After a few warm days in Nashville, it's safe to say picnic season has officially arrived.
There's something about those first stretches of nice weather that make everyone want to get outside. Instead of another restaurant patio or crowded brunch spot, sometimes the best plan is simple: grab takeout, a blanket, and head to one of Nashville's green spaces.
Fortunately, Music City has no shortage of great picnic spots. From iconic city parks to quiet scenic corners and even a vineyard with a view, here are some of the best places around Nashville to spread out a blanket and enjoy a meal outdoors.
Centennial Park
If there's one classic picnic spot in Nashville, it's Centennial Park.
Located just west of downtown, this 132-acre park is home to Nashville's famous Parthenon replica and wide open lawns that are perfect for laying out a blanket. Between the lake, shaded trees, and walking paths, it's the kind of place where you can easily spend a few hours.
It's also one of the most recognizable parks in the city, so if you're looking for a classic Nashville picnic backdrop, this is it.
Percy Warner Park
If you want something a little quieter and more scenic, Percy Warner Park is hard to beat.
Part of the Warner Parks system, this massive natural area offers rolling hills, wooded trails, and plenty of peaceful picnic spots tucked throughout the park. It feels a little more removed from the city, which makes it a great option if you're looking to relax and enjoy nature for a while.
Bring a picnic, take a walk on one of the trails, and make an afternoon out of it.
Shelby Park & Shelby Bottoms
East Nashville locals know Shelby Park as one of the best outdoor spaces in the city.
Located along the Cumberland River, the park connects to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway and offers plenty of open fields and quiet spots to sit down for a picnic. It's a great option if you want a little more space and a little less crowd than some of Nashville's more central parks.
Plus, the skyline views from certain spots along the greenway aren't bad either.
Sevier Park
Right in the heart of the 12South neighborhood, Sevier Park is one of the easiest picnic spots to turn into a full afternoon.
Grab takeout from one of the nearby restaurants, pick up coffee or dessert down the street, and walk over to the park with a blanket. The open lawn and shaded areas make it an ideal place to relax while still being right in the middle of one of Nashville's most popular neighborhoods.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
If you want a picnic spot with a skyline view, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a great option.
Located between Germantown and downtown, the park offers wide open lawns, views of the State Capitol, and one of the best vantage points of the Nashville skyline. It's also within walking distance of several great restaurants if you want to grab something nearby before setting up your picnic.
Fannie Mae Dees Park
Fannie Mae Dees Park, often called "Dragon Park" by locals, is one of Nashville's most unique picnic spots.
The colorful mosaic dragon sculpture winding through the playground has made it a favorite for families for years, but the surrounding green space is also great for a casual picnic. It's a smaller park, but the character of the space makes it feel different from anywhere else in the city.d more of a laid-back vineyard experience, but it's one of the best outdoor settings around.
Nashville Is Built for Days Like This
One of the best things about Nashville is how easy it is to find green space when the weather starts warming up.
Whether you're grabbing takeout from your favorite restaurant or packing a full picnic basket, there's no shortage of places around the city to enjoy a relaxing afternoon outside.
And if the last few warm days are any indication, picnic season in Nashville is just getting started.
Sources: Nashville Public Art, Old Town Trolley Tours, MapQuest, Friends of Shelby Park, TCLF, centennial park Conservancy, The Tennessean