The Best Parks in Chicago to Have a Picnic

Although Chicago is a sprawling metropolis, its abundance of park space means there are plenty of places to have a picnic, even in its most crowded areas. While virtually all of the city’s parks can serve as a great place to spread a blanket out, eat, and enjoy a day in the sun, we’ve chosen these based on location and things for the kids to do. We’ve also chosen restaurants and markets within walking distance to get food.

By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago)

In the center of the city, Maggie Daley Park has a pair of picnic groves with wooden benches. They’re close to the park’s other amenities – a Chicago-themed miniature golf course, climbing wall, skating ribbon, tennis courts, and a Play Garden with six areas that cater to children up to the age of 12 – or you can hit Millennium Park or go for a walk along the Lakefront Trail. The park has a concession stand, where you can get a Chicago-style hot dog, hamburger, and nachos. But another option is to cross Randolph St. and find Mariano’s (333 E. Benton Pl.), a supermarket with a wide range of prepared foods. 

Grant Park has no shortage of grass fields, but the best spots are the formal gardens along Michigan Ave. at its southern end, between Harrison St. and Roosevelt Rd. Those sections of the park are narrow, so the trees provide lots of shade. Nearby are Buckingham Fountain, a skate park, pickleball courts, and lots of public art. Go to Fontano’s Subs & Pizzeria (332 S. Michigan Ave.), an Italian deli that was named the Best Sandwich Shop in the Nation by Zagat in 2012, or Trader Joe’s (1147 S. Wabash Ave.). 

The food court at Navy Pier has options to satisfy the entire family. Grab it all to go and take a short walk to Milton Lee Olive Park.  There, you can enjoy your lunch under the cover of trees and enjoy the close-up view of the skyline. After, you can head back to the pier or go for a swim at Ohio St. Beach. 

In the Gold Coast, Washington Square Park offers a chance for peace and quiet while still in a bustling part of town.  Visit Potash Market (875 N. State St.) for assorted chicken and tuna salads plus sides, or Goddess and the Grocer (845 N. State St.), which has a large selection of innovative sandwiches, wraps, and salads. When you’re done, go to 360 Chicago, the observation deck atop the former John Hancock Center or walk along the Magnificent Mile. 

At 1,200 acres, Lincoln Park is Chicago’s largest, and almost any green space suits a picnic. But if you want to remain close to downtown, check out the idyllic North Pond. You can get a sandwich at the Fat Shallot (2468 N. Clark St.) or Mediterranean fare at Sultan’s Market (2521 N. Clark St.). Afterwards, take advantage of all the park’s many amenities, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, Conservatory, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, or miniature golf at the Diversey Driving Range. 

L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz while living in Chicago. In Lincoln Park (the neighborhood), Oz Park is a tribute to his creation, with statues of Dorothy and Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. The playground – named after Dorothy – was rebuilt in 2024, and there are tennis courts and a basketball court. Lunch Heroes (2273 N. Lincoln Dr.)  has a comic-book theme and uses a portion of its profits to feed children in need. Finish off the afternoon with a stop at Pretty Cool Ice Cream, which specializes in recreating handmade versions of ice-cream-truck favorites. 

For those staying in the West Loop, the small, charming Bartelme Park is the place to go. Discover five gates that will cool you off by spraying a mist as you pass, plus a playground, dog park, and a six-foot hill for skyline views. J.P. Graziano has been in business since 1937, and people travel from all parts of the city to try its Italian sandwiches. However, it’s closed on Sundays, so if that’s the day you have planned for your picnic, try Morgan Street Café.  If proximity to food isn’t an issue and you want to picnic in some of the city’s other main parks, consider these: Northerly Island, which is located on the Museum Campus south of the Adler Planetarium; Ping Tom Park in Chinatown, where you can kayak on the Chicago River; Bridgeport’s Palmisano Park, a former limestone quarry that now has a fishing pond; or the Garden of the Phoenix, a Japanese garden in Jackson Park.