best episodes of Parks and Recreation poster

In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, takes on bureaucrats, cranky neighbors, and single-issue fanatics whose weapons are lawsuits, the jumble of city codes, and the democratic process she loves so much.

7 Seasons
122 Episodes
Ended
Comedy
episode image Leslie and Ron
9.5/10 (4679 votes)

#1 Leslie and Ron

S7:E4

Leslie and Ron attempt to work out their differences.

episode image Leslie and Ben
9.2/10 (3225 votes)

#2 Leslie and Ben

S5:E14

Leslie and Ben are getting married, and have to cram months of planning into two hours. Meanwhile, Ron's temper gets him in trouble.

episode image Win, Lose, or Draw
9.0/10 (2882 votes)

#3 Win, Lose, or Draw

S4:E22

It's election day in Pawnee, and Leslie and Bobby Newport are separated by a razor-thin margin. While everyone waits with Leslie for the race to be called, they ponder their futures, and their new opportunities.

episode image Flu Season
8.9/10 (3498 votes)

#4 Flu Season

S3:E2

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.

episode image Andy and April's Fancy Party
8.9/10 (3409 votes)

#5 Andy and April's Fancy Party

S3:E9

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

episode image Ron and Diane
8.9/10 (2913 votes)

#6 Ron and Diane

S5:E9

Ron, Diane, and Leslie attend a wood working awards dinner after one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated, but the happy occasion is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II. Meanwhile, Jerry hosts a holiday party at his home with his wife, and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited.

episode image The Fight
8.8/10 (3406 votes)

#7 The Fight

S3:E13

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."

episode image Li'l Sebastian
8.8/10 (3053 votes)

#8 Li'l Sebastian

S3:E16

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.

episode image Two Parties
8.8/10 (2817 votes)

#9 Two Parties

S5:E10

Ben and Leslie's rival bachelor and bachelorette parties each take on a very different tune.

episode image Ann and Chris
8.8/10 (2674 votes)

#10 Ann and Chris

S6:E12

On Ann and Chris's last night in Pawnee, Leslie throws a grand farewell party and attempts to fulfill one last promise. Meanwhile, Tom, Ben, Ron and Andy struggle to find the perfect going away gift for Chris.

episode image Moving Up
8.8/10 (2501 votes)

#11 Moving Up

S6:E20

Leslie, Ben, and Andy head to San Francisco for a National Parks Conference. Tom opens his restaurant, Ron has another run-in with his ex-wife Tammy 2, Andy lives a rock and roll fantasy, and Leslie makes a huge decision about her future.

episode image Harvest Festival
8.7/10 (3045 votes)

#12 Harvest Festival

S3:E7

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

episode image The Debate
8.7/10 (2716 votes)

#13 The Debate

S4:E20

Leslie goes toe-to-toe with Bobby Newport in a debate. Ann, Tom, and Chris work in the media spin room, while Ron goes the extra mile to save a party for Leslie's donors.

episode image Hunting Trip
8.6/10 (3475 votes)

#14 Hunting Trip

S2:E10

Leslie tries to prove she can hang with the guys so she invites herself on Ron’s annual hunting trip, but things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, April and Andy bond in the office while everyone is away.

episode image Jerry's Painting
8.6/10 (2836 votes)

#15 Jerry's Painting

S3:E11

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.

episode image Ron and Tammys
8.6/10 (2854 votes)

#16 Ron and Tammys

S4:E2

Ron's first ex-wife, Tammy One, reenters his life and tries to control his every move. Meanwhile, Ben helps Tom balance the books at his new company, and Ann makes a PSA, with help from Chris.

episode image Halloween Surprise
8.6/10 (2623 votes)

#17 Halloween Surprise

S5:E5

A new job offer for Ben causes Leslie to contemplates their future. Meanwhile, Ron and Andy take Diane's girls out trick-or-treating, and Tom searches for a new business idea.

episode image Freddy Spaghetti
8.5/10 (2900 votes)

#18 Freddy Spaghetti

S2:E24

When Ben prevents Leslie from holding a children’s concert, she takes matters into her own hands. Mark makes some big decisions about his life, and Andy gets some unexpected romantic attention.

episode image Ron & Tammy: Part Two
8.5/10 (2971 votes)

#19 Ron & Tammy: Part Two

S3:E4

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.

episode image The Comeback Kid
8.5/10 (2861 votes)

#20 The Comeback Kid

S4:E11

Leslie enlists everyone's help in staging an attention-getting event. Ben takes up a new hobby, while April and Andy adopt a pet.

episode image Bowling for Votes
8.5/10 (2602 votes)

#21 Bowling for Votes

S4:E13

Leslie and Ben host a bowling night after receiving feedback about Leslie's campaign. April, Chris, and Jerry hold a competition to see who can raise the most funds.

episode image Emergency Response
8.5/10 (2371 votes)

#22 Emergency Response

S5:E13

Leslie and Ben organize a black tie gala to raise money for their park, but their plans are derailed when a city-wide emergency response drill is called. Meanwhile, Andy prepares to take his Police Academy Exam and Ron fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today.

episode image London
8.5/10 (2486 votes)

#23 London

S6:E1

Leslie wins an award from an international Women in Government organization, and travels to London with Ben, Andy, April and Ron to accept it.

episode image 94 Meetings
8.4/10 (2909 votes)

#24 94 Meetings

S2:E21

Ron is furious when April mistakenly schedules a ton of meetings for him. Meanwhile, Leslie fights to preserve a historical landmark.

episode image The Master Plan
8.4/10 (2868 votes)

#25 The Master Plan

S2:E23

Leslie is disappointed when her new park plans are put on hold by a visit from two state auditors. April has plans for Andy at her birthday party, and Ann tries to piece together a romantic mystery.

episode image Soulmates
8.4/10 (2816 votes)

#26 Soulmates

S3:E10

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.

episode image Road Trip
8.4/10 (2850 votes)

#27 Road Trip

S3:E14

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.

episode image End of the World
8.4/10 (2838 votes)

#28 End of the World

S4:E6

A local Pawnee group predicts the end of days, causing chaos in the Parks department.

episode image The Trial of Leslie Knope
8.4/10 (2606 votes)

#29 The Trial of Leslie Knope

S4:E9

Leslie has to face an ethics committee about her secret relationship with Ben after they come clean to Chris.

episode image Citizen Knope
8.4/10 (2545 votes)

#30 Citizen Knope

S4:E10

Unable to get work done from inside the Parks Department, Leslie forms a citizen action group and fights from the outside. Meanwhile, everyone in the office brainstorms ideas for what to get Leslie for Christmas.

episode image Two Funerals
8.4/10 (2214 votes)

#31 Two Funerals

S7:E11

Ben and April conduct a series of interviews, while Andy and Donna help Ron adjust to a life change.

episode image Ron and Tammy
8.3/10 (3195 votes)

#32 Ron and Tammy

S2:E8

Leslie is upset when she learns the library department wants to take over her lot. Making matters worse, the library is run by Ron's ex-wife Tammy, who still has a powerful emotional hold on him. Meanwhile, Andy gets a job in hopes of winning Ann back.

episode image Campaign Ad
8.3/10 (2486 votes)

#33 Campaign Ad

S4:E12

Faced with a tough new opponent, Leslie and Ben disagree on the content of her first campaign ad. Ron is very uncomfortable when Chris tries to befriend him, while Andy and April make a trip to the doctor.

episode image Flu Season 2
8.3/10 (2160 votes)

#34 Flu Season 2

S6:E18

In the midst of flu season, a sick Leslie and Andy struggle to book performers for the Unity Concert. Meanwhile, Tom heads to a wine competition in search of a sommelier for his new restaurant, and Ben seeks drunken help from Ron with a personal problem.

episode image Donna and Joe
8.3/10 (2127 votes)

#35 Donna and Joe

S7:E7

Donna and Joe tie the knot, while April attempts to keep the wedding running smoothly. Ron creates an awkward situation between Tom and Lucy. Jen Barkley arrives at Ben and Leslie’s house with an interesting opportunity.

episode image The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show
8.3/10 (2901 votes)

#36 The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show

S7:E10

On the last episode of Andy’s TV show, his friends wish him luck with whatever comes next.

episode image Practice Date
8.2/10 (3184 votes)

#37 Practice Date

S2:E4

Leslie is nervous about her first date with Dave, so Ann takes her on a practice date to help her prepare. Meanwhile, after a local councilman is caught up in a sex scandal, Tom, Ron, April and Mark decide to see who can uncover the worst dirt on each other.

episode image Greg Pikitis
8.2/10 (3191 votes)

#38 Greg Pikitis

S2:E7

Leslie enlists the help of Dave and Andy in order to catch a local teen vandal. Meanwhile, Ann struggles to make her Halloween party fun, and ends up getting help from an unlikely source.

episode image Telethon
8.2/10 (2802 votes)

#39 Telethon

S2:E22

Leslie hosts a late-night shift for a local telethon, and lands former Indiana Pacer Detlef Schrempf as a celebrity guest. Meanwhile, Mark has big plans for his relationship with Ann.

episode image Pawnee Rangers
8.2/10 (2776 votes)

#40 Pawnee Rangers

S4:E4

Ron takes his boys-only troop of Pawnee Rangers into the wild. Not wanting the girls to feel left out, Leslie also takes her troop of Pawnee Goddesses on an adventure weekend. Meanwhile, a reluctant Ben joins Tom and Donna for a day of relaxation, and Chris spends some time with Jerry.

Cast & Chracters

character image Leslie Knope

Leslie Knope

Actor: Amy Poehler
character image Tom Haverford

Tom Haverford

Actor: Aziz Ansari
character image Ron Swanson

Ron Swanson

Actor: Nick Offerman
character image April Ludgate

April Ludgate

Actor: Aubrey Plaza
character image Andy Dwyer

Andy Dwyer

Actor: Chris Pratt
character image Ben Wyatt

Ben Wyatt

Actor: Adam Scott
character image Jerry Gergich

Jerry Gergich

Actor: Jim O'Heir
character image Donna Meagle

Donna Meagle

Actor: Retta

The highest rated episode of Parks and Recreation is "Leslie and Ron" (S7E4) with a rating of 9.50.

This episode received 4,679 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Pilot" (S1E1) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 4,324 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Rock Show" (S1E6) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 3,285 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Pilot" (S1E1) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 4,324 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Hunting Trip" (S2E10) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 3,475 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Galentine's Day" (S2E16) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 2,750 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Flu Season" (S3E2) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 3,498 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Media Blitz" (S3E5) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 2,680 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Win, Lose, or Draw" (S4E22) with a rating of 9.00.

This episode received 2,882 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Sweet Sixteen" (S4E16) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 2,343 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Leslie and Ben" (S5E14) with a rating of 9.20.

This episode received 3,225 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Partridge" (S5E17) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 2,123 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Ann and Chris" (S6E12) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 2,674 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "New Slogan" (S6E15) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 1,945 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Leslie and Ron" (S7E4) with a rating of 9.50.

This episode received 4,679 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "William Henry Harrison" (S7E3) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 2,095 votes.

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Rachna Fruchbom Writing Story Editor

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