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25 Things to Do Before Summer Is Over
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items Summer always seems to go by way too quickly, so I’m making a little list of things I’d still want to do before the season ends. From lazy beach days and outdoor movies to farmers markets, road trips, and one last sunset picnic, these are the simple ...
Sections
4
Get Outside & Into the Water
Do the Very “Summer” Things
Eat Your Way Through Summer
Make the Most of the Long Days
Get Outside & Into the Water
There’s still plenty of time for outdoor days, so I’d make the most of it while the weather is warm. Nothing too complicated here—just the kind of activities that make a regular summer day feel like an actual summer day.
No elaborate plan needed. Pack a good book, something cold to drink, and stay until the sun starts going down. Honestly, that sounds pretty perfect to me.
Spend a Day at the Beach
I like this when I want to be outside but don’t necessarily want a full-on hiking day. A couple of hours on the water feels like just enough of an adventure.
Go Kayaking or Paddleboarding
If there’s a lake nearby, I’d absolutely take advantage of it before summer is over. Swimming, floating around, snacks, and zero schedule.
Have a Lake Day
This is very much a “bring sunscreen and don’t rush me” activity. 😂 I’d go with a group of friends and make a whole relaxing day out of it.
Go Tubing Down a River
A little touristy? Maybe. But I genuinely think sunsets are better from the water. This would be such a fun date-night or girls’ trip activity.
Take a Sunset Cruise
I don’t think a picnic needs to be fancy. Grab some sandwiches, fruit, cold drinks, a blanket, and find somewhere with a nice view. Done.
Have a Picnic Somewhere Scenic
Do the Very “Summer” Things
These are the activities that feel especially seasonal to me—the ones that somehow become much less appealing once the weather turns cold. If I’m making a summer bucket list, these are definitely going on it.
There’s something so wonderfully ridiculous about fair food, carnival rides, games, and walking around with a cold lemonade in hand. Fair season is especially active in August and September, so this is actually a great time to go.
Go to a State or County Fair
I’d choose an outdoor screening over a regular theater in summer every single time. Bring a blanket, grab some snacks, and make it a whole cozy evening.
See an Outdoor Movie
Even if I don’t know every song, there’s something so fun about live music outside on a warm evening. This is one of those things I’d rather do spontaneously than overplan.
Go to an Outdoor Concert
I’d probably regret the roller coaster decision five minutes later, but I’d still do it. 😂 Summer feels like the right excuse for a slightly chaotic amusement-park day.
Spend a Day at an Amusement Park
I love a slow Saturday morning farmers market. Fresh fruit, pastries, flowers, local products—you really don’t need much more of a plan.
Visit a Farmers Market
Low-stakes competition, preferably followed by ice cream. I don’t need to be good at mini golf for this to be fun.
Go Mini Golfing
This is one of those simple summer things that gets overlooked. Invite a few people over, put something on the grill, play music, and don’t make it complicated.
Have a Backyard BBQ
Eat Your Way Through Summer
Some summer memories are basically just food memories. I’d use the last few weeks of warm weather as an excuse to eat outside, try seasonal treats, and make a few unnecessarily fun food stops.
One ice cream stop is obviously not enough. 😂 Pick a few local spots and split small portions so you can actually make it through the day.
Go on an Ice Cream Crawl
This feels like one of those wholesome summer activities I’d always say I want to do and then somehow never actually schedule. Time to change that.
Go Berry Picking
Skip the normal breakfast routine and just wander through the market until something looks good. Fresh pastries and coffee outside? I’m sold.
Have a Farmers Market Breakfast
You don’t need a fancy restaurant for this. Even takeout eaten somewhere with a pretty view can feel like a special occasion.
Plan a Sunset Dinner Outdoors
Food festivals are basically an excuse to try six things you definitely didn’t need. I’m okay with that. 😂 Summer calendars across the U.S. are packed with food, cultural, and community events.
Try a Local Summer Food Festival
Very simple, but sometimes those are the things that actually feel the most summery. Make a giant pitcher, sit outside, and pretend you have nowhere else to be.
Have a Homemade Lemonade or Iced Tea Day
Make the Most of the Long Days
The last part of summer is when I want to slow down a little and actually enjoy the extra daylight. These are the little plans I’d make when I don’t want the season to disappear without doing anything memorable.
Pick somewhere within driving distance that you’ve never bothered to visit. No hotel, no complicated itinerary—just leave in the morning and see where the day goes.
Take a Scenic Day Trip
Find somewhere away from the city lights, bring a blanket, and stay out later than you normally would. This one costs basically nothing, which makes it even better.
Go Stargazing
I am absolutely not a morning person, so if I’m willingly waking up before sunrise, it better be worth it. 😂 But a beautiful sunrise followed by breakfast somewhere sounds pretty great.
Watch the Sunrise
Sometimes the road trip is the activity. Pick a playlist, find a pretty route, stop whenever something looks interesting, and don’t make the schedule too tight.
Take a Scenic Road Trip
Bring out cards, lawn games, or whatever you already have at home. Add snacks and drinks and suddenly you’ve got a whole summer evening planned.
Have an Outdoor Game Night
Honestly, this might be my favorite one. No itinerary, no alarm, no trying to squeeze twelve activities into one day. Just wake up, go outside, and decide what sounds good.
Have One Last “No Plans” Summer Day