The solace of warmer days is on the rise, and what better way to celebrate than enjoying a treat outside? This season, there is no need to nitpick how to create the best Chattanooga picnic — we’ve got you covered like a red-and-white checkered blanket.
Bask-et in the sun
Rule No. 1 to a proper picnic is choosing the essentials. Here are some of our must-haves:
- A good book | Reading while laying on a picnic blanket or grassy patch just hits different — snag something off the shelves at Winder Binder, Allgood’s Used Books and Coffee, or the Chattanooga Public Library.
- A refreshing drink | Whether it’s a coffee, tea, or juice — you’ll need something to stay hydrated. We recommend stopping in to Southern Squeeze for a bottle (Editor Haley swears by the Rhinestone Cowboy).
- All of the snacks | You can’t forget the best part of a picnic, the food. If you’re looking to make a snack from scratch, stop by our local markets for ingredients — or if a prepared snack is more your speed, check out Bleu Fox Cheese Shop (word on the cheese block is that they have a picnic special ).
Spend a sunny day with your friends.
Photo by @picnicbytheriverchatt
Destination is key
Now that you have your basket packed, let’s find the perfect place to set up. Luckily, Chattanooga has 30+ local parks
that are made for this kind of activity. Some of our favorites with picturesque views include:
- Coolidge Park | Overlooks the Tennessee River
- Sculpture Fields at Montague Park | Features giant works of art
- Chester Frost Park | Lakeside views with picnic tables
- East Lake Park | Neighborly park views with a fountain
Takin’ it easy
Want to have a stress-free picnic? Let these services do the heavy lifting:
- The Picnic Society | Choose your adventure of a luxury picnic for any occasion, starting at $275.
- Picnic by the River | Enjoy the relaxing thought of having everything provided + set up for you at Coolidge or Riverfront Parks for $200 an hour.
- Scenic City Picnics | Chattanooga’s first luxury picnic company will help you make those afternoon plans, with packages starting at $175.