It’s that time of year again when everyone starts asking, “Where did the summer go?” My teacher friends are gearing up for the first day of school, fall decorations have hit the shelves, and my husband won’t stop talking about his fantasy football league. Summer is very quickly slipping away, and as always, it feels like I’ve hardly had time to enjoy it. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve enjoyed a fair number of road trips, backyard grill-outs, and days spent out in the sun over the past couple of months. But there’s just something about this season that makes me feel like I need to pack every day with fun summer activities or the whole thing was a waste. (Personally, I blame Midwest winters for my sense of desperation every summer.)
If you, too, feel like summer is fading out way too soon, let me remind you that we’ve got all the way until September 22 to make the most of it. Although it might be a little late to start that herb garden or plan a whole vacation, there are definitely some things you can still do to soak up the last days of summer. Tack these end-of-summer activities onto your to-do list to take advantage of what’s left of the season and head into fall with no regrets.
1. Visit a sunflower field
Visiting a sunflower field is one of those special late-summer activities that only comes around this time of year. Depending on where you live, these towering blooms generally hit their peak between mid-July and early September, and once the flowers fade, you’ll have to wait another year to admire their beauty. Head to a local flower farm that lets you pick your own bouquet to bring home, or find a public park or field where you can snap some photos and simply enjoy the view. Time your visit during golden hour for gorgeous, soft light that will make things even more magical.
2. Go to the fair
August is peak season for state and county fairs across the country, and going to the fair is the ideal activity to soak up those end-of-summer vibes. Channel your inner kid with some carnival games and rides, or just indulge in your favorite fried foods before catching some live entertainment. Either way, you’re guaranteed to have some good old-fashioned fun.
3. Try to catch some shooting stars
In case you’re not up-to-date on astronomy news, the Perseids meteor shower happens every year from late July through August, which makes this month the perfect time to go stargazing. On a clear night, pack up some blankets or lawn chairs and head out to a spot away from any bright city lights. Put your phone away (the bright screen will make it harder for your eyes to adjust to the dark), sit back, and just look up. Spend the evening picking out constellations and trying to spot shooting stars—it’s a lovely excuse to slow down and appreciate the last warm nights of summer.
4. Go on an ice cream walk
Combine two of the best summer activities: going for a walk and indulging in a sweet treat. Taking a stroll with a delicious ice cream cone in hand is the epitome of summer vibes. Whether you catch up with a friend or listen to a favorite podcast while you enjoy your treat, this simple pleasure is hard to beat.
5. Take yourself “back-to-school” shopping
You may no longer need to stock up on notebooks and colored pencils this time of year, but you can still channel that back-to-school energy and excitement well into adulthood. As summer comes to an end, take this opportunity to do a little “back-to-school” shopping, whether that means refreshing your fall wardrobe, stocking up on fall decor to put up in the next few weeks, or even snagging some new desk accessories to spruce up your work setup. You can often find some great deals this time of year, so it’s the perfect excuse to do some shopping.
6. Host an end-of-summer party
There’s no better way to bid farewell to summer than by hosting a fabulous soirée in its honor. Throw an elaborate dinner party with a summery theme, or keep it simple with a backyard cookout. Either way, dress in bright, summery colors and prepare a dish featuring summer produce that you won’t be able to enjoy again until next year.
READ: 10 Summer Party Ideas That’ll Inspire You to Host More This Season
7. Play pickleball
Pickleball is such a popular sport these days, and if you haven’t hit the courts yet, now’s the perfect time. It offers all the tenniscore vibes but in a more relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for a chill afternoon or evening with friends. Plus, it’s an ideal way to enjoy the warm weather before it starts to cool down.
8. Create a summer scrapbook
At this point in the season, your camera roll is likely filled with snaps of summer vacations, scenic views, outdoor activities, and fun moments with friends. To turn those memories into something more tangible, print out your photos and compile them into an album or scrapbook. It’s a fun, creative way to wrap up the season and will help you hold onto those memories well beyond this summer.
9. Make an end-of-summer vision board
Before your Pinterest feed becomes filled with sweaters and cozy fall scenes, take the time to create an end-of-summer vision board. This can help you set intentions for the final weeks of the season, reflect on your summer goals, and manifest what you want the rest of the season to bring. If you feel like this summer has slipped away from you, this is one of the best ways to savor and romanticize the rest of the season.
10. Soak up the sun
It’s amazing how a few minutes of basking in the sun can instantly boost your mood. Before the summer is over, take advantage of a sunny afternoon by slapping on some SPF and heading outside to soak up some vitamin D. When winter rolls around, you’ll crave the feeling of warm sun on your face, so take it in while you can.
11. Take one last day trip
When last-minute plane tickets aren’t in the budget, a day trip can help you scratch that travel itch without all the stress and expense of an actual vacation. Simply take advantage of a Saturday or use up some PTO and get out of town for the day. Maybe you head into a nearby city for some shopping and entertainment, drive to the closest beach town for a day in the sun, or find some off-the-beaten-path trails for hiking. No matter where you live, you don’t have to go far to experience something new and make some fun memories.
12. Wear that summer outfit
You know the one. That trendy piece you bought at the beginning of the season in anticipation of summer date nights or vacations, but never ended up wearing. This is your sign to finally wear it out before your summer clothes get shoved to the back of your closet to make room for fall sweaters. It’s the perfect excuse to plan one last girls’ night out for the summer or simply throw it on to run some errands. Just be sure to snap at least one cute pic when you do.
13. Dive into a beach read
Maybe you didn’t get the chance to hit the beach or jet off on an Italian getaway this summer (hey, me neither), but you can still soak up those vacation vibes through a book. Sure, it’s not quite the same as experiencing a summer romance on the Amalfi Coast yourself. But throw on a bikini and some sunnies, grab a beach read, and head outside for the next best thing.
14. Enjoy some outdoor entertainment
Hands down, one of my favorite summer activities growing up was heading to the local drive-in movie theater to catch a double feature. There’s just something about watching a movie on a blanket under the stars that just feels so nostalgic and romantic. If you don’t have a drive-in near you, check out the outdoor entertainment options in your area. Some city parks host open-air concerts or plays throughout the summer—and they’re often free admission!
15. Shop your local farmers market
If you’ve made it this far into summer and haven’t hit up the farmers market yet, now is the time. Grab a roomy tote bag and get ready to stock up on locally-grown produce and artisanal goodies made right in your area. It’s a much more satisfying way to shop than your typical trudge through the grocery store, and you might just stumble upon something new you haven’t tried before!
READ: 30 Summer Farmers Market Recipes to Make the Most of Your Weekly Produce Haul
16. Jump in a lake
As someone who lives hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, I can appreciate a good lake day. It’s one of those simple summer activities that feel like a bit of a getaway but don’t require any planning in advance. Just grab a swimsuit and some sunscreen, find a lake near you, and hop in the car! If swimming sounds a little sketchy (some lakes aren’t the cleanest—I get that), check out the watercraft rentals. Many parks let you rent paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, or pedal boats for a small hourly fee (often $20 or less). Grab a friend and paddle around for the afternoon for the perfect way to cap off summer.
17. Have a bonfire
You know those end-of-summer evenings when the weather finally starts to cool off a bit? That’s peak bonfire time, baby. Gather some friends in the backyard or head to a local park with public fire pits and get a blaze going. Make sure you’re stocked with hot dogs, buns, and plenty of s’mores supplies for that quintessential summer experience.
18. Dine out on a patio
It sounds kind of trivial, but getting drinks or dinner on a restaurant patio is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. It makes me feel a little bit like I’m in Europe and always seems special since you can’t do it year-round. But for most of the summer, it’s been too miserably hot outside to even consider it. As summer comes to a close and the temperatures start to cool off a bit, I’m making it a point to enjoy patio season while it lasts. (BRB, making a reservation real quick.)
19. Make a meal with fresh summer produce
I love fresh fruits and veggies any time of the year, but they taste especially sweet in the summertime. Tomatoes, zucchini, sweet corn, peaches, cherries, and watermelon all hit their peak in the summer, so grab some while they’re freshest. Put those farmers market goodies to good use (or shop the produce section at your typical grocery store) and make a meal of it. Might I suggest a delicious peach salad or one of these easy summer recipes?
20. Find some hiking trails near you
You don’t need to live near the mountains to do some hiking (although if you do, I’m jealous!). There are state parks with beautiful hiking trails scattered all across the U.S., and all it takes is a quick Google search to find one near you. Just don’t forget to bring plenty of water and bug spray. You may even want to pack a lunch and make a day of it!
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
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