There’s something wonderfully simple about spreading a blanket on the ground and enjoying a meal surrounded by nature. The combination of fresh air, beautiful scenery, and good food creates memories that last far longer than any restaurant visit.
Here is a list of 20 spectacular locations across the United States where your most essential item will be that trusty picnic blanket. Each spot offers its unique backdrop for your outdoor dining adventure.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
This urban oasis spans over 1,000 acres with dozens of perfect picnic spots. The Japanese Tea Garden and Strawberry Hill provide peaceful settings away from the city bustle.
The park’s microclimate often creates sunny pockets even when fog envelops the rest of San Francisco, making it an ideal year-round destination for outdoor meals.
Central Park, New York City
The Great Lawn offers 55 acres of open space in Manhattan’s heart. Spreading your blanket here gives you iconic skyline views that frame your meal with unmistakable New York energy.
The Sheep Meadow and Cherry Hill provide alternative spots with distinct atmospheres, like having multiple venues within one massive green space.
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Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
Red sandstone formations create a dramatic backdrop at this natural landmark for any meal. The contrast between vibrant rock formations and the blue Colorado sky makes even simple sandwiches taste better.
The park offers numerous designated picnic areas with varying views of Pike’s Peak.
Griffith Park, Los Angeles
This 4,310-acre park sits in LA’s urban landscape but feels worlds away. Find a spot near the Observatory for sprawling views of the city below while you dine.
The Mediterranean climate means comfortable picnicking weather almost year-round, making it a reliable escape from city life.
Mount Tamalpais, California
Known to locals as Mount Tam, this Bay Area landmark offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The East Peak picnic area sits at 2,571 feet, giving you a dining experience above the clouds on foggy days.
The mountain’s many trails mean you can work up an appetite before settling down with your meal.
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Boston Common, Massachusetts
America’s oldest public park provides a historic setting for your outdoor feast. Surrounded by centuries of American history, your picnic becomes part of a tradition dating back to 1634.
The park transforms dramatically with the seasons, from spring flowering trees to vibrant fall foliage.
Haleakalā National Park, Maui
While most visitors come for sunrise or sunset, midday offers perfect picnicking with fewer crowds. The summit area at 10,000 feet elevation provides otherworldly views that make you feel like you’re dining on another planet.
The crisp mountain air at this altitude makes food taste especially fresh and flavorful.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The jagged mountain backdrop creates a dining experience straight out of a travel magazine. The String Lake area offers mountain views and crystal clear water, perfect for a post-picnic swim.
Wildflowers in the summer months add splashes of color to your natural dining room.
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Lake Michigan Shoreline, Chicago
North Avenue Beach provides an unusual combination of sandy shores with urban skyline views. This unique juxtaposition of nature and architecture creates a memorable setting for any meal.
The lake breeze keeps things comfortable even during Chicago’s warmer months.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York
This waterfront park offers unmatched views of the Manhattan skyline and the iconic bridge. Your picnic comes with a multimillion-dollar view that changes as day turns to evening and city lights begin to twinkle.
The renovated pier areas provide ample space even on busy weekends.
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Just an hour from Las Vegas, ancient red rock formations create an almost Martian landscape for outdoor dining. The fiery hues of the rocks are especially vibrant during sunset hours, providing a natural light show with your meal.
The stark desert beauty offers a peaceful alternative to Vegas’s sensory overload.
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Acadia National Park, Maine
The Ocean Path near Thunder Hole offers dramatic coastal views for your picnic. The rhythmic waves crashing against rock formations provide nature’s soundtrack to your meal.
Depending on your mood, the park’s diverse landscape means you can choose between ocean, lake, or mountain views.
Tunnel Park, Holland, Michigan
This Lake Michigan gem features massive dunes and wide beaches perfect for spreading your blanket. The park’s namesake tunnel cuts through a dune, leading directly to the shoreline and creating a unique entrance to your picnic spot.
Sunset picnics here are especially magical as the sky transforms with vibrant colors over the water.
Papago Park, Phoenix
The distinctive red buttes create a striking desert backdrop unlike anywhere else. The park remains a surprisingly lush oasis, with picnic areas among desert plants and unique geological features.
Early morning or late afternoon visits avoid the midday heat while showcasing the rocks’ vibrant colors.
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Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle
With 230 acres of diverse plant collections, this living museum provides countless secluded picnic nooks. The Japanese Garden and waterfront trails offer tranquil settings for a peaceful meal.
Seasonal blooms mean the scenery changes throughout the year, offering new experiences with each visit.
Audubon Park, New Orleans
Ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss create a quintessentially Southern picnic setting. The park’s lagoons attract abundant birdlife, adding natural entertainment to your outdoor dining experience.
The historic oaks provide ample shade, making picnicking comfortable even during warmer months.
Forsyth Park, Savannah
The iconic fountain and Spanish moss-draped oak trees create a romantic Southern backdrop. This 30-acre park in the historic district feels like stepping back in time while enjoying modern leisure.
The manicured gardens and historic monuments add cultural interest to your outdoor meal.
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Kailua Beach Park, O‘ahu
Powdery white sand and turquoise waters create a postcard-perfect setting for your picnic blanket. The steady trade winds keep temperatures comfortable year-round, while providing gentle background sounds.
The beach’s vast expanse means finding your private spot is rarely challenging, even on busy days.
Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware
This Atlantic coast gem offers six miles of shoreline and unique elevated viewing areas. The Great Dune rises 80 feet above sea level, providing panoramic views of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean during your meal.
The park’s World War II history adds an educational element to your outdoor dining experience.
Stone Mountain Park, Georgia
The massive granite monolith creates a dramatic setting just outside Atlanta. The park’s 3,200 acres offer numerous picnic spots with varying mountain views and surrounding lakes.
Seasonal events and natural beauty make this a year-round destination for outdoor meals.
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Nature’s Dining Rooms: Always Open
These natural spaces remind us that sometimes the most memorable meals happen outside traditional dining establishments. From coastal paradises to urban oases, America’s landscape offers countless perfect spots to spread your blanket.
The next time you seek a special dining experience, consider packing that picnic basket instead of making reservations.
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