Charleston Round Up: 5 Best Places to have a Picnic
As the weather warms up I get excited to take some time out of my busy week and enjoy life outside before the summer heat sets in. My personal favorite way to savor the spring temperatures is to grab a basket of light snacks and head out for a picnic! With so many places around Charleston to pick from it's sometimes difficult to decide where to settle down for an afternoon of leisure, but never fear I have compiled a list of a few of my top places around town to relax. So grab a couple of lawn chairs, a basket of goodies, and a sense of adventure because it’s time to hit the road!
First on my list is Hampton Park, this location is a great place to start for many reasons. It has a nice little pond in the center (just watch out for the waterfowl, they can walk right up to you). There are also picnic tables around the park with a few even situated under wonderfully shady trees for those moments you want to get out of the sun. Hampton Park also has beautiful little paths to walk down lined with all types of flowers that create a picturesque walk.
The next location I recommend checking out if you’re a sunset lover. The Pitt Street Bridge located in the Old Village area of Mount Pleasant. This location offers water on both sides of a now pedestrian only grass lined walkway, with views of the surrounding marshland and even the Ravenel Bridge off in the distance. There is plenty of seating to be found here with benches facing both sides of the walkway, so if you’re an early bird you could also catch the sunrise out here! The summer sunsets here are among my favorite in the area, but be sure to pack the bug spray because there sure are plenty around these parts!
For those of us who love to make our way downtown, there are a few spots loved by both locals and tourists alike. White Point Gardens on 2 Murray Blvd. is a great place to sit under the trees and enjoy people watching while taking in the allure of historic downtown. Most nights when I come here to enjoy a sunset I see many people taking their precious dogs on walks and chatting it up with other friendly souls. Bring a blanket to rest on and enjoy the weather as the sun cascades hues of orange over the water.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a little bit of sand between your toes and Sullivan’s Island is my go-to for that summer sunset! For this spot, I enjoy parking way down the beach near Fort Moultrie to be on the edge of the island. This provides the best view of the sunset the island has to offer, unobstructed and unfiltered. Enjoy the last rays of the day with some pals here and soak up the friendship. This section of the beach has far less traffic than other parts of the island and is one of my favorite places to enjoy the peace and quiet.
On the western edge of downtown lies Brittlebank Park. This place has an incredible view of the water and sunset from its dock. The dock has a few tables at the end where guests can sit down and enjoy the serenity that this location provides. Be sure to avoid the park on nights where the Charleston Riverdogs play because parking will be at a premium! Other than that I find myself always wanting to pop down here for a quick walk when the sun begins to set.
Each of these locations is a perfect backdrop for some quality photos so be sure to bring your inner photographer and let them run wild! Let me know some of your favorite spots to have a nice picnic!
