Pack a basket, invite that special someone−it's the season for a picnic date in Atlanta.
Eating al fresco, whether sandwiches or the luxury nibbles, can set a romantic tone.
And Atlanta has the setting for a sumptuous picnic on any budget level.
Get away from the noise and commotion of Atlanta with one of these model picnic dates in Atlanta:
Chattahoochee Nature Center Sunset Sips
9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055
An evening date that's also a picnic is the height of romance, but also pretty low pressure. The nature center hosts this event on the fourth Thursday of each month April-September (except July) and it includes local music, a cash bar and an invitation to bring a picnic dinner.
Credit: Contributed by Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Credit: Contributed by Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Chastain Amphitheater
4469 Stella Dr.
Plan a special date for a special someone, packing a small cooler and heading to a show at Chastain Amphitheatre. The small, outdoor venue in Buckhead draws musical acts from every genre and some tickets allow you to sit on a blanket and eat and drink from your own small cooler.
Shows through Oct. 14 in 2017 include acts such as The String Cheese Incident, Air Supply, and Willie Nelson.
Candler Park
585 Candler Park Drive NE.
Historic Candler Park is so close, right there in Little Five Points, that you can have a spontaneous picnic date very easily. When you've emptied your basket, the park has options for golf, basketball or tennis. It's also great for non-drivers on a date (or those who want to talk instead of fighting traffic), since it's right near the Candler Park Marta station.
Piedmont Park
400 Park Drive NE Atlanta
Bring your picnic basket and a blanket and you are set for an entire day of fun at Piedmont Park. With more than 180 acres, you can find any number of picnic spots, by lakes, walking trails or off the beaten path. Enjoy views of Atlanta and people watching as you nosh. And should you need help filling that picnic basket, MetroFresh is a stone's throw from the park. It offers picnic-worthy entrees like mesquite BBQ chicken or vegan and vegetarian options like lentil soup or hearty salads.
Credit: Contributed by AtlantaTrails
Credit: Contributed by AtlantaTrails
Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs.
Just outside Atlanta's western perimeter, Sweetwater Creek State Park is a scenic setting for a picnic date and a popular place to walk or run.
Its wooded trails display ruins dating back to the Civil War, rapids and fields and forests replete with ferns, magnolias and hardwoods. This is your chance to spend some quiet time together. If at all possible, try to schedule your picnic so you can catch Sweetwater's magnificent elevated views of Atlanta's skyline at sunset.
Don Carter State Park
5000 North Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville. 800-864-7275
Don Carter State Park on the Northern edge of Metro Atlanta offers an active, outdoor picnic date for many budget
levels. Pack up bologna sandwiches and juice boxes or spring for strawberries, mineral water and roast chicken,
then head to the sand swimming beach right on Lake Lanier. The main expense is the $5 parking fee, unless you opt to pay to make this a picnic on the water. DCSP rents kayaks and occasionally offers intro to kayaking classes.
Credit: Contributed by Serenbe Trailriding
Credit: Contributed by Serenbe Trailriding
Serenbe trail riding and picnic
Chattahoochee Hills
Your nature-and-beauty-loving sweetie will enjoy a day trip to the rolling hills and beautiful scenery of the Serenbe community, about 30 minutes from Hartsfield. Make the day even more special with a trail ride and picnic
package from Serenbe Trailriding, around $100 per person and available 7 days a week by appointment. Or let the General Store at Serenbe (770-463-2222) pack you an exquisite picnic basket from artisan cheeses to estate wines (ranging from $50-$150.)
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens with picnic lunch
1345 Piedmont Ave. NE
The vivid flowers, themed gardens, works of art and architecture of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Midtown make it a great date option anytime. Add to that a guided tour from Great Exploration Tours that also includes an organic picnic lunch, and the romantic mood is set. If you're becoming a serious couple, you might want to check out the wedding facilities as you stroll.
