Mike Z

Very decent collection of paintings of Hudson River school artists, many of them done by Thomas Cole, the founder of the this art movement. Now, would be good if each painting had its own QR code or just artist’s name printed next to it. Took me a while to figure how translate painting numbers to artist names.

Interesting tour with lots of time to focus on historical details. There is nice visitor center with videos and photos, good restrooms. You would part of relatively small group.

Amazing botanical gardens collection as well as multiple picnic areas, picturesque view of downtown of Hartford and aviary with nature center. It is well-worth modest parking fee. In my view, this park may be best botanical garden in CT (beating Bartlett and New London CT college arboretum).

Good to visit any time of the year. Nice short trails that you can combine with Gerritsen beach trails for 2-3 hours hike.

This is flagship county park in Ocean county in terms of amenities. While I prefer more secluded Wells Mills in this county’s park system, pleasant smell of white pines while hiking (legacy of being Rockefeller former vacation estate) is a major draw for me, and typical Pine Barren’s pitch pines just don’t have it.