Madisonians are professionals when it comes to enjoying the outdoors & picnicking. Have you ever heard of Concerts on the Square? Every Wednesday night, groups of people gather on Capitol Square with their checkered blankets and straw picnic baskets to enjoy live music. Capitol Square is only one location for a picnic, albeit a pretty excellent one. Are you looking for more picnic spots in Madison, Wisconsin? Look no further; here are our top 10 picnic spots for the Madison area: 

ParqEx Top 10 For Madtown

1. Capitol Square: It seemed fitting to start with this heavy-hitter. Capitol Square is home to Wisconsin’s Capitol building and some of Madison’s most incredible restaurants. With these dining options all around the Capitol, there’s no shortage of great food. If you’re not feeling like grocery shopping for your picnic basket, picnicking can be made easy with take-out!
2. Military Ridge State Trail: This trail travels across 40 miles, providing stretches for bikers, runners, and walkers. Are you looking to go on a weekend bike ride and enjoy a picnic? Military Ridge State Trail is the location for you. 
3. Henry Vilas Zoo: No picnic location will scream nostalgia quite as loudly as a zoo! In Madison, the Henry Vilas Zoo is a perfect location. With free admission to the zoo, anybody can come and enjoy a picnic. 
4. Hoyt Park: Looking for a peaceful & quiet escape? Hoyt Park is the perfect location for a picnic deep inside the park’s quiet forest. This 22-acre park is also home to several hiking trails, a basketball court, and a softball field. In addition, it has a large area to toss a frisbee around. If you’re looking for a peaceful picnic followed by a quick game of pick-up basketball, Hoyt Park is the place for you.
5. Olin Park: Is lake-life calling? Olin Park is the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic under the sun on Lake Monona. Here, you’ll get beautiful views of downtown Madison, catch some rays & enjoy a delicious picnic.
6. Olbrich Park: Olbrich Park, also on Lake Monona, provides 90 acres of fun. For example, fishing, canoeing & kayaking are some water activities. Looking for sports? The park certainly delivers. For example, it has basketball courts, B-Cycle stations, soccer & softball fields. It even has tennis & volleyball courts. Looking for variety, look no further.
7. Tenney Park: On the shores of Lake Mendota, Tenney park also has entertainment options. This 38-acre park offers a gorgeous view of Lake Mendota, grassy picnic spots, and many sports options. It even has pickleball courts!
8. McPike Park: McPike Park is a tiny 9-acre park between Willy Street and East Washington. It is home to festivals, farmers’ markets, and Madison’s first skatepark. The accessibility & greenery certainly make McPike a perfect spot.
9. James Madison Park: Located in the heart of downtown Madison, James Madison Park is another small park in the city. This 12-acre park is popular amongst the UW Madison community. Students often come for its basketball & volleyball courts and even a picnic with friends. 
10. Picnic Point: Part of the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Picnic Point is a mile-long stretch of land along the shores of Lake Mendota. Are you looking for a romantic picnic? Picnic Point is a perfect spot for a date. Enjoy your picnic with scenic lake views, beautiful bird songs, and your date.

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Madison Parking

In short, we hope you enjoy our list of the top ten picnic locations in Madison. Now that we reminded you of several places to enjoy a picnic get outdoors and enjoy yourself. Are you worried about not finding parking? Book your city parking ahead of time with ParqEx!

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There’s nothing quite like a picture-perfect picnic. There’s sunshine, good food, great company, loud music, joyous laughter, playful pups, and serene relaxation. So why is it that we don’t picnic more often? If you answer that you don’t have that perfect picnic spot, ParqEx has got you covered. If you are in the Milwaukee area, several excellent picnic spots are nearby! Here are our top 10 picnic places in Milwaukee:

ParqEx Top 10 For MKE

1. Lake Park: One of Milwaukee’s most gorgeous parks, Lake Park stretches across much of the East Side of Milwaukee. Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect who built and created Central Park in NYC, built this beauty right here in Milwaukee! With every turn you take, you will be in awe of the design and beauty of this spot.  
2. Veteran’s Park: Looking for lake views as well as city views? Look no further than Veteran’s Park! Any spot you choose at this location will be great! Perfectly manicured green grass and open space to toss a frisbee are just a few reasons to picnic here. Additionally, spectacular views of the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, Summerfest, and downtown Milwaukee make it that much better! 
3. Atwater Park: If Atwater Park is your location of choice for the scenic lake views, you’ve got a few options when it comes to where to set up your picnic. You can stay on the bluffs, you can lay out your picnic blanket on the beach, and you can even venture down to the pier and enjoy your picnic with the sounds of water lapping all around you!
4. North Point Lighthouse: Located on the East Side, this picturesque lighthouse always serves as a lovely backdrop for any summer picnic. If you’re also looking for great views of Lake Michigan, North Point Lighthouse is the ideal spot for you.
5. Doctor’s Park Beach: If you’re looking for a more secluded and quiet picnic spot, Doctor’s Park Beach is your place. Be sure to bring some beach towels, and enjoy the sand between your toes.
6. Virmond Park Bluff: Located a little further North near Mequon, Virmond Park Bluff provides some spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Virmond Park Bluff, hidden away behind many suburban neighborhoods, is undoubtedly a secret gem for you North-Siders!
7. Estabrook Beer Garden: One of locals’ favorite and well-known spots, Estabrook Beer Garden is a great place to gather large groups of people for a picnic. Not only is there an ample amount of space, but the beer garden also serves as a great attraction for any picnic go-er. 
8. Humboldt Park: Situated in Bay View, Humboldt Park provides 73 acres of serenity within the busy city neighborhood. Picnic pavilions aren’t the only thing offered at this park. Humboldt Park is also proudly home to several trails, a war memorial, and a music stage for local acts and performances. If you’re looking for variety, Humboldt Park is the perfect spot for you.
9. Washington Park: Once the home to the Milwaukee Zoo and designed by famous architect Frederick Law Olmsted, this 135-acre park is a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors within the city. If you’re looking to have a lovely picnic, maybe do a little fishing, enjoy a canoe ride, and learn about the environment at the Urban Ecology Center, Washington Park is your spot.
10. Juneau Park: If you live or work downtown and aren’t looking to travel too far for your picnic, Juneau Park is a great location. It also is one of the stops for the Traveling Beer Garden! Combine with the great city & lake views; this accessible picnicking location is an all-time favorite for most.

Milwaukee Parking

Now that you have ten different picnic locations and options, there’s no excuse not to organize the picnic of your dreams with all your favorite people. If you’re still hesitant because you’re worried you won’t find parking, don’t be. Now, with the ParqEx app, you can reserve your parking spot ahead of time. Get out there, and enjoy your picnic! 

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1. Grant Park – Located right in the middle of Chicago’s business district, Grant Park is right in the Loop where you’ll also find attractions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the stunning Buckingham Fountain. This is a good choice if you want to do some shopping or visit some of the city’s museums before or after your picnic. This is another good spot to get a nice view of the skyline while enjoying your picnic.
2. Promontory Point – If you want a nice view of Lake Michigan, Promontory Point is one of your best choices. This spot, in the Hyde Park neighborhood, is one of the most scenic places in Burnham Park. In addition to the water, you’ll also have nice views of Chicago’s skyline. There are fire pits for a barbecue as well as hiking and biking trails. This is one picnic spot where you can even go swimming in the warm weather.
3. Humboldt Park – This is one of Chicago’s largest and most beautiful parks. With more than 200 acres of trails, playing fields, picnic areas, and beach areas, you can easily spend a whole day here. In addition to consuming the edibles you bring along, you can grab some additional refreshments at the cafe. This park dates back to 1869 and there are some nice historic buildings, such as the old field house. There are also a variety of festivals and other special events held here, such as the Puerto Rican Festival.
4. Ping Tom Memorial Park – One of Chicago’s newer parks, this one is at the edge of Chinatown. One of the fun features of this park is that it’s a stop on the Chicago Water Taxi route. After your picnic, you can always take a boat ride to downtown and get an amazing view of the city from the water. If you prefer to have a whole boat to yourself, you can also rent a kayak. The park hosts many special events during the warm months, such as boat races, outdoor movies, and concerts. One of the most notable annual events is the Chicago Dragon Boat Race for Literacy.
5. Harvester Park – This is the place to come if you’re near the Burr Ridge area. In addition to many great spots for a picnic, there are many activities such as playgrounds, playing fields, tennis and volleyball courts, and a pond where you can go fishing. This is a fun park for kids, with activities such as mini zip lines, tire swings, a tree house, and a water park. Beyond the activity areas, Harvester Park is surrounded by wetlands and prairie, giving it a spacious feeling. There are many attractively designed pathways and bridges around the park, adding to the atmosphere.
6. Palmer Square Park – This park is in the Logan Square neighborhood and is another of Chicago’s historic parks dating back to the 19th century. This is a park that’s right beside a historic residential neighborhood. If you have your picnic here, you’ll see plenty of locals jogging, biking, and walking their dogs. More recently, it’s been a favorite spot for Pokemon Go players. One of the highlights of the park is a playground inspired by the children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit. The park has paths connected it to other scenic spots, such as Humboldt Park and Logan Square, in case you’re in the mood for a bit of a hike before or after your picnic.  It’s also a favorite among dog owners and there are many places where friendly dogs can find playmates.
7. Independence Grove – This preserve in Libertyville is the place to come if you want to get out of the city and enjoy a pristine natural environment. The preserve is situated on a lake of more than 100 acres. You can come here for a relaxing picnic or get in some exercise. There are six miles of trails for walking or biking. You can also enjoy the water by taking a swim or renting a kayak or paddleboat. In the summer, there are outdoor concerts at Millenia Plaza, a scenic spot overlooking the lake. There are also dog parks, playgrounds for the kids, volleyball courts, and plenty of public restrooms. Independence Grove is a beautiful spot for a picnic in the suburbs.
8. Dan Ryan Woods – This is a beautiful forest preserve right within the city. This park has 257 acres of places to walk, play, and relax. There are quite a few trails within the park that run parallel to city streets. The preserve is notable for its stone aqueducts that are still used for drainage. Dan Ryan Woods is home to many migratory birds and a wide variety of plants and flowers. The preserve has educational programs and conservation efforts to maintain this area of wilderness in the city. The child-friendly sledding hill makes it a fun place to bring the kids in winter, though it might be too cold for a picnic then. Dan Ryan Woods has many picnic areas and larger groups can rent out whole sections of the park.
9. Foster Park Beach – If your idea of the ideal picnic includes the beach, Foster Park Beach right in Lincoln Park is convenient. You’ll find the kind of amenities you want at a beach, such as beach chairs and umbrellas, restrooms, and showers. There’s plenty of room to spread out, grill some burgers, and play frisbee or throw a ball around. In the warm weather, there’s swimming with lifeguards on duty. You can rent a bike and explore some of the nearby attractions. If you bring your dog, you can settle in at the dog beach.
10. Indian Boundary Park – On the North Side of Chicago in the West Ridge neighborhood, Indian Boundary Park is a relaxing refuge from the city. The park’s distinctive field house is inspired by Tudor as well as Native American traditions. There’s a bucolic duck pond where you can watch ducks as well as fish and turtles. There are several nice picnic areas as well as tennis courts and a creative playground with climbing areas that resemble a castle. Indian Boundary is not only a park but also a cultural center that offers a variety of classes for children and adults.

Whether you’re going on a picnic or doing anything else in Chicago, it’s always nice to know that you’ll be able to find a parking space. This isn’t something you can always count on. Now, with the ParqEx app, you can always reserve a parking space.

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