Welcome to “Best Summer Ever,” your guide to getting the most out of the sunny season. Whether your idea of a perfect summer is embarking on epic adventures or blissfully doing as little as possible, we’ve got you covered. Because the best summer doesn’t just happen—you have to make it happen.
The best summer day I’ve ever had was when I was 15. I rolled out of bed around 11 a.m. and headed to my local beach without a plan. After sunset, my pals and I skateboarded around town. Nothing really happened—just shit-talking and playing SKATE like we’d done a thousand times—but I remember being struck by the fact that I wouldn’t always be doing this. School was starting soon, and The Future was on its way, like it or not, so I’d better enjoy the moment before it melted away like a dropped popsicle. I don’t remember spending any money on my best summer day, and I definitely didn’t worry about it. It was about freedom, not finances.
You don’t need a fat wallet or an Instagram-ready vacation to capture that summer vibe. Whether you’re dead broke, playing it safe because it’s crazy out there, or just looking for a simpler, more relaxed season, there are plenty of ways to have the best summer ever without emptying your bank account. Below are free (or nearly free) things you can do to have a summer that’s about freedom, creativity, laziness, and catching those little moments that make summer feel like summer.
Free (or nearly free) summer activities
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Hiking: They haven’t figured out how to charge people for walking around outside (mostly), so put your zip code into the All Trails website and see what’s out there. You don’t need more than a pair of sneakers and a water bottle for a lot of hikes, so get out there and get you some nature.
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Park life: If a hike sounds too ambitious, go hang out at the park. A lot goes on at the park if you’re open to it. Lay in the grass. Sit on the bench. Feed the birds. People-watch. Pack a picnic. Invite a friend. If someone asked me to go have a lazy picnic in the park, I’d say, “hell yeah.”
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Water hunt: Whether it’s in a community pool, a lake, a river, or just out of your hose, water and summer go together like jam and toast. So get on the googles and figure out the hours of your local community pool, find a lake with no entry fee, or just turn on the hose and load up the water pistols. (Water wars are the only wars I approve of.)
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Summertime events: I don’t know where you live, but most towns offer low or no cost summer entertainment. I’ll bet there are local outdoor movie nights, community concerts, theater in the park, and/or neighborhood festivals, and the organizers really want you to show up. You don’t even have to stay through the whole thing; just stop by.
The great indoors
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Public air conditioning: Why spend your own dough on cooling when so many places have the A/C blasting: Malls, libraries, museums on free days, matinee movies, or even big-box stores all are delightfully chilly in summer. So walk around like you own the place, stop and get some meatballs at IKEA and pretend you’re shopping for a new kitchen.
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Stay home: I have great respect for people who never leave their homes, so I’ve gone into great detail about how to have a great summer inside in my Indoor Person’s Guide to Summer.
Mindset and vibe: The real secret to a great summer
Have you ever known anyone who is miserable on vacation? That’s because spending money doesn’t make you happy. The line between a dreary, miserable, hot, boring, broke day and the best damn day of your life is razor thin, and it isn’t for sale. So say “yes” to stupid little plans. Keep your schedule loose. Take time to compliment every cute dog you see. Bring some bongos to the park. Quietly chat with the librarians at your local library. Invite your friends along to share moments instead of splitting checks. Summer is in your heart, baby.