This week I’m sharing a highly requested blog post from my Instagram this week…my favorite picnic spots in Atlanta, Georgia!
I love a good picnic- whether it’s a sandwich sitting in on my jacket outside to get some fresh air in the middle of the workday, or a full out spread in the park for an outdoor date night! There’s something about escaping the bustle of the city that calms me and I love sitting out in the fresh air…a picnic is the best date in the spring!
Atlanta Parks for a Picnic
Piedmont Park: Piedmont Park is the most obvious choice for a picnic in the park in Atlanta! Take a stroll by the pond, and make an afternoon out of it by going to the Botanical Gardens or getting a drink at Park Tavern.
Old Fourth Ward Park: Old Fourth Ward Park by the Beltline has a cute playground for children, a pond, and you can walk over to Ponce City Market after!
Old Fourth Ward SkatePark: If you want a picnic directly on the Beltline, the greenspace next to the Skate Park is perfect for a picnic and people watching!
Iris Garden & Pond At Winn Park: This garden is located in Ansley Park and is walking distance from Midtown- I used to have picnics here all the time when I lived there! I loved being walking distance to skyscrapers yet feeling completely away from the city.
Where to Have a Picnic by the River
Vinings: There are tons of river access spots to the Hooch in Vinings- we go to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area- East Palisades entrance and sit by the river with our favorite takeout!
Azalea Park in Roswell: have a picnic by the water and then take a walk to the Riverwalk Trail, or rent a canoe or kayak! Head to downtown Roswell after for dinner or a drink if you want to make a full day of it.
OTP Town Squares
I love that so many of the towns around Atlanta have green spaces in the center of them! My three favorites are the these community spaces:
- Alpharetta town square green
- Decatur town square green
- Peachtree Corners green (also has a playground!)
OTP Parks for a Picnic and Hike
Georgia has so many amazing state parks- here are some of my favorites to visit and pack a picnic when you visit! For a full list of all Georgia state parks, click here.
Amicalola Falls: See Georgia’s tallest waterfall- read my post about visiting here. The hike to the waterfall is more of a stairs situation than a hike, but there are tons of paths in the park.
Providence Canyon: Hike Georgia’s little grand canyon and pretend you are in Arizona. It’s great to do in the spring before it gets too hot, but if you go in July and August you can see the rare Plumleaf Azalea.
Sweetwater Creek: Sweetwater is super close to Atlanta and perfect for hiking, canoeing, and a picnic. It’s my favorite spot for the picturesque “park” day!
Talluah Gorge: Tallulah gorge is a gorgeous canyon with a suspension bridge. It’s a strenuous hike and the views of the gorge are breathtaking.
Lake Lanier for a Picnic on the Water
I like to go to lake Lanier for the day and pack a picnic- here are two great park locations with beaches, and they both have grills if you want to go all out! Click the links below to read my blog posts on each spot, too!
Lanier Park Beach: Lanier Park beach is a big public beach with a lot of space for swimming and watching people on their boat go by!
Don Carter State Park: Don Carter is a bit newer then Lanier Park beach, but is a smaller, more secluded spot. If you want a quieter lake day, pick Don Carter.