5 Scenic summer picnic areas in Chicago

There’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors this summer than with a picnic in one of Chicago’s many green spaces. These five picturesque locations make the perfect outdoor venue for your summer picnic plans.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion Lawn

Located in the heart of the loop, Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park is the perfect place to enjoy city views and an outdoor meal. Throughout the rest of the summer, the pavilion is offering free movies, concerts, and events to accompany your visit.

Buckingham Fountain

Buckingham Fountain is a prime picnic spot, located in Chicago’s Grant Park. The historic landmark sits in an ideal location for sightseeing, between the city’s renowned skyscrapers and Lake Michigan. With plenty of benches and surrounding green space, Buckingham Fountain is the perfect spot to relax on a hot summer day.

Foster Beach

Tucked away on the Northside lies Foster Beach. With rocky lake ledges and views of the historic Edgewater Beach Apartments building, Foster Beach is the perfect place to picnic. The beach also offers food concessions, bike rentals, and volleyball courts.

Fullerton Beach

Want to picnic at the beach but worried about sand in your food? Fullerton Beach is the perfect sand-free beachfront spot! Located just a half-mile away from Lincoln Park Zoo, Fullerton Beach features concrete steps in place of the traditional sandy beach.

Chicago Riverwalk West End

Rivernorth’s iconic lunch spot lies between LaSalle and Clark Street. Rows of steps occupy the riverfront, giving plenty of space for tourists wanting to rest their legs or workers looking to take their lunch break outside. Don’t forget to wave at the passing architecture tours and boaters going on their afternoon sail.