Summer vacation isn’t just for kids anymore!
This post is all about the Ultimate Summer bucket list for adults in 2024!
Do you want a recharging and aesthetic summer? Do you want to intentionally make your summer more romantic and memorable? I know I do!
Don’t let anyone (not even us!) convince you that you need to be on a yacht in the Mediterranean to have an incredible summer!!
Read this post to find activities that inspire you to create your own perfect 2024 Summer Bucket list! Most of these summer bucket list items are things you could do in just a day without spending too much money!
Category 1: Summer Bucket List Outdoor Activities
Car Camp
Are you nervous when you hear the word “camping” because you’re imaging Reese Witherspoon in Wild? Don’t be! Just borrow a friend’s tent and sleeping bag, prep about 24 hours of food in a cooler, and drive! Find a well-reviewed campsite with a bathroom on a lake or with a good view somewhere near you, and hit the road! Even just one night of camping feels like an adventure … you don’t need a big backpack or to make a whole thing out of it!
Here’s a tip, do this at the very beginning or end of summer! Otherwise, the night might be too hot or buggy to enjoy.
Visit One New State
Pretty self explanatory! It’s a big world out there, make it a point to see it, even if it’s just a day trip to see a museum, park, aquarium, or show in a neighboring state.
Get Your First National Park Passport Stamp
I recently got a National Park Passport, and now all I want to do is visit parks and fill it up! Get yours here.
Go Kayaking
Don’t fret if you don’t own a kayak. There are probably local companies that will rent it out to you by the day! Pack a lunch box, and remember to bring a dry bag so you don’t get your electronics or wallet wet. Here’s the exact dry bag I use.
Wild Swim
No matter where you live, chances are there is a body of water nearby where you can wild swim – maybe a swimming hole, a waterfall, a lake, or a coast. Make it a priority to swim somewhere other than a pool this summer! Remember to bring a light and quick dry towel like this one!
Category 2: Summer Bucket List Crafts
Tie Dye Something
I’ve always wanted to do this, and something about tie-dyeing T-shirts or tablecloths just screams summer to me! And what a fun activity to do with friends! I’ll be using these avocado dye instructions for a natural pink dye!
If you avocado dye anything this summer, please comment below and attach a picture!!
Create a Bucket Garden
I’ve never had my own lawn or yard, and I used to let that hold me back from gardening … until right now! You can often get FREE used buckets from local home improvement stores like Harbor Freight, Home Depot, or Lowe’s. Just drill a few holes in the bottom, put some rocks in there, and mix some fertilizer and potting soil! This entire set up, including plants I got from Home Depot, cost me under $120! My summer already feels so much more exciting!
Make a Summer Floral Arrangement
live or dried flowers will do!
Press Wildflowers
Use wax paper and a heavy book to press some beautiful wild flowers you find along the side of the road. Later in the summer, you can use these to create homemade cards for friends and family!! A cheap way to boost not only your mood, but that of whomever is lucky enough to receive them!
Category 3: Summer Food & Drink
Watermelon Spritzers
I recently made these super easy watermelon spritzers for a baby shower, and it went over SO WELL!! Why? Because my pregnant friends just added Topo Chico for a totally mommy-friendly refreshing drink and the rest of us used Prosecco! Everyone’s happy.
Tortellini Salad
This is a summer picnic staple for good reason! So easy to make ahead of time and refrigerate. This summer, why don’t you practice mastering this easy recipe for a quick, light picnic or party food! Here is the recipe I’ve liked best.
Fruit Wines
OK, So I’m no wine expert, but I think fruit wines are so aesthetic and refreshing in the summer! Have some friends over, ask everyone to bring a fruit wine, and do a wine and desert tasting!
If you try this, please let me know how it goes and which fruit wine was your favorite!
What are your favorite summer foods and drinks that I should add to next year’s summer bucket list?! Please comment below and I’ll be sure to include it for 2025!
Category 4: Ideas for Friends
Water Tubing
Does kayaking sound like a little too much work? Try water tubing! In lots of places, you can look up local companies that bus you and your friends from their headquarters to a local waterway, provide tubes, pick you up at the end, and bring you back. They are often BYOB, making it a fun adult friend date!
Flower-Child Friend Date
I used to think you could only enjoy an activity like this if you were in Amsterdam in the spring/summer, but no longer! There are 3 big ways to make this happen:
- Support a local farm that has a flower field. I recently found out there are farms near me that allow sunflower picking in the fall and have tulips and wildflowers in the spring/summer! Search what you might have in your community.
- Botanical gardens: Don’t live near a lot of farms? Are you more city bound? Been there! BOTANICAL GARDENS are often the most underrated parks in any city! See what you have available near you and make a fun friend-date out of it!
- Natural flower watching: Let’s not forget … beautiful flowers also happen naturally! Do a little online research and I bet you’ll find that a mountain near you has a major rhododendron season, or a specific town has a dogwood festival. Now, in situations like these, you obviously shouldn’t be picking the flowers. But why not take in the beauty and take a few cool photos with your friends?
Outdoor Movie Night
Nothing says summer like watching a movie outdoors on a warm evening. There are 2 main ways to achieve this:
- Drive-in Movie theater! I was lucky enough to grow up near one of these in Tennessee, and it was THE MOST FUN! We’d bring camp chairs and/or blankets for the truck bed and watch a double feature. Believe it or not, drive-ins are becoming more and more popular. Search for a drive-in movie theater in your local area for a fun activity with your friends!
- Set up your own outdoor movie night! This idea just requires two things – a white sheet and a movie projector. I’ve done this before, setting up a sheet over my fence and putting out a few camp chairs. Here is a small projector from Amazon that would work! This is another super fun friend date! Could also be a very romantic date night with the right film choice!
Aesthetic Picnic
This one is awesome and easy! Find a nice green area in your local area and set up a picnic! To make it a little extra special, add some aesthetic touches, like this fancy picnic basket with matching cutlery and blanket! I usually just pack some fruit and a few small containers of pasta salad! I’ll also keep one of these beverage coolers on hand with a sparking adult summer drink! Bonus, bring this basket to a park where there will be live music for an especially fun friend date.
Host a Cook Out
Does it get more classic American? Buy some hotdogs and buns on the cheap at CostCo and have some friends over! Ask each friend to bring their favorite topping (other than just condiments) or a side, for a super fun cook out that requires minimal prep and almost no cleanup!
Category 5: Summer Bucket List with a Significant Other
Go Hiking
Don’t think you need to live in California or Colorado to access amazing hikes .. just look at your local state parks! Choose a loop hike for the best and most varied experience. Something with a river or waterfall is preferable. Then, pack a few sandwiches and water, and enjoy some uninterrupted, no-phone time to connect with your date!
Outdoor Concert
Summer is prime time for outdoor music and theater. Usually, these events are FREE or at least super cheap. Pack a few snacks, camp chairs, and have a fun romantic date!
Take Him Out to a Ball Game
My husband taught me this one. If you or your Sig-O are a big sports fan, look for a nearby minor league team! These tickets are usually dirt cheap, the baseball is still fun to watch, and the beer is usually just a couple bucks! AND you still get to be outside. Surprise your Sig-O with tickets, and have an amazing time!
Category 6: Summer Bucket List Wellness Activities
Make a Meal from Local Farmer’s Market
Treat yourself to an easy farmer’s market meal – maybe a brunch with fresh eggs, homemade bread with local jam and honey!
Start Journaling
Don’t get overwhelmed by the concept of journaling. Commit to writing one line a day all summer to build a seriously healthy habit!
Take Advantage of Early Sunrise
Summer is one of the only times of the year where you can enjoy some sunlight before you even get to the office. Take advantage of these early hours! Take a daily 10 minute walk in the early morning, or have your coffee at a cafe that has an outside terrace. Try your hardest to get sunlight before screen light.
Take a Yoga Class
Or a pilates class, or join a run club! Choose a new workout style that you’ve never tried before. You might surprise yourself!
Interact with Baby Animals
Volunteer at a local shelter, do a puppy-yoga class, take a baby goat for a hike, or visit a cat cafe! Do a quick Google Search, and I’ll bet you’ll find ways to meet baby animals of all kinds in the early summer.
This post was all about creating your summer bucket list for 2024! What is on your summer bucket list? Let me know what you’re planning to do in the comments below, and have an amazing summer!!
Explore Athens.
