How to set up a picnic for a romantic or family date Fall is upon us and the dramatic change it brings to Eastern Canada’s forests creates such a romantic atmosphere that a picnic is irresistible.

It’s been hard to really explore the outdoors with the August rains and heat, but now comes the pleasant weather we’ve been waiting for. A picnic is always a great way to spend time with your loved ones, and the breath of fresh air is most welcome after wearing masks for so long. To make it easier for you to plan, we’ve paired three picnic spots with three basket ideas for some picnic fun:

Cheeseboard in Bonnechere Provincial Park, Killaloe

Bonnechere Provincial Park is one of Eastern Ontario’s most loved parks, and we couldn’t agree more. With its grand open space, and Little Bonnechere River closeby, this is the perfect place to take a leisurely hike on the ten trails along the river, or on the McNaughton trail.

If you like paddling, you can also make the date more romantic by renting a kayak or canoe and paddle into the sunset. If you time it well, you can watch the sunset whilst on the river and enjoy a homemade cheese board.

Grab some blended cheese wedges from the new Giant Tiger flyer starting tomorrow and pair them with the $1.99 Christie crackers, 97c English cucumbers, salami, $3.97 Smoke House ham and the best olives in Canada from Olive Pit.

As an extra spread on the crackers, you could make a Pesto chicken salad; pesto with toasted pine nuts and shredded chicken pieces. For fruit, you could have cubed watermelon, sliced mango, strawberries and grapes. You could also include some dried fruit and nuts on the side.

Saucy Sandwiches in Parc des Cèdres, Aylmer

Try a new twist on your roast beef sandwiches by replacing the bread with baguettes and using horseradish butter topped with peppery watercress and pickled onions.

Alternatively, you could make lobster rolls with creamy mayonnaise, celery, lemon zest and chives dressing. Pair this with corn cobbettes and a side salad. Instead of lemonade or fruit juice, try Raspberry and Lemon Rosé Sparklers.

Parc des Cèdres is the ideal setting for a picnic on a warm afternoon. There are many
facilities available for entertainment, from beach volleyball courts, a marina, boat launch, a snack bar and the beach itself. There are children’s play facilities as well, which may be a plus if you take yours with you.

Finger Foods in Parc Jean Drapeau, Montréal

Talk about a meal with a view. Parc Jean Drapeau turns into a lover’s paradise during Fall. With the vibrant leaf colors and the views of downtown Montreal and the Saint Lawrence river, it is just a dream. You can also cycle around the beautiful cycling paths the park has, just to enjoy more of the turned leaves.

The mixture of the landscape and stunning gardens is perfect for a picnic with finger foods. Think chicken pies, sausage rolls, drumsticks and garlic rolls. If you want healthier options, you could make avocado hummus with carrot, pepper and cucumber crudités.

Another option is a green club sandwich: sliced avocado with rocket leaves and cherry tomatoes on rye or whole-grain toast.

Conclusion

Picnics are a great way to have relaxed conversation, breathe in fresh air and just enjoy nature. It’s also a perfect way to get the whole family involved. Have your children plan some games or help out in the kitchen when you prepare your baskets.

Spending time in nature has positive outcomes on mental and physical health. Pair this with good food, and you have the perfect activity for maintaining wellbeing. As Zooey Deschanel once said, “Nothing is better than a picnic".