful scenic views and the monument. I am not giving it full five stars because the park lacked proper direction signage for the trail(s) and as far as I could tell, I did not find any bathrooms or port-o-potty services.

Serene and beautiful. Small but full of color. Enjoy the grounds just be sure to close the gate…read morewhen you leave

On our way to East Rock Park in New Haven, CT, we stopped at the Pardee Rose Garden first which is…read morepart of the park. I was obsessed with all the roses, flowers. Plants, bees, butterflies, and birds. We took a nice stroll around the botanical garden. Noticed a couple having a picnic at the picnic table. It's a lovely spot.

We love Edgerton. We've done our photos there are a few times in the greenhouse. It's a beautiful…read morespace and place to walk and it has lots of different area areas. A true little oasis.

Never knew this park existed! It's pretty beautiful. I came…read morehere last weekend for their White Elephant sale. I didn't find anything I was interested in though. It was part of the Sunday in the Park gathering. That Italian ice was heavenly. There were a great amount of activities for kids, music, etc. Felt a bit out of place though as most people here had that wealthy vibe. As if they only shop at Whole Foods and pour any excess money into the landscape of this park. Regardless, I did score a bouquet of fresh blooms (that I purchased) snipped from the gardens for a great price. This place would seem to be an awesome backdrop for a family photo shoot too. Just don't capture those uppity people in the background.

I absolutely love this trail! I just bought a new bike and I look forward to riding it most days…read morenow that the weather has been nicer. It's a paved trail that is nicely maintained, and most areas are secluded away from traffic so I can just enjoy my ride. I live in Hamden and I think the trail is safer and prettier going north towards Cheshire vs going towards New Haven which goes behind graffitied warehouses (and the vibe doesn't feel as safe). There are also free parking lots along certain parts of the trail (such as at the entrance by Quinnipiac). I definitely recommend coming here for a walk, run, or bike ride!!

As far as recreation paths go, this one is pretty nice for a short bike ride. It's paved, so…read morepersonally, I think it's not great for jogging, but it isn't incredibly long either, as yet, so it makes for sort of a short ride. Maybe 12 mi at most, back and forth, out of Hamden, past Sleeping Giant and on north. It crosses a few quiet roads and even though there are stop signs for the trail-users, traffic invariably stops for you. It's definitely a place to zone out, enjoy the green and the fresh air. UPDATE: A note from the locals suggests that path-users should be aware of surroundings, as there are incidents of crime on the path. So don't zone out too much. The trail has more dips and swells than a rails-to-trails trail, but it doesn't have any real changes in elevation. The "canal" element means that it's a bit buggy . . . and there is a well-placed water fountain! I can't figure out how the distances are marked (it looks like they have multiple systems going) but maybe someday it will all make sense to me . . . There's a great route - pretty, low-traffic, with good shoulders - from town to the southern tip of the trail, at bikely.com. The trail is pretty heavily used, though, especially in the after-work hours (less so on a summer weekend!) so you have to watch out for walkers, joggers and in-line skaters. UPDATE: And people who park their ass in the middle of the path to chit chat. And kids who stop and don't know any better. As always, it helps if bicyclists pass on the left and hail when passing! The address here for the Association is not where you'd start the trail, I don't think. But there are a few places throughout Hamden where you can pick it up. There are lots of signs around and there's a map at the website.

A recent-ish trip back to CT had me visiting this spot again for a nice morning fall walk and it…read morewas lovely! It's always so lush here. I appreciate the little parking lot, although it can get pretty crowded on the weekend so plan accordingly! The trail around the lake is perfect for a brisk walk with lots of shade. My husband and I have walked it many times and it's always well kept with very little traffic. There's a portapotty but no other bathroom options aside from that so come prepared!

Close to home excellent for a quick afternoon trip Great…read morescenery and not to challenging

This trail is about 4miles give or take there and back. There are benches along the way and two…read morebridges going over the water and one tunnel under the highway. It does flood under that bridge if raining a lot. There is a sign that says flood zone turn around don't drown or something like that. I can walk the whole thing in about 45 minutes. And there are a few little tails off it into the woods but they don't really loop and you have to turn around and come right back. You cal also park at either end.

"Oh, Suzie Q Baby, I love you, Suzie Q"…read more(Creedence Clearwater Revival) The indigenous people's word "Quinnipiac" roughly translates into English as "long-water people". The Q River is 38 miles long, and you'll get a gorgeous view of it from the bridge on the Quinnipiac Linear Trail. We had a lovely hike on the trail today, as did dozens of friendly walkers who smiled and waved to us as we walked from the main parking lot to the bridge and back. It was a very easy low impact walk of about two miles round trip. The trail is flat, paved, and very wide -at least fifteen feet wide. There were a few side trails marked by fresh mulch or wood shavings if you want to go off the beaten path. We saw plenty of interesting things on our walk - basketball courts, a wood walkway over some wetlands, several informational kiosks, a Lending library with a box of Narcan Nasal Spray prominently on display up front, a labyrinth, and scenic views of the Merrit Parkway which at times seemed about 50 feet from the trail. One other interesting but infuriating thing we saw was a collection of red, black, and blue knotted bags of dog doody that was neatly stacked around a Pet Waste station just under a sign that read "Please Keep This Area Clean".

I walked these trails with my dogs and mom and found them to bebeautif, and we met lovely people…read morealong the way.

Took my boys to one of the lakes located here. If you go early, you will usually have luck. We…read morecaught 12 fish, mostly bluegills, but my sons just want to catch fish. We were also visited by a big snapping turtle, which was cool. We are all about catch and release, so someone else will have an opportunity to catch something with their children. Really beautiful land so help take care of it if you visit.

Another trip to CT landed me at Savin Rock Beach. Very pretty location. There is a nice divided…read more walkway with a bike lane as well. Many gorgeous pictures to be taken here. As you come to the end (or beginning depending on which direction you started) of the trail/walkway there is a nice park for the kiddos. Slides, monkey bars/jungle gym. There is a parking fee if you aren't a resident.

Nice clean park with beautiful hand painted art work and wall murals. Very nice long walking path.read more