Take Mom on a Picnic for Mother’s Day

What better way to celebrate the mom or moms in your life than by taking her on a picnic for Mother’s Day. You can pack up a lunch at home or grab some sandwiches and drinks from a nearby deli and take her to one of the great outdoor spots around Jacksonville. Whether you want to stay in the city center or venture out to the outskirts of town, there are plenty of terrific places for an afternoon outdoors. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect Mother’s Day picnic.

Top Picnic Spots

Here are some excellent spots around town for a picnic. From awesome views to open green spaces, there’s something for everyone. 

Henry J. Klutho Park

Henry J. Klutho Park spans just over 18 acres on the northern edge of Jacksonville city center. It’s part of several green areas along the banks of Hogans Creek and a popular spot for outdoor gatherings and picnics. This is one of the smaller parks in the city, but it has several picnic shelters if you want to stay out of the sun while you have your lunch. There’s also a playground for the kids and plenty of parking.

Reddie Point Preserve

Reddie Point Preserve sits in the Charter Point neighborhood and runs along the bend of the St. Johns River. It covers over 100 acres and is a great place to spend an afternoon with stunning views of the river and downtown area. You can explore the park’s walking trails before you picnic at one of the covered tables. The preserve offers a wide range of activities to keep you busy for the day. There are wildlife observation areas, a fishing pier, and a kayak launch if you want to have more than just a picnic.

Ringhaver Park

Spend your Mother’s Day at Ringhaver Park. This park has a riverfront boardwalk, hiking trails, and several picnic pavilions. It’s a perfect place to go if you want to stay within the city center, and it has something for everyone. The scenic overlooks make it a popular spot for visitors and residents.

Memorial Park

Memorial Park stretches along the banks of one of the widest points of the St. Johns River. The park covers just 6 acres but is one of Jacksonville’s most loved treasures, offering a quiet place in a bustling city. It’s within easy walking distance of several local restaurants and offers beautiful views over the river. While there, you can tour the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens right next door. The historic gardens are a perfect spot for a picnic, and you’ll have stunning views over the water while surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers.

Big Talbot Island State Park

Big Talbot Island State Park is on one of Jacksonville’s Sea Islands. It’s primarily a nature reserve, offering visitors a place to relax and enjoy nature. There are several hiking and walking trails to explore, or you can take a guided kayak tour before or after your picnic lunch.

Make your way to The Bluffs, where pavilions overlook the water. You can sit here and enjoy the views while you eat. Or, if you want to get closer to the water, make your way down to Boneyard Beach, lay some blankets on the sand, and set out your picnic by the water.

Top Delis and Restaurants for Picnic Food

If you don’t want to pack your own food for your picnic, there are plenty of restaurants, delis, and shops that will do it for you. Here are some places around Jacksonville where you can get picnic food.

Honey and Brie Grazing

Honey and Brie Grazing puts together not only delicious grazing boards and boxes but also beautifully created ones. All the items are made fresh to order and made with locally sourced ingredients when possible. The boxes and boards come loaded with cheese, spreads, cured meats, seasonal produce, crackers, and a pickled item. The boxes are perfect for a picnic because they come in recyclable containers and include bamboo disposable serving utensils. You can also get disposable bamboo plates, napkins, and cutlery. Then all you need to do is find the perfect spot for your picnic.

The Bread and Board

The Bread and Board in Jacksonville’s Five Points neighborhood creates unique sandwiches, sandwich bowls, and boards. With items such as seasonal chicken salad, Applewood ham and Brie, smoked pork and collards, and roasted fall turkey to choose from, everyone on your picnic will have something to enjoy. You can even get a lunch box for each person. These come with a sandwich, cookie, salad, and even a side if you get the box lunch or deluxe box lunch.

Southern Grounds

Southern Grounds offers coffee, sandwiches, and salads that you can take to go. The menu has a variety of hot and cold sandwiches and a kid’s menu with sandwiches that come with either chips or french fries. You can place your order online and then pick it up when you’re ready to go on your picnic.

Jason’s Deli

Jason’s Deli  on Southside Boulevard in Jacksonville is a family-owned restaurant and deli with fresh food and delicious sandwiches and salads. The deli menu features handcrafted bowls packed with protein, soups you can get to go, and unique salads, such as the nutty mixed-up salad, chicken club salad, and the Mess chicken salad. You can get their specialty sandwiches or build your own to create a mix of sandwiches for everyone to share on your picnic. Choose the meats, bread, and spreads, then add veggies to make the perfect sandwiches. 

So, now you have some ideas on where you can take your mom on a picnic in and around Jacksonville and where you can get some delicious food to bring with you. If you use any of our ideas, stop by Keith Pierson Toyota and tell us how it went, or if you know of a great spot we missed, come tell us about it. While you’re here, we can show you our selection of new and used Toyotas to get you around Jacksonville.

Tags: deli, food, mothers day, parks, picnic
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