The Ultimate Summer Bucketlist for Adults

Summer Bucketlist
Ultimate Summer Bucketlist for Adults

Are you an empty nester or perhaps have kids in their late teens who are too busy to spend time with Mom and Dad? That is where I find myself these days. Our boys are 21 and 17 and have their own lives. There is less time spent with my husband and me and more times than not; we are our own.


It is a new phase in life and quite an adjustment. Gone are the days of the playground, little league games, children’s museums, etc. However, instead of dwelling on the past, why not focus on the present and the future? This is a time to reconnect with your spouse, friends, and loved ones. To help you do just that, I have created the Ultimate Summer Bucketlist for Adults.

Date Your Spouse

When was the last time you went out with just your spouse? Summer is a great time to start! Make a plan once a week to try a new restaurant, grab a coffee, take a walk together, or have a date night in. Put away the phones, turn off Netflix, and concentrate on each other.

Find a New Hobby or Resume an Old One

Summer is a great time to pick up a hobby. Want to become more active? Join a walking or running group, learn a new sport, like pickleball, or explore your local state parks by hiking. There may have been a hobby you did long before kids came along. Why not restart it? I scrapbook, and now that the kids are older, I have more time to dedicate to my favorite pastime.

Host an Informal Cocktail Party

Summer nights around the firepit are so much fun. However, instead of the smores, why not pick one or two signature cocktails to make, set out some appetizers, and have yourself an excellent get-together.

A Day of Exploration

Get in your car and see where it takes you. My husband and I do this a couple of times a year. We set out toward an area of that state we want to become more familiar with and see what we can find to do. Usually, it involves hiking, visiting a local attraction, and stopping for a meal. It is a great way to get to know your state.

Start a Book Club

With my kids older, I have more time for one of my favorite past times, reading! Why not get your friends involved and start a book club? It can be weekly, monthly, or whatever frequency you decide. Want to make it more interesting? Pick a theme and have members dress up as a character from that genre.

Rent a Sailboat for the Day

Summer Bucketlist
My husband on a charter sailboat in Greece.

While in Greece, my husband and I chartered a sailboat with six other people. We had such a fantastic time. Now that we are back home, we looked at doing the same thing here. It is a great way to spend the day with friends and to see the sites.

Pick your Own Fruit or Veggies

Summer Bucketlist
Picking my own carrots.

Last summer, my sister, her husband, and I picked carrots at a local farm. It was such a fun and unique experience. We learned that this particular farm offers different fruits and veggies to pick each month. It is quite the variety. Why not pick yourself a healthy snack?

Watch a Sunset on the Beach

Courtesy of Dreamstime

There is nothing more romantic than a stroll on the beach during sunset. Make a whole night of it and pack a picnic for dinner, have an adult beverage, and watch the day come to a close with the one you love.

I hope I have inspired you to try something new this summer and embrace this new season of life.

Tell me, what is on your summer bucket list?

About The Author

Heather

14 COMMENTS

  1. Missy | 26th Jun 23

    Renting a sailboat for a day is a great item to have on the Ultimate Summer Bucketlist for Adults. I think we would enjoy a sailboat ride.

    • Heather | 2nd Jul 23

      We did it for the forst time in Crete and loved it. Web are looking to do it here this summer with a few other couples.

  2. Julie Gazdecki | 26th Jun 23

    Great summer bucket list for adults! I am all about a day of exploring and dating my hubby!!

    • Heather | 2nd Jul 23

      It is so important for the relationship. At the end of the day, raising your children is only a small part of that. Hopefully, you and your spouse will have many years together and it should be fun!

  3. Alicia | 27th Jun 23

    I love that you are embracing the season you’re in! This is a great summer bucket list for adults! My husband and I are currently dating through the alphabet. We go to a restaurant or do an activity that begins with the next letter on our list. It’s made date night so fun!

    • Heather | 2nd Jul 23

      I love this idea of dating by the alphabet. I plan on using this. I do miss the days of my children being young, but this is nice as well.

  4. Lisa | 27th Jun 23

    The days are long but the years are fast! And then you find yourself an empty nester! These are fun activities to do!

    • Heather | 2nd Jul 23

      The older the kids get, the quicker it all goes by. Once my boys hit high school, it went by at warped speed.

  5. Nyxie | 29th Jun 23

    You had me at number one! It’s so important to keep dating each other, even when you’ve been together 10, 20 or even 70 years! We lost sight of this early into our relationship and are only now working to get back into the habit of dating each other.

    • Heather | 2nd Jul 23

      YES!! Raising a family can be a roadblock for that. It is important to remember why you feel in love.

  6. kmf | 30th Jun 23

    All great ideas for a summer bucket list for adults! We’re emptynesters also and rediscovering date night, exploring on a staycation. And I’m always up for a sunset on the beach!

    • Heather | 2nd Jul 23

      Date nights are so important. For some many years it was all about the kids. It is nice to reconnectg and remember why you like you each in the first place. LOL!

  7. Sandi | 1st Jul 23

    I love summer, but there are so many projects to get done. A summer bucket list for adults is a great way to work in a little fun.

    • Heather | 2nd Jul 23

      I agree about the projects. It can be a challenge to balance it out.

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