The EastCoaster

By: Brianna McAleer

We have compiled some of the best picnic locations from the northern states to the southern states along the east coast. Check them out below to spruce up your spring activities! 

Photo Credit: Nikki. S 

1. Popham State Park (Phippsburg, Maine) 

Are you looking for a picnic location with a waterfront view? Look no further! Popham State Park is located on Maine’s coast and offers incredible views and a lively atmosphere. From horses on the beach to paddleboarders out on the water, this beachfront location has it all and is sure to get you in the mood for summer. Utilize the charcoal grills and picnic tables, or set up a picnic blanket by the beach. Whatever you decide, your picnic at Popham State Park will be a wonderful experience. 

Photo Credit: Tripadvisor 

2. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home (Manchester, Vermont) 

Interested in a more historic landmark for your picnic? The estate of Robert Lincoln includes many gardens, a goat farm and cheesemaking facility, and over twelve miles of walking trails. This flourishing environment with flowers in bloom is sure to make your picnic a serene experience. After your picnic, take a walk through the estate’s many trails or sign up for a tour of the facilities. 

Photo Credit: MOTT

3. Heritage Museums & Gardens (Sandwich, Massachusetts) 

Heritage Museums & Gardens offers some of the most picturesque picnic spots in Massachusetts. This location has many picnic spots to choose from. With over 100 acres of designed gardens, you can find the picnic area that best suits your interest. If you’re further interested in what activities Heritage Museums & Gardens has to offer, check out their website to book a visit/tour: https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/ 

Photo Credit: Lighthouse Friends 

4. Stonington Old Lighthouse Museum (Stonington, Connecticut) 

Nestled on the east side of Stonington Harbor stands the historic Stonington lighthouse (now a museum). The property offers beautiful waterfront views of Stonington Harbor and museum tours of the facility. If a waterfront picnic with a bit of history is for you, be sure to check out the Stonington Old Lighthouse Museum. 

Photo Credit: Bedell Cellars 

5. Bedell Cellars (Cutchoge, Long Island)

Interested in a picnic with a glass of wine? Check out Bedell Cellars. You can spruce up your picnic with a bit of wine tasting with friends/family, or simply take in the views of Long Island’s wine country on the North Fork. If a picnic with views of fields is what you’re looking for, be sure to visit Bedell Cellars. 

Photo Credit: Marcus Schneck 

6. Shikellamy State Park, Overlook Section (Union County, Pennsylvania) 

Shikellamy State Park is a 132-acre Pennsylvania state park located on the Susquehanna River. The park’s overlook section of the Susquehanna River includes picnic tables and grills that are open to public use year-round. If you’re interested in views like this one, check out Shikellamy State Park for your next picnic experience! 

Photo credit: N/A

7. Cape May Point State Park (Cape May, New Jersey) 

Located at the end of the Jersey shore, the historic village of Cape May includes a breathtaking state park for you to check out on your next picnic. Cape May Point State Park is 244 acres of meadows, ponds, forests, dunes, and beaches. With plenty of historical sights and nature-filled views, you will find Cape May Point State Park an amazing picnic location whether it be on a beautiful sunny day, or at sunset. 

Photo Credit: Yorktown County Tourism 

8. Yorktown Beach (Yorktown, Virginia) 

If you’re interested in switching things up a bit, check out Yorktown Beach for a beach picnic. Yorktown Beach actually includes an on-site picnic area for guests to utilize throughout the year and can be rented for special events. With the sun, sand, and salt water, Yorktown Beach is the perfect location for a beach picnic this spring. 

Photo Credit: Cherry Fredrickson 

9. Cliffs of the Neuse State Park (Wayne County, North Carolina) 

With this incredibly large location of 1,097 acres along the Nuese River, you’ll be able to choose from any area for a spring picnic. Being that this state park is so big, you’ll find that a picnic here will be much more quiet and in tune with the natural surroundings. If a quiet picnic surrounded by nature is for you, take a trip to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park in Waye County, North Carolina. 

Photo Credit: Veronica Hernandez 

10. Wainwright Park (Miami, Florida) 

Last but not least is a picnic location all the way down in Miami, Florida! With waterfront views of the ocean and a nature preserve, Wainwright Park is the perfect picnic location to soak up the sun and natural surroundings of Florida. Whether you prefer sitting on the grass or on the sand, the park and preserve offer both options to accommodate you. 

Get out and go on a picnic this spring! 

For more info, check out the links below: 

1. https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/water_activities/popham_beach_conditions.shtml 
2. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g57312-d105211-Reviews-Hildene_The_Lincoln_Family_Home-Manchester_Vermont.html 
3. https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/gardens/ 
4. https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=804 
5. https://www.bedellcellars.com/ 
6. https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/ShikellamyStatePark/Pages/default.aspx 
7. https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/capemaypointstatepark.html 
8. https://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/attractions/yorktown-beach 
9. https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/cliffs-neuse-state-park 
10. https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/l/parks-and-recreation/alice-c-wainwright-park/2983