June 15, 2020
After a long winter and spring, getting outdoors for a picnic is a perfect way to take advantage of the warm, fresh air and have fun this summer. All you need is some food, company, and local scenery! Bring your furry friends, family or roommate for a delicious dinner al fresco.
How to Make the Most of International Picnic Day
June 18 is International Picnic Day, so there’s no better time to enjoy a picnic! The concept of a picnic originated in France, and the word picnic comes from the French word pique-nique, which means a meal eaten outdoors.
The best part about a picnic is that it doesn’t require anything fancy; there are just a few essentials to bring. If you have a large blanket that is perfect, but if not, you can just use a beach or bath towel to sit on. Pack up some utensils, plates and napkins so that you have everything you need to enjoy your meal. If you’re heading out at a sunny time, throw a bottle of sunscreen into your bag, too, and if you plan to be in a more wooded area, you might want to bring along some bug spray. If you have them, some games like a frisbee or a deck of cards are fun to have for some entertainment between the main meal and dessert. Most importantly, make sure to pack up everything you brought in to avoid littering.
Perfect Picnic Places
Anne Arundal county is home to some really wonderful parks and outdoor spaces. At Monarch at Waugh Chapel, so many of them are just a short walk or drive away. Towsers Branch park is just a 10 minute walk from your apartment and has lots of flat, grassy space under beautiful shady trees to spread out a picnic blanket. If you prefer to sit at a picnic table, Bell Branch park has two designated picnic areas, as well as lots of picnic tables and a pavilion. Though it is a bit further away—a 45-minute drive from Monarch—Patuxent River park makes up for it with beautiful riverfront views.
Pick Up Some Great Local Food
Want to enjoy a picnic dinner without the hassle of preparing food? There are plenty of local options with picnic-friendly menu options.
Nothing says summer like some delicious BBQ! Mission BBQ has all the home-cooked, backyard barbeque flavor without the mess. Try the market sampler and taste a few of their popular meats, including brisket, pulled pork and turkey. Choose from an array of sides like “Maggie’s Mac and Cheese”, baked beans, coleslaw and more. They also have a gluten-free menu.
Wegman’s Meals2Go is another fantastic picnic option. They offer delivery, curbside pickup and carry out, so you can choose the most convenient method for you. From create-your-own subs, to sushi, to buffalo wings, they have a huge variety of ready-to-go meals—they even have dessert!
Craving some classic Maryland seafood? Blue Dolphin Grill has a great selection of seafood and other specialties. A crab cake sandwich (it comes with fries or coleslaw!) is a great portable picnic choice. Their combination platters come with a sampling of different entrees and two sides, so it’s perfect for a picnic for two.
Pizza is another easy and delicious picnic crowd pleaser. Frisco’s is currently offering a limited menu for pick-up, so you can swing by and carry out a pie (or two) with all of your favorite toppings. They are also offering a “Brew-Through” so you can pick up drinks as well!
The Waugh Chapel Shopping Center has lots of popular, fast-casual dining options including some favorites like Panera, Qdoba, Chipotle and more.
All of us here at Monarch at Waugh Chapel hope you are doing well and enjoying the warm weather. If you have a picnic, be sure to tag @LiveMonarchApts in your #InternationalPicnicDay photos on Instagram!
