2024’s Best Cities for Picnic Lovers

What is your best piece of advice for scouting out a perfect picnic spot?

We recommend looking for shady areas that are away from large groups. A bonus is getting a location with water views and a breeze!

What are three overrated and three underrated picnic foods?

Overrated:

• DIY charcuterie boards. While I personally love charcuterie and am always here for a great board, you will likely spend more money getting all the ingredients yourself and creating a board for your picnic. We recommend ordering a board from a company that makes them — saving you time, energy, and money in the long run.
• Individual entrées. A picnic is such a communal event, and your food choices should reflect that. We recommend getting sharable dishes for all your guests.
• Peel & eat shrimp. Okay, this sounds like a weird one, but we’ve had many of our picnickers enjoy spiced shrimp. While spiced shrimp is great, it stains so easily and it leaves a terrible lingering smell. With that said, opt for foods that aren’t going to ruin your blankets or make you not want to pull out your picnic blanket again.

Underrated:

• Pizza! Pizza is such a fun and simple way to enjoy a meal outdoors. It’s also always delicious.
• Cupcakes! For picnickers looking to add a sweet treat to their outdoor events, cupcakes are really easy to pass around.
• Brunch items. We’ve found that a lot of picnickers tend to gravitate towards early afternoon and/or dinnertime celebrations, but morning picnics are quite enjoyable. So we suggest grabbing croissants and a coffee for an outdoor meal.

What are three must-have items to bring along for a picnic?

Two classic items, a basket and a blanket. But we also highly recommend bringing sunscreen and bug spray.

Aside from public parks, where are three great places for setting up a picnic?

1. Your back or front yard.

2. Rooftops.

3. From the back of your vehicle.

What is your best piece of advice for scouting out a perfect picnic spot?

Scout locations that combine natural beauty with practical amenities. Look for spots with stunning views, such as:

• A beach.
• A park with a lake.
• A hillside with a sunset panorama.

Ensure there’s adequate shade and seating.

An insider tip: Arrive early to claim your spot. When planning your picnic, check for facilities like restrooms and nearby parking to make the logistics smoother.

What are three overrated and three underrated picnic foods?

Overrated Picnic Foods:

1. Cold sandwiches: Often soggy and uninspired when you’re ready to eat.
2. Chips: Easy but not healthy, and they leave crumbs everywhere.
3. Fruit salad: Tends to get mushy and is a hassle to keep fresh.

Underrated Picnic Foods:

1. Charcuterie boards: A delightful mix of flavors and textures that are easy to customize and share.
2. Mason jar salads: Layers of fresh ingredients that stay crisp until ready to eat.
3. Hand pies: Portable, less messy, and can be savory or sweet. Perfect for any meal.

What are three must-have items to bring along for a picnic?

1. Picnic basket. Choose one with compartments to carry your food, drinks, and supplies easily.
2. Utensils and plates. Opt for reusable utensils and plates. They’re eco-friendly, and durable, and enhance the overall picnic experience.
3. Waterproof picnic blanket. It provides comfort, keeps you dry, and defines your picnic space.
4. Insulated cooler will keep your beverages and perishables at the right temperature, ensuring everything stays fresh and enjoyable.
5. First aid kit. A lifesaver for minor injuries, insect bites, or other unexpected mishaps.

Aside from public parks, where are three great places for setting up a picnic?

1. Beaches: There’s something magical about dining with the sound of waves and a seaside view.
2. Botanical gardens: Often quieter than public parks, with beautiful, curated landscapes.
3. Rooftop: Urban picnicking at its best—enjoy the city skyline while you dine.

Expert bio: Co-founders of Picnic Makers.

What is your best piece of advice for scouting out a perfect picnic spot?

For the summertime, the main criteria for picking a picnic spot is making sure you won’t have to deal with crowds of people flocking to the beach or occupying parks. So if you seek privacy, you may have to spend a little extra time driving to the city’s remote areas and make sure the ants or seagulls aren’t around. This may bring some complications to the whole experience. If you’d like to capture some nice shots of your picnic day, you may want to pick a morning or evening time to make sure you get the best light that won’t highlight your wrinkles or skin imperfections.

What are three overrated and three underrated picnic foods?

Overrated: sushi, pizza, fruit plate. The main reason is that these foods get dried up by the sun very fast; if you cut the fruits in advance, they’ll most likely get soggy by the time you make it to the picnic spot. Besides, you can soil your clothes with soy sauce or pizza sauce. Underrated: charcuterie board, veggie trays, mini sandwiches. These are nutritious foods that stay fresh longer, are easy to carry around, and will get you full in no time.

What are three must-have items to bring along for a picnic?

Don’t forget your sunscreen, first and foremost! Make sure to have at least one source of shade, such as an umbrella, a tent, or a cabana. I’d also add a mini fridge with a bag of ice inside to make sure your drinks and such food as meat, cheese, and dairy products stay cold.

Aside from public parks, where are three great places for setting up a picnic?

If you have a nice shady backyard, turn it into a picnic spot! The good news is you can stay there as long as you wish. I’d also consider the beach as it’s a great place to get some tan, meet new friends, and take a nice swim, of course. For a romantic picnic, you can scout a private area or simply set up a picnic at a place of significance for your couple. I once had a client who sent the coordinates of a specific beach spot where he met his wife 20 years ago. He planned a Mother’s Day picnic for her and his two daughters.