Summer is (practically) here. And I don’t know about you, but my feet are itching. I’m dying to get out of the house and get my adventure on. I dream of wet hair, bare feet, and dirt under my nails. So as summer creeps up on us, I’ve been working on my summer adventure bucket list. Everything on this list is designed to make my summer the best (and most adventurous) one yet. If you’re looking for a dreamy, adventure-filled, straight-out-of-the-movies kind of summer, look no further. This list is for you.
The Ultimate Summer Adventure Bucket List
Explore your home town
Adventure doesn’t have to mean going far. Some of the greatest adventures await just outside your front door. Spend an unplanned day exploring your hometown. Enter the shops you always drive past, eat at that restaurant you’ve always been curious about, talk to your fellow residents. Head to a corner of town you are less familiar with and start walking. The best way to get to find an adventure is to start walking and see where the wind takes you. This summer, get to know a side of your city you’ve never seen before!
Drive to the closest green point
This is one of my personal favorite things on the summer adventure bucket list. It’s something I like to do whenever I’m feeling stressed. I open Google Maps, zoom out a little, and point to a green spot. I don’t look up the place or do any research; I just start driving. Sometimes I end up at parks, sometimes reservoirs, and sometimes beautiful trail heads! But wherever I end up, it always turns out to be an awesome (and much-needed) adventure.
Photo by Fabrizio Verrecchia via Unsplash
Hike your local trails
Whether they are in your back yard or a bit of a drive or train ride away, make the time to find your nearest trails and start hiking. If you are new to hiking, look for some easy trails you can do in an hour or two. For the more experienced hikers, why not make a full weekend of it? Bring your camping gear and turn a simple hike into a full-on adventure. Roots Rated is a great source for finding local hiking trails for all levels, so you can design an adventure that’s perfect for you.
Cook something new and exciting
Surprise! Not everything on this summer adventure bucket list involves hitting the road. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to have an adventure! The secret of having an adventure is stepping outside of your comfort zone; so why not do that with your meals this summer? Look for an exciting new recipe that sounds interesting and a little different than what you would normally make-then start cooking! For some ideas, check out these delicious recipes.
Try your hand at a new sport
From badminton to beach volleyball, summer is a great time to try a new sport. Get some friends together for a casual game of basketball, head to the park and ask the local sporty-folk if you can join, or sign up for an adult summer sports league. It’s a great way to stay active this summer, meet new friends, and have an awesome adventure.
Photo by Kalen Emsley via Unsplash
Rent a kayak for the day
One of my favorite things about summer is getting on the water. Which is why kayaking had to be on my summer adventure bucket list. You can find kayaking tours and rentals near almost any river, lake, or ocean. Some large parks even offer rentals! So find your closest body of water, look up kayak tours or rentals in the area, and get paddling this summer.
Have a picnic under the stars
Who doesn’t love the warm evening air of summertime? Make the most of it by having a summer picnic under the stars. Whether it’s a romantic picnic for two, a group picnic with your closest friends, or a family affair, an evening picnic is a great way to enjoy the summer weather. Many parks are closed after sunset, so this adventure has the added excitement of having to find an open space to host it! (Or, you know, a backyard could work too).
Take that weekend trip you keep talking about
How often have you said you wanted to visit ____ some day? Well, today is your day. Book that hotel or pack that tent, hop in the car, and get going. It’s time to take that weekend trip you’ve always dreamed of. It’s time to have that adventure you have always said you would have. It’s time to make this summer the summer of your dreams!
Photo by Filipp Nakhaev via Unsplash
Take a class outside your comfort zone
Why not? What’s stopping you? Book that yoga class that’s a little different from your go-to routine. Go to the beach and look into surf lessons. Take a dance class. Sign up for foreign language classes. Adventure is all about challenging yourself in new and exciting ways. What better way to do that than to learn a new skill or talent? If it makes you a little nervous, you should probably try it.
Rent bikes in your nearby city
There’s a lot to see from the seat of a bicycle. If you live in or near a city, look into city bike rentals. A lot of cities have really affordable options. Then hop on the bike and start pedaling. You can plan a route or just follow your gut. Either way, cycling is a great way to get to know a city and see some of the hidden sights your city has to offer.
Go on the adventure of a lifetime
To wrap up this summer adventure bucket list, I encourage you to take a leap. A leap into an adventure you’ll never forget. Have you always dreamed of practicing yoga in Italy? What about surfing the waves in Costa Rica? Or climbing the famous rocks in Greece? Now is your chance. Follow your dreams and book the journey of a lifetime. Make this summer everything you’ve ever dreamed of… and so much more.
