The Best Free (or Cheap) Ways to Spend Your Summer
Welcome to The Best Summer Ever , your guide to making the most of the sunny season. Whether your idea of the perfect summer is one of epic adventure or a blissful effort to do as little as possible, we’ve got you covered. Because the best summers don’t just happen—you have to make them.
The best summer day of my life was when I was 15. I rolled out of bed around 11am and headed to the local beach with no plan. After the sun went down, my buddies and I skateboarded around town. Nothing special happened – just talking shit and playing SKATE like we’d done a thousand times – but I remember being struck by the fact that I wouldn’t be doing this forever . School was starting soon, and the Future was coming whether you liked it or not, so it was best to 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 certainly 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 those summer vibes. Whether you’re totally broke, playing it safe because it’s crazy time outside, or just looking for a simpler, more relaxed season, there are plenty of ways to have the best summer without emptying your bank account. Below are free (or almost free) things you can do to have a summer filled with freedom, creativity, laziness, and capturing those little moments that make summer, summer .
Free (or almost free) summer fun
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Hiking : They haven’t figured out how to charge people to walk outside yet (mostly), so enter your zip code on the All Trails website and see what’s out there. Many hikes require nothing more than a pair of running shoes and a water bottle, so get out there and enjoy the outdoors.
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Park Life: If a hike seems too ambitious, head to the park. There’s a lot to see in a park if you’re open to it. Lie on the grass. Sit on a bench. Feed the birds. People-watch. Pack a picnic. Invite a friend. If someone asked me to go on a lazy picnic in the park, I’d say, “Hell yeah.”
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Water Wars: Whether it’s a public pool, a lake, a river, or just a hose, water and summer go together like jam and toast. So hit Google and find out the hours of your local public pool, find a lake with free admission, or just turn on the hose and load up the water guns. (Water wars are the only wars I approve of.)
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Summer Events: I don’t know where you live, but most cities offer inexpensive or free summer entertainment. I bet there are local outdoor movie nights, community concerts, theater in the park, and/or neighborhood festivals, and the organizers really want you to come. You don’t even have to stay the whole time; just stop by.
Great indoors
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Public Air Conditioning : Why spend your own money on cooling when so many places have their air conditioners running at full blast: shopping malls, libraries, museums on free days, movie matinees, or even big box stores are all delightfully cool in the summer. So walk around the place like you own it, stop and buy some meatballs at IKEA, and pretend you’re buying a new kitchen.
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Stay at home : I have a lot of respect for people who never leave their homes, so in my “Guide for Summer at Home” I’ve detailed how to have a great summer at home .
Attitude and Mood: The Real Secret to a Great Summer
Have you ever known someone who was miserable on vacation? That’s because spending money doesn’t make you happy. The line between a dull, miserable, hot, boring, cash-strapped day and the best damn day of your life is razor-thin, and it’s not for sale. So say yes to silly little plans. Don’t break your schedule. Take the time to compliment every cute dog you see. Take some bongos to the park. Have a quiet chat with the librarians at your local library. Invite friends over to share moments instead of splitting checks. Summer is in your heart, baby.