Five Things To Do This Summer
The sun is shining and the breeze is blowing and the flowers are blooming — all signs that summer is here and it’s here to stay! To celebrate, here are five activities for you to do with friends on your next warm, languid summer day…
Beach Day
There’s no more classic summer activity than going to the beach. Whether you live near the ocean or a lake or a creek in the woods, beat the heat and make a splash while you’re at it. For the introverts among us, the beach is perfect for reading, napping, and swimming alone. But for extroverts, it’s a great way to spend time with friends. Consider going to the beach early in the morning, packing some water and snacks, and inviting your friends to drop in and out throughout the day. You can catch up with and have fun with the people in your life while also introducing them to each other and creating new friendships while you’re at it — just don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!
Host a Picnic
Not a fan of sand and sun? Have a picnic instead! Pick a park or a garden or an otherwise grassy knoll, pack shareable food, and invite your friends (and your friends’ friends) to meet you for a fun meal outdoors. You can show off your culinary skills or invite your friends to bring dishes potluck style. Pack a frisbee or a hula hoop, board games, a deck of cards, a speaker — whatever you want to keep the energy up outside. Check these picnic activities and some quick and fun recipes and I guarantee you’ll have an afternoon for the ages!
Road Trip
If you’re feeling stuck in one place, you’re certainly not alone. A road trip is the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone into the world. The trip have to be long or far away and you don’t have to drive — take day trips, take buses and trains, go camping — what matters is to have new experiences and new places, and have fun while you’re at it! If you’re traveling far away or through smaller towns, ask locals where they recommend eating and what they like to do in their free time. (They’re the experts, sorry Yelp!) Go solo or bring a friend with you. Go exploring. Journal about where you go and what you do and what you see, clear your head, and return home with fresh eyes.
Go Hiking
If you live in a place where the seasons change, the warm weather and lush foliage make the summer an ideal time for hiking! Going on a hike is a great way to exercise, enjoy nature, and connect with friends — there’s something about the woods that makes conversations deep, I can’t explain it but I swear it’s true. If you’re a seasoned pro, consider a road trip to a trail or mountain you haven’t been to yet. For rookies, websites like AllTrails are great for finding nearby trails, complete with maps of the pathway, difficulty levels, elevation, length, and reviews from hikers past. Whatever you do, try and pick a path with a view!
Visit an Art Museum
Art museums are perfect for seeing beautiful paintings, attending fun events, and, most importantly of all, air conditioning!!!! Take a break from the heat and pay a visit to a museum in your area, many of which run fun indoor and outdoor classes, events, screenings, and even dance parties all summer long. For an outdoor artistic experience, road trip to a sculpture garden or a collection on display in a historic house. If you’d like an activity more in-depth than just viewing the exhibitions, bring a notebook and a pencil and try and sketch the things you see. Take time sitting with different works of art and trying to recreate them on the page. Not only will you improve your art skills, but you’ll never forget the beautiful pieces you saw and the calm you felt sitting and sketching all day long.