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10 Best Picnic Spots in Raleigh

Ryan FitzgeraldRyan Fitzgerald
Mar 1, 2024 9 min read
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10 Best Picnic Spots in Raleigh
Chapters
01
Dorothea Dix Park
02
North Carolina Museum of Art Park 
03
The Raleigh Rose Garden 
04
Pullen Park 
05
Lake Crabtree County Park 
06
Historic Oak View County Park 
07
Lake Lynn 
08
Lake Johnson Park 
09
Midtown Park at North Hills 
10
JC Raulston Arboretum 

Where To Have a Picnic in Raleigh 

Where are the best places to have a picnic in Raleigh, NC? Here are the top ten picnic spots in Raleigh! 

Raleigh, North Carolina, is best known for its affordable real estate, low cost of living, and high safety rating. Not only is the job market thriving, and the weather is spectacular, but many things to do in the Triangle area make this city such a wonderful place to live. 

If you are moving to Raleigh and are looking for some of the best ways to explore the city and spend time outdoors, then you are in luck because the options are endless. 

The spring and summer in Raleigh are known for its warm weather and plenty of sunshine which are ideal conditions for having a picnic. Dining al fresco with friends and family is a great way to relax and get out in the community. 

Having a picnic is a great idea for your next family outing, and it just so happens that Raleigh offers plenty of ideal picnic spots that feature large open green spaces and picnic shelters. 

Here are the best places to have a picnic in Raleigh

1. Dorothea Dix Park

Address: 1030 Richardson Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 

Hours: Open dawn to dusk daily 

Dorothea Dix Park is one of the largest parks in Downtown Raleigh. This 308-acre park is open daily from dawn to dusk and overlooks the Raleigh skyline, making it the perfect place to have a picnic over Labor Day Weekend

What was once the site of Dorothea Dix Hospital, the first mental health facility in North Carolina, has since become a beloved park that many visitors frequent. Visiting Dorothea Dix Park is a fun, kid-friendly thing to do

Featuring many events throughout the year, including Dreamville Festival, which is an outdoor music festival curated by J. Cole, there is always something exciting going on at Dorothea Dix Park. 

Dorothea Dix Park not only has an off-leash dog park and a seasonal sunflower field, but its huge open field is a great spot for individuals, couples, and families to lay down a blanket and have a peaceful picnic in the park. This makes for a perfect summer date idea in Raleigh

There is no better place to enjoy the weather and relax with friends and family during the spring and summer months. Picnic tables are also available to use throughout the park if you do not want to sit in the grass. 

Make sure to bring a bottle of wine from a local winery to enjoy at your picnic. 

view of the Raleigh skyline at Dorothea Dix Park

2. North Carolina Museum of Art Park 

Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hours: The grounds are open from dawn to dusk daily 

The North Carolina Museum of Art is a must-see art museum for visitors that offers free admission to its permanent collection. While the inside of the museum features a collection that spans 5,000 years, the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park incorporates permanent and temporary installments of art that directly engage with the landscape. 

The Museum Park is an outdoor experience that blends nature, art, and community. Considered one of the best places in Raleigh to have a picnic, the Museum Park offers large open green spaces that are surrounded by beautiful art installations, sustainable landscapes, and colorful gardens. 

With 4.7 miles of recreational trails that can be used for walking or biking, many visitors like to bring their dogs and children to hang out and relax when the weather is nice. 

Free and open to the public, visiting the North Carolina Museum of Art is a fun outdoor thing to do in Raleigh that also offers outdoor concerts, live performances, and film screenings throughout the year. 

3. The Raleigh Rose Garden 

Address: 301 Pogue Street, Raleigh, NC 27607

Hours: Open from dawn to dusk daily

The Raleigh Rose Garden is one of the best gardens in the Triangle and is a sought-after destination for picnics, proposals, and photoshoots. Located behind the Raleigh Little Theatre, this historic city park is a peaceful public garden that is home to 1,200 roses of 60 different varieties. 

Blooming from late May until autumn, there are many seasonal annuals, trees, and shrubs to admire when visiting this garden. Even when the roses are not blooming, the park is still open for visitors. 

Visiting the garden throughout the year is free, and many concerts and theatrical productions occur here. If you want to picnic right next to the vibrant and colorful blooming roses, then make sure to visit during the late spring and summer. 

Keep in mind that limited parking is available right next to the garden so you will most likely need to street park. There are also no restrooms on-site, so make sure to plan ahead. 

Cutting or picking the roses at any time during your picnic is not permitted. 

4. Pullen Park 

Address: 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606 

Hours: Open 10 AM to 6 PM daily 

Pullen Park is a historical park in Raleigh since it is recognized as the first public park in North Carolina and the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the country. 

This 66.4-acre park is located west of Downtown Raleigh, right next to the North Carolina State University campus, one of Raleigh's best colleges. Offering free admission to the park, tickets are required for all amusement rides, including access to a carousel, train, pedal boats, and kiddie boats. 

It is a great place to have a picnic with the whole family and enjoy a packed meal for lunch or dinner after a day of playing in the park and riding the amusement rides. 

Offering multiple picnic facilities, play areas for kids, and a walking trail that goes around the park's perimeter, it is no wonder that Pullen Park is a favorite among visitors and locals. 

view of the lake at Pullen Park in Raleigh, NC

5. Lake Crabtree County Park 

Address: 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560 

Hours: Open from dawn to dusk daily 

Lake Crabtree County Park is a beautiful Wake County park located only a few minutes from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This 520-acre park surrounds Lake Crabtree and offers picturesque views for your next picnic. 

Providing a well-maintained picnic shelter with plenty of picnic tables, this is a top-rated park to enjoy a nice lunch outdoors when the weather is warm and sunny. 

Lake Crabtree County Park features seasonal gardens, an open play area, restrooms, catch-and-release fishing opportunities, playgrounds, interpretive exhibits, and hiking and walking trails. 

Shelter rentals and seasonal boat rentals are available. 

lake crabtree in Morrisville, NC on a clear blue day

6. Historic Oak View County Park 

Address: 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610 

Hours: Open 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, 1 PM to 5 PM Sunday 

Historic Oak View County Park in Wake County is a 27-acre park and antebellum farmstead with a Greek Revival house from 1855, a cotton gin house, a livestock barn, a carriage house, a fruit orchard, and a pecan grove. 

Featuring a rural history museum for kids, this historic park in Raleigh is perfect for a family outing. Picnic facilities are available for use, and hiking and walking trails are on-site. 

7. Lake Lynn 

Address: 7921 Ray Road, Raleigh, NC 27613 

Hours: Open from dawn to dusk daily 

Lake Lynn is a beautiful man-made lake in Raleigh that first opened in 1996. This 52-acre park is a great place to hang out with friends and family and is one of the best parks in Raleigh

Featuring a 2.8-mile greenway trail around the lake, many visitors love to walk their dogs here or run. It is a great place to have a picnic; a shelter is available, and it is a great spot to relax and recharge after a day full of fun and play at the park. 

There are also four tennis courts, a batting cage, two bocce courts, a playground, a youth baseball field, and a community center. 

8. Lake Johnson Park 

Address: 4601 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh, NC 27606 

Hours: Open 7 AM to 9 PM daily 

Lake Johnson Park is a popular recreation area in Raleigh that is known as a great place to walk, run, or sit by the water. Featuring 5.4 miles of paved greenway and natural surface trails, many visitors like to come here to walk their dogs or relax after work. 

Offering multiple public programs, including paddling, sailing, and environmental education, as well as a swimming pool, fishing opportunities, an indoor facility, shelter rentals, and picnic tables, there is no better way to spend the day than at Lake Johnson Park. 

If you want to enjoy a picnic with breathtaking views of the water, this is the park to visit. Many apartment complexes and beautiful lake communities surround Lake Johnson Park. 

aerial view of Lake Johnson Park on a sunny day

9. Midtown Park at North Hills 

Address: 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street Park, Park at N Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27609 

Hours: Open 24 hours 

Midtown Park at North Hills is one of the best places to have a picnic in Raleigh due to its open green space that is free for the community to enjoy. Recognized as a well-known gathering space at North Hills, this park is surrounded by luxury apartments, delicious restaurants, and retail space, making it a lively and upbeat place to hang out. 

Visitors love to come to Midtown Park to relax, work out, listen to music, and picnic with friends. During the year, this gathering space is used for outdoor concerts, community events, holiday celebrations, and even farmers' markets

Whether you have a picnic here with your own homemade food or dine on takeout from one of the nearby restaurants, this is an ideal spot to hang out. 

10. JC Raulston Arboretum 

Address: 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606 

Hours: Open 9 AM to 4:30 AM Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday 

JC Raulston Arboretum is a beautiful, nationally acclaimed 10-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Raleigh that North Carolina State University administers. 

Home to one of the largest and most diverse collections of landscape plants in the Southeastern United States, this arboretum is open to the public and free for visitors. 

A great spot to have a picnic in Raleigh, picnic tables are available for use, as well as a large green lawn that is perfect for spreading out a blanket. Dogs are not allowed unless you have a service animal. 

family of four enjoying a picnic on a blanket with fresh fruit

Methodology 

We used data and information from multiple reliable local sources, including NCSU, RaleighNC.gov, and Wake.gov, to determine the ten best picnic spots in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

FAQs 

Can you have alcohol at Pullen Park? 

The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed at Pullen Park or any other NC state park or recreation area in order to protect other visitors and natural resources. 

Can you have a picnic at Duke Gardens? 

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham is a great place to have a picnic, especially on the South Lawn. Blankets or mats can be brought in to sit on. 

Can you picnic at the NC Arboretum? 

Yes, the JC Raulston Arboretum in NC is a great place to have a picnic since it offers picnic tables and a large lawn, perfect for laying down a blanket. 

Best Picnic Spots in Raleigh - Final Thoughts 

Whether you choose to have a picnic for lunch or dinner, most of these picnic destinations in Raleigh are open from dawn to dusk. Not only is having a picnic a great option for your next family gathering, but it is a nice way to relax outdoors and share good converstation over delicious food. 

If you are ready to buy your dream home in Raleigh so that you can plan a picnic in the city, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and answer any questions. 

WRITTEN BY
Ryan Fitzgerald
Ryan Fitzgerald
Realtor

Ryan Fitzgerald is a top Realtor®, founder and owner of Raleigh Realty, one of the Triangle’s fastest-growing and most innovative real estate brokerages. Driven by a mission to be the best—not the biggest—brokerage in Raleigh, Ryan has built Raleigh Realty into a firm known for its cutting-edge marketing, high-performing agents, and culture rooted in collaboration, growth, and excellence.

Raleigh Realty

Under Ryan’s leadership, Raleigh Realty has become a top boutique brokerage in Raleigh-Durham, serving clients across Wake County and the surrounding areas. Raleigh Realty stands apart for its:

  • Top-Tier Agents – Every Realtor on the team is hand-selected for their skill, professionalism, and client-first approach. Raleigh Realty isn’t about quantity—it’s about quality.

  • Award-Winning Website – RaleighRealty.com is consistently ranked among the best real estate websites with incredible user experience, cutting-edge IDX technology, and hyper-local guides that help buyers and sellers navigate the market.

  • Inbound Lead Generation – With a strong focus on SEO and digital marketing, the brokerage generates a steady flow of organic leads, giving agents the opportunity to grow thriving businesses.

  • Supportive Culture – Ryan emphasizes mentorship, accountability, and autonomy—no micromanaging, just the right systems and tools for agents to succeed.

  • Community Focus – From neighborhood spotlights to relocation guides, Raleigh Realty is committed to being a resource for both buyers and sellers as they make one of life’s biggest decisions.

The firm continues to expand its reach, with the goal of 100 agents and $1 billion in annual sales volume by 2030—all while staying true to its boutique, client-centered values.

Awards & Recognition

Ryan already has notable public credentials and prestige:

  • He has been featured in outlets such as Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, among others (as mentioned on the site).

  • Realtor Magazine named him a “Top 30 Under 30” in the country (as noted on his Raleigh Realty page).

  • Raleigh Realty is widely acknowledged in the local real estate community for its digital prowess and thought leadership.

  • The company is consistently ranked among the top real estate firms in Raleigh and is known for having one of the highest-traffic real estate websites in the region.

Community Involvement & Giving Back

Ryan’s leadership extends far beyond the closing table. He has built Raleigh Realty to be a company that actively gives back to the community and invests in making Raleigh a better place to live.

  • The Green Chair Project – Ryan and Raleigh Realty proudly support The Green Chair Project, a local nonprofit that provides essential furnishings and household items to families transitioning out of homelessness, crisis, or disaster. By partnering with this organization, Ryan helps ensure families have the comfort and dignity of a furnished home.

  • Food Donations & Drives – Raleigh Realty regularly organizes and contributes to food donation efforts, partnering with local pantries and organizations to help fight food insecurity across Wake County. These efforts bring agents, clients, and neighbors together to support those in need.

  • Local Events & Client Appreciation – Raleigh Realty hosts family-friendly gatherings such as pumpkin patch outings, coffee + donut socials, and seasonal celebrations designed to strengthen neighborhood bonds.

  • Supporting Schools & Youth Programs – Ryan partners with local schools and youth organizations to provide resources, sponsorships, and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that the next generation has access to growth and guidance.

  • Small Business Advocacy – Raleigh Realty proudly highlights and partners with local small businesses, amplifying their visibility and reinforcing Raleigh’s reputation as a vibrant place to live and work.

For Ryan, success is measured not just in sales, but in the lasting relationships and community impact Raleigh Realty leaves behind.

AgentLoft – Powering the Next Generation of Realtors

Ryan is also the visionary behind AgentLoft, a SaaS platform designed to help Realtors nationwide build their brand and generate leads. AgentLoft websites combine IDX technology, SEO expertise, and AI integration to give agents the competitive edge they need.

Personal Mission

As a proud father to his daughter Emma, Ryan’s mission is bigger than business. He’s dedicated to building a brokerage and a platform that create opportunity and stability for families, clients, and agents alike. His approach blends entrepreneurship with empathy—ensuring that Raleigh Realty continues to grow not just in sales volume, but in reputation, trust, and impact.


👉 Whether you’re buying or selling a home, or you’re a Realtor looking for the right brokerage to grow your business, Raleigh Realty—under Ryan Fitzgerald’s leadership—offers the expertise, technology, and community-minded culture to help you succeed.

Chapters
01
Dorothea Dix Park
02
North Carolina Museum of Art Park 
03
The Raleigh Rose Garden 
04
Pullen Park 
05
Lake Crabtree County Park 
06
Historic Oak View County Park 
07
Lake Lynn 
08
Lake Johnson Park 
09
Midtown Park at North Hills 
10
JC Raulston Arboretum 

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