Before moving to New York, I did not picnic. Imagine spreading a blanket in the desert, with a saguaro for shade and scorpions for companions, and you’ll understand why.
But these days, I regularly find reasons to pack a Frisbee, cheese wedge and New Yorker magazine (and, let’s be honest, Us Weekly) for a lazy day. The biggest reasons being Central Park, Riverside Park and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
This new pastime requires new gear. My husband spent hours researching the best picnic blanket. And since he doesn’t do anything halfway, our Mega Mat arrived today.
It’s huge, padded, 100 percent waterproof and folds into a handy bag. I appreciate that it’s ready for the park or beach, with a hidden storage pocket for valuables.
And while I like the idea of a wicker picnic basket, this practical tote from Target (below) is serving us well. It’s one of my favorite wedding gifts:
If you’re in the market for picnic gear, here are a few more ideas worthy of a lazy summer day:
Botanica Blanket Tote
Island Bowling Set
Gingam Del Mar Wine and Cheese Pack
Picnic, the play
Walk in the Park Tags and Notebooks
My absolute favorite thing about Coney Island is the New York Aquarium. The beach, of course, is a close second, reminding me of the year I lived in Los Angeles and passed entire weekends meditating to sounds of the shore.
