Memorial Day marks the beginning of picnic season.
Whether it’s a tiny patch of grass in a neighborhood park or an idyllic perch by a river, claiming a place in one of Atlanta’s green spaces to share a meal with family and friends is a rite of spring and a harbinger of summer.
Here are four favorite metro picnic spots, plus suggestions for filling your basket with food and drink for the season ahead.
Piedmont Park
It’s been called “the green heart of Atlanta.” But by any name, Piedmont Park is an abundant urban oasis amid the hustle and bustle of Midtown. The ongoing transformation of the park and the contiguous Atlanta Botanical Garden has created a flowing, picnic-perfect landscape of trees, lawns, flowering plants and water features.
Follow the rings of paved paths, stroll into the Meadow or over Oak Hill to find your spot. There are picnic shelters, grills, play areas, restrooms and a dog park. A lush new area near the parking deck and Magnolia Hall features bocce ball courts and an arbor with tables and chairs.
Getting there: There are multiple walking entrances around 10th Street, Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive. Access the pay parking deck at 1320 Monroe Drive via Worcester Drive. piedmontpark.org.
Stone Mountain Park
Yes, it’s a theme park, best known for its Confederate memorial and laser light shows. But around that towering mass of exposed granite there’s a world of nature and an impressive array of public picnic areas with tables, grills and restrooms, all available for the price of a $10 parking fee.
Studdard, near the Riverboat Marina, and Triangle, near the Antique Car Museum, are the largest and most obvious picnic areas. For smaller, more secluded spots, drive to the other the side of the mountain. The Nature Garden and the Songbird Habitat trail areas are lovely and less crowded. In addition to camping and hiking, boating and fishing are permitted during daylight hours.
Getting there: The park is located off U.S. 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain main entrance. Driving directions are on the website: stonemountainpark.com.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
You don’t need to be a Civil War history buff to enjoy Kennesaw Mountain. Some 17 miles of scenic interpretive trails are perfect for hiking and biking and the designated picnic areas have small grills. Parking and admission are free, though on weekends and holidays there’s a $2 fee for the shuttle to the top of the mountain.
Open from dawn to dusk, the 2,923-acre national park preserves the locations and commemorates the events of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and the Atlanta Campaign. The Visitor Center features a museum and offers an 18-minute orientation film.
Getting there: The park is accessible from I-75 and I-575 exits to Barrett Parkway. Driving directions are on the website: nps.gov/kemo/index.htm.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area encompasses a series of wild and wonderful waterside sites that stretch 48 miles from Lake Lanier to Atlanta. Canoeing, kayaking, rafting and fishing are major attractions. But you’ll find plenty of places for hiking, bird watching and laid-back picnicking.
Island Ford near Dunwoody is the park headquarters, visitor’s station and one of the most popular destinations, with trails that run along the river and a canoe launch. Some picnic pavilions include large grills. There’s no admission but parking is $3 daily, strictly enforced with tickets and fines.
Getting there: Island Ford is located just off GA 400 Exit 6 (Northridge Road) and Roberts Drive. Driving directions on the website: nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/islandford.htm.
Picnic pickups
Picking up some fried chicken and a couple of sides at a drive-through or grocery store may be the easiest way to concoct an instant picnic. But there are many other grab-and-go options that will get you outdoors to dine with a lot more style. Here are four metro Atlanta finds:
Alon's Bakery Market, 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 678-397-1781, alons.com.
Beyond luscious sandwiches and lovely baked goods, you’ll find an array of prepared foods, cheeses, beer and fine wine at the Park Place Alon’s. Click “Picnic in the Park” on the website and choose from boxed meals that include an entree, two sides, dessert and a fresh baguette, plus solid plasticware and paper goods.
Empire State South, Suite 140, 999 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-541-1105, empirestatesouth.com.
One of Atlanta’s top fine-dining restaurants may seem like an unlikely place to find an easy grab-and-go picnic. But Empire State South offers a delightful contemporary take on tiffins, the traditional Indian lunch boxes. For $15, you get three layers of delicious, artfully arranged snacks, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Available Mondays-Fridays; orders must be placed by 10:30 a.m.
Cobb Harry's, 70 Powers Ferry Road S.E., Marietta. 770-578-4400, wholefoodsmarket.com.
Whole Foods Market has multiple locations around metro Atlanta, including the Cobb Harry’s. Prepared entrees, sandwiches, baked goods and snacks, as well as a big selection of beer and wine, make the stores an easy choice for putting together an impromptu picnic. Phone ahead and the prepared food department can create platters and menus for a variety of budgets.
Metro Fresh, 931 Monroe Circle, Atlanta. 404-724-0155, metrofreshatl.com.
Within walking distance of Piedmont Park, Metro Fresh features a daily seasonal menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and dinner entrees. Better yet, they’ll pack a picnic box, with plates, napkins, flatware, a tablecloth and even a candle for $10, plus the cost of the food. And there’s a new location at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where you can order picnic fare for the concert series.
Bob Townsend, for the AJC
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