“If ants are such busy workers, how come they find time to go to all the picnics?” – Marie Dressler

Imagine a picnic, but replace luscious green grass with brown dirt, large oak trees with prickly cacti, and thieving ants with deadly scorpions. Make those swaps and you have a picnic in the vast desert that is my home state of Arizona. That itself though is a contradiction, as no one in the copper state goes on a picnic. The lack of natural greenery in Arizona means picnicking options are limited to man made parks, which are usually filled with children, sports teams, or any other number of things that can interrupt a peaceful meal outside.

That’s why when I came to Alabama I was excited to see a change in landscape. I’m sure there are many students, like me, new to this kind of climate and with that comes new opportunities such as picnicking. The University of Alabama is filled with a number of exceptional spots to eat, relax, and simply appreciate the outdoors. When combined with the usually good weather here, a terrific day is almost guaranteed.

So if you’re looking for a good place to picnic near campus, here are some fantastic options:

Quad:

Encompassing nearly 23 acres, the Quad sits at the center of Alabama’s campus. On one half of the quad you can find a number of benches shaded by trees. The other side, blanketed in grass, allows anyone to relax and enjoy the day.

You even get a picturesque view of Denny Chimes, Bryant Denny Stadium, and all the other beautiful campus buildings that surround the quad.

Riverwalk:

Just north of campus you’ll find the river that separates Tuscaloosa and Northport. Spanning almost 4.5 miles along the Black Warrior River; this destination offers plenty of opportunities: exercising, hammocking, dog walking, sightseeing, relaxing, and there are even playgrounds for kids. While mostly just a path for bikers or joggers, the Riverwalk possesses quite a few spots that are perfect for setting up a nice picnic. Perhaps the best location to do so is the Park at Manderson Landing, right across the street from the Presidential dorms. Here you’ll find a number of benches and tables overlooking the river, as well as a few nice patches of green landscape. Moving west along the Riverwalk are plenty of locations where one can sit down with a towel and picnic basket next to the water. If you’re looking for fresh and local food to eat at your picnic there’s even a farmers market located right on the Riverwalk!

Marr’s Spring:

Tucked behind the Ferguson center lies Marr’s Spring. This hidden spot holds great significance to the university as it was one of the main factors that went into deciding where to build the campus. Home of what used to be the university’s main water source, Marr’s Spring now acts as fantastic place for students to walk around or simply sit down and unwind. The gorgeous area encompasses the spring as well as a man made lake, both intertwined by a walking path. Scattered about sit a number of benches where one can overlook the pond, covered in an explosion of lily pads. It of course also comes with the added benefit of being a picnic spot.

Arboretum:

While a few miles off campus, this spot is still owned by the university. Abundant with trails and open spaces, the Arboretum exists as a perfect spot for truly appreciating the natural woodlands. One going through these trails will find themselves dwarfed by the surrounding timber. On a quiet day the pitter-patter of squirrels and warble of birds permeate the air. Find any open spot in this stunning location and you’re set for a remarkable outing.

In each location title is a hyperlink so you can check out these great picnicking locations on your own. Also if you know of any other spots feel free to go to the comments below and let everyone know!