Checkered blankets. Wicker baskets. Sunny skies. There’s nothing quite like a summer picnic. If you’re looking for the ideal spot to fire up the grill and dish up the potato salad, head to Kent. The city has a whopping 70 parks, so you’re sure to find the perfect patch of grass (or roomy picnic shelter) to set out your spread. Here are a few options:
- Water, music and more. The Kent Summer Concert Series, July 11- Aug. 29, makes dining al dente even more special. With Mount Rainier as a backdrop, take in a Thursday evening concert at green, scenic and expansive Lake Meridian Park. The tunes begin at 7 p.m. If you’re visiting midweek and looking to entertain the kids, consider a picnic and noon kids concert at Town Square Plaza. Food truck fare and an awesome spray park make the outing a complete package. Town Square Park also offers family concerts Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.
- A little quirky and utterly cool. Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park features an internationally renowned collection of landscape art. Picnic among artist-created grassy mounds and sculpted earth.
Leave the picnic prep to the pros
If you’re more about the picnic than the preparation, let one of Kent’s awesome dining establishments provide the feast. Wild Wheat Bakery Café & Restaurant, Macrina Bakery & Café and Alki Bakery are excellent options for delicious picnic takeout. That’s just a taste. Check out other dining options in Kent to find what best meets your picnicking needs.
Once you’ve cleared the paper plates and repacked the basket, take time to explore. Here are some things to do when you visit.