I have spent much of my adult life obsessed with the idea of the perfect picnic. When I was younger, I thought a picnic was an important and impressive romantic gesture. It was that thing that I wished someone special (hint hint) would do for me to show me how much I meant to them. The idea of having someone else take the wheel to plan and pack everything needed to enjoy the perfect picnic on a lazy afternoon was and still is a total turn-on.
I have thought about what this fantasy picnic would look like so often that I can picture it in my mind. There would be a big, proper woven picnic basket with a large lid and inside would be a large, soft tablecloth to spread out and sit on with cloth napkins that match. Once we were seated comfortably, we would unwrap some paté or a terrine, open some cans of tinned fish, a small jar of good grainy mustard, fancy cheeses, berries, fruit, nuts, cured meats and pickles of different kinds. There would be a loaf of crunchy bread we would tear with our hands, some lovely little cookies or pastries for dessert along with a chilled bottle of wine and proper wine glasses. The weather is perfect, sunny but with a nice breeze, no bugs, no critters, no dog poop, no kids, and no one around. I would be wearing a sundress, sunglasses, and maybe a hat. (I warned you. I have had a lot of time to think about this.)
Yet, for a woman who has never been taken on a proper picnic, I have had the most glorious collection of picnic baskets over the years. I inherited my grandmother’s modest 1950s metal picnic box with handles that I ended up using as a jewelry box, never once using it to picnic. I also put a giant wicker picnic basket complete with a plastic serving set for six people on my bridal registry, then promptly stuck the giant thing down in my basement, before moving it to the garage where it collected dust.
I finally got rid of it to hide my shame and failure as a wannabe picnic-er, only to replace it a few years later with a nylon backpack version that came with a setting for four people. Hope springs eternal, I suppose. It was more streamlined, sporty and lightweight to carry, I reasoned, I just knew I would use this one. It, too, sat in the cupboard until I sold it in a garage sale. When poking around thrift or antique stores I hear old picnic baskets calling out to me from the back of the store or booth. Some people rescue stray animals, I rescue stray picnic baskets and give them a good home.
One day, I finally decided to stop waiting around for someone to take me, and I started taking myself on mini picnics around the city. What follows is a list of some of my favorite spots and what boxed lunch I picked up to enjoy once I arrived. Doing this, I learned a lot about Kansas City and all the beautiful places contained therein, and the types of food that work best for a picnic. But most of all, I learned that I didn’t need a partner or a basket, linens, or silver ice bucket to go on a picnic. All I really needed was a sense of adventure and a lunch hour. Every day is special enough to celebrate with a picnic.
Better Cheddar Picnic to Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at Nelson-Atkins Museum
If there is a more iconic Kansas City picnic spot than the lawn at the Nelson-Atkins museum, then I don’t know where it is. The sprawling green lawn is the perfect backdrop for not only the museum itself but the Shuttlecock statues, and a host of other art installations with trees that provide plenty of shade. Consider The Better Cheddar in the Country Club Plaza your one-stop shop for everything you need to create the perfect picnic basket. Trust the incredibly knowledgeable staff, to put together a nice selection of quality cheeses, meats, snacks, sweets, and wine for the perfect picnic.
Thelma’s Kitchen Boxed Lunch to the Liberty Memorial
While Kansas City’s pay-as-you-can cafe, Thelma’s Kitchen, is still under renovation on the corner of 31st and Troost, the executive chef, Natasha Bailey, and her culinary team continue their work to feed the people. Order a delicious boxed lunch from Thelma’s and have it delivered to you via Doordash to the Liberty Memorial. Choose from several rotating selections, like their buffalo cauliflower wrap, smoked-salmon egg salad sandwich or Italian sandwich. Once your food arrives, take it to the north side of the Memorial, find a spot to spread a blanket, and enjoy the skyline while you eat your sandwich.
Mildred’s at the Green Roof Park
In 2009, The Cordish Company built a 15,000-square-foot park on top of the Main Street Parking Garage between 12th Street and 13th Street. The park is open to the public and can be accessed by the Cosentino’s grocery store parking garage elevator. With elevated 360-degree views of the high-rise buildings in the heart of downtown, nothing will make you feel more alive than sitting on a bench surrounded by breathtaking views of downtown Kansas City and enjoying one of Mildred’s famous BLT sandwiches purchased a few blocks away at 9th and Baltimore.
The Pairing KC at Berkley Riverfront
When it comes to food and drinks, it’s hard to resist the perfect pairing. This very idea impelled Mat “Slimm” Adkins and Jeff Jones to open The Pairing: Crossroads Wine & Grocer in Kansas City’s East Crossroads in 2019. The store offers local and regional beers and national and international wines and spirits that pair with its impressive selection of local and imported cheeses, cured meats, chocolates, and condiments. Pick up a bottle of wine and some snacks and head north to the Berkley Riverfront for a picnic by the Missouri river.
Happy Gillis at George E. Kessler Park
The Historic Northeast continues to shine with beautiful green spaces that include fountains, parks, and interesting architectural details like The Colonnade. This breezy and beautiful structure was built in 1908 and provides a beautiful backdrop to any picnic. Make a stop at Happy Gillis in Columbus Park and grab a couple of canned drinks and the Gillis Cuban or Kale Caesar salad to enjoy at this peaceful pitstop.
Iron District at William E. Macken Park
North Kansas City continues to attract plenty of local restaurants and bars, but none as varied and unique as the container park known as Iron District. Open seasonally, offering an ever-changing list of food and retail vendors along with a great outdoor bar. Hit up Vegan Crave and grab a veggie burger then over to Elephant Wings for an order of Tikka Masala Poutine or samosas and take them to Macken Park, a 60-acre park offering walking trails, green spaces, soccer fields, restrooms, and playgrounds.
Bella Napoli at Jacob L. Loose Park
This Brookside institution dedicated to Italian culture and cuisine is the perfect place to order a hand-tossed pizza and Italian salad and take it to the popular and beautiful rose garden inside of Loose Park. The rose garden was dedicated in 1931 by the Kansas City Rose society and today it has over 130 varieties and 3,000 rose bushes in the one-and-a-half-acre garden inside the 75-acre park.
Mattie’s Foods at Swope Park
Chefs Arvelisha Woods and India Monique are offering some truly tasty vegan cuisine at Mattie’s Foods, their café and bakery located in East Brookside. Place your order online for their Brisket Samich made with sliced tofu “brisket” marinated in barbecue sauce then grilled, served with pickles on toasted bun and get a side of baked beans to take to what is considered the crown jewel in Kansas City’s parks system, Swope Park. This 1,805-acre park is one of the largest municipal parks in the U.S. and home to a golf course, Go Ape Zipline, Starlight Theatre, and the Kansas City Zoo.
Go Chicken Go to Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
Fried chicken with all the sides is quintessential picnic fare for many, and Go Chicken Go’s convenient drive through at 51st and Troost allows you to pull up to the window and order your favorite fried chicken dinner accompanied with a roll, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and a side of gizzards and livers along with a bottle of their G-sauce to take to the tranquil Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden. The botanical garden covers two acres surrounded by a tall wall that makes it feel like your own private garden complete with water feature and bronze sculptures.
The Market at Meadowbrook in Meadowbrook Park
Meadowbrook Park in Prairie Village was once a 136-acre private country club and golf course, but today it serves as a modern amenity to everyone in the city. With new homes and townhomes popping up beside it, it offers several playgrounds, walking trails, a hotel and two restaurants, the finer-dining Verbena, and The Market at Meadowbrook. Stop into The Market and pick up a bottle of sparkling water, and some fresh grab-and-go salads or sandwiches along with a couple of freshly baked treats to end your meal.