To put it mildly, the past year has been no picnic. Literally. But all that is starting to change. With public parks opening up, and the sunshine coming out, we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. To help you get out there and enjoy what nature has to offer this summer, we're offering some tips for how to plan a delicious and scenic picnic in Winnipeg.

Plan a perfect picnic menu

There is no right or wrong menu when it comes to a picnic. Whatever food you love is perfect. You may want to factor in how well your food choices will travel. Some classic picnic choices include hot or cold fried chicken, potato salad and watermelon. If you want an instant picnic, head over to Chester Fried Chicken (393 Portage Ave Unit 162). You can walk there in less than 5 minutes from The Arts Residences!

Pick up a picnic

The best part of a picnic is, of course, the food! If preparing a picnic isn't your forte, you can pick up a picnic to go at one of the many dining options at The Forks Market (1 Forks Market Road). It's less than a 10-minute bike ride from The Arts Residences. With so many food options under one roof, you're sure to find the perfect picnic option to match your mood. Seafood lovers can't go wrong with a trip to Fergie's Fish'n Chips. Choose one or two-piece meals with or without seafood chowder. For a fabulous family picnic, Fergie's Family Pack includes nine pieces of fish and large chips. Choose cod or pickerel ($41.58) or halibut for ($86.47).

The perfect picnic spot

Now that you've got your perfect picnic packed away, it's time to find the perfect place to eat. As with real estate, the three most important rules in picnicking are location, location, location. When you call The Arts Residences home, you already know how important the perfect location is. If you're purchasing picnic fare at The Forks Market, you can stroll the River Walk and find a quiet spot to settle down just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Winnipeg's meeting place, or head over to The Forks National Historic Site. If you want a spot even closer to home, you can walk to Memorial Provincial Park, or Millenium Library Park in about 7 minutes. That means you can make a hot meal at home and it will still be hot when you spread out your picnic blanket!

We hope these tips help you plan the perfect picnic in the Peg.

If you're ready to move up to elevated rental living at The Arts Residences (233 Kennedy Street) in Winnipeg, please visit our website.