The 5 Best Ways to Make the Most Out of the Rest of Summer Before School Starts

Now that September is less than a month away, we can finally begin to face reality and acknowledge that summer is almost over. But the key word here is “almost” because summer is not quite over yet. Early to mid August may signal that the school year is right around the corner, but on a positive note, it also means that at least a few weeks remain of enjoyable summer activities. Knowing this, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to spend your final days of summer, with fun things to do near you – while cherishing these special moments before autumn is here once again. Note that these activities apply to both families who have children about to return to school, but also to adults who are taking some much needed vacation time at the end of the summer before their work schedule gets busy again.

Plan a Weekend Getaway

A vacation doesn’t have to be an elaborate 7-10 day trip across multiple countries. A quick weekend getaway is the perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate while still exploring a new destination away from your home. Ideas include visiting a new beach, hiking a mountain you’ve been dying to explore, or booking an Airbnb in a cute rural town a few hours drive away. Depending on your work or school schedule, try to schedule a weekend trip around a holiday weekend (such as Labor Day) to give you an additional day away without missing any important life events. From a travel standpoint, this type of trip provides a change of scenery and an opportunity to unwind from the worries that life at home may sometimes bring. For an even more extended stay or a change of pace, consider renting apartments in Miami, where you can enjoy a vibrant city atmosphere while having a comfortable space to retreat to during your weekend getaway.

Tips to plan a weekend getaway:

Look for last-minute travel deals, such as cheap hotels or flight discounts, to maximize your savings on the typically most expensive part of travel
Try to bring all your belongings in one suitcase or less so that you are not juggling lots of luggage and items in your short journey
Make an effort to connect with nature, such as going on a hike up to a scenic view or sitting by a lake and observing the animals that swim by

Host a Backyard Barbecue or Picnic

Nothing says summer like an outdoor gathering with food, friends, and family. An outdoor barbecue allows for lively conversation, dancing and vibing to music, enjoying the beautiful weather, and of course, some delicious hot dogs and hamburgers to be consumed. If you have your own grill at home, the barbecue can be held right in the comfort of your own backyard. But otherwise, make a journey to a nearby park where you can bring blankets, a speaker, and all those same food items to have essentially the same experience, but in a public, yet perhaps much larger, space.

Ideas to host a successful backyard barbecue or picnic:

Set up lawn games like cornhole, spike ball, and pickle ball (if a court is nearby) for added dimensions of fun to the afternoon
In addition to the hot dogs and burgers, consider making side dishes like grilled peppers and eggplant, and drinks like freshly squeezed lemonade
Implement a barbecue/picnic theme! For example, everyone in attendance dresses up as their favorite Marvel character.

Attend a Local Event or Festival

The summer is the perfect time for pop-up festivals all throughout the country. These festivals are often centered around food, music, culture, and art. Check out your local town or city’s events schedule for a more specific look at festivals happening near you in the weeks leading up to Labor Day. Not only are local festivals a unique way to learn about new aspects of your community, but they’re frequently well-attended, so it’s a solid idea if you’re looking to meet new friends or just put yourself out of your social comfort zone.

Suggestions on fun local events to attend:

Visit a farmer’s market to enjoy fresh produce and local culinary items
Attend a summer concert series of one of your favorite musical genres
Explore festivals that offer learning experiences into different nations and cultures

Take a Digital Detox

If you’re reading this article online, you’ve probably spent too much time on your computer and/or phone at many points throughout your life. With how much they allow us to do at the touch of a button, phones can especially get addicting and we can be glued to our screens. But the downfall of this is that by looking at your mobile devices so much, you’re missing out on so much of the world and events happening around you. Because of this, it’s important to take a digital detox – a break from screen time – every so often. This will keep you in the present moment and likely give you greater appreciation for the world and people around you.

Activities to consider instead of being online:

Go for a long walk or hike in nature and stopping at each mile to soak up the view around you
Spend time at a local library or bookstore exploring new genres, and buy or rent at least one book to read back at home
Explore a new hobby you haven’t really tried before like painting, cooking, or sewing (pro tip: doing these activities along with a friend can make them even more enjoyable)

Set Personal Goals for the Upcoming Year

Although most of these ideas revolve around enjoying your summer, it’s always a good time to think about your future self too. Spend time one day thinking about your goals for the ensuing weeks, months, and year, and think about where you see yourself in 3-5 years from now as well. Outlining these goals, especially in writing, will allow you to set realistic and measurable expectations for yourself to put you in the best possible position for success now and in the future.

Examples of personal goals to consider over the next year

Fitness: Exercise 1x a day, run a mile each week, increase time on the treadmill
Learning: Enroll in a graduate degree program, read one book a month, earn an online certification for a new skill you’d like to learn
Social: Join a community softball league in your neighborhood, attend trivia each week at a local bar, create a dating app profile

Although summer is three months long and some of these activities are only specific to the summer season and weather, these are still good ideas to inspire you over the next 12 months and beyond as well. Leveling up your life with fitness, learning, and cultural exposure is a great way to become your best self, and while the summer is still here, make the most of these last few weeks of gorgeous weather and free time.