Arguably one of the best parts about summer is the ability to eat outside again. After a long winter cooped up inside, it’s nice to dine al fresco. We’ve put together a list of picnic date ideas to help you enjoy some quality time outdoors!
Heading to a patio can be nice, and backyard barbecues are a great way to entertain several people, but neither of those provide the most intimate setting. Picnics are a great way to connect with your partner while enjoying the great outdoors. Summer is already here, so make the most of the good weather and extra daylight while you can! We’ll share our best picnic date ideas to help you plan a romantic date or relaxing mini-getaway with your favorite person.
Did You Know? The term picnic is said to have come from the French phrase “pique une niche” which means “pick a spot”. The concept of a picnic is to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and take time to actually enjoy yourself. That’s why we recommend finding a place away from distractions so you can focus on your significant other.
Planning a Picnic
The idea of planning a picnic can be somewhat daunting at first – after all, you want it to be perfect. The best advice is to over-prepare for it, but don’t get too down if things don’t work out the way you anticipate. There are a few things you can do to make sure your picnic date goes smoothly:
- Check the weather forecast! This way, you can make sure it’s actually going to be nice outside before you plan your picnic date.
- Make a checklist so you don’t forget anything, and pack your picnic basket and/or cooler before you go.
- Choose easy-to-eat foods, and prepare as much of it ahead of time as possible. If you want something a little more interesting than sandwiches, consider a charcuterie board or cheese plate with a good bottle of wine. Anything you can eat with your hands is a good bet! However, if you’ve found a picnic table in your desired location, feel free to branch out a bit more with food choices.
- Pick the time of day: Are you planning a brunch-style picnic, a mid-afternoon snack, or a late evening excursion?
- Scope out your location beforehand. That way, you’ll know exactly where you’re going and what you’ll need to bring.
- Don’t bring more than necessary. Choose drinks that you can sip directly from the can or bottle as opposed to carrying glasses around too. Skip the utensils and eat with your hands.
6 Picnic Date Ideas: Where to Go
The best part about planning a picnic is that there are no rules — you can go wherever you’d like to go. That being said, it’s nice to choose a location that is away from other distractions so you can spend quality time with your date.
1. Picnic By the Water
Seaside, creekside, lakeside, pond side, riverside, you name it. By the water is a great spot for a picnic, especially in the heat of summer. You can admire the sunlight shimmering on the surface of the water, skip some rocks, or even catch an amazing sunset. If things get too hot, stick your feet in or go for a swim. Fewer things are as relaxing in the summer as that post-swim, post-picnic feeling.
2. At the Park or in the Forest
Find yourself a nice shady spot away from other people and enjoy your picnic. Parks are a great picnic date idea because they are usually close to home. Forests provide that extra level of privacy and really allow you to get a change of scenery.
3. Mountain Top: Lunch with a View
Whether you choose to hike up or take a cable car, a mountain makes a pretty epic backdrop for a picnic date. Just be aware that weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable – you’ll definitely want to be prepared!
4. Backyard Getaway
Need a picnic date idea that doesn’t require much travel? You don’t need to go far in order to have a good time. If your backyard is the only space you’re guaranteed to have some privacy, there’s no issue with that. A backyard picnic for two can be just as romantic as anywhere else, with the added bonus of not being too far from home.
5. Urban Rooftop Picnic Dates
If you live in an apartment building with roof access, a rooftop can be a unique and stunning location for a picnic date. You and your partner can enjoy watching the sunset over your city, and stargaze as the sky gets darker. This option is great for urbanites that don’t have access to large green space!
6. Botanical Gardens: Romance in the Air
Looking for a picnic date idea with a nature lover? Enjoy a fragrant breeze surrounded by some of the most beautiful flowers summer has to offer. Botanical gardens make a great location for a picnic date because the grounds are so large and decorated with gorgeous blooms. Plus, you can walk around admiring the different trees and plants afterwards to extend the date even further.
Things to Bring Along
Not sure what to bring on your romantic picnic? Not to worry – we’ve got you covered. Although we recommend bringing anything you feel will help your date go smoothly, it’s hard to know where to start.
It’s all about romance and spending quality time with your partner, so feel free to kick it up a notch. We’re talking chocolate-covered strawberries, your significant other’s favorite wine or champagne, some flowers, the works. Even if you’re looking to plan something a bit more low-key, bringing along the following items will help:
- Picnic blanket big enough for two
- Picnic basket filled with all your goodies
- A cooler with some ice packs to keep everything nice and cold
- Reusable utensils and cups (if needed)
- Sunscreen or bug spray (or both)
- A portable speaker with a curated playlist
- Any activities you want to do
Picnic Date Activity Ideas
The most important thing on your picnic date is to enjoy each other’s company, and depending on the type of couple you are, there are several ways to do that. Maybe you prefer to hang out, relax and listen to some music. Other couples might prefer something more active, like kicking a ball around. When it comes to picnic date ideas, it’s best to keep your partner’s interests in mind when planning an activity. Here are some ideas to help you brainstorm:
- Have a deeper conversation by asking your partner things you may not already know about them
- Bring a board game or two along, or a deck of cards
- Toss a frisbee around
- Prepare a scavenger hunt
- Bust out that guitar and have a sing-a-long
- Pack a camera and have a photoshoot
- Go for a walk or hike
- Have a campfire or do some stargazing
- Take a boat out and have your picnic on the water
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