Packing A Picnic For A Day Enjoying The Great Smoky Mountains

Is there a better place to enjoy a picnic than the Great Smoky Mountains? We certainly don’t think so! Where else can you find stellar views, plenty of shade trees and a variety of natural wonders to discover all while eating a great meal? Read on to learn the best way to pack a picnic to enjoy while you adventure.

When you are out for a day in nature, you want to pack as lightly as possible. No one likes the idea of lugging a huge cooler along the hiking trail. It’s possible to have a delicious spread without carrying a few dozen extra pounds along with you, though.

Food That Will Make A Perfect Picnic

Foods that need refrigeration can spoil quickly if they are not kept cool enough. Instead of making huge sandwiches with expensive cold cuts, try hitting up the cheese aisle of your favorite grocery store.

Creating a makeshift cheese plate not only feels classy, but also is very feeling and can be an alternative to the potato salad that is served at most picnics. So, what do you need for a cheese plate? You can really get as creative as you want with this dish. Choose a few different cheeses, three or four options are a safe bet.

After you have selected your cheeses, you need to choose one or two fruits, nuts, and crackers. It’s a simple as that. All of these items will travel well while you’re adventuring, and will give you the energy you need to make those long afternoon hikes.

Many cheese should be kept cold, but most of the other items can withstand being left at room temperature for a few hours. A small lunch bag only needs one cold pack and can hold all of your cheese and a few drinks.

Sample Menu::

Dark Chocolate
Cured meat slices
Brie cheese
Sharp cheddar cheese
Gouda cheese
Grapes/ pears/ apples / strawberries
Riesling, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio wine / waters / juice for children
Multigrain or flax crackers
Cashew nuts / roasted almonds

Don’t Leave Home Without These Items:

Ice pack
Drinks
Eco-friendly or reusable plates
Cheese knife
Small cutting board to serve cheese
Napkins
Trash bags
Paper towels
Blanket

The best part about a cheese plate picnic is that there is no preparation or cooking required. Cleanup is also a snap. Almost everything you need for this picnic is reusable which means you can, as they say, leave only footsteps once you’re done with your meal.