Now is the perfect time to pack a basket full of local goodies and get outside for lunch on the lawn. We’ve rounded up classic meals, scenic spots and outdoor outfitters for the perfect picnic. Check out the ultimate guide to picnicking in The Colony.
Picnic-Ready Meals
Take-out is the name of the game when it comes to planning the quickest picnic. Enjoy classic picnic meals made from scratch from local restaurants. Veteran-owned and family-operated, Topp Subs makes hearty sandwiches right before your eyes. Local favorites include their hot and juicy Pastrami Reuben and meaty Italian Sub. Bagel Fresh Deli puts a twist on classic sandwiches by marrying beloved fillings with their selection of more than 20 flavors of bagels. Get a House Chicken Salad or Turkey Chipotle Club on your choice of boiled or baked bagel, made fresh daily. For classic chopped salads, Bread Zeppelin’s signature creations are a must-try. Select any of their 40 toppings, including their meats marinated and grilled in-house, then dress it up with one of 20 dressings made daily. Take your salad to the next level by ordering it “Zeppelin-style”, aka stuffed inside a hollowed-out artisan baguette. No picnic is complete without a few sides. Hard Eight BBQ offers incredible hickory-smoked meats and delicious sides like potato salad, coleslaw and jalapeno sweet corn.
Through September 4, 2021, get outdoors with Davio’s picturesque three-course picnic pack. Choose from chef-inspired salads and sandwiches, including Caprese, prosciutto and sausage, with desserts and complimentary water. Call ahead to place your order for a custom lunch or dinner packed in a Davio’s picnic basket, complete with a complimentary blanket.
Check out a complete list of eateries for more picnic-friendly takeout.
Refreshing Drinks
With so many delicious food options, you cannot forget to pick up a beverage to quench your thirst. Conveniently order a variety of iced refreshments like Italian crème sodas, cold brew frappes and iced teas from TURBO, the beloved coffee and wine bar at The Shacks. Place an order online, on your schedule for a quick to-go. For a picnic happy hour, stop by The Colony Wine Bar and check out the bottle shop’s selection of reds, whites and rosés from around the world. The Patio, located adjacent to the bottle shop, offers premium counter service for chilled wine, beer, spritzers and non-alcoholic beverages. Craft beer lovers will appreciate The Colony’s selection of taprooms and breweries offering growlers to-go, including sour beers from Beard Science and hoppy IPAs from Windmills.
Scenic Spots
With over 2,500 acres of parkland in The Colony, it is easy to find a serene spot to enjoy a meal al fresco. More than 20 parks offer an ideal space for relaxing, dining and taking in the beauty of nature. Spread out a blanket on The Lawn at Grandscape for a peaceful picnic near the outdoor stage. The Stage at Grandscape regularly hosts concerts and movie screenings, with ample seating on The Lawn. If you prefer to skip the blanket, rent a pavilion at one of eight local parks.
- Dave Cowan Park – 5180 Ragan Drive
A peaceful 2.3-acre park with a grill, playground and small pavilion. - Kid’s Colony Park – 5151 North Colony Boulevard
Perfect for the whole family, this park offers all-inclusive playgrounds, a pavilion with six picnic tables and parking near The Colony Recreation Center. - Lions Club Park – 4800 Nash Drive
Enjoy a breath of fresh air at this spacious park complete with a playground, large pavilion, oversized grill, parking and catch-and-release fishing pond. - Perryman Park – 4930 South Colony Boulevard
Conveniently located near the intersection of Blair Oaks Drive and South Colony Boulevard, this park offers 2.4 acres of green space, parking, a grill, playground and a medium-sized pavilion. - Ridgepoint Park – 4401 Standridge Drive
Enjoy over 14 acres of parkland with access to the scenic Shoreline Trail, perfect for walking off a picnic feast. Additional amenities include parking, a large playground and a medium-sized pavilion. - Bill Allen Memorial Park – 5900 Carroll Drive
With an abundance of green space, this park offers plenty of outdoor recreation for some after-picnic fun. Explore the walking trail, 18-hole disc golf course, large fishing pond and amphitheater. - The Colony Aquatic Park – 5580 North Colony Boulevard
Available during the summer months, this park offers two pavilions for seasonal picnicking. - Stewart Creek Park – 3700 Sparks Road
This lakeside park offers an array of waterfront views, picnic table and outdoor recreation. Additional amenities include two playground areas, grills, sand volleyball, swim beach, three-lane boat ramp and a large pavilion.
Discover a complete list of pavilions, including those available for free and on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Blankets, Baskets and Barbeques
Get outfitted with the perfect picnic gear with the help of local stores and helpful staff. SCHEELS, the World’s Largest All Sports Store, is packed with all the clothing, accessories and equipment needed for some outdoor fun. Amp up your picnic with a variety of lawn games like cornhole, badminton, ladder toss and jumbo Jenga. Be sure to keep all your drinks cold with their selection of Yeti coolers and insulated bags. If any four-legged friends are tagging along, bring them to the pet-friendly store to select a new dog toy or some special treats. NFM has everyone covered with Insta-worthy blankets and accessories for your picnic. Jam out to your favorite tunes with their selection of portable speakers or play chef with a compact grill, perfect for on-the-go.
Picnic Extras & Events
Plan your picnic in conjunction with an outdoor concert, festival or movie screening for the perfect dinner and a show. In addition to the family-friendly films on the big screen, Grandscape features local bands, performers and workout classes weekly. Most events are free but some may require registration beforehand.
Don’t forget to pack some reading material for your peaceful outing. The Colony Public Library offers over 95,000 catalog items to choose from and countless eBooks and audiobooks to download. You can also take advantage of the six Little Free Libraries found throughout town. Rent a free fishing pole from the library and cast a line at one of the catch-and-release ponds or from the pier at Stewart Creek Park. The lake park also offers access to The Shoreline Trail, just some of the 26-miles of nature trails in The Colony.
Table Service
If your idea of a picnic includes table service, a restaurant with outdoor dining might be more your style. The Shacks offer an open-air dining experience like no other. Enjoy a meal from any of the six restaurants connected by a sprawling patio that overlooks a one-acre dog park. Check out the locally-owned restaurants serving up Hot Cheetos topped tacos, authentic Japanese ramen, Cajun po’ boys and a Beast Burger Challenge. Enjoy watching the sunset over Lewisville Lake with a drink in hand from the patio of Angelina’s, the Tex-Mex restaurant loved by locals for decades. Listen to some tunes during a weekend meal at Truck Yard. The outdoor honky-tonk beer garden offers tables on the lawn with open-air entertainment and rotating selection of food truck fare.
You must be logged in to post a comment.