Hi, it’s Zoe. With summer just around the corner, New Yorkers are gearing up for picnic season. Even those lucky enough to have private outdoor spaces can’t resist the lure of NYC’s beautiful parks, which offer free films, concerts, and plenty of opportunities for people watching.

Lately, my wife and I have been frequenting Madison Square Park. It’s close to our home, and we love that it comes with a Shake Shack and a brand new dog park.

As seasoned picnickers, we know that the key to a successful outdoor excursion is having the right essentials: a picnic blanket, drinks, food, and games. So, below is our list of must-have items for soaking up some sun and fresh air in the city this season.

1. Corkcicle Estelle Tote Cooler – Shown here in black because, let’s face it, NYC is dirty. If I’m buying something that I know is going to touch the ground I tend to skew towards darker tones- but this great, light weight cooler comes in several other fun colors and patterns. Its neoprene fabric feels amazing, resists stains and water, and did I mention looks super cool? I love this bag because it is spacious, sturdy and practical. Its insulated lining keeps drinks and ice cold even on the most muggy of days and it has handles for shoulder carry, or a crossbody strap. The external pockets and hardware are great for easily toting your picnic mat, sunscreen and other necessities in a single go.
2. Coal Provo UPF Tech 5-Panel Cap – I discovered Coal Headware in the Summer of 2022. They’re a Seattle based brand that makes a well designed and highly functional sun hat. Made of a UPF 50+ rated polyester, this hat is ultra-breathable, protects your head from the sun and keeps you cool with its wicking sweatband. It even features a floatable EVA brim so your hat won’t get away from you in water and toggle back adjuster to ensure the perfect fit.
3. Stojo 16 Oz Cup – This was a game changer for our picnic days. Stojo cups collapse flat for packing and storage, are dishwasher safe and hold an entire beer or White Claw with room to spare. Did I mention they come in a variety of amazing colors? You WILL have analysis paralysis when trying to choose just one. 
4. Kollab Picnic Mat – I searched high and low trying to find the perfect picnic mat for NYC. I landed on the Kollab mat for several reasons: they’re really big when open but fold to a reasonable travel size, they’re water resistant, and have just enough padding that you can’t feel all the sticks and rocks you are most definitely sitting on; Oh, and they come in some pretty awesome and unique patterns. The company is also 100% women owned.
5. Yeti Rambler 12 Oz Colster Can Cooler – I can’t tell you how often my Yeti Rambler Can Cooler comes in handy; and not just for beer! This can cooler keeps soda, seltzer and generally all 12 oz canned drinks cold and concealed when outdoors in the sun. You can even buy a lid extender for those bottles and tall boys. 
6. Corkcicle 25 Oz Canteen – I could, and probably will, do an entire post on all the great water bottles and canteens out there. I went with this Corkcicle design as a top pick because it hits the right size, price point and quality to keep an entire bottle of wine, water, and more cold for 25 hours or hot beverage warm for up to 12 – without any extra bulk or accessories needed. Corkcicle also has a wide range of designs and patterns, this one happened to be both aesthetically appealing and on sale.
7. Anyday The Large Shallow Dish – I actually received this as a secret santa gift in the winter of 2022 and literally don’t know what I did without it. It’s made of glass, so most people might prefer to keep this one at home rather than bring it on a picnic, but if you’re like me and think baked brie is one of the best foods to ever be invented you’ll love that this dish goes from oven, to picnic basket to picnic party in one beautifully designed lidded container. Yes, the lid is oven and microwave safe. 
8. Stojo 24 Oz Box – As someone trying to avoid single use baggies, Stojo has made my life so much easier and of course, more well designed. Not only do Stojo boxes and bowls collapse for easy storage in my not-so-big NYC kitchen, they’re also perfectly portable, spill-proof and dishwasher safe. 
9. Supergoop Play Sunscreen – Works great, smells good, looks cute. It hits all the necessary checkboxes for a design junkie who is trying to get some vitamin D without the sun damage. As an FYI, it’s also FSA expensable. 
10. Sunnylife Giant Jumbling Tower – Like Jenga, but bluer! A fun and easy game to play with friends when your main goal is to sit in the sun and zone out. If that’s not your jam, then feel free to bring Catan. 
11. Muzen OTR Metal Portable Fm Radio Bluetooth Speaker – Let me begin by saying that I do not condone blasting your personal music in a public outdoor space. That being said, there are times when the picnic crew is in a private enough location that jammin’ to some tunes is totally appropriate and essential to the picnic experience. This little speaker is as functional as it is cute- pop it into your travel bag for up to 10 hours of FM or bluetooth music per 2 hour charge.   
12. Sunnylife Travel 4 In A Row – Another win from Sunnylife, who successfully take the fun of classic games and level them up to a modern aesthetic. Just think of how Instagramable this 4 in A Row will look on your Kollab Picnic Mat with your Stojo Cups.
13. Sunday Supply Beach Chair – For when your picnic is at the beach or you just require a little more comfort and support when hanging out in the wilderness for extended periods of time. Designed for comfort and style, this lightweight beach chair weighs just over 5lbs, features a custom-designed premium cushion slip, removable carry strap and convenient storage pocket.
14. Wildebeest Montara Pop-Up Dog Bowl – Because pups love to be part of the party. This neat origami-style pop-up travel bowl holds food & water sufficiently in a 5″x5″ leak proof vessel that folds down to pocket size when traveling. The material is fast-drying and can be shaken out or flipped inside out for washing.