8.1/102,769 votes#1 - 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.
Director: Dean Holland
Writer: Alan Yang
8.9/103,480 votes#2 - 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.
Director: Wendey Stanzler
Writer: Norm Hiscock
8.0/102,723 votes#3 - 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.
Director: Michael Schur
Writer: Michael Schur
8.5/102,959 votes#4 - Ron & Tammy: Part Two
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.
Director: Tucker Gates
Writer: Emily Kapnek
7.9/102,672 votes#5 - 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.
Director: David Rogers
Writer: Harris Wittels
8.0/102,656 votes#6 - 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.
Director: Randall Einhorn
Writer: Katie Dippold
8.7/103,031 votes#7 - 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.
Director: Dean Holland
Writer: Daniel J. Goor
7.9/102,670 votes#8 - 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.
Director: Rob Schrab
Writer: Aisha Muharrar
8.9/103,391 votes#9 - 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.
Director: Michael Trim
Writer: Katie Dippold
8.4/102,807 votes#10 - 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.
Director: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Alan Yang
8.6/102,824 votes#11 - 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.
Director: Dean Holland
Writer: Norm Hiscock
8.1/102,680 votes#12 - 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.
Director: Nicole Holofcener
Writer: Emily Spivey
8.8/103,380 votes#13 - 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."
Director: Randall Einhorn
Writer: Amy Poehler
8.4/102,836 votes#14 - 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.
Director: Troy Miller
Writer: Harris Wittels
8.1/102,574 votes#15 - 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.
Director: Matt Sohn
Writer: Greg Levine, Brian Rowe
8.8/103,033 votes#16 - 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.
Director: Dean Holland
Writer: Daniel J. Goor
The Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation Season 3
Every episode of Parks and Recreation Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation Season 3!
In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of...
Genre:Comedy
Network:NBC
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"Go Big or Go Home" is the best rated episode of "Parks and Recreation" season 3. It scored 8.1/10 based on 2769 votes. Directed by Dean Holland and written by Alan Yang, it aired on 1/20/2011. This episode is rated 0.8 points higher than the second-best, "Flu Season".