Need picnic date ideas that are fun, romantic and budget-friendly? I have 10+ picnics you can plan that your partner will love. There’s something for every couple on this list, whether you enjoy hiking, sitting by the lake or gazing at the stars.
10+ Picnic Date Ideas That Are Cheap, Fun & Totally Romantic
1. Moon Picnic
When is the next full moon? Every full moon is magical, so plan a picnic to celebrate. You can find full moon calculators online to plan properly. Remember to pack your:
You can make this even more romantic if you choose a spot near any body of water, even a pond will work. The reflection of the moon on the water is nothing short of magical.
2. Switzerland Picnic
I understand that it’s not possible to walk outside and be in Switzerland for 99% of you reading this (me included). But what you can do is search for magical spots near you to recreate this idea, such as:
- Mountain top views (my fave)
- Lake views
- City views
You need to find the idyllic spot for this idea. If you have a waterfall, lake or mountain near you, these are the spots to choose. As for the food, bring some watermelon, grapes, apple slices, pears and any other fruits that you like.
And many of these locations have walking trails that you can enjoy.
Related: 25+ Picnic Food Ideas That’ll Make You The MVP of Any Picnic
3. Beach Picnic
Beach picnics are always romantic. You can opt for a morning picnic when it’s cooler or a sunset picnic with spectacular colors filling the sky. If you have a beach near you with a sunrise, a good option is some coffee, bagels or pastries.
Just set yourself up on a beach blanket with:
- Cute picnic basket
- Outdoor pillows
- Food trays
If it’s a midday picnic on the beach, opt for fruit salad or potato salad. A nice cold lunch will help you keep cool if it’s hot outside. For dinner, sandwiches or even picking up a to-go order from your favorite restaurant and bringing it is a good option.
For anyone who is lucky enough to live near the boardwalk, you can always grab food and walk it to the beach for your picnic.
4. Peaceful Lake Picnic
Picnic date ideas that include a lake? Count me in. I try to choose a location that isn’t overrun by tourists or other people. It’s nice to have a secluded location for your outing, but this is 100% based on my own preferences.
Find a nice park or lake near you and set yourself up with a picnic basket filled with water, tea, sandwiches, and an unforgettable view.
I really like how this Pin makes the lake and tree the focal point. If it’s a warm summer’s day, the trees around you will provide the perfect amount of shade to keep you cool.
5. Picnic Date Catering
I almost feel like this is “cheating,” but it’s still a good idea for anyone who is in a rush and wants to have a picnic. You can pick up your food from a restaurant before heading out to your picnic. If you don’t want to have catering, you can still pull this off with:
- Blackberries and blueberries
- Mozzarella cheese slices
- Bread
- Grapes and apple slices
And for the drinks, bring anything you wish, from soda to alcoholic beverages. For this Pin, you’ll notice that they chose a spectacular waterfall as their location. You can find nearby waterfalls by searching Google. I tried Worldwaterfalldatabase.com, but it missed so many great options outside of the US.
Related: 25 Easy Party Appetizers You Can Whip Up in No Time
6. Dinner on the Docks
If you’re lucky enough to live on or near the water, a picnic on the docks is perfect. You can let your feet hang off of the deck in the water and then bring:
- Wine
- Olives and cheese
- Soup (keep it hot in a thermos)
- Bread to dip in the soup
You can bring any food you like if you have a portable food warmer.
7. Fall Picnic Outing
Fall is the perfect time to look for picnic date ideas because you can go to apple farms midday and it will still be cool enough for a picnic. During summer, it’s always a hit or miss when eating outside because it can quickly get uncomfortable.
Bring your bottle of wine with you and a few foods:
- Sandwiches of your choice
- Apples or anything you can purchase at a local farm
- Chips or snacks that you prefer
- Brownies or cookies for dessert
You can have a picnic near a waterfall or at your local farm if you have one. I remember going on picnics in the apple farms after going on an apple-picking date, and it was always so romantic and memorable.
8. Truck Bed Picnic
Truck bed picnics will require you or your partner to have a pickup truck. And if you do, it is such a romantic idea with pillows propped up close to the truck windows and a soft, comfy blanket lining the bed of the truck.
You’ll need a food tray, outdoor lights and then food.
A few goodies that are perfect for a truck bed picnic are:
- Sandwich sliders
- Meats and cheeses
- Snacks (chips, cookies, etc.)
You can bring wine or beer, and if you would rather have desserts, you can bring brownies, cakes or anything you like.
9. Enhanced Movie Night in the Garden
You’ll obviously need the right space for this picnic, but it almost looks like something out of a
Nicholas Sparks novel. It’s a romantic night with a lot going on that I’ll try breaking down for you below:
And the food comes second to the ambiance and decor of this idea. Since you’ll be close to home, you can have a traditional picnic or even bring out something hot to eat.
10. Stargazing Picnic
Can I just say that I adore this picnic idea? You’ll enjoy a night with some food and company while staring up at the stars. Of course, you need a telescope, but there are plenty of affordable ones to choose:
Of course, you can choose any telescope you like. This nighttime picnic will also include good snacks, such as pretzels, chips, popcorn, cookies – any goodies you like. A few “accessories” that will help include an outdoor blanket, hurricane lantern and a sheet to sit on while having your picnic.
11. Wine Tasting Picnic
Wine and picnic date ideas go together naturally. You’ll need the wine(s) of your choice, along with the sides that you prefer. I recommend that you bring:
- Cheeses
- Grapes
- Bread
If you don’t know much about wine and cheese pairing, don’t worry because most people don’t. You can pair Pinot Noir with Gruyete cheese or Moscato with Gorgonzola cheese. For anyone who likes Sauvignon Blanc, a good goat cheese will work.
But I will say that you have to be cautious of where you bring your wine because of local laws.
Otherwise, you can enjoy a relaxing weekend with a few bottles of wine and cheese. Anyone with a gazebo outside finally has a reason to break free from the daily motions and enjoy some time outside having a picnic.
12. Sunset Beach Picnic
Sunsets. Picnics. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that, right? You can bring anything to this outing: wine (if you can drink on the beach), sodas, desserts, sandwiches, meats and cheeses.
But the food comes second to the views with this idea.
You’ll want the setup to be perfect:
- Large, comfy beach blankets
- Candles (if it’s not windy you can opt for real ones)
- Trays
If this is your first date together or your 100th, sunset picnics are always unforgettable.
13. Breakfast Picnics
For breakfast, you have a lot of options. Do you have a nice piece of land? You can bake a quiche, put it on a plate and then bring it out to your picnic location. It’s a fun idea for a hot meal.
Of course, you can also bring out:
- Waffles
- Pancakes
Breakfast picnics away from home can include fruit, berries, granola bars, croissants or bread with spreads. You can bring a cooler along with you if you want to have bagels or bread with cream cheese and jam, or any cold items.
Related: 26 Delicious Picnic Finger Food Ideas That Look Fancy
14. Apple Orchard Picnic
Apple orchards are so romantic, and if you’ve never lived near one, you’re missing out on one of the most idyllic picnic date ideas. Why?
Every orchard is different, but the ones near me offer:
- Outdoor seating
- Picnic benches
Some even let you relax on their land and have a picnic. But aside from picnicking, something that has always been very romantic, especially to younger couples, is to go apple picking. You can pick apples or sometimes seasonal fruits (strawberries, raspberries) and then have your own picnic with the items you hand-picked.
It’s a fun little outing that shouldn’t break the bank.
15. Picnic in a Car
I know – this sounds cramped and uncomfortable, but with the right car, it’s actually really comfortable and romantic. You can pull this off with an SUV, truck or if you have a car where the back seats fold down for extra space.
Lay your comfy blanket down, set up your food tray and enjoy the scenery.
If you can back up to a lakeside view or something similar, this idea works even better. You can bring along anything you like, such as drinks, small snacks, or sandwiches – the sky is the limit.
