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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.