The BEST episodes of Parks and Recreation season 3

Every episode of Parks and Recreation season 3, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Parks and Recreation season 3!

The series follows Leslie Knope, the deputy head of the Parks and Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Knope takes on a project with a nurse named Ann to turn a construction pit into a park, while trying to mentor a bored college-aged intern. However, Leslie must fight through the bureaucrats, problem neighbors, and developers in order to make her dream a reality, all with a camera crew recording her every gaff and mishap.

Last Updated: 11/3/2024Network: NBCStatus: Ended
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Li'l Sebastian
star
8.16
2803 votes

#1 - Li'l Sebastian

Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/19/2011

Leslie and the parks team put together a memorial service for a dearly departed friend. Meanwhile, Tom makes a big life decision, while Chris reacts badly to a health problem.

Directors: Dean Holland
Writer: Dan Goor
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Andy and April's Fancy Party
star
8.03
3055 votes

#2 - Andy and April's Fancy Party

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/14/2011

April and Andy host a dinner party for the Parks Department. Meanwhile, Ann tries to move on from Chris at a singles' party.

Directors: Michael Trim
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Harvest Festival
star
8.03
2992 votes

#3 - Harvest Festival

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/17/2011

It's make it or break it for the Parks Department at the Harvest Festival which is full of surprises.

Directors: Dean Holland
Writer: Dan Goor
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Indianapolis
star
8.01
2887 votes

#4 - Indianapolis

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/24/2011

Ron and Leslie take a road trip to the big city in order to visit Ron's favorite place which happens to be a steakhouse, but Leslie has alternative motives for the trip.

Directors: Randall Einhorn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Go Big or Go Home
star
7.99
2975 votes

#5 - Go Big or Go Home

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/20/2011

Leslie and the Parks Department return to work after three months to discover that the budget crisis still looms. After unsuccessfully trying to have their budget restored by using Ann to charm Chris with a date, Leslie decides to make an all or nothing play by resurrecting the Pawnee Harvest Festival. Meanwhile, Ben restarts the youth basketball league and instates Ron and Andy to coach the only two teams. April returns from a vacation with a new boyfriend.

Directors: Dean Holland
Writer: Alan Yang
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Flu Season
star
7.97
3023 votes

#6 - Flu Season

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/27/2011

While planning for the local Harvest Festival, Leslie is struck with the flu and is forced to go to the hospital. Ron and Andy have a day of male bonding, and Tom hits the spa.

Directors: Wendey Stanzler
Writer: Norm Hiscock
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Soulmates
star
7.96
2914 votes

#7 - Soulmates

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/21/2011

Leslie tries an online dating service, but doesn't end up with a stranger as she expects. Also, Chris challenges Ron to a grilling competition as part of his plans to make Pawnee healthier.

Directors: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Alan Yang
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Fight
star
7.95
2832 votes

#8 - The Fight

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/12/2011

When Leslie tries to get Ann a job at city hall, her lukewarm reaction causes their first-ever fight. Tom invites the entire department to the Snakehole Lounge to help him promote his new alcohol, "Snake Juice."

Directors: Randall Einhorn
Writer: Amy Poehler
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Road Trip
star
7.94
2596 votes

#9 - Road Trip

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/12/2011

When Chris sends Leslie and Ben on a trip to Indianapolis, Leslie is afraid she won't be able to deny her feelings for him. Ron teaches a young student about his views on government. Meanwhile, Andy gets his feelings hurt by April after playing Tom's new game.

Directors: Troy Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Jerry's Painting
star
7.93
2818 votes

#10 - Jerry's Painting

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/28/2011

Jerry’s contribution to Leslie’s community art show causes a stir. Ben moves in with April and Andy and attempts to teach them how to be adults. Meanwhile, Leslie is frustrated by Chris and his interoffice dating rules.

Directors: Dean Holland
Writer: Norm Hiscock
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Ron and Tammy II
star
7.93
3114 votes

#11 - Ron and Tammy II

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/10/2011

Tom tries to get back at Ron by going out on a date with Ron's ex-wife Tammy, while Leslie tries to protect Ron from falling prey to her charms. Meanwhile, April is assigned to work with Chris.

Directors: Tucker Gates
Writer: Emily Kapnek
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Bubble
star
7.92
2775 votes

#12 - The Bubble

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 5/19/2011

Everyone in the office is unhappy when Chris decides to make some big changes in the parks department -- especially Tom who starts to question his career choices. Leslie is caught off guard when Ben has a meeting with her mom.

Directors: Matt Sohn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Eagleton
star
7.91
2896 votes

#13 - Eagleton

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/5/2011

Leslie's ex-best friend, Lindsay Carlisle Shay, launches an attack on Pawnee, banning residents from visiting a nearby park in the neighboring city of Eagleton with a large fence, causing Leslie to go to war with Eagleton. Meanwhile, everyone finds out that it is Ron's birthday, a fact that he went to extreme lengths to conceal.

Writer: Emily Spivey
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Camping
star
7.80
2902 votes

#14 - Camping

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/24/2011

Leslie takes the whole department camping in order to brainstorm new ideas. Meanwhile, Andy attempts a romantic gesture for April, while Ann gets nervous when Chris returns to Pawnee as the new city manager.

Directors: Rob Schrab
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Time Capsule
star
7.76
2829 votes

#15 - Time Capsule

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/3/2011

Leslie wants to bury a time capsule that encapsulates life in Pawnee, but an odd suggestion from a local man causes unforeseen consequences. Andy seeks help from Chris about how to win back April.

Directors: Michael Schur
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Media Blitz
star
7.75
2844 votes

#16 - Media Blitz

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/17/2011

While advertising for the Harvest Festival, Ben has to deal with some troubling questions about his past. Meanwhile, Andy continues to try to win April back.

Directors: David Rogers
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV