Summer is often characterized by carefree afternoons spent relaxing and lounging around. There are a lot of reasons why we love this time of year, but those hot day-time temperatures are not always on of them! It can be easy to spend most of your summer free time doing very little, in the cool comfort of air conditioning, accompanied only by our phones. Before you spend the rest of the season browsing social media or shopping online, maybe it’s time you consider adding some fun back into your summer routine. While the sun may be high above and temperatures climbing, you can fight the temptation to stay inside, especially with these great activities to help you stay active and make some memories before it’s time to go back to work or school!
Delicious Summer Treats
- Summer means heat, but it also means ICE CREAM! Thankfully, the Pittsburgh area has countless spots to grab a cone, sundae or split. Not feeling like leaving the house? There’s no reason you can’t make your own ice cream at home. Enjoy your favorite icy summer treat while you beat the heat!
- While the adults can enjoy their favorite summer cocktails, all ages can enjoy these tasty summer mocktails.
Summer Spots in Pittsburgh
- When’s the last time you visited an arcade? If you have fond memories of the 80s and 90s, you probably remember the joy of stocking up on quarters and heading to the arcade. Pittsburgh has a few arcades you can still visit today, and they come complete with the games and atmosphere you remember.
- Go ice skating and stay cool as a penguin while you get some exercise!
- Spray parks are a great destination for families looking to cool off and have some fun.
- Feeling adventurous? Tubing down the river can be a great summer memory and a lot of fun.
- Water parks are a classic summer destination. If you haven’t been lately, now is a great time to return! Some of them even allow for indoor splashing…
- Take an art class. Contrary to what some may think, crafts can be a lot of fun; and there are plenty of real art maestros offering to share their abilities with eager students. No matter your talent, there’s an art class out there just waiting for you!
- Bowling and are hard to beat when it comes to staying cool and still getting some light exercise.
- If you don’t have your own pool, visit a public one or even stay in a hotel overnight so you can enjoy the full luxury experience. Just remember to pack your swim trunks!
- Summer fun can be educational and enlightening, too! It’s a great opportunity to visit a local museum or art gallery.
- The same applies to libraries. Not only can the trip to the library be a good way to pass some time, but you’ll be ready with a new stack of books to read in your free time.
- Visit your local movie theater and see the newest summer blockbuster or a rerun of a beloved classic. Some locations offer matinee pricing during week days.
Fun at Home
- Don’t want to visit the theater? Turn your home into the great movie house you always knew it could be! Want to get some fresh air after the sun goes down and it starts to cool off? Host an outdoor movie night.
- In need of a little rest and relaxation? Turn your home into the perfect spot for a spa day.
- Picnics are a fun summer activity, but when it’s too hot out to enjoy sitting outside, bring the blanket and basket indoors and have your picnic inside!
- When it’s time to get some fresh air, do it the right way- with a water balloon fight! Get the whole family involved, and don’t be afraid to invite friends and neighbors over. It’s a great opportunity to get everyone together, which means you can break out the grill once it’s time to eat.
- Board games are anything but boring! While you might have a stack of old favorites sitting in a closet or storage chest, there’s no harm in visiting the toy section of your favorite store. There are a huge selection of new board and card games, with plenty of family friendly options- and even a few aimed for older audiences as well.
Summer is all about having fun! Don’t let the heat and humidity keep you from making happy memories with your friends and family. Make the most of your free time and remember: don’t look back on the summer of 2023 with regrets of what you could’ve done- just get out there and do it!
