2022 Best Summer Bucket List Ideas - Adventure Edition (2024)

The flowers are starting to bloom, temperatures are getting warmer, and the smell of spring is in the air. Which can only mean that summer is just around the corner. So it’s time to start working on your summer bucket list ideas! Lucky for you I’ve created the ultimate summer adventure for 2022- the adventure edition! I hope you find inspiration for things to do this summer as you read through the list!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List 2022

See the Midnight Sun in Iceland

Summer already has longer days than winter. But Iceland takes that to a whole new level. As in – the sun doesn’t set. In May – this photo was taken after midnight – and as you can see, it’s still very light out. It was hard to sleep without it getting dark, but it gave us so much extra time to see more.

Swim in a Great Lake

Did you know the Great Lakes are the largest body of fresh water on the planet? The five Great Lakes – Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario – have a total surface area of 94,600 sq miles all connected by lakes and rivers.

Go Rock Climbing

I first went rock climbing in Jasper National Park in Canada. It was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I highly recommend adding this adventurous activity to your list this summer.

Plant a Garden

I planted my first garden about 3 summers ago and it’s become quite an obsession. As you nurture the tiny seeds and watch them grow into fully bloomed beautifulness it’s so humbling and satisfying. When we bought our house there was NOTHING. One bush on our entire property.

Since then I’ve planted raspberry bushes on one side of the house, hostas and rhododendrons on the other side, and beautiful perennials in the front such as lillies, phlox, and bee balm, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, black-eyed Susans, and tons more. Working with my hands in the dirt has also done wonders for my mental health.

Raise Butterflies and Release Them

The honey bee populationdecreased 40%in the winter of 2018 to 2019 alone, and the annual rate loss for the 2019 to 2020 winter was also 40%, declines that experts described as “unsustainable.”

ABC News

Make S’mores over a Campfire

There’s something about summer and s’more that just go together. For those that don’t know – s’mores are made by spearing a marshmallow with a stick long enough to roast the mallow over the fire. They catch fire fast so don’t put them directly in the flames rather slowly rotate them close to the coals of the fire.

Once you’ve cooked it to perfection add it to a piece of graham cracker with some Hershey’s chocolate slices and cover it with another graham to make a sandwich. Voila! You’ve got yourself a s’more. If you want to level up, add some peanut butter to the sandwich to become an expert.

Go Camping in the Woods This Summer

There are so many different ways to go camping. Tents (small, large, medium), hammocks, campers, motor homes, or just sleep under the stars. Then you choose where. You can hike into a site to have the area all to yourself, you can reserve a site in a campground, or you can find an area that allows pull off camping (open wilderness where you can pull up to any “spot” you find) like Grace and I did above.

Drive A Cool Car at Woodward’s Dream Cruise

Growing up in Michigan where the “Big 3″(Ford, General Motors, Chrysler) dominate the state, everyone knows about cars to some extent. Then there are the ones that can tell you the year, model, and make of any car they see. I can hear the engines roaring and racing across Woodward from my backyard in the summer months even though we live miles from it. I don’t mind the sounds though.

Every year in August the Woodward Dream Cruise event brings thousands of people from all over the country to hang out off the side of the road to watch the cars go by. You’ll see cars from the early 1900s to racecars, flashy new cars, and some crazy-looking vehicles cruising down the road. People will park their cars in large parking lots, pop the engine hood, and wait for admirers to come back and talk car stuff. If you’re a car lover, then this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Go Kayaking

Ahhh kayaking. a summer favorite. I grew up living on a lake, so I spent my summers boating, paddle boating, swimming, and not going to lie – a lot of day drinking on the boats and nighttime booze cruises. But it wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I finally kayaked. So if you’re on vacation that offers it, do it!! You’ll love it.

Hike the Canadian Rockies

My favorite hiking trails have been in the Canadian Rockies. Between crystal blue lakes, emerald-colored lakes, gorgeous mountain views, and just incredibly beautiful nature this is an area you can’t miss.

Photoshoot of Sunset Shadows

My sister and I took a weeklong trip out to California to drive the highway 1 coastline and explore San Francisco. We stopped at Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, and some local state parks along the way. One night we were watching the sunset on the beach of Carmel which turned into a fun silly photo shoot, my sister doesn’t travel so this was a great part of our trip. She looked so alive and happy I couldn’t help but capture that energy.

Go Skydiving This Summer

Skydiving was INSANE. My stomach was nauseous with anxiety the entire time. Including the drive there! 😂 My friend Mary and I both had this on our bucket list and we had both just gotten out of serious relationships. So what did we have to lose right? 😂 I’m grateful my fly guide was such a natural.

Road Trip California’s National Parks

Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Death Valley, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and more. California has tons of national parks to fill your summer road trip itinerary.

Rent a Class C RV for your next camping adventure!

Go for a Picnic in the Mountains

There is nothing more peaceful than the mountains. Pack a picnic lunch and head into nature to find a good spot to eat!

Scuba or Snorkel in a Sea

I don’t care for scuba diving but I’m all about the snorkeling (ps watch out for coral, that sh*t is SHARP). Logan scuba dives so while he’s at the bottom I’m at the surface haha

Pick Your Own Berries

When I was younger, every summer my mom would pack up all the kids to go berry picking early in the morning (to avoid the afternoon heat). We would meet my aunt, cousins, and grandma at the orchard and have donuts before the picking began. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, and more.

Go on a Wine Tasting Tour

Summer and wine go together nicely don’t you think? Take a trip out to Napa with your besties and do some wine tasting tours for a weekend!

Download the summer bucket list checklist here!

Do an Overnight Biking Trip This summer

Check out these routes around the Great Lakes and plan an overnight biking trip this summer! Pack an overnight bag and hit the trails. You can stop and pull off in different towns for food, entertainment, and lodging.

SEARCH FOR Places to Stay

Splash Around at Hawaii’s Green Sand Beach

On the Big Island of Hawaii lies Papakolea Beach. The beach is one of only four green sand beaches in the world! The sand’s green hue comes from the mineral olivine, a common component of Hawaiian lava.

Glamp in a Treehouse or Hobbit Hole or Tipi

Hobbit House in Oastbrook Vineyard

Forest House on Orcas……Enchantment & Wonder

Hobbit house in Charlevoix Michigan

Historic, Restored Caboose at the Base of the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Make a Scrapbook of All Your Summer Memories

I hope you were able to find some some good ideas for your bucket list this summer. Drop a comment if you have a “must do” bucket list idea and share it with me! Be creative this summer! If you like the activity but not the location, find somewhere you’re comfortable going to and see if you can do it there instead. Thanks for reading, enjoy your summer!

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