4 of the Best Places to Have a Picnic in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, North Carolina, offers great scenery regardless of the season. Even during the hottest temperatures of the year, Charlotteans don’t let the heat spoil their fun. They find amazing places in the Queen City to picnic on blistering summer days as well as in the cold winter months. You can spice up a date with the right outdoor spot, socialize with friends or family, or enjoy time out with your children. Regardless, check out these awesome locations to turn eating outside into an experience.

Colonel Francis Beatty Park

When you head to Colonel Francis Beatty Park, make sure you’re ready to spend the day. In addition to two outdoor shelters and 10 picnic areas with grills, this 285-acre wonderland keeps a sports enthusiast occupied long after he digests his meal. Tennis and lit basketball courts and soccer and softball fields cover the vast space. Trails for mountain biking and walking capture the hearts of those who love land, and kayaking, fishing, and canoeing options cater to the aquaphiles. Two playgrounds provide entertainment for the little ones, and restrooms are available.

4355 Airport Overlook Drive

Watch the planes take off from this locale off Old Dowd Road. The accommodations for a picnic are limited because the tables don’t allow you a good view of the airplanes. Easily remedy that situation by bringing folding chairs or laying out a blanket. Keep in mind there are no available restrooms, and binoculars or insect repellant are good items to bring depending on the season. Download a LiveATC.net app or the FlightBoard app to learn more about the planes and where they’re headed.

Freedom Park

A meal at Freedom Park can divide a busy day since the location is along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which accesses Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte Nature Museum, and Park Road Shopping Center. For those desiring recreation, the playgrounds and batting cages help burn some energy, and the bandshell offers a place for seasonal live music. A full-size basketball court provides ample room for those NBA prospects to practice their skills. While the outside shelters are closed for renovations until January 2017, Freedom Park still offers a great picnic experience and fun for the whole family.

By a Fountain

Take a break from the monotonous hours behind your desk and head downstairs. Charlotte is filled with beautiful fountains, especially in the business district. The one pictured above captures a child merrily splashing in the water. Undoubtedly, the professional parts of town do not lend themselves to hosting a traditional picnic, but a simple lunch can be eaten while you appreciate the beauty of the falling water before heading back to work. Surrounding yourself with depictions of happiness will lower your stress level and increase productivity. You might find the companionship of someone else who delights in the atmosphere.

This list is not exhaustive; Charlotte is charming, and who doesn’t want to mix food and attractive surroundings? Hopefully, as you embrace the novelty of this wonderful city, every destination will become an opportunity for a picnic.

Image via Pixabay

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