After this year’s brutally hot summer, we can all rejoice with fall’s cooler temps. And what better way than with a picnic in the park? Whether with a romantic partner, a group of friends or family, or even solo, picnics are a great way to embrace autumn breezes, maybe play some games (croquet anyone?) and enjoy a satisfying meal (or hey, even snacks). Forget the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and six-pack of beer. Instead, elevate your next picnic with fantastic food and to-go drinks, fun yard games, and all of the accessories to make it a full-on event. Here’s how to make the most of your next picnic—and, with some practice, it may just become your new favorite activity.
Pick a Spot
Audubon Park
With its ancient live oak trees, a 1.8-mile jogging path, lagoon, picnic shelters and playgrounds, Audubon Park is a local favorite spot for picnics. However, large groups (25 people or more) or picnics that include a barbecue or a boil, require a permit one month in advance. Meanwhile, Riverview Park (affectionally referred to as The Fly by locals) is located behind Audubon Zoo across the Mississippi River levee. It’s a great spot to bring Fido, toss the Frisbee and, of course, picnic. 6500 Magazine St., 504-861-2537, audubonnatureinstitute.org
Coliseum Square Park
Designed by Barthélémy Lafon in 1806, Coliseum Square Park originally was intended to be the focal point of the the Lower Garden District’s social and intellectual life. Today, it’s a bustling spot where bands sometimes play, neighbors gather with their dogs and locals spread out a blanket for picnic get-togethers. 1708 Coliseum St., tclf.org/coliseum-square
Crescent Park
One of the city’s newer parks, Crescent Park—part of the French Market District—is a 1.4 mile, 20-acre urban linear park. In addition to bike paths, a dog run and pavilions, the park features native landscaping and gorgeous views of the city. 2300 N. Peters St., 504-636-6400, crescentparknola.org
Jackson Square
A popular wedding spot, Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter also is a lovely spot for picnics. Grab some to-go food and drinks at one of the many surrounding restaurants and bars and enjoy your lunch while taking in the sights and sounds of this happening locale. 751 Decatur St.,504- 658-3200
Lafayette Square
Home to Wednesday at the Square (a free summer concert series featuring local acts) and a fall blues music festival, Lafayette Square is a beautiful refuge in the heart of the Central Business District. S. Maestri St., 504-658-3201
Lakeshore Drive
Lakeshore Drive, which hugs the south bank of Lake Pontchartrain, offers grassy areas that are perfect for picnics—all while watching the sunset over the lake. Post up by The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar so you can grab a few frozen drinks while you’re at it. 7900 Lakeshore Drive, 504-284-2898, thebluecrabnola.com
Louis Armstrong Park
Louis Armstrong Park is not only home to Congo Square and Mahalia Jackson Theater, but also sculptures, duck ponds and plenty of open spaces for picnics. On Oct. 21, be sure to catch L.O.C.A.L.S’ Fest featuring Brass-A-Holics, Bobbie Rae and Daria & The Hip Drops. 835 N. Rampart St., 504-658-3200
Magnolia Bridge at Bayou St. John
A popular neighborhood gathering spot on Harding Street at Bayou St. John, Magnolia Bridge dates back to the late 1800s. While the bridge itself is often used for weddings, the green space surrounding Magnolia Bridge is a great spot to picnic while watching kayakers and paddle boarders on the water. Harding Drive
Woldenberg Park
Offering some of the best views in New Orleans, Woldenberg Park offers plenty of green space perfect for a picnic and yard games. Make a day of it, and include a visit to the nearby and newly reimagined Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium. 1 Canal St., 504-861-2537, audubonnatureinstitute.org
City Park
City Park has numerous venues that are perfect for hosting a picnic. For example, the Festival Grounds include a 50-acre green space; the Peristyle (a neo-classical open-air pavilion with colonnade) is a picturesque spot overlooking Bayou Metairie; the Reunion Shelter offers space for gatherings of up to 500 guests; and Shelter No. 1 is a covered open-air structure located near the Carousel Garden Amusement Park that is equipped with picnic tables, on-site restrooms and lights. A park permit is required for organized gatherings of more than 100 people. 1 Palm Drive, 504-482-4888, neworleanscitypark.org
FOOD + BOOZE
St. James Cheese Co.
A perfect place to grab picnic grub, St. James Cheese Co. has two locations (one Uptown and one in the CBD) so it’s convenient to plenty of top picnic spots. Try the smokey blue sandwich (rare roast beef, house smoked blue cheese, tomato, greens and Worcestershire mayo on Wild Flour multi-grain toast), the Manchego salad (shaved Manchego cheese, pears, sliced almonds and quince vinaigrette over arugula), an olive plate (a sampling of three types of olives), and a cheese and charcuterie plate (a selection of rotating artisanal cheeses and cured meats). 5004 Prytania St., 504-899-4737, 641 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-304-1485, stjamescheese.square.site
Acorn
Acorn, a Dickie Brennan & Co. cafe located just past the Big Blue entrance to the Louisiana Children’s Museum within City Park, offers a healthy menu of bowls, salads, sandwiches, tacos, sides and dessert. Try the ancient grain bowl with arugula, tomatoes, quinoa, farro, cucumbers, onions, cauliflower, avocado, Creole pecans and oregano vinaigrette. The blackened shrimp tacos also are a great bet. 15 Henry Thomas Drive, 504-218-5413, acornnola.com
Avenue Cafe
Avenue Cafe, which is convenient to Coliseum Square Park, offers locally roasted coffees (from Orleans Coffee, Mojo Coffee Roasters and Hey! Coffee) plus sandwiches, salads, fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and sweet and savory pastries (from Maple Street Patisserie and Gracious Bakery). We love the chicken salad sandwich (made with curry, tomato, celery, chives and greens on a croissant). 1907 St. Charles Ave., 504-301-2097, avenuecafenola.com
Bittersweet Confections
Perfect for birthday picnics, Bittersweet Confections offers a bevy of cakes—all Instagram worthy—on its menu (plus custom cakes available for pre-order). Try the zodiac birthday cake (available in vanilla, red velvet, almond or chocolate) decorated with pretty blue icing and the birthday boy’s or girl’s zodiac sign. 725 Magazine St., 504-523-2626, bittersweetconfections.com
Cane & Table
Cane & Table in the French Quarter not only serves delicious frozen drinks (piña coladas and Palomas) and but also a large selection of specialty cocktails (such as the Hurricane & Table, What’s the Dill and Topical Negroni), reserve cocktails (Balla rum old fashioned and select mezcal margarita), mai tais (classic, Haitian and reserve) and non-alcoholic drinks (such as hibiscus limeade, and passionfruit and ginger lemonade). 1113 Decatur St., 504-581-1112, caneandtablenola.com
Cafe Du Monde
For a sweet dessert, be sure to pick up beignets (served in orders of three) from Cafe Du Monde. Just be sure to pack plenty of napkins. 800 Decatur St., 504-587-0833, shop.cafedumonde.com
Clesi’s Restaurant & Catering
If you’d rather skip the hassle of a boil yourself, be sure to pick up one of Clesi’s seasonal boils (crab or shrimp, or a combo of both). The restaurant also offers a nice selection of po-boys (try the shrimp, hot sausage or fried oyster) with a side of jambalaya or crawfish mac & cheese. 4323 Bienville St., 504-909-0108, clesicatering.com
Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar
Another great spot for po’ boys is Domilise’s. Try the surf & turf (a roast beef po-boy topped with shrimp). The restaurant and bar also has sausage and hamburgers on the menu. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Tulane and Loyola students get a 20-percent sandwich discount with their student ID. 5240 Annunciation St., 504- 899-9126, domilisespoboys.com
Devil Moon Barbecue
A new restaurant in the CBD, Devil Moon Barbecue offers snacks like pimento cheese and smoked onion dip; plates (choice of meat, two sides, pickles, bread and barbecue sauces); sandwiches; and sides (such as potato salad and mac & cheese). The new grab-and-go section includes items like prime beef brisket, smoked ribs, smoked turkey breast, house-made sausages (just throw any of these meats on a grill to warm) and sides. 1188 Girod St., 504-788-0093, devilmoonbbq.com
Manolito
Located in the French Quarter, Manolito is known for its daiquiris. The blended cocktails are made to order and include an amaretto sour, a guava daiquiri and the popular jazz daiquiri. There are also double-blended, shaken, thrown, effervescent and built-in-glass cocktails on the menu. 508 Dumaine St., 504-603-2740, manolitonola.com
Gris-Gris to Go Go
Gris-Gris chef and owner Eric Cook recently opened Gris-Gris to Go Go, offering popular dishes to go. Small and large orders of gumbo, chicken and dumplings, red beans and rice, and bread pudding are all on offer, plus sandwiches, salads and sauces. You can also pick up turkey necks and baked macaroni here from Cook’s other restaurant, Saint John. 1804 Magazine St., 504-354-1520, grisgrisnola.com/gg-to-go-go
Larder Gourmet Market & Eatery
Larder Gourmet Market & Eatery is a picnicker’s dream thanks to the deli case (with items available by the half pint, pint or quart). Choose from items like Asian noodle salad, lemon poppyseed chicken salad, rosemary shrimp and potato salad. 3005 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-766-6157, lardereatery.com
Pizza Domenica
With locations in Uptown, Mid-City and Lakeview, Pizza Domenica has a large menu available for take-out. Great picnic options include the garlic knots, smoked wings, meatballs, Italian chop salad or even a full-on pizza. For dessert, try the gelato. 4933 Magazine St., 504-301-4978, 3200 Banks St., 504-459-2072, 117 W. Harrison Ave., 504-229-6538, pizzadomenica.com
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Offering some of the best po’ boys in the city, Parkway Bakery & Tavern is a convenient spot to grab a sandwich before hitting City Park or Bayou St. John. Try the James Brown (slow-cooked barbecue beef, Louisiana fried shrimp, melted pepper Jack cheese and hot-sauce mayo) with a side of sweet potato fries or fried pickles. 538 Hagan Ave., 504-482-3047, parkwaypoorboys.com
Surrey’s Cafe & Juice Bar
This organic juice bar offers not only fresh-squeezed orange, grapefruit, carrot and apple juice, but also salads and sandwiches that are picnic-ready. Order the lunch combo for a half sandwich, a cup of soup and a side salad. 1418 Magazine St., 504-524-3828, surreysnola.com
Galaxie Tacos
Over on St. Claude Avenue, Galaxie Tacos not only has fab tacos, but also tempting frozen drinks (a margarita and a rotating special), plus tequila and mezcal drinks, and an Oaxacan daiquiri. 3060 St. Claude Ave., 504-827-1443, galaxietacos.com
Picnic Provisions & Whiskey
Picnic Provisions & Whiskey—a restaurant from James Beard Award-winning Commander’s Palace chef Tory McPhail, Commander’s Palace co-owner Ti Martin and Reginelli’s Pizza owner Darryl Reginelli—offers an array of picnic-ready food. Try the Famous Hot Fried Chicken Thighs prepared with a crawfish-boil-spiced batter and served with a side of Picnic Pulp and lemony miso mayo. For sides, try the sugarcane slaw, the Cajun potato salad and the sweetgrass pimento cheese. 741 State St., 504-266-2810, nolapicnic.com
Bourée Cajun Smokehouse
Bourée is another spot known for its frozen drinks—specifically its fresh-fruit daiquiris. Flavors change with the seasons, but the gin and tonic daiquiri is always on the menu (as the cucumbers used in the drink are grown in Louisiana year-round). 1510 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-510-4040, bourreenola.com
Central Grocery & Deli
For a true New Orleans picnic, grab a classic muffuletta—made with meats sliced in-house, locally baked handmade bread and traditional Italian olive salad—from Central Grocery & Deli. While the French Quarter location is under renovation, you can still pick up sandwiches from several locations across the area. Check their website for the latest information and locations, centralgrocery.com
Stein’s Market & Deli
You can’t go wrong with a sandwich from Stein’s Market & Deli. Order the reuben sandwich (hot corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on rye bread with Russian dressing) with a side of pickles, chips and a soda (or one of the many craft beers that Dan Stein keeps stocked at his beloved deli and market). 2207 Magazine St., 504-527-0771, steinsdeli.com
Monday Restaurant + Bar
This newish restaurant and bar offers frozen drinks (frosé), plus tasty signature drinks (like the pineapple sage julep and the Bywater Breeze), wine and local draft beer. 4327 Bienville St., 504-581-8900, mondaynola.com
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
Stop by Bacchanal on Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. for free wine tastings. Then choose a few bottles that you like for your next picnic. 600 Poland Ave., 504-948-9111, bacchanalwine.com
Parleaux Beer Lab
If beer is on the brain, and you’ll be picnicking near the Bywater, then stop by Parleaux Beer Lab for some creative takes on suds. Try the Other Side of Summer NZ Pilsner, the Papillon West Coast “Cold” IPA or the Gonna Have a Good Day Saison. Even better? Grab a few of each. 634 Lesseps St., 504-702-8433, parleauxbeerlab.com
Bring the Goods
Picnic Basket/Tote
If Barbie were to have a picnic, she would almost certainly have an adorable picnic basket from West Elm. We love the Picnic Time Providence Woven Picnic Basket for 4, which comes with four ceramic plates; four wine glasses; four sets of stainless-steel forks, knives and spoons; a stainless steel corkscrew; and a cooler compartment. The City Travel Wine Tote is another great option for a wine-and-cheese moment, featuring two stemless wine glasses, a folding snack table, a bottle stopper, a corkscrew and space for multiple wine bottles. West Elm, 2929 Magazine St., 504-895-2469, westelm.com
Another great option for picnic baskets—in this case, a tote—is the New Orleans Saints Malibu Picnic Cooler Tote. This tote allows you to show your pride for the New Orleans Saints, and it includes an insulated food section; beverage storage for two wine bottles; two acrylic wine glasses; two plates; two stainless-steel knives, forks, and spoons; and a cheese knife, corkscrew, hardwood cheese board and two cotton napkins. Saints Team Shop, 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, 504-587-8937, shop.neworleanssaints.com
If basketball is more your sport of choice, show your pride with the New Orleans Pelicans Crosshatch Picnic Caddy Tote Bag. It has an open top for easy access, reinforced handles and a zippered pocket for smaller essentials. Pelicans Team Store, pelicansteamstore.com
Picnic Blanket
A picnic just isn’t a picnic without the perfect blanket. One we like is the Grand Trunk Adventure Sheet, a waterproof blanket that’s perfect when the ground is a bit damp (or not). It also has an attached stuff sack for easy transport. Massey’s Professional Outfitters, 509 N. Carrollton Ave.,504- 648-0292, masseysoutfitters.com
Games
What’s a picnic without fun and games? Magic Box Toys has a great selection of kites, croquet sets, Wingman Disks (similar to Frisbees), and light-up soccer balls to take your game from day to night. Magic Box Toys, 5508 Magazine St., 504-899-0117, magicboxnola.com
Lighting
Be sure to pack a few outdoor lanterns for some serious ambiance if you plan for your picnic to last beyond dusk. We love the Tala Muse Rechargeable Lantern in borosilicate glass, aluminum and brass. It has a dimmer and comes in four Farrow and Ball colors. Sunday Shop, 2025 Magazine St., 504-342-2087, sundayshop.co
Picnic Tables
If you’re planning a larger gathering in a place without picnic tables, True Value Rental offers 6-foot wooden picnic tables for rent, a great option for family reunions. 3635 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 504-443-2825, justaskrentalnola.com
Professional Picnicking
These local companies specialize in creating the picnic of your dreams.
Bontemps Luxury Picnics
Whether hosting a picnic in your backyard or at a local park, Bontemps Luxury Picnics will provide the perfect setting with candles, glassware, cutlery, cloth napkins and charcuterie. 504-226-1150, bontempsluxurypicnics.business.site
Luxury Picnics NOLA
Serving the New Orleans metro area, Luxury Picnics NOLA offers intimate and whimsical picnics at your chosen location. The company offers picnic packages serving two to 20 guests at different price points. Each package includes a two-hour picnic with one bottle of wine, brut or sparkling cider; a signature theme; plates, napkins, wine glasses and utensils; and a table with runner, candles, flowers and centerpieces. Add-ons include items like additional time, a charcuterie and fruit board, mini sandwiches, wine, an umbrella, a backdrop, a console table and a fire pit. luxurypicnicsnola.com
Nola Picnics
With Nola Picnics, you simply choose your date and location, a picnic package and a vendor team. Just envision the surprise when they walk up to a gorgeous setup with plush pillows, beautiful dinnerware and flickering lights. nolapicnics.com
Nola Pop-Up Picnic
This Latina-owned picnic company supports other BIPOC, LGBTQA+ and local businesses. Just show up and leave the details to the pros. Expect a luxury experience with plenty of details to make this a picnic you won’t soon forget. Maybe even throw in that marriage proposal? @nola_popup_picnic
Pretty Little Picnics
A company born out of the pandemic, Pretty Little Picnics offers customized picnics with colorful themes, floral bouquets, signage and gorgeous tablescapes. Just present your ideas, and PLP will bring them to life. 504-252-0321, plpnola.com
