The charm of a picnic is irresistible in St. Louis with its stunning parks and green spaces. Bring the family or enjoy a quiet romantic picnic with that special someone. At the city’s best places for a picnic, enjoy the vast green spaces, museums, a historical carousel, butterflies, scenic views of the Mississippi River, gardens, lakes and enjoy a concert in the park. Spread out a blanket or find a picnic table at the most perfect picnic spots in St. Louis.

Photo Credit: stlouisco.com

Bee Tree Park
2701 Finestown Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 615-5000
www.stlouisco.com

Price: free

Previously used as a private retreat area, Bee Tree Park now provides a picturesque setting for a romantic picnic or an escape for the entire family. Set up away from the playground if you don’t have kids, as that area can get a little rowdy. Starting at 8 a.m. to just past sunset, guests are welcome to enjoy the scenic overlook with views of the Mississippi River, amazing trails, beautiful gardens, a memorial fountain, a stocked fishing lake and green space. Don’t miss out on the Wood-Smith Castle ruins buried deep in the park. Bee Tree Park offers perfect opportunities to hold special events, photoshoots and, of course, knot-tying proposals.

Related:  Best Romantic Places in St. Louis to Propose

Photo Credit: ThinkStock

Concordia Park
801 DeMun Ave.
Clayton, MO  63105
(314) 290-8501
www.claytonmo.gov

Price: free

Enjoy a picnic on the majestically beautiful grounds of Concordia Seminary any day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The City of Clayton leases more than an acre of the green rolling hills that belong to the seminary, and offers it to the public to enjoy as a park. Enjoy picnic tables, benches and plenty of green space just begging for a picnic blanket. Enjoy the sweet picnic serenade of the seminary’s carillon for free as well as community concerts on Tuesday evenings throughout the month of June.

Photo Credit: stlouisco.com

Creve Coeur Park
2143 Creve Coeur Mill Rd.
Maryland Heights, MO 63146
(314) 615-4386
www.marylandheights.com

Price: free

Whether you choose to eat at a playground area among trees overlooking the lake or down near the beach or path on the shore, Creve Coeur Park in Maryland Heights is a perfect place for a picnic. The centerpiece of Creve Coeur Park is its 320-acre lake. Visitors kayak and canoe the water, or bicycle and walk around on the park’s miles of paths. Explore scenic wooded areas for private picnics and overlooks that frame the lake to offer a natural back drop for a casual outside eating experience.

Photo Credit: stlouisco.com

Faust Park
15185 Olive Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(314) 615-8328
www.stlouisco.com

Price: free park entrance/click here for carousel and Butterfly House pricing

Enjoy a day exploring and learning, and finish it off with a relaxing picnic in Faust Park. The grounds here are home to the Thornhill Historic Site, Missouri Botanical Garden’s Butterfly House, a restored carousel that was originally on the grounds of Forest Park Highlands and a large playground with a carousel for kids. Starting at 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after the sun goes down, visitors may picnic on the grounds in between taking in the rest of what the park has to offer. Throughout the year, enjoy festivals and special events — even weddings — at the Butterfly House and inside of the park itself.

Photo Credit: ThinkStock

Forest Park
Inside Skinker, Lindell, Kingshighway Boulevard and Oakland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 289-5300
www.forestparkforever.org

Price: free/click here for facility rental rates

Enjoy a picnic on the grounds where the ice cream cone and iced tea were invented during the 1904 World’s Fair when Forest Park was the center focus of the world. Today, experience a taste of history with a picnic on beautiful green areas throughout the park’s 1,293 acres. Chose to picnic near the Jewel Box, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, the park’s long bike trails, its waterways, Muny Opera, Steinberg Rink, St. Louis Science Center, Missouri History Museum or enjoy a sunset near the J. S. McDonnell Planetarium.

Related:  Best Museums in St. Louis

Tere Scott is a freelance writer and author of e-books and two educational blogs. She loves to research information to share. She currently resides in St. Louis. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.