The Ultimate Summertime Bucket List of Things to Do.
I don’t know about you, but when Spring starts to end and the days get longer in mid-May, I get excited for warmer temperatures and beautiful blue skies. I grew up in sunny Southern California, where you can count on it being sunny most of the year. However, a few years ago, we moved to Colorado, and coming out of the winter months and going into May, makes me super excited that the weather is changing.
I am learning I don’t love the cold weather and enjoy a beautiful 80-something-degree, long sunny day. Summertime reminds me of when I was young, especially now that I am still in school and get a summer break. I still crave all the things I did when I was young. So I compiled a fun list of 55 reasons to love summertime.
1. Longer Summertime Days! I love longer days, and by mid-February, we are gaining three extra minutes a day. By mid-June, we have the longest days of the year, when the sun ultimately sets close to 9 p.m. This means we get to spend more time outdoors and less time inside.
2. Beautiful Warm Weather. Going outside feels so good, and feeling the sun’s warmth on your skin and face. Sometimes when you step outside and need to get away from things, it feels so free to take a deep breath and feel the warmth. There’s no other feeling like it.
3. Listening to the Birds Sing. I know this seems pretty straightforward, but it is lovely to wake up and hear the birds singing outside my bedroom window in the morning. There is something so simple yet beautiful about hearing the birds chirping.
4. Wearing Sandals. I love when the weather is warmer, and you can wear cute summer sandals.
5. The Ice Cream Truck. This reminds me of being a kid waiting for the ice cream truck to come down my street. I still love hearing the music and picking out fun ice cream.
6. Barbeques. I don’t know about you, but I love a good barbeque with hot dogs and hamburgers and making my homemade potato salad. Yummy!
7. Outdoor Concerts. There are so many venues having fun outdoor concerts everywhere. Make sure to check out what band might interest you.
8. Walking Across The Cool Grass Barefoot. This is another one of those fun memories I had as a child, and I still enjoy the feeling of this now as an adult.
9. Outdoor Dining. This is especially fun if you’re having a date night. I love doing this also because I love to people-watch.
10. A Bon Fire. We do this in our backyard, where we roast marshmallows and have smores or roast hot dogs.
11. Camping. This is one of my favorite things to do with my husband in the summer. There are so many campgrounds around.
12. The Beach. I love the ocean. Since I live in Colorado, we are landlocked. So the next best thing is going to the lake.
13. Visiting the Pool. I love swimming and enjoying the pool in the summer.
14. Road trips. There is so much to explore out there. This also brings me back to being a kid and is so fun.
15. 4th of July and Fireworks. The Fourth of July has always been a big deal in my family. We usually have a barbeque and invite friends over and do fireworks. We get the good ones from Wyoming.
16. Being Lazy in the Hammock. We bought an outdoor hammock a few years ago, and it is one of my favorite things to lay in, in the summer.
17. Reading a Good Book. There’s nothing like finding a good summer novel to read during the summer to keep you busy and interested.
18. Flowers. So many beautiful flowers bloomed during Spring, which is still beautiful in the summer.
19. Summer Travel. I love to travel with my husband. So when I get the chance to travel anywhere, I go.
20. Evening Walks. I love taking evening walks, but I must remember my mosquito repellant.
21. Plant a Garden. This is especially nice to do in late Spring or early Summer.
22. Wearing Cute Summer Dresses. I love pretty summer dresses, and it’s fun to wear them all day instead of just going out.
23. A Picnic Outdoors. I love a fun picnic at a local park or driving somewhere and finding the perfect spot.
24. Learning Something New. Summer is also a great time to take that class you have always wanted.
25. Cook or Bake Something New. It’s the perfect time to try a new dish or bake that recipe you’ve been eyeing for some time.
26. Visit an Amusement Park. This is always a fun summer option, and if you have kids can get them excited about something new.
27. Ride a Ferris Wheel. While you’re at the amusement park, why not get on the Ferris wheel? I guarantee you’ll have a spectacular view.
28. Check out Local Things to Do. If you’re trying to find things to do, check out the local news section and look for events in your area.
29. The State/County Fair. I love the state/county fairs every year. This is always a fun way to spend some time with family.
30. Feeling Adventurous? Hot Air Balloon Ride. This is a bucket list item that’s been on my list for quite some time. One day!
31. Wine Tasting. One of my favorite things to do with my husband is wine tasting. We love visiting vineyards in different areas. It is so much fun.
32. Go to a Baseball Game. This is a fun way to spend a beautiful summer evening rooting for your team.
33. Listen to Your Favorite Summertime Playlist. I don’t know about you, but I have a fun summer playlist on Spotify that is on repeat in the summer.
34. Find a Lavender Farm. These are super popular during the summertime, and these farms are nationwide. Check out this extensive list of Lavender farms across the country.
35. Make Homemade Popsicles. We used to do this when I was little and used Tupperware popsicle makers.
36. Run Through the Sprinklers. It can get hot in the summer, and sometimes you just want to cool off. This is a perfect fun way to do that.
37. Discover a Signature Summertime Cocktail. There is no better time to enjoy a fun, refreshing drink to help cool you off during the summertime months. Added bonus, use seasonal ingredients to add to your drink.
38. Botanical Gardens. This is my son’s favorite place since he loves plants; it is relaxing and good for you, with fresh air and greenery.
39. A Lazy River. One thing about Colorado is we don’t have beaches, but we have lakes and rivers. Find a river, go for a ride. Sounds so relaxing and refreshing.
40. Pick Some Fresh Flowers. You can make a beautiful bouquet to display indoors if you’re growing beautiful flowers.
41. Enjoying Seasonal Fruit. This is the time of year when you can enjoy watermelon, cherries, and berries.
42. Warm Weather Thunder Storms. I love sitting and listening to summertime thunderstorms. Sometimes they’re the best.
43. Taking an Afternoon Nap. I am not much of a napper, but sometimes when you’re so relaxed, it’s a good way to unwind and take a short afternoon nap.
44. Look for a Local Parade. This is one of the fun ways to spend a holiday on Memorial Day or The fourth of July. Check your local news to find one near you.
45. Go on a Bike Ride. Bike rides are fun, and if you live in a place with bike trails, it’s great to spend an afternoon or evening. Bonus, it’s great exercise.
46. Have a Yard Sale. I don’t know about you, but I love visiting yard sales in the summertime. I enjoyed doing it with my mom when I lived closer to her, so if you think about doing one, it’s a great way to make some extra money and eliminate some of the clutter around the house.
47. Visit a Drive-In Movie Theater. Yes, they’re still around and so much fun. This is a fun way to get food and picnic outside your car while watching a summertime blockbuster outdoors. Check out this link to find a drive-in near you.
48. Visit a Music Festival. Music festivals are all the rage. If there’s one locally, check them out. If you’re like me, it’s also a great place to people-watch.
49. Buy a New Bathing Suit. Check out my article on the ultimate guide to buying a new bathing suit to fit your body type.
50. Visit a Local Flea Market. Flea markets are so fun, and they’re especially fun on the weekends in the summertime. Check out your local city news to see where one is near you.
51. Try New Happy Hour Spots. I love listening to local bands and trying new places for a beer or a glass of wine to unwind. Why not try a new place in your city?
52. Go Stargazing. Living in Colorado and being close to so much open space is perfect for star gazing, especially in the summertime. Find a nice place to go, especially if you go camping and check out the stars. It’s so beautiful.
53. Find Volunteer Opportunities. I love looking for places to volunteer, and this year I am volunteering with my local police department as a victim advocate. But find something that interests you and volunteer. Here is a great website to get started.
54. Host a Dinner Party. Aside from barbequing, hosting a dinner party can be a fun way to meet with friends and try a new dinner menu.
55. Make Your Own List and Have Fun!
I hope you enjoyed my list of 55 reasons to enjoy summertime, and I hope you enjoy your summer and make your own fun bucket list of things to do. Hopefully, this list will give you some new ideas you haven’t thought of. If you enjoyed this list, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and follow me on my socials so you don’t miss any upcoming blog posts.
