The Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Adults: 25 Best Side Quests to Do This Summer
This blog post features 25 things to do this summer in an ultimate summer bucket list for adults!
Remember when you were excited for summer as a kid? You had all the time in the world to do whatever you wanted, so you created a bucket list to make the most of your summer? Well, just because we’re adults now doesn’t mean we still can’t make the most out of our summer!
Making a summer bucket list as an adult is so exciting! There are so many more things to do and explore, especially because we’re at the age where we’re earning an income and can spend big girl money on fun things!
The Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Adults
1. Picnic in the park
A picnic in the park is a must-do summer bucket list item, because summer is literally picnic season! Nothing is better than being surrounded by greenery with family, friends, or even by yourself on a solo date, lying on a blanket, and enjoying the sun!
One of my favorite things about picnics is setting up the charcuterie boards, drinking wine, and playing music on the speakers that everyone can vibe to!
2. Drive-in movie night
I don’t even think this is just a summer bucket list idea for adults, I think this should be on everyone’s general bucket list because drive-in movie theatres are such a fun vibe, and very romantic if you’re doing this for a date night!
Here are my top 3 tips for a successful drive-in movie night:
- Arrive early to get the best spot, especially if it’s a popular movie being shown
- Bring your favorite snacks,
- Pack lots of blanket and pillows so you can get super comfy while watching the movie, you can even bring a lawn chair if you want!
3. Make a summer playlist
There’s gotta be a list of songs you love that remind you of summer, right? Make your perfect summer playlist on Spotify and blast it everywhere you go to match the summer mood!
4. Go on a hike
Summer is the perfect time to hike. It’s sunny, fun, and you don’t have to worry about the rain (due to my experience hiking in the mud, I try to avoid rainy day hikes as much as I can).
Whether you’re based in a town where the mountains are across from your doorstep or a city where you live close to a park, taking a hike is a great way to enjoy the sun during summer!
5. Strawberry picking
Strawberry picking is probably the most wholesome thing you’ll do on your summer bucket list. There’s something so cute about roaming around a strawberry farm, picking all kinds of strawberries, and putting them inside a berry basket! Not only is strawberry picking an amazing idea for a date, but it’s also great to do with friends!
6. Host a BBQ
While the sun is out this summer, you’ve got to plan a day where you host a BBQ with family and friends! BBQs are such a chill yet great way to connect with your loved ones while eating delicious food that you’ve cooked!
7. Paint your nails bright summery colors
If you love getting manicures then having summery nails to match the season is a must do! I generally love the bright pinks, yellows and oranges for summer nails but there are so many other gorgeous designs to go for.
If you’re looking for ideas, I have just the right thing for you. Check out these bright and fun summer nail design ideas to inspire your summer manicure!
8. Bike ride around your area
One of the best ways to travel around the town or city is by bike! Yes, walking is fun (and of course, taking a hike is a must-do summer bucket list item), but riding a bike around your town or city is a great way to explore more places via a faster mode of transport.
I might sound dramatic but I really believe that you see your town/city in a new light when you’ve explored it by bike!
9. Participate in a summer reading challenge
As a book lover, there’s no way I wouldn’t add a reading challenge to this summer bucket list for adults! I remember when I was a kid and every year, I participated in summer reading challenges and loved filling in my chart after reading each book.
Now, as an adult, you can still make reading in the summer fun by creating your own reading challenge with friends, joining a book club, or gifting yourself something once you’ve read a certain number of books by the end of the summer.
10. Learn to roller skate
Roller skating is so much fun, and the perfect time to learn how to roller skate is during summer! I picked up roller skating a few years ago, and every year, just before summer starts, I get excited about bringing my skates out for a spin again!
You can skate anywhere from your nearest skate park to an empty parking lot! Doesn’t matter where you’re skating this summer as long as you’re having fun (and being safe)!
11. Go on a solo date
One bucket list item that everyone should do at least once in their life if go on a solo date. Summer is the best time to do this because there’s so much you can enjoy when the sun is out!
You could go to a zoo, have a picnic, visit an art gallery, go on a walking tour, go to a coffee shop, and more. There are tons of solo date ideas to choose from that will make you feel comfy spending some time on your own.
You could even use your solo date to reflect on the first half of your year and think about what you’re looking forward to in the last half of the year!
12. Make lemonade
Lemonade is the most refreshing drink to have during summer and homemade lemonade tastes even better and even more refreshing! Best of all, it’s so easy to make!
There are only 3 ingredients for making lemonade: water, sugar, and lemon. Here’s how to make it in 3 simple steps:
- Make the syrup by placing sugar and water in a saucepan to simmer, stirring it gently so that the sugar dissolves. Once it’s dissolved, remove from the heat.
- Juice about 4 to 6 lemons while making your syrup; you can use a squeezer to get all the juices out.
- Pour the lemon juice and syrup into a large jug, and add 2 to 3 cups of cold water. You can add more water if you want it more diluted or even add some lemon slices into the jug!
13. Go to a farmers’ market
Farmer’s markets are such a sweet way to support independent businesses and find your next favorite fruit, vegetable, or any other food item!
There’s something about going to a farmers market on a sunny Sunday, buying fresh produce and beautiful flowers. It sets the happy mood for the new week, and I love it!
14. Go to a wine tasting
Wine is something that I’m sure many of us progressively started to take an interest in as we got older. And one of the best ways to experience wines is to go to a wine tasting! The process of making wine is truly an art form, and I feel like when you taste wines after knowing about it, you appreciate the it so much more!
Seeing as this is a summer bucket list, try to go to a wine tasting at a vineyard to get an authentic experience!
15. Try a new sport
One of the best things about summer is spending time outside in the sun! While I enjoy sunbathing as much as the next person, playing sports in the summer is another fun way to enjoy the heat, too!
Rent out a court to play tennis or go to the beach with a net to play volleyball. The more fun you have playing any sport, the better!
16. Go to a flea market
Just like, farmers’ markets, flea markets are a great way to support independent businesses too! You won’t get enough of the second-hand gems and handmade jewellery you’ll find which makes it so fun!
17. Grow your own herbs
If you have a backyard or any space in your home to grow a herb garden then this is a perfect summer bucket list item to do! Growing your own herbs isn’t as difficult as it may seem, you just need high-quality herbs and a lot of patience.
Of course, more goes into growing a herb garden, but there are so many tips and tricks you can find on TikTok or even Reddit, for example, to help you grow a thriving herb garden!
18. Go on morning walks
Morning walks are one of the most calming activities you can do in the summer. There’s no prep to do or a list of things to bring with you as if you’re hiking.
All you need is time and comfy shoes. Walk around your area in the morning and admire the world around you; it’s beautiful, especially if you’re able to watch the sunrise!
19. Take photos with a film camera
The push to bring back single use gadgets is my Roman Empire and one easy, fun way to do this is by taking all your photos this summer on a film camera.
When we take photos on our phone, we become too concerned with having the “perfect picture.” But with a film camera, you’re capturing candid moments that you can look back on and say that you were truly living in the moment!
Once you’ve used up all of your film, make sure to develop it and put the photos in an album for you to reminisce on your summer!
20. Host a slumber party
Just because we’re adults now doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy sleepovers anymore! Throw a slumber party where you wear the matching PJs, bake cookies or cinnamon rolls, watch a movie, play some games, and just have a fun night with your friends!
21. Book a cooking class
Instead of booking a restaurant for dinner, switch it up and do a cooking class instead. I’m sure there’s a recipe or type of cuisine you’ve always wanted to know how to cook, so this is the perfect way to spend an evening and learn to make it on your own.
This is a really fun activity to do with friends, and for the lover girls, this is a perfect date night idea!
22. Attend a festival
Music festivals are the best during summer; the heat paired with live music is an experience
that everyone should go through at least once in their life! Booking those festival tickets feels like an adrenaline rush where you’re super excited and looking forward to the day!
Make sure when you’re at any festival to stay hydrated in the heat!
23. Have a beach day
This isn’t just any item on a summer bucket list for adults, it’s an item that should be on every summer bucket list…every single summer! Spending a day at the beach is fun, relaxing, and one of the best ways to enjoy the heat.
You could sunbathe while reading a book, eat ice cream while people watching, go for a swim, or all of the above. Whatever you choose, just make sure you’re having fun!
24. Go to a county fair
County fairs are one of those places that make you feel like a kid again. There are carnival rides, bumper cars, overpriced (but yummy) food, and so many carnival games with the best prizes!
County fairs are always running during the summer, so make sure not to miss out!
25. Swim in a lake
For those hot days when you need to cool off, visit a lake and go for a swim! You can make this a day activity where you swim, sunbathe, or even go canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding on the lake too!
