The weather is warming up and you know what that means--it’s time to get outside! The best way to get outside and enjoy some sunshine is to have a picnic with someone you love whether that's your partner, pet, or pal! No matter what, the Scenic City has so many spots to picnic and lots of places to grab some good food.
Let's set your expectations now. We define a picnic as anywhere you feel comfortable sitting and eating outside, whether that is on a blanket, at a picnic table, or on a boulder after a good hike. However you want to do it, we’ve got some ideas for you.
Top Chattanooga Picnic Spots + Food Suggestions
Coolidge Park
Throw your go-to picnic blanket in the car and head on over to Northshore where your first stop is going to be River Street Deli. River Street Deli has so many sandwiches to choose from with no wrong choice to make. They also have a handful of salads and some kids' sandwich options for littles and picky older kids!
Next stop, Coolidge Park. The park is your oyster! There are so many spots to throw your blanket down, pick where you feel the most comfortable whether that be in the sunshine or in the shade! Coolidge does have a few picnic tables around if you can get your hands on one! Bring a book, a frisbee, sunscreen, and maybe something to change into after running through the fountain on a nice hot day!
Sculpture Fields at Montague Park
Who doesn’t want to enjoy a nice warm day outside surrounded by huge feats of art? Throw the picnic blanket in the car and head on over to Blue Fox Cheese for your food selection. Blue Fox Cheese of course has cheese platters, but they also have some of the dreamiest grilled cheeses money can buy. Blue Fox Cheese has some other really great sammies too, 2 salads, and a Greek box you can choose. There are no wrong decisions here!
Head on over to the park and begin your stroll through the lovely Sculpture Fields. Set your blanket down next to your favorite sculpture and truly enjoy the day! Maybe bring along some drawing materials, a coloring book, or maybe just a notebook and see what inspiration the day brings.
Guild Trail on Lookout Mountain
Looking for something a little different? Maybe you’re more adventurous and want to work up an appetite before getting cozy on a boulder! Put on your hiking boots and grab a backpack and maybe a blanket for extra comfort, and head toward St. Elmo for your first stop. For food, you’re going to check out The Purple Daisy Picnic Café! Sandwiches, wings, BBQ, soups, salads, ribs, and so many absolutely scrumptious sides. Everything here is genuinely so good! Throw your sack of yummy goodness into your pack and head up Lookout Mountain!
Once you get onto the Guild Trail, it is totally up to you where and when you would like to stop and eat. There are so many boulders along this trail that we think are perfect to have an outdoor meal at! This is a must do this summer!
Renaissance Park
Wanting to commune with nature, but not leave downtown? Grab something to sit on and head over to Milk & Honey to grab a nice coffee, a sandwich or a salad, and maybe even a nice little pastry treat! Milk & Honey is a Chattanooga staple and what better place to enjoy it than outside in some sunshine?
Head over to Renaissance Park, and find a nice spot to watch the kids slide down Cardboard Hill or a spot that makes you feel closer to the teeming river ecosystem!
Heritage Park
Not wanting to head all the way downtown? No problem! Heritage Park is a great little park outside of downtown. Head over to the Champy’s on Lee Highway and grab some yummy fried chicken and sides to go! Or pack your own picnic if you would like! But you have to get ice cream from Bruster's while you’re visiting Heritage!
