Dallas may be home to plenty of five-star restaurants, but sometimes the best table in the city is to be found right in the middle of the great outdoors. Our great city’s great parks offer picnicking options that can transform a regular meal into a genuine epicurean experience. Just grab your basket and a large blanket, gather your loved ones, and get ready to enjoy all the perks of dining al fresco, Big D-style.
Klyde Warren Park (2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy.) should be at the top of everyone’s picnicking list due to its shaded seating and a calendar brimming with free programming. Plenty of colorful tables line the entire park perimeter, and it’s never been easier to catch a free yoga class, evening movie or even a concert after you’ve finished feasting. And if you forgot to pack dessert, no worries! Klyde Warren is also home to some of Dallas’ best food trucks and carts, including sweet options from Steel City Pops and Coolhaus.
If “hustle and bustle” isn’t quite your speed, then head northeast to White Rock Lake Park. Sprawling over a thousand acres, there you’ll find unbeatable views of the water all along a nine-mile trail, not to mention picnic tables, open pavilions (available for rent) and grassy areas. Be sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife — White Rock is a great place to spot fish, turtles and birds while you chow down.
Near the north end of White Rock Lake, you can also stop by Flag Pole Hill Park (8015 Doran Cir.). Not only does this green space sport a grilling area and plenty of picnic tables to choose from, but the top of the hill also offers gorgeous views of the Dallas skyline. We recommend packing a romantic dinner and watching the sunset with a glass of wine and your special someone.
Reverchon Park (3505 Maple Ave.), located in Uptown, is another popular destination. Reverchon is home to the largest oak tree in Dallas — a must-see — and connects directly to the Katy Trail. So, after you’ve indulged in a delicious meal, why not indulge in a bit of wanderlust? The park also features a large covered playground perfect for pre-picnic playtime with the kiddos.
Lastly, make sure to plan at least one outdoor meal this season at Kidd Springs Park (700 W. Canty St.), one of Oak Cliff’s many jewels. With its public pool, sand volleyball court, butterfly garden, pavilions, public art installations and more, the park is perfectly set up for summer fun. And, should the heat start to feel like something you can’t beat, you can retreat to the nearby Kidd Springs Recreation Center (711 W. Canty St.).
No matter where you choose to grab your next meal, you can’t go wrong dining at one of Dallas’ many beautiful parks. Share your favorite spots — and your picnicking tips and tricks — with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
