Wrapping Up Summer: Experiences to Have Before the Season Fades

Henry David Thoreau once described this time of year as “The glistening autumnal side of summer, with a cool vein in the breeze.” As fall approaches and summer fades away, it is the ideal time to have a few last summer experiences before the season fades. Read on for some ideas on how to make the most of what’s left of summer:

Take a Picnic & Spend a Fun Day at The Park

One experience to fit into the last vestiges of summer is a picnic with those you love most. Dress in a fun summer outfit while the temperature remains warm enough to welcome in that rich vitamin D. Enjoy the beauty of summer before it gets too cold to be outside for long periods of time. Choose a cozy blanket and spread it out at a local park or other spot that you love, and take along some of your favorite foods. Consider bringing along bikes (and helmets) for a ride afterward, or bringing a ball and glove, Frisbee, or more to get moving. As fall approaches, spending a day simply relaxing in the sun and enjoying your time together is a great way to bid a fond goodbye to summer.

Host Backyard Movie Night

Another activity to enjoy while it’s still warm enough to be outside after dark is a fun movie night. Invite others over to enjoy the fun. Serve popcorn or light refreshments and play an inspiring, funny, or classic movie. You can put up an official projection screen or instead improvise with a white sheet. Be sure to set up comfortable seating, and don’t forget the warm blankets. This time of year is ideal for this activity as mosquitos aren’t nearly as bad, and temperatures are more pleasant. Doing this in the heart of summer is actually a little uncomfortable, and it takes so long for the sun to fully set. So, now, between summer and fall, is the ideal time for this fun experience.

Take One Last Trip

End summer on a high note before the season fully fades by taking one last trip. This can include a full-fledged vacation to a favorite spot, like a beach or resort, or instead simply be a weekend getaway or even a day trip. Take the time to get in one last jaunt. Visit a nearby city and explore the museums, shopping, and restaurants, or get off the beaten path and enjoy some hiking trails. No matter where you live, there are likely to be attractions, parks, museums, and other unique experiences to enjoy before summer takes its final bow. Get creative. A trip doesn’t have to include spending a huge amount of money or even allocating several days of vacation. It can be simple, nearby, and affordable. Make sure that wherever you travel, you are protected against accidents, as you don’t want to start autumn off on the wrong foot legally.

Harvest Your Garden

Of course, this experience is only possible if you have already completed the work of planting a garden. However, one way to say goodbye to summer and welcome in autumn is by picking ripe herbs, vegetables, and fruits out of your garden. After gathering the harvest, you can teach kids how to can or put back stock or simply prepare some dishes using what you have as you harvest it, especially if your harvest is on the small side. If you have a large harvest and don’t plan on putting back food or don’t really have the storage room to do so, consider donating some of your harvests to local food banks or missions. This can be an even more rich experience if you harvest your garden, keep what you want, and then take your entire family to donate the rest. This is a fulfilling experience for all involved and helps out a community mission as well. If you don’t have a garden, you could instead spend the day visiting local farmer’s markets and then going home and preparing meals from the fresh produce.

Dine Outside

This time of year is the perfect temperature for eating outdoors as flies and other bugs are less prevalent, creating a superb setup for this activity. If you have a patio, it is easy to set up a meal outside. Grill out for the meat (or even vegetables) and enjoy the pleasantries of staying outside for as long as possible. It can be a last hooray before winter fall truly sets in, and it gets too cold to eat or cook outdoors. If you don’t have a patio or other way to enjoy eating outside, consider visiting a restaurant with outdoor dining and request that seating to enjoy the pleasant, milder temperatures of summer’s end. Combine this experience with watching a football game (on an outside TV if you have one) or sitting around a fire pit roasting marshmallows and telling stories.

Throw an End-of-Summer Party

Throwing a themed summer party is a great way to celebrate the approach of fall and commemorate the end of summer. You can approach this however you see fit. You can throw a more formal, elaborate dinner and invite only select guests, or have a more casual drop-in affair and invite the whole neighborhood along with family and friends. It can be set up in the backyard or in your formal dining room. It’s truly up to you. The idea is to get together with those you value most and to celebrate the ending of a season and the beginning of new opportunities coming with the next one. It is also a great time to get together one last time before the holidays approach, and everyone seems to get super busy, making coordinating schedules almost impossible.

Reflect and Set New Goals at Summer’s End

Last but not least, another way to commemorate the end of summer is by reflecting on the season and taking the time to set new goals. Now is the time to welcome fall and winter by setting some new objectives, listing between three and five goals to achieve. Reflect on what you have accomplished throughout the summer, as this is a great way to get ready to meet new goals head-on. Consider compiling a Pinterest board of all your summer accomplishments so you can see what you were able to achieve throughout the season. This will help you truly reflect on what has passed before you move on to fall inspiration, decor, looks, and goals.

About the Author

Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer where she shares knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness or financial tips. During her free time she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.