Family-friendly Chicago picnic spots, and nearby places to pack your basket

Head to North Pond Nature Sanctuary in Lincoln Park (between Fullerton and Diversey Pkwys and Stockton and Cannon Drs)
Stock up at Sultan’s Market (2521 N Clark St, 312-638-9151)

Birds in the sanctuary, butterflies in the garden and an ark’s worth of creatures at the nearby zoo are enough to make an animal lover out of any kid, so if yours is looking to go meat-free, Sultan’s is the spot. The Lincoln Park outpost of Wicker Park’s Middle Eastern mainstay is known for freshly fried falafel (50 cents a piece), baked spinach or meat pies ($2), silky hummus and smoky baba ghanoush ($4–$8)—grab a little of everything to picnic guilt-free.