Rose in Elizabeth Park by yourFAVORITEmartian Flickr
Vibrantly green with the oldest municipally operated rose garden in the country, Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, Connecticut is a fragrant oasis tucked between Boston and New York. One of twenty-two public All America Test Gardens in the country, Elizabeth Park is home to more than 800 varieties of roses and evaluates new types of the gorgeous flower before they are available to the public.
Elizabeth Park, West Hartford by Jessica Gioglio
Offering free parking and admission, pay no attention to the clock as you enjoy a leisurely stroll in the garden. Be sure to pack a camera and make frequent stops to pose for photos among the colorful blooms and well-manicured shrubbery. Don’t be surprised if you see a wedding taking place, as the garden’s romantic rose-covered arches and artfully landscaped pathways make this a prime wedding venue.
After working up an appetite, visit the Pond House Café, which is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner on Sunday for brunch. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great spot to relax. Menu items range from wraps, salads and burgers for lunch, to chicken, salmon and pork tenderloin for dinner and brunch classics like omelets, crepes and french toast on Sundays. Though the cafe does not serve alcohol, patrons are welcome to bring their own beer or wine for a nominal corking fee – $5 for wine or $1.50 for beer.
For more information about Elizabeth Park, please visit www.elizabethpark.org and www.pondhousecafe.com for The Pond House Café.