The 6 BEST Chicago Picnic Venues | Tasty Catering Skip to main content

The 6 BEST Chicago Picnic Venues

One of the most exciting parts of planning a picnic in Chicago is choosing from the many fantastic picnic venues. You will naturally look for a space that features the outdoors and provides plenty of room for picnic games and activities. But there are countless other considerations, like the availability of permits, shelter from the elements and venue capacity.

Fortunately, our Chicago catering team has decades of experience helping companies and individuals choose a picnic venue and transforming it to match their picnic theme. When working with our friendly picnic planners, you are likely to fall in love with one of these popular Chicago picnic places.

Top 6 Chicago Picnic Venues

  1. Citizens Park – Barrington Park District

Citizens Park

Because this is Barrington’s newest park, officially dedicated in 2007, you may not have heard of it. But that does not mean it lacks in history or venue features. This park lays claim to Illinois’ first universally accessible treehouse and was the site of the old Jewel Tea Company. Since then, it has garnered several awards as one of the premier event spaces in the Northwest suburbs. In addition to majestic trees, lush grass grounds, trails and a waterfall, the 45-acre park features the following amenities:

  • Two picnic shelters: each host up to 50 guests
  • Robert Soule Outdoor Amphitheater: a full stage with electricity
  • John Larkins Bell Gazebo: the perfect place to stage photos or offer drinks
  • The Lodge: seats about 30 people with an indoor/outdoor fireplace as well as heating and air conditioning so your guests are comfortable regardless of the weather
  • Four tennis courts
  • Two basketball courts
  • Restroom facilities
  1. Kohl Children’s Museum

Kohls Childrens Museum

This Chicago picnic venue with unique amenities is ready to host your biggest family picnic ideas. Its central location in Glenview offers activities for all ages and that is just the start of a long list of what makes the Kohl Children’s Museum a top family picnic place in Chicago:

  • 2+ acres of outdoor in-closed park
  • Indoor access: when you rent Habitat Park at the Kohl’s Children’s Museum, you also gain access to the indoor space. This is a huge value and expands your options for picnic activities regardless of the weather.
  • 17 interactive exhibits: no guest is too young to check out the great displays that make the Kohl Children’s Museum a favorite place for family picnics in Chicago.
  • Stage and sound system
  • 200 free parking spots
  1. The Shores of Turtle Creek

The Shores of Turtle Creek

This stunning lodge rests among 32 acres of meticulously maintained natural grounds that can accommodate up to 5,000 guests to a picnic in the Chicago north suburbs. When guests visit this venue, the spacious porch draws them to the 10,000 square foot, two-story lodge. But what really makes them fall in love with the Shores of Turtle Creek are the lodge’s huge windows and skylights that bring the outdoors inside, creating a seamless picnic experience. From the double doors that welcome guests to the French doors that invite them out to the portico overlooking a serene pond, the Shores of Turtle Creek bring modern comforts and a wonderful natural flow to any picnic.

  1. UIC Picnic Grove

UIC Venue

The University of Illinois at Chicago Picnic Grove is the perfect place for sports-themed picnics. In coordination with Picnics in Chicago, UIC Picnic Grove lets you invite up to 10,000 guests to play ball. While we craft a custom menu, Picnics in Chicago creates individualized programs to best suit your picnic themes, goals and guest list. The two picnic spaces with spectacular views of the Chicago skyline can accommodate almost all sports games and picnic ideas within these amenities:

  • Collegiate softball field
  • Three sand volleyball courts
  • Regulation soccer field
  • Private grassy areas
  • Bicycle path
  • Free parking
  • Restroom facilities
  1. Vasa Park

aerial view of Vasa Park

Get ready to have fun in the sun on the shores of the Fox River when you choose Vasa Park as your picnic venue. 25 acres of open space and mature oak trees welcome creative picnic ideas and menus to utilize its full kitchen, outdoor grills and bar. With indoor restrooms and parking for up to 1,000 guests, you can focus more on the fun parts of planning a picnic. Vasa Park’s flexibility will let your imagination run wild, which is why some favorite picnic activity ideas are:

  • Sports games: soccer, basketball, volleyball and more
  • Dunk tanks
  • Bag tournaments
  • Inflatables
  1. Hoosier Grove Barn

Hoosier Grove Barn

This renovated wood barn creates a unique and charming turn-of-the-century atmosphere for your picnic. Featuring original wood beams and situated in an historical center, the Hoosier Grove Barn encourages guests to enjoy the simple things like great picnic food and company. Whether lingering under the beautiful gazebo or in the historic barn, guests step back in time when dining with friends was as technologically advanced as events came. Because the Hoosier Grove Barn can be rented at an affordable rate, you may be able to splurge on extra special picnic party favors or entertainment.

We encourage you to explore all your options for picnic venues and menus with our Chicago picnic catering team. When you contact us, you enlist the ideas of creative picnic experts who are committed to excellent customer and core values. In addition to our knowledge based on 25 years of catering experience, we welcome you to incorporate these picnic ideas:

 

Social

Related Articles