Picnic Perfect

How You and Your BHPeers Can Have The Perfect Picnic Before Winter Break

Hey HBA, with a little less than two weeks left in the semester, winter break is on the horizon. While we know final exams are on everyone’s mind, we also know you’re trying to spend as much time as possible with friends before we all head home for the long break! To make sure you finish out the semester in a fun, safe way, we’ve compiled a list of the best locations and takeout spots in Austin to create the perfect picnic. 

From food trucks to fried chicken to quick snacks, this list has you covered for whatever type of meal you and your picnic group might be craving. Don’t have a car? Walking distance is totally an option too. Classic locations like Zilker and Mount Bonnell make the list, but we’ve added in a few hidden gems you won’t want to miss out on. Read on for our list of recommended locations and takeout restaurants to plan the perfect picnic with friends. 

Locations

Let’s start off with locations. What makes the perfect picnic spot? Lake views, wildflowers, shady trees? You decide. This list has it all. 

1. Zilker Metropolitan Park

How can this ultimate Austin picnic classic not take the first spot on our list? If you haven’t been yet, find a friend with a car right now and head on over. Along with the huge grassy space, added bonuses at Zilker include a glistening view of downtown as well as TONS of friendly dogs running around with their owners.

Distance from campus: 16 minute drive | Reservations/Fee: None/Free

2. The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria

Ready for a change of scenery? The grounds outside of the Contemporary, called Laguna Gloria, will give you a little taste of Tuscany. The sculpture garden, Italian-style Driscoll Villa, and cypress trees are totally different from anything you normally see around campus and are a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic with friends. As a heads up, online reservations are required due to Covid, so make sure to plan ahead. 

Distance from campus: 12 minute drive | Reservations/Fee: Open Thursdays 9A-4P, Friday-Sunday 9A-12P/$5 with student discount and free on Thursdays. Buy tickets online ahead of your visit! 

3. Texas State Capitol

The State Capitol boasts one of the best manicured lawns in Texas, making it the ideal spot to lay down a picnic blanket under one of the many overhanging trees. If you’re in the mood to walk, the Capitol is not too far from campus. Especially if you’re not from Austin, seeing the Capitol up close needs to be on your to-do list.

Distance from campus: 9 minute drive, 25 minute walk | Reservations/Fee: None/Free

4. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This just might be the most beautiful spot on our list. Take a walk through the ground’s dazzling array of colored flowers, and then sit down for a delicious picnic meal. The Wildflower Center features 900 different species of native Texas plants and a hidden grotto with a mini waterfall. It’s the perfect place to snap a pic for the Insta. 

Distance from campus: 21 minute drive | Reservations/Fee: Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m/buy tickets online at 12 dollars per person

5. Mount Bonnell:

In terms of a view, it doesn’t get much better than this. We highly recommend going for the sunset. Climb 102 stairs to the top for a panoramic look at the Colorado River. You can also add in a hike before or after your picnic without even having to switch locations.

Distance from campus: 13 minute drive | Reservations/Fee: None/Free

 6. Mueller Lake Park

We all know that Austin has a lot of lakes, but Mueller Lake might not be the first one that comes to mind. If you love being near the water and are interested in sharing some of your picnic food with the ducklings along the way, the Picnic Peninsula at Mueller Lake Park is the place to be. 

Distance from campus: 12 minute drive | Reservations/Fee: None/Free

7. The South Mall

Just a reminder that you don’t need to leave campus to have an amazing picnic! Take a break from studying, grab a blanket, and meet your friends in front of the tower. Enjoy the time in the sun and say “Hey!” when you see classmates and professors walking by. If you wanna switch it up, go on a nighttime picnic and watch the tower glow burnt orange. 

Distance from campus: None! | Reservations/Fee: None/Free

Takeout Restaurants

So now you’ve decided where you’re going, but the perfect picnic spot won’t do you much good without the proper food to go along with it. There’s TONS of great options for food, and in Austin it’s honestly hard to go wrong, but here’s a few we especially recommend. 

1. Walton’s Fancy and Staple

Take a quick trip to Walton’s and you’ll find amazing salads, sandwiches, soups, and more. If you’re in the mood for a breakfast picnic, tacos, biscuits, and french toast await you. It’s a great spot for takeout, but the cozy brick interior and delightful pastry display might make you want to stay. 

2. Lucy’s Fried Chicken

If you’re in the mood for some fried chicken, Lucy’s is for you. Split a chicken basket with friends and add on sides like cornbread, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and tater tots. Ready for dessert? Choose from six different types of pie. 

3. Royal Blue Grocery

If you’re in more of a snacking mood, or want to curate a picnic basket all on your own, check out Royal Blue Grocery. They not only sell all the chips, popcorn, drinks, and candy you could want, but they also have delicious sandwiches and baked goods made fresh. There’s multiple locations around Austin, so find the one that’s on the way to your picnic spot of choice.

4. Roppolo’s

A sixth street classic for more than 25 years, Roppolo’s pizza just opened a West Campus location in 2019. Pick from their featured slices like Supreme and BBQ Chicken, or create your own with toppings of your choice. The best part is a 22-inch pizza goes for just $17.95. For reference, a large pie at Dominos is only 14 inches, so Roppolo’s will feed you and your friends for a crazy low price.

5. The Picnic Food Truck Park

Why pick a single food truck when you can have your choice of more than 10? The Picnic Food Truck Park has options ranging from Italian to tacos to burgers and Thai. You name it, they’ve got it. Stay here and eat, or grab and go to head to another one of our picnic locations. 

6. Madam Mam’s

Fried rice and pad thai? Say no more. Madam Mam’s is just a ten minute walk from the tower, so if you haven’t been here yet, there’s no excuse. The portions at Madam Mam’s are HUGE, so it’s a great place to save some money and split with friends. Pro-tip: make sure to check the menu for spice levels, some of their food gets hot. 

7. Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery

Did someone say dessert picnic?? If you and your friends want something sweet, head over to Quack’s and you won’t be disappointed. With dozens of cupcakes, macaroons, slices of pie, giant cookies, and specialty desserts to choose from, you seriously can’t go wrong. Quack’s is the ideal place to go for something sweet!

If you’ve made it to the end of the list, you should be ready to plan the perfect picnic. Go out and enjoy these last few weeks in Austin with friends with a beautiful, delicious, and safe picnic! We hope you enjoy the scenery and the food.