As we write this post, there are about 44 days until the end of summer. For those of us who have kiddos, the unofficial end to summer is even closer.
So, as we drift through the last few glorious weeks of long days and warm breezes, we thought a perfect top 10 post would be a list of must-do activities before we pull on our tall boots and sip our pumpkin spice lattes.
10. Have ice cream for dinner!
Do it at home buffet style, or take the family to your favorite creamery. Sure, grilled salmon and kabobs would be healthier than popsicles and sundaes, but, would they be as tasty? Besides, breaking the rules just feels good every now and then. (Thanks for the suggestion Lex!)
9. Check out Lawn on D
Giant Bunnies
Games, music, artwork- a myriad of activities stretched out on 2.7 green acres of outdoor landscaped space in Boston. It’s currently coined as an experiment. So, head into town before the Lawn on D is just a snow-scape.
8. Make good old fashioned s’mores
Make the kind where you actually have to toast the marshmallow on an open fire. You know, the ones where you eat about five marshmallows before you ever even get to making the s’more? Ah, just the thought takes us back to being a couple of very happy kids. Forget how to make the perfect s’more? No problem, check out Honeymaid’s instructions.
7. Plant a tree…
… and watch it grow! This is a really fun activity for young kids or newly weds. It’s also nice to do as a memorial for a loved one. One quick note- it’s best to wait until the tail end of the summer, when extreme heat and drought aren’t as big of a threat.
6. Do a classic family vacation a’la Griswold style
Come on, we had to suffer through the long rides filled with punch buggies and convenient store snacks. Shouldn’t our children have access to the same character-building experiences? At least, they’ll have AC – right?
5. Go to a farmer’s market and prepare dinner using the fresh ingredients
There is something so incredibly fun about doing this. It brings out our culinary creativity. But also, the visual of gorgeous, brightly colored vegetables, freshly made pastas and cheeses; it is all so divine! We’re dying to visit the new Boston Public Market. But, most communities have farmer’s market’s as well. Click the links below to find a market in your area:
Besides food, you can find all types of fun things, like gorgeous handmade jewelry, knitted goods, and candles. Oh, and don’t forget local wine! 🙂
4. Watch the sunset over water
If you’re a west coast hautie, this is easy for you. But we assume most of you are New Englanders. So, here are some great places to catch the golden end of day hues sparkle over our lovely Atlantic or a gorgeous lake.
- Provincetown, MA– Hop on a ferry or make a good old fashioned Cape Cod road trip. (Do the latter and you can cross off number 6.) The view from Herring Cove Beach is worth it.
- Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard, MA – bottle of wine + beach blanket = romantic bliss.
- The Jetties Beach, Nantucket, MA – You can pop a squat here all day, as long as a private event is not happening. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and wait for the magic.
- Ocean Drive, Newport, RI – Take in some of the mansions, and then one of mother nature’s longest running and most popular shows.
- Lake Winnipesauke, NH – There are lots of really cool places to watch the sun set on New England’s own little great lake. We highly recommend a quick trip for a fun vibe.
- Kennebunkport, ME – The quaint yet posh vacation town boasts a number of spots to catch the warm rays setting over the water.
- Plum Island, MA – A north shore gem that has stayed hidden from the mass amounts of tourists the cape sees. Take a trip for a nice sunset dinner. Be sure to try to fit in a stop to beautiful Rockport! You may even opt for a sunset viewing at Halibut Point State Park.
Do you know of any stunning water view sunsets? Please share in our comments section!
NOTE: If you can’t get to a sunset over the water, there’s always a sunrise. As we watched in Minot Beach, as pictured below. 😉
3. Throw a summer party with your best friends
No matter if it is a summer fete’ or a backyard B-B-Q, hang some lanterns, light the grill and either reminisce or make some new memories. You can’t go wrong!
2. Go stargazing
HOLMES CHAPEL, UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 13: A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky over the Lovell Radio Telescope at Jodrell Bank on August 13, 2013 in Holmes Chapel, United Kingdom.The annual display, known as the Perseid shower because the meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus in the northeastern sky, is a result of Earth’s orbit passing through debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
This August you have a little extra special motivation to look at the night sky. Every mid-July through mid-August the Perseid Meteor shower rains down from the heavens. The show peaks between August 11 through the 13th. This year, the viewing will be extra special, as there won’t be any moonlight to mask the show. So, bring your jar of wishes and get ready to throw them into the universe!
You can read more about the Perseid meteor shower here.
1. Spend an entire day at the beach.
Yes, the entire day – sun up to sun down. Ocean, lake, or pond, if you properly prepare, you won’t regret it! (Check out our post from June on how to create the perfect beach day.)
Suggestion: Make plenty of sand castles! Because, it won’t be long before you’re sculpting snowmen, who will undoubtedly be holding little signs begging for summer.
Enjoy the rest of the summer hauties!
Love,
Kim & Jess 🙂
