National Picnic Day April 23rd! So if you’re ready to have some spring fun with the family, grab your picnic basket and head to one of Tampa Bay’s best places to spread a blanket and share a meal! Here’s a list of the best places for a picnic listed but in no particular order for the area. Where’s your go-to spot?
Best Place for a Picnic #1 Lettuce Lake Park
Location: 6920 E Fletcher Ave Tampa FL 33635 (813) -987-620

Lettuce Lake Regional Park is one of Hillsborough County’s most visited parks is a hub for outdoor activities, this Tampa park offers visitors the opportunity to hike, fish, kayak, and more. The little ones can let loose on the playground structure and the picnic tables and barbecues are perfect for a summer gathering. A nature center informs visitors on the local flora and fauna along with the extensive hiking trail information. More than half of the park’s property lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River, consisting of a hardwood swamp forest. The remainder of the park consists of hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods plant communities.
Best Place for a Picnic #2 Honeymoon Island State Park
Location: 1 Causeway Boulevard Dunedin FL 34698 (727) 241-6106

New Oasis Beach Area image from Tripadvisor
Honeymoon Island State Park which is on the western end of Florida. Scattered with forests, the western side of the island is lined with white sandy beaches. This state park features several nature trails like Pelican Cove Trail and Osprey Trail. Day-trippers can make use of various facilities like picnic areas; concession stands and more. They can also indulge in activities like fishing and bird watching with some of the wildlife spotted in the sky, eagles, osprey, egrets, ibis, horned owl and on land gopher tortoises, raccoon, and armadillos. Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking, and bicycling are all popular activities that make Honeymoon Island State Park an ideal getaway.
Best Place for a Picnic #3 Tampa Riverwalk
Location: 201 N Franklin Street Tampa FL 33602 (813) 221-1539

Tampa Riverwalk Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile-long open space and pedestrian trail development along the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Riverwalk is a great walkway that now forms a connection to multiple parks. This is a beautiful walk way that enables you to see The Tampa Arts District, Curtis Hixon Park, MacDill Park, Tampa Museum of Art, Glaser Children’s Museum, Rivergate Tower, Shopping, Restaurants and Bars. your can easily go for lunch and take in the sites and sounds of waterfront of Tampa at Waterworks Park.
Best Place for a Picnic #4 Paul Sanders Park
Location: 3319 S Kings Ave Brandon FL (813) 635-3500 or 606 W Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511 Park located on the corner.

Paul Sanders Park is a Park that offers outdoor recreation and nature preservation. A public space open to the general public, the Park offers open spaces under the maintenance of the Brandon Parks. Low key park with Massive Oaks are the main attraction for kids. Thick limbs low to the ground are climbable with relative ease. and a New playground area,
Best Place for a Picnic #5 Vinoy Park
Location: 701 Bayshore Dr NE St. Petersburg 33701

Vinoy Park is a great location in St Petersburg downtown waterfront for popular events like concerts, sporting events and festivals. Popular for fitness folks, recreation trails, avid walkers, runners, and bikers. Beautiful scenic views, dog parks, beaches, and Historic sties.
Best Place for a Picnic #6 Al Lopez
Location: 4810 N Himes Ave Tampa FL 33614 (813) 274-8184

Al Lopez Park This is a great park in Tampa. Al Lopez has an exceptionally large dog park for both small sized dogs and large size dogs, children park, as well as a walking trail Two popular flat loops, .8 and 1.2-miles, through the woods (1.2-mile loop – mostly shaded) and lots of open grass for outdoor activities. Picnic tables set up near the water and throughout the park, fitness stations and playground area.
Best Place for a Picnic #7 Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Location: North Shore Dr St Petersburg FL (727) 893-7441

Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum includes over 500 palms and cycads representing more than 150 species of palm trees and cycads from around the world. Each of them has an information marker available for those who wish more detail. A winding red brick paved pathway takes visitors around the small park. Single benches and a conversation corner are included along the way. There are two water fountains, but no restrooms. Now, it is frequented by visitors who are interested in learning more about palms, couples who like to walk in nature, and people who enjoy a secluded spot to read or work on a crossword puzzle.
Best Place for a Picnic #8 Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Location: 600 N. Ashley Dr. Tampa FL 33602 (813) 363-3522

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park attracts over one million people annually to its special events. It’s a place to meet and enjoy Tampa’s waterfront. Bring your children to splash through the water features or take your dog for a trip to the dog park. This park is considered a calm and serene space in a busy town an Ideal space to spend a lazy afternoon.
Best Place for a Picnic #9 North Straub Park
Location: 400 Bayshore Drive Northeast St Petersburg FL 33701 (813) 477-3398

North Straub Park s located in St. Petersburg’s downtown water from and offers beautiful scenic views of the bay, recreation trails for bikers, runners and avid walkers to enjoy and a concrete stage, making it a great place to host an event.
Best Place for a Picnic #10 Edgewater Park
Location: 51 Main Street Dunedin FL 34698 (727) 235-7359

Edgewater Park is a four-acre waterfront park located at Dunedin Marina. The park is well shaded and features a playground, picnic tables, rest room facilities and a gazebo that may be reserved for weddings and other functions. Edgewater Park is also the site of the City’s Centennial Tree planted by the Bay Bouquet Garden Club on June 1, 1999 to commemorate the City of Dunedin’s 100th birthday.
Best Place for a Picnic #11 Fort Desoto
Location: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S Fort DeSoto FL 33715

Fort De Soto Park a 236-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a campground store. Special camp sites for camping with pets. Beautiful Beaches, fishing areas, nature trails, boating and much more. One of Pinellas County Park finest.
Best Place for a Picnic #12 Picnic Park
Location: 7404 Picnic Island Blvd Tampa FL 33616 (813) 274-8615

Picnic Park you can rent a shelter for a party, play on the beach and playground, or go fishing on the pier. The boat ramp is available 24 hours a day. Beautiful place in South Tampa to view a sunset. Lots of parking and areas to pull over. Free to all. Includes a dog park and a disk golf course. Place that holds festivals and special events.