04/26/2023
Harkness Memorial State Park
Waterford, CT
In 1907, Edward and Mary Harkness moved into their 42-room Italianate mansion, Eolia, on the Connecticut shoreline. It was the crown jewel of a 230-acre property that also boasted a working farm with dairy cows and chickens, vegetable and flower gardens, a five-car garage—even a nine-hole golf course. When Mary Harkness died in 1950, she bequeathed it all to the state, noting in her will that the grounds be used “for the purpose of promoting good health.”
By all means, help fulfill Mary’s edict by strolling the paths through the gardens; in May, this is quite a treat, thanks to the profusion of perennials. The great expanse of lawn slopes down to the shore, perfect for a walk amid sand and shells. If you’ve registered for a day license and brought your gear, you can head to the rocks to lure stripers and blues. Prefer picnicking to fishing? Find a spot on the manicured grounds, enjoy a peaceful meal, and dream of the Gilded Age. portal.ct.gov/deep/state-parks
Sticking Around: Though there’s no camping at Harkness, just a 30-minute drive (25.1 miles) brings you to the Quiet Corner Bungalow in Norwich.
Going to Town: Head to nearby Ocean Beach in New London to go for a dip, (but you can wade at the Harkness mansion too) then make the requisite stop at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock for lobster rolls alongside the Thames River.