15+ Best Picnic Spots Around Boston

As warmer weather approaches, picnic under the open skies at some of Boston’s most beautiful public parks and outdoor spaces.

by Kenneal Patterson

1) Boston Common and Public Garden
Where: Downtown
What: Why not start with the oldest city park in the United States? The Boston Common dates back to 1634, and it’s an urban oasis in the midst of downtown. You’ll find the Public Garden right next door– it’s a botanist’s haven, complete with seasonal blooming flowers, beautiful trees, and swan boats. 

2) The lawn in front of Time Out Market & Trillium Brewing
Where: Fenway
What: Picnics are often better when you don’t have to worry about the cooking and packing. Pick up delicious, flavorful dishes at Time Out Market, an innovative food hall with fifteen unique vendors, and enjoy your meal on the lawn outside. Don’t forget to head to grab drinks at Trillium Brewing, which offers everything from IPAs to wild ales to hard seltzers. 

3) Rose Kennedy Greenway
Where: Downtown
What: The Greenway meanders through Boston’s downtown and offers tourists and locals alike the chance to rest, admire public art and grab something tasty from a food truck. 

4) The Lawn at Loring Greenough House
Where: Jamaica Plain
What: Every Thursday from now through September, picnic with friends on the expansive grounds of the property with a basket brought from home, local takeout, or eats from the food truck on site. Enjoy drinks in the beer and wine garden and live music as the sun sets over Jamaica Plain. 

5) Forest Hills Cemetery
Where: Jamaica Plain
What: Don’t be intimidated by the spooky name: the Forest Hills Cemetery doubles as an extraordinary garden and a crown jewel of the Emerald Necklace. 

6) Piers Park
Where: East Boston
What: Piers Park provides unique views of the water from across the harbor. 

7) The Charles River Esplanade (pictured)
Where: Back Bay
What: Picnicking on the esplanade is like a scene from a classic film, complete with picturesque views of the skyline. Wake up early to see the sun rising over MIT, spend an afternoon watching sailboats pass by, and even admire people dancing on the dock at sunset.

8) Castle Island
Where: South Boston
What: Castle Island once served as the base for a military fort; it now serves as a quintessential spot for Boston families to spend summer afternoons. 

9) Back Bay Fens
Where: Back Bay
What: The Fens is a beautiful urban wild strewn with lovely rose gardens, spacious athletic fields and historic war memorials. 

10) Christopher Columbus Park
Where: North End
What: Spend the evening watching boats leaving the harbor on the grassy lawns. The park boasts trellises, flowerbeds, and an abundance of shade trees which makes it the perfect picnic spot.

11) Corey Hill Outlook 
Where: North Brookline
What: Corey Hill has walkable pathways, plenty of benches and even a dog park. But its best feature is its stunning high viewpoint of Boston neighborhoods. 

12) Spectacle Island
Where: Boston Harbor
What: Take a day trip to Spectacle Island, a beautiful, 114-acre offshore retreat. Here, you can explore peaceful trails, natural beaches, and views from the top of North Drumlin. Spend your day swimming, flying a bike, hiking, or picnicking, of course.  

13) Jamaica Pond
Where: Jamaica Plain
What: Grab take-out from Centre Street and spread your picnic blanket on the shore of the gorgeous Jamaica Pond. Enjoy lunch while watching the swans and turtles float by. 

14) Franklin Park
Where: Encircled by Roslindale, Dorchester, Mattapan and Jamaica Plain
What: Did you know that Franklin Park is Boston’s largest open space? Stroll through 485-acres of running courses, woodlands and the banks of Scarboro Pond. 

15) Cambridge Common
Where: Harvard Square
What: Enjoy the chic ambiance of Cambridge by heading across the Charles to this National Historic Landmark.

16) Harvard Yard
Where: Harvard Square
What: Harvard Yard isn’t just for students. Pack a picnic and admire the ancient grounds, lovely greenery and centuries-old architecture.