Gardens by the Sea in the Stonington Borough

Gardens by the Sea in the Stonington Borough returns June 12 and 13, inviting visitors inside some of the most picturesque private gardens along the Connecticut shoreline during a self-guided walking tour through the historic Borough of Stonington. Tickets are $50 online through June 7 and increase to $65 during the days of the tour, making advance purchase an important consideration for attendees planning the weekend experience. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, the event offers access to hidden waterfront gardens, terraced landscapes, and carefully designed outdoor spaces tucked behind the Borough’s historic streets and homes.

Hosted by the Stonington Garden Club, the tour gives visitors the rare opportunity to explore gardens ranging in style from formal coastal landscapes to eclectic pocket gardens filled with seasonal color and character. Along the route, Plein Air artists will be painting in select gardens while a tented marketplace at Wadawanuck Square will feature garden-inspired items, clothing, jewelry, and home décor. Because the featured gardens are all within walking distance, the event creates the feel of a leisurely summer stroll through one of the most scenic waterfront communities in SE Connecticut.

Gardens by the Sea serves as the Stonington Garden Club’s primary fundraiser, supporting the organization’s community programs, projects, and grants throughout the region. Beyond the gardens themselves, the event captures the atmosphere of early summer in Stonington Borough, where waterfront views, historic homes, quiet streets, and carefully maintained landscapes come together to create one of the shoreline’s signature seasonal experiences.