101 Ultimate Best Summer Bucket List Ideas for 2022 - MERCY K. (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Full disclosure here.

Are you looking for AMAZING summer bucket list ideas? Well, look no further because here are the 101 ultimate best summer bucket list ideas for 2022.

Aren’t you ready for hot girl summer bucket list ideas? Because I am.

Well hold up, LET’S BE REAL! Hot girl summer is not about getting some unrealistic abs to show off by the pool. Well, at least not for me. If you do, please hit a sista up and let me know how lol.

But it’s all about claiming your happiness, being confident in yourself while sipping some cold summer drink, and basically enjoying life to the fullest.

Think about:

• Summer things to do
• Hot body summer goals
• Summer leveling up in all aspects of your life

You NAME IT!

Well, if this excites you, then let’s go ahead and get started with these amazing 101 summer bucket list ideas.

101 Summer Bucket List Ideas

Save the “summer bucket list ideas ” blog post and follow me on Pinterest.

1. Do a quick summer check-in with yourself

Before creating your ultimate summer bucket list, it’s sooo important to take a minute to check in with yourself. And figure out certain important things like:

• Realistic summer expectations.
• Where you’re at physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally.
• How to be your most happiest and fulfilled self this summer.

Remember, you gotta start your summer with positive vibes only and make the most of it.

2. Create a summer budget

Aaaaah! Don’t you wish you had an unlimited budget to enjoy summer PROPERLY? Lol! I would fly privately to Santorini, Paris, Bali, Rome, basically everywhere. And take insta-worthy pics, go luxurious shopping, eat fancy meals and co*cktails, hire a chef, and more.

But, we all know ain’t nobody got money for all that. At least as of now haha!

So, remember to create a summer budget, to avoid going broke just because of FOMO

3. Create a daily summer routine

To enjoy most of your summer, you should establish a daily routine. Make sure to include:

• Morning and night summer routine
• Plan your days off to rest
• Plan your vacation and activities

With organization, life becomes simpler and less stressful.

Related Blog: How to create a daily routine that insanely works

4. Get a summer hairstyle

Tis the season to look good. You can’t go through summer without getting a new look. It’s not allowed, haha. Surprise people with a new haircut, braids, hair color, or anything wild.

For me, I won’t miss out on the extra-long braids trend.

5. Buy summer clothes

If you are a fashionista babe like me. Don’t forget to get cute summer clothes like rompers, shorts, dresses, bikinis, tops, open shoes, sunglasses and more.

Sis, we are about to look cute in these streets lol.

6. Go to a summer fair and festival

There is a lot going on in every city during the summer. Make sure to attend a summer fair and enjoy some good food, music, games, shows, and dances.

7. Be a tourist in your own city

This is my favorite especially if your city is bustling and full of historical gems. It’s always nice to take a day to go out to the city for a tour, get good food, spot what’s new and remind yourself of its charm.

8. Go for a summer cruise

If you have the coins for it, then why not? There’s nothing better to add to your bucket list than a summer cruise to the Bahamas, Mexico, or even a simple dinner cruise if you live in Chicago or Tampa, etc.

9. Go to an amusem*nt park

I always joke that I go to six flags once every 5 years because I need that much time to recover from the crazy rides. But, amusem*nt parks are sooo much fun to go with family or friends that every summer I can’t dare miss out.

10. Host a pool party

If you have access to a pool, host a summer pool party, where you can enjoy good drinks, music, and gathering.

11. Go to a drive-in movie theatre

Drive-in movie theaters are so romantic. Bring a blanket, some wine, and snacks and enjoy with your partner or friends.

12. Create a summer music playlist

If you’re like me, music hits different in each and every season of the year. So, add to your bucket list to create or update your summer playlist for travel and hanging out.

13. Become a plant mama

There is nothing good in the summer than greenery. It generally makes you happier and healthier. So, this summer, buy some real plants and flowers and add them to your space. And this is such a great summer bucket list idea because you can even grow some herbs and veggies and save some grocery coins.

14. Go to a comedy club

Don’t forget to add attending a comedy club to your summer bucket list. It’s always a good time to enjoy a good laugh.

15. Attend a live music concert

The good thing about summer is that there are a lot of things going on in your city or a neighboring city. So, be on the lookout for any posters going around for your favorite artists’ and celebrities’ performances.

16. Go to a farmer’s market

This summer, get your basket, and cute flowy dress, and take yourself to grab some good fruits and fresh veggies from the farmer’s market.

17. Host a bonfire and s’mores

If you have a nice backyard and firepit, don’t forget to host a bonfire and s’mores kind of night with friends or family.

18. Go to a beach or lake

Is it summer really if you don’t take yourself to a beach or lake? Or even a pond, I don’t care, add to your summer bucket list to go next to any kind of water and enjoy yourself relaxing.

19. Go on a summer road trip

A road trip is always a fun summer bucket list idea. I’ve always dreamed of taking a nice road trip on the pacific coast highway cruising in an open yellow jeep wrangler, feeling the breeze, and looking at stunning ocean views. And of course, looking so fly with my fun sunglasses and blue braids effortlessly flying all over.

Wink wink! Don’t steal my idea.

20. Have a cute little picnic

A picnic is always a cute summer bucket list idea. Get a cute picnic basket, some snacks, fruits, sandwiches, and drinks. And set up a picnic with a cute blanket, pillows, flowers, etc. Pinterest has a ton of great ideas.

21. Get your hot girl summer body goals

It’s hot girl summer season. Make sure to add to your summer bucket list to show some skin and body. It’s a good season to remind yourself to be confident in your body and proud of who you are. Hot girl summer body goals are all about body positivity and attaining realistic fitness goals that you’re comfortable with.

22. Do a water sport activity on a lake or ocean

If you live close to a body of water, there are a lot of activities to add to your summer bucket list. Or, if you don’t, you could always go on a summer vacation to a lake or ocean.

Here are a few:

• Jet skiing
• Surfing
• Parasailing
• Snorkeling

and many more.

23. Have a bbq party

You know it doesn’t feel like summer if you don’t go to a bbq party. So, host some and attend as many as you can. Grill some good food and enjoy some good drinks

24. Run a marathon

Summers can be extremely hot, but if you enjoy athletic activities, why not add running a marathon to your bucket list? Running when it’s cool can be nice, but why not challenge yourself to reach new heights.

25. Go to free events hosted by your city

We all know that summertime is the season when everything is popping. Before you look into booking an expensive vacation, google all the events your city is hosting during the summer and it to your bucket list and calendar.

There are a lot of events going on such as:

• Yoga at the park
• Food festivals
• Comedy shows
• Fireworks

And more.

26. Have a spa day

I believe every season you should have a relaxing spa day. Whether you’re doing it at home or paying for it, remember to take care of your body, hair, nails, face, etc.

27. Go to a botanical garden

Botanical gardens bring so much joy to people. I don’t know what’s all about summer and flowers and happiness. They just correlate nicely. So, add to your summer bucket list to go to a botanical garden.

28. Make a fun mocktail/co*cktail

For your summer bucket list, create a fun, refreshing summer mocktail or co*cktail. And btw you could host a party with your friend where you compete on who can create the best drink. And vote on taste and presentation.

29. Go for a camping or cabin trip

Summer is great for adventure. And it is so nice to be outside because the weather is warm, and the environment is bright and vibrant So, on your bucket list, go camping and spend some time enjoying outside. If you don’t like sleeping outside, rent a cabin or RV.

30. Take insta–worthy summer pic

There is completely nothing wrong with loving and admiring yourself. So, this summer, make sure to take memorable insta-worthy photos. You could also post them on social media or hang them on your wall or simply create a memorable slide show.

31. Read a good book

Wouldn’t it be nice to relax on the balcony, porch, or hammock reading a good book? Well, add to your bucket list and create a list of good summer reads. You could also, start a summer book club with your close friends.

32. Watch the sunset

Take the time to watch the sunset this summer and enjoy being present in the moment.

33. Do a summer challenge

During summer, you should challenge yourself to be better at something, Why not enjoy participating in summer challenges to help you be better emotionally, financially, or physically.

34. Watch fireworks

Find the most epic fireworks show in your city and attend it.

35. Do something out of your comfort zone

This summer, try doing something new and out of your comfort zone.

You could try:

• skinny dipping
• sky diving
• karaoke

36. Watch the sunrise

I know that not everyone is a morning person. But one of the summer days, just wake up early and watch a beautiful sunrise with your morning cup of coffee.

37. Go wine tasting

Wear your sunny dress, and wide rim hat and go to a vineyard for wine tasting. This is such a fancy summer bucket list idea, so might as well act like it, haha!

38. Have quiet time

Summers can be super loud and wild and you may feel the need to attend everything. Well, you should not accept that this summer. Create some boundaries and ensure that you have quiet time to yourself to recharge and rejuvenate.

39. Go bowling

Bowling is always fun with a group of friends or partner. It’s a good time to be competitive for a summer bucket list idea.

40. Go on a new hiking trail

With nice weather, you might as well find new adventurous hiking trails. You can go for a walk, run, ride your bike, or even take your dogs out and about.

41. Start a creative side hustle

If you’re a creative kind of person like me, there is one piece of advice I can give you. Start your hustle during the summer season. I started mine late fall and by winter, I almost give up. There is not too much content when it’s cold outside. So, most definitely, add this to your summer bucket list.

42. Go to a zoo and aquarium

Summer is the time to go and visit your animal friends at the zoo and aquarium. Especially if you have kids, it’s a good time to spend learning about animals.

43. Get a health checkup

Y’all thought this summer is just gonna be all fun and games. Well, don’t forget to schedule your health checkup, to make sure you can make it to more summers ahead.

44. Go on an outdoor brunch date

This summer on your bucket list, go on a brunch date with either your partner or girlfriends. Make sure to sit outside and enjoy a mimosa while you’re at it.

45. Give Back

To become a better person in life, it is always a good thing to give back to your community. Giving doesn’t have to be necessarily money but it can also be time or effort.

For example, you can:

• Send handwritten letters to the children’s hospital
• Volunteer for a cause this summer
• Do a little act of kindness
• Give onecomplimenta day
• Pay it Forward by sharing what you have learned

Basically, cultivate compassion towards other people this summer.

46. Do a social media detox

If you are kinda addicted to social media and your phone, make it your summer bucket list to do a social media detox.

You can most definitely do anything that helps you find a better balance between being on your phone and being present at the moment with your loved ones.

For social media detox, you can do little things like:

• Delete unused apps on your phone
• Put your phone away an hour before bed
• Be kind on social media
• Travel somewhere or eat out without posting about it on social media
• Take a day off social media a week

Here is the Miracle Of Social Media Detox You Have To Experience.

47. Try out a street food or food truck

This summer explore some good street food and food trucks around your area.

48. Host a garage sale and declutter

Summer is the best time of the year to host a garage sale and declutter your home. Take the time to get rid of items that don’t serve you anymore.

49. Go to an outdoor yoga

During summer, there is a lot of free outdoor yoga at the park events, so make sure to add to your bucket list to attend at least one class. It is so refreshing and relaxing.

50. Start a gratitude journal

It is so easy to compare your life to other people you see on social media, especially during summer. Everyone is showing off their great experiences and you may feel like you have less. So, make sure this summer to start a gratitude journal to remind you of all the amazing things you have going in your life.

51. Be your true authentic self

Summer season you may sometimes feel the need to conform to other people’s expectations. You may find yourself attending things you don’t want to, wearing clothes that make you uncomfortable, and other things.

So make sure to keep it real and be your authentic self.

53. Make a new friend

Make it your summer bucket list goal to make at least one friend. You can never have enough.

54. Plan your fall goals

Summertime is always a good time to plan your fall goals. Also, it is always good to look ahead to how you can improve your life in the next few months. So, create a list of how you’d like your fall season to look like and what you’d like to accomplish.

55. Make time to enjoy with family

Don’t focus too much time with friends that you forget your family. Put some time aside to enjoy the little things with your loved ones. Have a bbq, go on a trip, play some games, etc.

56. Watch less tv and be more outdoor activities

This is simple. Save tv for winter and enjoy the short-lived warm-season outside.

57. Get something nice for yourself

Don’t forget to put yourself first this summer. Add on your summer bucket list to get or do something nice for yourself. Celebrate who you are because there is only one of you in this world.

58. Do a staycation

Sometimes it’s just nice to organize a good staycation to just relax, reflect and recharge. How about you save some coins by adding a staycation to your summer bucket list?

59. Play at the park

Whether it’s playing with your dogs or with your buddies, there are a ton of activities you can do at the park. You could play frisbee, catch, volleyball, tennis, badminton and many many more.

60. Get ice cream

Can never get too much ice cream during the summer season. I honestly think it is a basic necessity, haha!

61. Stay hydrated

Don’t forget to drink enough water every day.

62. Sleep in

Add a few days to your calendar where you sleep in and forget all about your problems, activities, and responsibilities.

63. Go on a summer vacay

If you have enough coins saved up, take yourself on a nice summer trip and check off your bucket list. There are a lot of places to tour locally and internationally. You could go to yellow stone, Europe tour, African safari, lake Tahoe, Bali, Maldives, Cancun, etc. Your list is limitless.

64. Ride in a convertible

Whether you rent or you know somebody who has a convertible, it is a good way to ride out and about feeling the warm summer breeze.

65. Learn something new and fun

There is never an end to learning. How about this summer you take classes for something new and fun. You could go to Kizomba, do ice skating, salsa, roller skating, painting, cooking, and many many more. Take your passion to new heights.

65. REST

Don’t fall into the cycle of overdoing things. Yes, it’s good to be productive, but, you also have to rest. Take a few summer days to rest.

66. Go fruit picking

Fruit picking can be so much fun. This summer add to your bucket list to go fruit picking for strawberries, blackberries, pears, and other fruits.

67. Move to a new city

If you have ever dreamt to move to a different city, summer may be the best time of the year to relocate and start a new life.

68. Lounge in a hammock

Buy a hammock, and fix it somewhere at the park or in your backyard. Get a good book and drink and enjoy.

69. Get a temporary tattoo

It may actually be fun to see what you’d look like with a temporary summer tattoo.

70. Have a slumber party

Have your favorite girlfriends over and have a slumber party where you get to catch up, enjoy some drinks and watch a movie or something.

71. Relax in a lazy river

Enjoy floating down a lazy river with a nice summer drink.

72. Go fishing

Grab your fishing poles and outdoor chairs and go to a lake to catch some fish this summer.

73. Try out local vibey restaurants

Summer is all about vibrant vibes. How about searching for some local restaurants that are unique with extraordinary features, plants, and good food.

75. Be spontaneous

Have one day where you don’t plan anything. Just go with the flow of things.

76. Do wine and paint

Wine and painting is such a cute date idea with your partner or girlfriends to add to your bucket list.

77. Stretch a lot more

Whether it’s in your home or at the park, make sure to stretch a lot more to help you with becoming more flexible this summer.

78. Learn a new summer recipe

I think it’s fun to try out a new summer-inspired recipe. Search recipes on google and Pinterest and add them to your summer bucket list.

79. Rent a boat

Invite a few friends, and on a nice summer day go out to the lake and rent a boat. Play some music, and enjoy a good time with snacks and drinks.

80. Take out your partner or friend on a surprise date

Think of a creative summer date from this bucket list idea and take your partner or friend out on a surprise date.

81. Take dance lessons

Take the opportunity this summer to be good at a specific dance. You can even show off your skills on TikTok or reels. There are a lot of free youtube classes, but if you have the coins, sign up for a dance class locally.

82. Be happy and smile often

Summer is the season of laughter and happiness. So, remind yourself to smile more, and be positive and happy.

83. Go to a comedy club

On your summer bucket list, go to a comedy club to enjoy a good laugh.

84. Go to a summer concert

There are a ton of concerts to attend during summer. Find out who’s coming to your city and don’t miss out.

85. Get your summer nails done

Summer is not complete if you don’t get your vibrant nail colors done. Find some summer nail ideas and get them done. Orange, yellow, and pink are usually nice bright colors.

86. Use sunscreen

With all the heat and UV light, don’t forget to take care of your skin by using some sunscreen.

87. Mind your own business

This summer make it a point to bring peace to your life by minding your own business and not involving yourself in meaningless drama.

88. Go on a solo trip

If you’re the adventurous kind, take a nice solo trip this summer and check it off your bucket list.

89. Do a summer DIY project

You can never be bored during summer. Take on a DIY summer project such as painting furniture, creating cute vases, knitting, etc.

90. Try pottery

This summer add to your bucket list to go to a pottery class. Sounds fun, right?

91. Take a class

This summer take some classes to improve your skills in some of your passion such as woodworking, sculpting, cooking, interior design, health, photography, and others.

92. Save money

Challenge yourself to make some wise financial decisions and save money, invest, and budget.

93. Try out the nightlife in your city

This summer add to your bucket list to go out with your girlfriends and dance to some good music.

94. Adopt a pet

If you are a pet lover, this can be your most adorable summer bucket list idea to add to your list. Prepare yourself to bring a pet home to love and take care of.

Or if you already have one pet, you can most definitely add another one to the family.

95. Do a popping summer makeup look

Get some cute celebrity makeup ideas and try doing a popping summer makeup look. And yeah take pictures.

96. Decorate your home for summer

It’s always refreshing to switch up your home decoration depending on each season. For this summer, get some flowers, new art, and other decors to bring out your summer vibes.

97. Do something that makes you genuinely happy

Sometimes we’re too cautious of ourselves that we forget to have a good time. At least one day this summer, add to your bucket list to do something that makes you genuinely happy. I mean eat something unhealthy once if you’re craving it, splurge on something, go on that trip, etc.

98. Be productive

This summer, set realistic goals and routines for yourself to be productive and get things done that can actually move you forward in life.

99. Eat lots of watermelons

You can never have enough juicy watermelons during the hot summer months.

100. Post on social media to keep all summer memories

This may seem a little contradicting, but hear me out. Indulging in social media little healthy social media it’s not bad. It’s all about creating a balance and not comparing your experiences to others.

So, make sure to post all your summer activities just to keep an album full of memories. So, that two years from now, you can still go back and remember what an amazing summer you had.

101. Be present at the moment

This summer, I challenge you to be fully present at the moment, when doing all your fun bucket list activities. Yes, take a few pictures and videos, but make sure to fully immerse yourself in your experiences.

Last Thoughts

In conclusion, I hope that these 101 ultimate best summer bucket list ideas will bring nothing but joy, happiness, fun, and fulfillment this summer.

Also, let me know in the comments one must-do summer bucket list idea.

And if this blog post resonated with you, please let’s be friends. Join my newsletter below, because I can’t wait to chat with you more on a personal level.

Related Posts

• Things To Do In Your 20s That Will Make Your Life Better
• 15 Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Him on a Budget
• Women in Business Podcast by 30 Hosts You’ll Totally Love
• 71 Ultimate Best List of New Year’s Resolutions for 2022