Three months with no exams, beautiful weather and stress-free bliss sounds perfect … but in reality, summer gets pretty boring very quickly. After binging on Netflix shows, going on the traditional summer vacays and taking a trip to the beach, it can be easy to run out of ways to keep yourself busy. Unless you have a job that occupies most of your time, the days of summer seem to go on forever.
With all the technology in our lives, we sometimes forget how we used to pass the time before we relied on our gadgets. Luckily, VALLEY has many summer activities you can do that are sure to monopolize your time — activities from the days of technology-free summers that have since been forgotten about.
Drive-Ins
Though drive-in movie theaters are a less popular form of entertainment thanks to streaming, there are still a few out there that would make for the perfect summer evening straight out of the ’50s. Look for a drive-in near you or if there isn’t one in your area, odds are you can find a summer attraction like “movies in the park” that will give you a similar experience. Many small towns as well as big cities put on events like this, so grab your popcorn and a blanket and enjoy the outdoors while watching an intriguing movie.
Camping
What better way to take advantage of summer than to fully immerse yourself in nature and indulge your sense of adventure by going camping. With fabulous resorts, glamping and lavish vacations, we sometimes forget the simplicity and beauty of having a getaway in the great outdoors that only requires being able to pitch a tent. Nothing says summer more than campfires, roasting marshmallows and hanging out under the stars. A camping trip takes little to no planning, is incredibly cheap and creates so many memories. Ditch the technology to have some quality time with friends or family and remind yourself of how amazing, wholesome time spent away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life can be.
Cookouts
Even if you enjoy eating out, brunching or trying new dinner spots, nothing beats a cookout in the summer. There is something to be said for gathering up friends and family to enjoy a home cooked meal outside or grilling out in your backyard. Cookouts provide a sense of tradition that trendy restaurants just can’t replicate.
Bike Rides
Bikes are more than just a mode of transportation — we sometimes forget that they can be used leisurely, not just to get from point A to point B. Let’s go back to a time when riding bikes was one of the most popular activities, and people would hop on a bike even with no specific place to go. Take a recreational bike ride this summer just for the nostalgia and the fun of it — plus, it’s a great workout.
Picnics
Having a picnic is not just for romantic couples, anyone can grab a blanket and some pre-packed food to enjoy this staple of summer. Invite your friends along or go solo — either way the summer weather is perfect for a picnic. Picnics are an ideal way to spend your down time as you can read a book, enjoy a cheap meal or just layout under the sun. You can even bring your laptop and watch Netflix without having to be holed up in your room. They are a much more creative alternative to any other way you’d usually eat a meal, and you don’t need an out of the ordinary location to do so. You can simply set up a picnic in your backyard or at a local park!
Try out some of these iconic activities if your summer is in a boring spot, or if you’re just looking to add some classic activities to your summer to make it a little more old school.
