Choose your own summer adventure: 9 fun things to do

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Some of my favorite summer memories as a kid are the adventures I had around town. Getting ice cream after a trip to the pool. Playing my favorite songs on repeat while driving home from summer camp. Staying up late with a good book to finish my library’s summer reading program.

Memories like these make this season special.

Just because years have gone by doesn’t mean we can’t still joyfully explore the season like when we were kids.

I created a Summer Adventure Guide with 9 fun things to do. It’s like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure list.

Here’s how it works

Choose one or more activities from each category below. Mix and match activities or try to finish them all! No matter which ideas you choose, you can create a summer adventure that you’ll remember for years to come.

Pour

Refreshing activities to expand your palette.

Cafe Hopping

Grab some friends and go cafe hopping with two or three new spots to check out during your adventure.

Start your day early. Energize with a coffee at a new cafe. Pop into another cafe for a midmorning snack and something refreshing. Before the day is over, make one more stop to rest and reflect on your day’s adventures.

Cafe hopping’s a great way to support local businesses, take pictures at Instagram-worthy spots, and try new treats and drinks.

Tasting Event

Head to a tasting event for a sweet experience. What food or drink you explore is up to you.

• Sample coffees or teas from around the world.

• Look for specialty shops that offer tastings.

• Try a different type of tasting, like a walking food tour in your community.

You never know what kind of tasting events you’ll find. Honey, chocolate, and even hot sauce tastings could be part of your adventure.

Earlier this summer, I sampled alcohol-free drinks at Point 5, a nonalcoholic bottle shop in Williamsburg, VA.

Getting to talk with the owner, Charlotte, while I sampled beverages made the experience even more memorable. While I sipped, Charlotte shared fun facts about each drink. I walked away with new knowledge about how alcohol-free brands bring luxury to wider audiences in drinking culture.

DIY Drinks & Treats

Try out a refreshing recipe.

Pop a dessert in the fridge in the morning, so it can freeze into shape while you explore your other activities. You could also end your day with a delicious dessert bar, such as an ice cream bar or a s’mores station.

If you’re interested in cold coffee recipes, check out Savorista Coffee’s  recipes. Their article shares three creative coffee recipes. I can’t wait to try making Affogato.

If you want to use of Savorista Coffee’s decaf coffee blends for your drink, use my affiliate link EXPLOREOC for 25% off.

If you use my code, I earn a small commission which helps me create more awesome content.

Explore

Everyday adventures you can explore solo or with friends.

Sunset Stroll

Appreciate a gorgeous sunset on an evening walk.

There’s nothing like an after-dinner walk at sunset. I love walking later in the day because the temps cool down just enough so it’s comfortable outside. Take a stroll in your community or somewhere scenic to get a good view of the sunset.

Add mindfulness to your stroll with uplifting conversation, gratitude reflection, or a thoughtful podcast episode.

Community Event

Events happening at the National Harbor this summer.

Connect with your community.

Local events are part of what makes summer special. You get to come together for a party or a festival.

Head to a line dance class, a food festival, or an outdoor concert. Anything that’s happening in your community is a chance for fun memories. Your adventure’s up to you.

I love visiting Maryland’s National Harbor in summertime because they have community events throughout the week. There are concerts, line dance classes, movie nights, and exercise classes every week from May to September.

Movie Night

Take your movie watching to the next level.

Have a movie marathon at home. Get themed snacks. Dress up. Decorate your space.

Let’s say you do a Spider-Man movie marathon. Get New York-themed foods like pizza, cheesecake, or hot dogs.

You can also head to an outdoor movie showing in your community.

As I just mentioned, the National Harbors shows free movies twice a week the whole summer. Imagine watching a movie while the sun sets over the Potomac River. It’s very relaxing. If you’re visiting the DMV area, I highly recommend checking out the Harbor’s movie nights.

Explore more: Here’s a list of their 2026 summer movie schedule.

Savor

Slow down to soak up your season.

Craft Day

Have a day to try out a new creative project.

Try making a charm bracelet like in summer camp. Or practice an old-school hobby like crochet. That’s what I’ve been practicing this summer. Pull up a tutorial on YouTube, grab your supplies, and have fun.

I just checked this adventure off my list. Meet Tommie the Mushroom! Shoutout to Divine Crochets for the awesome YouTube tutorial.

View on Threads

Reading Challenge

It’s not summer without cracking open a new book.

Try to read at least two books before the season ends. Take your reading challenge a step further. Swap books with a friend, sign up for your library’s reading challenge, or join a book club before the season’s over.

So far, I’ve reread most of The Hunger Games series since the new movie is coming out later this year. I’ve also been reading Greek mythology-inspired books since The Odyssey is in theaters this summer.

Scrapbook Journaling

Scrapbook your adventures

Take cute pictures while you’re exploring the rest of the summer. Hold onto any paper materials that you can add to your collage. Once the season’s wrapping up, create a two-page spread of your favorite memories.

Make the Most of Your Season

Summer’s not over yet. Choose your adventure. Explore a mix of these ideas or challenge yourself to try them all. Pouring in a little intention is all it takes to make memories that last a lifetime.

Summer Adventure Freebie

I created a free digital page showing all nine activities to help you track your adventure. If you want the downloadable and more fun things to do, join my newsletter below <3

Explore More Summer Adventures