Visit the Park
Harkness Memorial State Park
Address
275 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT
Mailing Address
PO Box 10, Waterford, CT 06385
Directions
- From I-95 South: Go to exit 81. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto access road and proceed to stop light. At light, turn left onto Cross Road and continue to intersection with Boston Post Road, Route 1. Turn left and continue to light at Avery Lane; turn right. Avery will become Great Neck Road, route 213. The park will be two miles ahead on the right.
- From I-95 North: Go to exit 75, bear right at end of exit ramp and proceed onto Boston Post Road, Route 1. Go 3 miles to Avery Lane and proceed as described above.
Hours
Harkness is open to the public year-round. The gardens, grounds, picnic area, and waterfront are open 365 days a year. Visitors are welcome until sundown.
Fees
Parking Fees will only be charged on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays –
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Non Resident : Parking Fees apply to all vehicles without a CT State license plate.
Residents: No fee for parking will be charged for vehicles registered in State of Connecticut.
Mansion Tours
Friends of Harkness volunteer docents lead guided tours on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Saturdays & Sundays 10am – 1:30pm. Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4 and Labor Day, 10am – 1:30pm. Space is limited. Sign up at the Mansion on day of tour. Donations for tours are welcome and most appreciated.
Mansion & Garden Tours are also available by appointment.
Email:
docent@friendsofharkness.org for additional information and availability.
Wedding Inquiries
Wedding Inquiries should be directed to CT DEEP.
Email:
deep.eolia@ct.gov for additional information and availability.
The Friends of Harkness Gift Shop
The Friends of Harkness operate a beautiful gift shop filled with items to help visitors remember and celebrate their visit. Funds raised help support Friends of Harkness programming and Park projects.
Popular items include jewelry, ornaments, water, soda and snacks. Note cards and tote bags that sport the Friends logo are available for purchase. Also, works by photographers and artists depicting the sights of Harkness, the renown gardens, and local lighthouses are offered for sale.
Gift Shop Hours
11:30 to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Gift Shop will also open during Friends’ events.
Contact the Friends’ office for more information 860-437-1523 (leave a message please) or email our Gift Shop coordinators at giftshop@friendsofharkness.org
Volunteer Opportunities
Our gift shop involves about 10 volunteers to staff the operation, but more volunteers are needed. If you wish to help, call Friends of Harkness at (860) 437-1523 and leave your name and phone number and a brief message. You will be contacted as soon as possible.
