Spring brings perfect picnic weather to DC every year. The district has spent of tiny parks and gardens among the urban landscape that are just perfect for a sunny day. If you can’t get enough of DC’s spring weather, grab a basket and your favorite foods and head to one of the 10 best picnic spots in DC.
- The Mall
Flickr/Sheila Thomson The Mall might often be filled with tourists but it’s still a great place to sit and people watch. If you don’t want to pack a lunch, just grab a blanket and purchase something from the food trucks that are often located along the edges of the mall.
- The Yards Park
Facebook/Yards Park The Great Lawn at Yards Park is a grassy area that is perfect for a comfortable picnic. You’ll enjoy watching little kids splash in the water features and gorgeous views of the canal. You can even bring your dog!
- Montrose Park
Flickr/NCinDC Montrose Park is a charming neighborhood park in Georgetown. You’ll be among locals at this cute park tucked among the beautiful Georgetown town homes.
- The National Arboretum
Flickr/NCinDC There is plenty of room for a picnic at the 440 acres of the Arboretum. Pick a spot among the stunning flowers and plants or among the National Grove of State Trees, where there are convenient picnic tables.
- Georgetown Waterfront
Flickr/Clio1789 Just to the side of some of the best restaurants in town, the Georgetown Waterfront has an an open grassy area among park benches and water features where anyone can come and sit to enjoy the view and a good picnic lunch.
- Meridian Hill Park
Flickr/MrTinDC You can sit along the fountain or up on top in the grassy area of Meridian Hill Park for people watching. Once you’re done with your picnic, take a little walk to enjoy the gorgeous features of one of the most enchanting parks in DC.
- Hains Point
Flickr/abull017 You can ride your bike to Hains Point and then plop down underneath the trees in this peaceful locals park while enjoying your picnic.
- Hillwood Museum
Flickr/Maia C. If you enjoy a more refined picnic, then Hillwood Museum and Estate is the place for you! The grounds of this estate are elegantly decorated and you can choose between picnicking in the Japanese Garden, rose garden, French garden or the woodlands. Grab a picnic map and complimentary picnic blanket at the visitors center while you are there!
- Lincoln Park
Flickr/ohbendorf Lincoln Park is a local favorite among Capitol Hill families. You can come enjoy a great day at this beautiful urban park. Dogs are welcome but they must be leashed.
- Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
Flickr/Susan Sermoneta You can bring a picnic to the gorgeous Kenilworth Park. So after you’ve finished bird watching, photographing lotuses and lilies and learning about the gorgeous plants, find a table in the grassy area near the visitor center on the edge of the ponds and enjoy a meal among dragonflies and butterflies.
Don’t miss more of DC’s outdoor spaces and visit these 12 natural wonders in DC this spring!
Flickr/Sheila Thomson
The Mall might often be filled with tourists but it’s still a great place to sit and people watch. If you don’t want to pack a lunch, just grab a blanket and purchase something from the food trucks that are often located along the edges of the mall.
Facebook/Yards Park
The Great Lawn at Yards Park is a grassy area that is perfect for a comfortable picnic. You’ll enjoy watching little kids splash in the water features and gorgeous views of the canal. You can even bring your dog!
Flickr/NCinDC
Montrose Park is a charming neighborhood park in Georgetown. You’ll be among locals at this cute park tucked among the beautiful Georgetown town homes.
Flickr/NCinDC
There is plenty of room for a picnic at the 440 acres of the Arboretum. Pick a spot among the stunning flowers and plants or among the National Grove of State Trees, where there are convenient picnic tables.
Flickr/Clio1789
Just to the side of some of the best restaurants in town, the Georgetown Waterfront has an an open grassy area among park benches and water features where anyone can come and sit to enjoy the view and a good picnic lunch.
Flickr/MrTinDC
You can sit along the fountain or up on top in the grassy area of Meridian Hill Park for people watching. Once you’re done with your picnic, take a little walk to enjoy the gorgeous features of one of the most enchanting parks in DC.
Flickr/abull017
You can ride your bike to Hains Point and then plop down underneath the trees in this peaceful locals park while enjoying your picnic.
Flickr/Maia C.
If you enjoy a more refined picnic, then Hillwood Museum and Estate is the place for you! The grounds of this estate are elegantly decorated and you can choose between picnicking in the Japanese Garden, rose garden, French garden or the woodlands. Grab a picnic map and complimentary picnic blanket at the visitors center while you are there!
Flickr/ohbendorf
Lincoln Park is a local favorite among Capitol Hill families. You can come enjoy a great day at this beautiful urban park. Dogs are welcome but they must be leashed.
Flickr/Susan Sermoneta
You can bring a picnic to the gorgeous Kenilworth Park. So after you’ve finished bird watching, photographing lotuses and lilies and learning about the gorgeous plants, find a table in the grassy area near the visitor center on the edge of the ponds and enjoy a meal among dragonflies and butterflies.
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