Sometimes, it’s easier to skip the five-star restaurants and latest trendy hot spots and dine in the open, where you can truly soak up a destination’s atmosphere. But you’ll need more than a basket of food for your perfect picnic – you’ll also need the right backdrop for your al fresco meal. Grab your blankets, pack your picnic basket and enjoy these five beautiful places to have a picnic around the world.
Central Park, New York City
There’s plenty of room to spread out in Central Park, where the 843 acres offer a more intimate experience in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world. Lay your blanket in the sprawling Great Lawn if you’re into people watching, Sheep Meadow if you’re looking for a quiet afternoon or Great Hill if you prefer picnic tables and seclusion over blankets and crowds.
Ballard Locks, Seattle
Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood is a quirky district well worth an afternoon stroll, but when it comes time to refuel, take your picnic basket to the scenic Ballard Locks. The best picnic spots at this waterfront can be found at the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens, where you’ll be surrounded by blooms from around the world and the sights of the Ballard waterfront as you enjoy your picnic.
Champ de Mars, Paris
Paris is the city of romance, and what could be more romantic than feasting on wine and cheese under the Eiffel Tower? Champ de Mars is a public park that stretches beneath the tower, and it seems to continually draw a crowd that’s quintessentially Parisian. Not only are the sights beautiful, but you’ll have plenty of Eiffel Tower-laden photo ops, too.
Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome
When in Rome, picnic as the Romans do: at the Villa Borghese Gardens. Here, you’ll be surrounded on all sides by lush gardens – but with a uniquely Roman flair. The park is sprinkled with sculptures, and after your picnic, you can top the afternoon off with a row boat ride on the park’s scenic lake.
Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu
It’s hard to argue with the beauty of Hawaii’s shores when you’re digging your toes in the sands of Waikiki. Pack your picnic lunch and head to the shores of Ala Moana Beach Park, where you can set up a romantic picnic under the Hawaiian sun while kicking back on a sandy beach as the warm turquoise waters lap at your feet. After your picnic, you can burn off some of those calories with a swim in the water.
(Main image: kurmanstaff)
