Boston Picnic Planner

125 Kingston St, Boston, MA 02111 (map)

Nestled near the freeway, this downtown design retailer remains a diamond in the rough. Purveying tools for living (from locally forged knives to Malin & Goetz fragrances to neatly bound maps), there's a shipload of fun and portable items, including a wooden citrus reamer, perfect for from-scratch lemonade, a spice grinder--who doesn't want fresh paprika on their deviled eggs?--and candela LED lights that'll offer a warm glow in the twilight come sunset.

South side of Beacon Hill, Boston, MA 02108 (map)

Yes, it's clichéd. Yes, it's public. Yes, it's completely alive with dogs, babies, frisbees, bikinis, musicians ... essentially, it's a free-for-all, which is precisely why the Common is so damningly irresistible. At any point in the day, the lush, green hills of Boston's most central urban park thrive with pulsating energy. Just wander through until you find a pleasant enough knoll, and then decamp your party. Not only are you exploiting a plebe-worthy picnic spot, you can also indulge in people-watching at its finest.

Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938 (map)

If yearning for sand and salt, but not quite up to braving traffic to the Cape, make your way to Ipswich and one of the most beautiful beaches on the North Shore. Under conservation efforts as a natural resource, the land is pure water-meets-sand bliss. There are showers and a quaint concession stand, but not much else. Slather on the sunscreen, tote as much elaborate beach furniture as you like and keep some bags on hand for easy cleanup. Snacks always taste better at the beach. Always.

77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 (map)

Rarely does one get a chance to sit back and soak up the Boston skyline, especially surrounded by some of Cambridge's best and brightest. Mind the swarms of MIT students and step into hidden oasis of Killian Court, the proverbial "quad" or "yard," a green patch whose gravitational force increases exponentially to the loveliness of the weather. Walk down Memorial Drive or scurry through the "infinite corridor" of connected buildings to arrive at one of the best grassy seats in the house along the river.

330 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115 (map)

We're not going to condone anything illegal ... but we're sure you might get thirsty on your picnic, and trust that discretion will be taken. That said, dip into your favorite local liquor store (Bauer is a great place to start) for fortifications. Inexpensive Cava or Prosecco is perfect for sunny celebrations, not to mention easy-to-drink quaffs like Grüner Veltliner, Vouvray and Beaujolais Nouveau. Pink cans of Sofia Blanc de Blancs are perfectly incognito with straws. And score some beer, natch--just don't forget the koozie.