Ah — the smell of fresh flowers in the air, beach days on the horizon and warm sunny weather all signal the start of spring.
It’s also the perfect time to grab your blankets, get outdoors and savor a picnic with friends and family.
Whether you are looking for a beach experience or to sit on the grass in the park, Charleston has gorgeous places to set down your blankets this season.
“I’m originally from Louisville, Kentucky and a couple of years ago some girlfriends from high school came up to visit,” said West Ashley resident Sherry Kincaid. “We had the best time on a picnic at Sullivan’s Island, Station 26 — my favorite.”
“We ate fig jam and goat cheese with crackers. We enjoyed homemade sangria, too, and, oh, we laughed — big belly laughs,” she added.
No bake oatmeal cookies were a picnic favorite for Kincaid’s children, and for students at Flowertown Elementary in Summerville, where she was a room mom. “Those cookies are fast, easy, tasty and cheap,” she said.
“My number one spot is Pitt Street Bridge Park where you can have a gorgeous sunset picnic,” said Elle Moseley, owner of Picnic Charleston. “Other spots include Waterfront Park, Hampton Park, Isle of Palms (close to Breach Inlet), Melton Peter Demetre Park on James Island and Morris Lighthouse on Folly.”
Where you picnic matters, but what you pack to eat matters most, picnic fans and experts note.
Charcuterie boards, special sandwiches and fresh fruit are favorites. People who love to picnic also recommend stopping by local farmers markets, like the Charleston Farmers Market or West Ashley Farmers Market, to grab fresh food before heading to your spot.
Inspired to picnic but have no time to pull it together yourself? Charleston boasts of picnic experts and luxury picnic companies that can help.
Luxury Picnic Companies Weigh In
Moseley believes that the perfect picnic consists of a few elements that come together to create a unique experience.
“The top items for the perfect picnic are a nice blanket, comfy pillows, bug spray and good company,” she said.
Another must-have for the ultimate picnic is delicious food and Moseley loves a good shareable charcuterie. “My go to for the best shareable charcuterie is Chucktown Cheese Boards,” she said.
Serving all over the Charleston area, Chucktown Cheese Boards has everything you need for any kind of picnic you are planning this Spring. From bento boxes and medium graze boards to letter or numbers boards, you will find a number of options to compliment your picnic.
Alyssa Alfano, owner of Holy City Picnic, has the same items on her list but would add pretty stemmed glassware. “These elevate the whole feel of the picnic, whether you’re drinking water or wine.”
“You know it’s a great picnic when the food makes you feel good and everyone is smiling and full of laughter,” Kincaid said. “I’m already looking forward to my next one.”
Caprese Sandwich by Love & Lemons
Ingredients
Focaccia bread
A handful of arugula
1 fresh mozzarella ball, sliced
2 tomatoes, sliced
Basil leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and pepper
Optional: roasted cherry tomatoes and pickled onions
Directions
Assemble the sandwiches on the focaccia bread.
Top with basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Fruit Salad
Ingredients
Your favorite kinds of fruits like grapes, blueberries, cantaloupe, kiwi, strawberries, etc.
Lime zest
Lime juice
Honey
Directions
Wash and dry the produce, cut everything up into bite size pieces.
Mix together the lime juice, lime zest, and honey.
Put the fruit in a large bowl.
Drizzle the sauce over the fruit.
Mix everything together.
No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
5 tablespoons peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups brown sugar
1⁄2 cup milk
1⁄4 cup butter
Directions
Mix together the first three ingredients. Set aside.
Stir together sugar, milk, and butter in Medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat. stirring occasionally — full boil for one minute.
Immediately pour over oatmeal mixture and stir thoroughly, but rapidly.
Spoon cookie-size scoops (a heaping tablespoon) onto waxed paper or plastic wrap and let set until firm.
By Karen Liszewski
