National Picnic Month: Our Top 5 Picnic Spots

Grab your checkered blanket. In honor of July being National Picnic Month, we point you to the best places for a picnic near Opal resorts.

Jordan Pond [Bar Harbor, ME]

Journey over to Jordan Pond in Acadia and scale the easy route up South Bubble, a 700-foot peak that takes only 30 minutes to reach. While the rocky summit offers beautiful panoramic views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains, we’re suggesting you actually picnic off a spur trail here, at the Bubble Rock Overlook. This site is home to a famous geological wonder: a large boulder that was carried here by glaciers and is seemingly precariously perched on the edge of a cliff.

Pack in Your Basket: Pick up a delicious lunch from Stewman’s Lobster Pound. The takeout menu is loaded with delicious appetizers, fried baskets, sandwiches, salads, and, you guessed it: lobster.

Owl’s Head State Park [Owls Head, ME]

Take a seat in the picnic grove – a grassy area with picnic tables overlooking the Atlantic – at this small state park popular for photographing, beachcombing, and Maine coastal scenery. Pack the accoutrements for s’mores, too, as there’s a grill near the picnic area. After, walk the easy trail to Owl’s Head Lighthouse. You can’t go in, but walk up the steps approaching the lighthouse, turn around, and just marvel at the view.

Pack in Your Basket: Guests at Samoset Resort in the mood for a picnic can grab sandwiches (which come with fries or chips) at Clubhouse Grille.

Up Yonda Farm [Bolton Landing, NY]

Start your picnic at this 72-acre park in their picnic pavilion to escape the July heat and enjoy your meal in the shade. After, explore the rest of the environmental educational center, including the museum (with hands-on, child-friendly exhibits), hiking trails, a sugarhouse, and – perhaps its most unique feature – a butterfly garden, which, during the summer months, features many colorful butterfly species in all stages of life.

Pack in Your Basket: If you’re staying at The Sagamore Resort, stop at La Bella Vita and get their picnic bag. We suggest the New England Lobster Roll (with pasta salad on the side) and the strawberry shortcake.

Marcy Field Swimming Hole [Keene, NY]

With your picnic (and bathing suit) in tow, make the short drive over to Keene and park at the Marcy Field swimming hole. It’s a casual, informal spot where you’ll be able to spread your picnic goodies and take a dip in the flat, calm water. This may simply be a jumping off point, as there are other swimming holes nearby to check out, too.

Pack in Your Basket: Guests at the Lake Placid Lodge can pick up a boxed lunch (including picnic essentials like a sandwich, salad, fruit, and water) from Artisans.

Sand Key Park [Clearwater Beach, FL]

Picnickers to this expansive white-sand beach and park escape the unrelenting Florida heat underneath the picnic pavilions as they enjoy their meals. After eating, visitors can walk through the park, rent an umbrella, and park themselves on the easily accessible beach for the afternoon.

Pack in Your Basket: Included in Sandpearl Resort’s “Smitten at Sandpearl” package, guests receive a “Picnic in Paradise” wicker picnic basket for two with all the essentials – wraps, fruit and nuts, chips and candy, cookies and brownies, and wine and soft drinks.

Where to Stay Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina | Lake Placid Lodge | The Sagamore Resort | Samoset Resort | Sandpearl Resort