Harkness Memorial State Park is one of the most stunning day trips in Connecticut. Eolia, the mansion at the center of the park, is a beautiful 42-room home. The mansion and the botanical gardens that surround it are major draws that attract plenty of visitors to the park. One of our favorite features about the park, though, is the lovely loop trail that connects to the nearby beach. You’ll get some remarkably beautiful views on this gorgeous stroll. While spring is a popular time to visit due to the gardens being in bloom, each season has its unique benefits. This is a park we recommend no matter the time of year.

This 1.3-mile loop is one of the most scenic trails in Connecticut. It's mostly flat, so it's a great option if you are looking for an easier hike or have children or dogs.
R Boed/Flickr
Note that dogs are not allowed on the sandy parts of the beach.
You'll get beautiful oceanfront views as you stroll down the path.
Brian King/Flickr
Packing a lunch and having a picnic right on the beach sounds like a great afternoon to us.
Mike Kalasnik/Flickr

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Once you've had your fill of the beach, you can head back up towards the gardens and enjoy the just-as-stunning scenery there.
Judy Alfano/Alltrails
The beach can get crowded during the summer, but it's often pretty isolated in the off season.
Omar Bronstein/Alltrails
It's all open space, so you can blaze your own path without having to worry about getting lost.
Scott Jensen/Alltrails
We really love that this trail has such a variety within it! Gardens, beach, marshland, meadow: it's rare that you get to encounter a short trail with so many different landscapes. Connecticut is such a beautiful state.
Duane Luckenbill/Alltrails

Have you visited Harkness Memorial State Park? Share your experiences in the comments!

For more information about the Harkness Memorial Loop Trail in Connecticut, check out Alltrails.

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Harkness Memorial State Park, 275 Great Neck Rd, Waterford, CT 06385, USA