Centrally located in midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park offers a green oasis for locals and visitors.Grab snacks, sandwiches or coffee for picnicking on the football field-sized lawn or at the green chairs and tables at 'wichcraft, or dine on patios overlooking the green at Southwest Porch, or at Bryant Park Grill or Cafe.In the summer, Bryant Park hosts a free movie series, and in the winter, Bank of America's Winter Village includes food vendors and a pop-up restaurant.In Chicago's Millennium Park, grab a spot early at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The 95,000-sqare-foot Great Lawn allows for 7,000 people, but it fills up fast.Each summer, the Grant Park Music Festival hosts 10 weeks of free classical concerts at the pavilion, which hosts additional concerts and events outside the festival. Food and drink are welcomed, and Mariano's Fresh Market -- the festival's picnic sponsor -- is nearby.Brooklyn's weekend food market, Smorgasburg, brings 100 vendors together every Saturday and Sunday.The gathering takes place at East River State Park on Saturdays and Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Meet and taste from local vendors with small plates like this sandwich.And larger servings like this sandwich with fresh toppings. Eat with a view of New York City across the water.Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains above the stunning city, Malibu Wines offers two labels at its rustic outdoor tasting room, which is free to the public with picnics encouraged.Nashville's Centennial Park packs 132 acres into the city's West End neighborhood.The park features gardens, a pond and running loop, art and music events, and a large lawn.Food truck The Chairman features happy hour drink specials.Patrons eat around picnic tables with a view of a large TV.Paris' Parc du Champ-de-Mars is the quintessential place to picnic with views of the Eiffel Tower. Find local breads, cheeses, wine and desserts nearby, and vendors beneath the tower.The greenspace about 800 feet by a half mile hosts locals and visitors all day from sunbathing hours to when the tower lights up at night.Dallas' Klyde Warren Park links uptown and downtown with 5.2 acres of greenspace.London's Hyde Park spans 350 acres with landmarks and recreation in addition to prime picnicking.Travelers will find picturesque views over London on Primrose Hill where locals picnic in the evenings.Take a break from busy Boston with lunch in Dewey Square Park.The Greenway is a mile and a half stretch of parks connecting the city. Here, locals sit in a Wharf District park.
We want you to get out to eat this summer -- literally -- so we're featuring the best spots to soak up the sun or the stars with food, drinks and friends wherever you're traveling. This week's great places in the great outdoors: parks and venues for picnics! From the weekly gatherings of Brooklyn artisans and purveyors to Nashville's massive green space, here are the hot spots for summer suppers from a basket on a blanket or bench, or however you set yours up.
