Time to pack your basket! Sandwiches? Check. Water? Check. Binoculars? Check. Now all that’s missing is the perfect spot to settle in and pass the afternoon relaxing outdoors.
These Mass Audubon picnicking spots offer fresh air, wildlife watching, and convenient resources all in one place. Make time to slow down, soak in the sun, and enjoy the pleasure of simply being outdoors.
Remember to leave no trace. Take all trash and personal items with you when you go.
1. Pergola Picnic at North River in Marshfield
Marshfield’s North River Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a mix of fields, oak forest, and salt marsh, attracting a wide variety of birds and wildlife (including seals!) that are often visible from the riverside platform. To cap off your visit exploring the 2 miles of trails and boardwalks, plan for a lunch stop at their pergola covered table and benches, conveniently located near the Nature Center. Rest under the shade of nearby trees and stay awhile.
2. Picnic Among the Trees at Arcadia in Easthampton
Nestled among Arcadia’s tall pines on the Tulip Tree trail, you’ll find the Arcadia Art House, a few picnic tables, and the perfect place for a serene lunch break.
On Saturdays 1:00-3:00 pm, the Art House opens its doors to facilitate art making in nature with guided projects and supplies. Outside of these times, the picnic tables offer a tranquil place to take a break from hiking and check out the recent creations nearby. We recommend timing your visit to enjoy lunch first, then make art when the house opens—the best of both worlds!
3. All Persons Trail Picnic at Stony Brook in Norfolk
At Stony Brook in Norfolk, take the accessible All Persons Trail around Stony Brook and Kingfisher Ponds to reach an observation deck overlooking the pond and marsh. Listen to the audio tour, feel tactile enhancements, and watch the birdlife all around you. Stop by any of the benches or the picnic table along the way to rest and take in your surroundings.
Many All Persons Trails throughout the state have nearby picnic tables. Find more here
4. Charles River Picnic at Magazine Beach Park Nature Center in Cambridge
City picnicking at its best! Embrace your local greenspace by the Charles River at Magazine Beach Park Nature Center in Cambridge. Bring a blanket to lay out or set up on a nearby bench or table. If you plan right, you can enrich your afternoon outdoors with their free drop-in programs. Plus, water fountains and restrooms are conveniently located inside the Nature Center.
5. Family Friendly Picnic and Play at Ipswich River in Topsfield
At Ipswich River, picnic tables sit just outside their nature play area, setting you up for the perfect place to enjoy the day outdoors with your kids. While they balance on stumps, create log cabins, and climb observation towers, you can supervise from the sidelines or join in yourself! Fuel up mid-adventure with a yummy spread under the shade of nearby trees.
Many nature play areas throughout the state have nearby picnic tables. Find more here
6. Kick Back at the Wildlife Pond at Wachusett Meadow in Princeton
By Wachusett Meadow’s Wildlife Pond, ducks swim leisurely, dragonflies dart from reed to reed, and frogs quack and croak. By the shore, a dock brings you to the edge of the action and a stone patio overlooks the pond and nearby meadow. Kick back in the Adirondack chairs to relax and take in the multi-sensory activity darting all around.
Love what you see? Canoe rentals, available May 1 through October 31, can enhance the experience before or after your picnic party.
7. A Picnic Worth the Work at Moose Hill in Sharon
The bluff overlook at Moose Hill in Sharon hosts a picturesque spot to take in the view, snack on hiking granola, and appreciate your hard work getting there. The trail extends from the fields of Billings Loop up a gradual include to the Bluff Trail and back, which takes about 90 minutes. Pack your hiking snacks and enjoy them from the bluffs for a quick picnic stop sure to get your heart pumping.
8. All Day, Overnight Picnics at Wellfleet Bay in South Wellfleet
What if the afternoon picnic didn’t have to end? If you can’t get enough of eating, relaxing, and exploring outdoors, check out Wellfleet Bay’s overnight campsites. Their campground features 18 rustic sites, each equipped with a picnic table. In between meals, explore 5 miles of trails through coastal forests, marshes, and shoreline.
9. Picnic with a View from the Top of Drumlin Farm in Lincoln
There’s no shortage of picnicking places at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln. From the picnic tables overlooking grazing sheep by the Crossroads Barn to the shaded tables outside of the Mass Audubon Shop, you’ll find ample places to rest.
But our favorite hidden gem? Take the trip to the top of the drumlin for an expansive view of the surrounding area and crops fields. Bring a blanket and folding chair, or take a seat right on the ground under the shade of a large tree to soak in the view.
Insider's Tip: pick up an ice cream from the Mass Audubon Shop to make your picnic even sweeter!
10. Brunch in the Berkshires at Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield
Located just a mile from the center of Pittsfield, Canoe Meadows boasts a hardwood forest, access to the Housatonic River, and a robust community garden. While we normally think of picnics as a way to pass an afternoon, why not flip the script with brunch in the Berks? Stop by one of the cafes in Pittsfield for a coffee and pastry, then enjoy it from the pavilion or scenic benches, backdropped by the singing birds and awakening wildlife.
Remember to leave no trace. Take all trash and personal items with you when you go.
Mass Audubon Picnic Basket Essentials
Now that you have a place to settle in, don’t forget these essentials to a Mass Audubon-style picnic:
- Yummy snacks and drinks: Embrace what’s growing with seasonal salads and sandwiches. And don’t forget your water bottle!
- Binoculars: We never go anywhere without our trusty optics! Settling into one place makes for great “sit spot” bird and wildlife watching, too.
- Sun and bug protection: Always prepare for the elements. Pack a hat, sunscreen, or find shade under a tree. Bug repellent keeps you bite free and tick checks are essential.
- A good book: Check out what we’re reading at the Mass Audubon Shop.
- Nature journaling materials: Nature journaling combines observational drawing and writing to create reflective, moment-capturing journal entries. Pack your sketchpad and colored pencils for journaling on the go.
While these are some of our favorite places to picnic, there are many more Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries with benches, tables, and shady places to take it all in. All that’s missing is you!
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