There’s something magical about summer that awakens the adventurer in all of us. The sun stays out longer, the energy is lighter, and the days seem full of promise. That’s why I’m creating a Summer Bucket List this year. Not just any list, but one packed with intention, joy, and a touch of nostalgia. Remember the excitement of writing a Summer Bucket List as a kid? This is that feeling, all grown up. Creating a Summer Bucket List helps me step out of my comfort zone, embrace new experiences, and discover what’s truly possible. I’m on a journey to become the best version of myself. This list isn’t just about fun; it’s about growth. It’s about choosing to inspire and be inspired. If you’re looking for summer bucket list ideas, you’re in the right place!
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Why You Should Create a Summer Bucket List
This summer, I’m challenging myself with a Summer Bucket List that takes me back to the joy of discovery. On a journey to become the best version of myself, I want to do more than just “get through” summer. I want to make it memorable. I want to try new things even if my schedule is jam-packed. There’s something powerful about putting your dreams and goals on paper. It makes them real. It holds you accountable. And, honestly, it makes life more fun!
My list is about stepping outside the familiar. Whether it’s kayaking for the first time or planning a spontaneous weekend getaway, it’s time to embrace the unknown.
Doing What You Love + Trying Something New
The beauty of a summer bucket list is that it lets you mix the things you already love with brand-new adventures. I love hosting my friends for backyard dinners, grilling out with a cold drink in hand, or heading to the beach for a golden hour swim. These are summer staples that will always have a place on my list.
But then there’s the excitement of trying something new. This summer, I’m adding kayaking on the river, biking along the lakeshore, going to a baseball game, and even taking a yoga class on the beach. I want to read five new books that inspire me, try out pottery for the first time, and finally learn how to make the perfect homemade pasta.
Creating a summer bucket list for adults is about balance. It’s the comfort of your favorites and the thrill of pushing your boundaries. For couples, a summer couple bucket list can reignite romance through shared experiences like sunset hikes or DIY wine tastings at home.
Let your list be a reflection of you.
Photo by Taylor Rooney on Unsplash
Photo by Z Grills Australia on Unsplash
Create Your Summer Bucket List With Friends
There’s no one right way to create your Summer Bucket List, that’s the fun of it! Make it colorful, make it creative, and most importantly, make it personal. One of my favorite ways to kick off summer is by hosting a “Bucket List Night” with friends. We gather around with snacks, summer vibes, and tons of inspiration to plan our goals for the season. It’s the perfect excuse to reconnect, laugh, and dream big together.
Since I hosted my friends for the Bucket List Night, I provided the snacks, drinks, and supplies. All you need are some markers, paper/posters, and I like to get some cute stickers as well. Whether you’re making a list for yourself, with your partner, or even as a family, this kind of creative night sets the tone for an amazing season.
Having visual reminders of your goals makes them easier to stick to, and let’s be real, checking them off is half the fun. Grab a big calendar or poster board (linked here and here) and put it somewhere you’ll see every day. It keeps the momentum going and makes each goal feel that much more exciting.
So invite your people, get crafty, and let the summer dreaming begin. It’s a bucket list for summer and it starts with you.
50 Summer Bucket List Ideas
Here are 50 awesome Summer Bucket List ideas for adults:
- Host a backyard BBQ
- Try a new cocktail recipe
- Watch a movie at an outdoor theater
- Go kayaking on a local river
- Make homemade blizzards
- Visit a local farmer’s market
- Read a book in the park
- Go on a spontaneous road trip
- Take a sunrise walk
- Rent bikes and explore new neighborhoods
- Go camping for the weekend
- Attend a music festival or outdoor concert
- Create a summer playlist
- Take a cooking class
- Go to the driving range or mini golfing
- Try paddleboarding
- Visit a new museum
- Float down the river in tubes
- Watch fireworks from a rooftop
- Try a new sport (pickleball, anyone?)
- Go to a baseball game
- Go to a rooftop bar
- Have a beach day
- Explore a botanical garden
- Make homemade ice cream
- Host a themed dinner party
- Create a summer photo journal
- Visit an amusement park
- Try yoga outdoors
- Schedule a weekly patio happy hour
- Make s’mores over a campfire
- Go berry picking
- Learn to grill a new recipe
- Visit a new coffee shop each week
- Read 5 inspiring books
- Make homemade pasta
- Go wine tasting
- Host a game night
- Take a boat tour
- Start a garden (even on a balcony!)
- Volunteer at a local event
- Have a no-phone weekend
- Plan a surprise date
- Try a cultural food you’ve never had
- Join a summer book club
- Paint in the park
- Go to a comedy show
- Make a picnic basket and use it!
- Do a sunrise yoga session
- Start a cookbook club
This summer bucket list isn’t just a list—it’s a challenge to experience more, laugh harder, and be present. A summer bucket list for adults should feel like a mix of fun, growth, and pure adventure.
Photo by Geertje Caliguire on Unsplash
Photo by Jon Matthews on Unsplash
20 Ways to Complete Your List in Chicago
If you’re lucky enough to spend the summer in Chicago, this city offers endless opportunities to check things off your Summer Bucket List. Here’s how to accomplish 20 of the above ideas right here in the Windy City:
- Try a New Sport
- Join an S3 – Simple Social Sports League.
- Discover Chicago Park pickleball courts.
- Outdoor movie night
- Grab a blanket for the “Movies in the Parks” series.
- Buy tickets in advance to the Roof Top Cinema Club in Fulton Market.
- Get creative in your own outdoor space with a white sheet, projector, and speaker.
- Kayaking on the Chicago River
- Urban Kayaks offers rentals right on the Chicago River.
- Waterides offers architecture tours and rentals on the Chicago River.
- Biking in the City
- Rent a Divvy bike and cruise the Lakefront Trail.
- Baseball game
- Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
- Enroll in the Student Discount program to get access to last-minute tickets.
- Farmers Market
- Check out all the Chicago Farmers Markets and when they are available.
- Picnic in the park
- Millennium Park and Humboldt Park both offer beautiful spots.
- Sunrise walk
- Montrose Beach is peaceful and stunning early in the morning.
- Beach day
- Oak Street and North Avenue Beach are classic summer hangouts.
- Take a cooking class
- Check out the Chopping Block, The Wooden Spoon, or The Social Table.
- Driving Range & Mini Golf
- Check out the Diversey Driving Range & Mini Golf.
- Live music
- Millennium Park Summer Music Series is free and fun.
- Jazzin’ at the Shedd is a series that the aquarium offers every Wednesday evening, May-August.
- Check out outdoor concerts at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island or at The Salt Shed.
- Museum visit
- The Museum of Contemporary Art is perfect for a culture day.
- Explore a botanical garden
- Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory.
- Check out the Chicago Botanic Garden.
- Comedy show
- Hit up The Second City, Laugh Factory, or IO Theater for laughs.
- Wine tasting
- Make a reservation at the City Winery Wine Garden.
- DIY Wine Tasting at Home.
- Boat tour
- Take an architectural boat tour to see the city from a new angle.
- Chicago Boat Rentals to enjoy the lake.
- Yoga outdoors
- Try joining a class with Beach Yoga Chicago.
- Millennium Park Summer Workouts include Zumba, Pilates, and Yoga, May-August.
- Theme dinner night
- Invite your friends over for a Garden Party Dinner Night, Italian Themed Dinner, and more.
- Go berry picking
- Head over to Heider’s Berry Farm to pick your own strawberries or raspberries.
- Head over to Merrillville Farms to pick your own blueberries.
Chicago is full of summer magic. From date-night ideas for your couple’s summer bucket list to spontaneous adventures that belong on any hot girl summer bucket list, the possibilities are endless.
Photo by Aveedibya Dey on Unsplash
This summer, let’s go beyond routine. Let’s make room for spontaneity, creativity, and growth. Whether you’re dreaming up a summer couple bucket list, diving into a solo hot girl summer bucket list, or planning a summer bucket list for kids, it’s all about being intentional with your time.
Creating a Summer Bucket List is about more than checking off boxes; it’s about making memories, becoming the best version of yourself, and letting joy lead the way. The summer bucket list for adults is an invitation to play, explore, and live fully. Don’t wait for the perfect weekend or the ideal plan. Start writing down your own summer bucket list ideas. Make it personal, fun, and, most importantly, yours.
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