Late Summer Bucket List

I've always heard people say that summer is the busiest season. I never quite realized how true this was until this year. Because June and July were busy, full of bridal showers, baby showers, 4th of July travel, and other social gatherings, I decided to be intentional about making August (and even September 😉 ) slow-paced and full of summery activities. This left me with one idea—to make a late summer bucket list. After all, it's not too late here in Nashville!

serene pool with black umbrella and white chairs

This late summer bucket list isn't entirely restricted to summer, so no matter where you live, I hope this bucket list can inspire you to unplug and do things that make you relax and enjoy some meaningful moments. Let's jump in!

1. Plan a Themed Dinner

I love to travel.

And I travel to eat.

I love picking out restaurants anytime we travel and it is one of the things I love most about traveling. In fact, I will diligently read every menu ahead of time because I get so excited. It's not just the food either—it's the atmosphere, the view, and the small details that make all the difference. All this to say, I have been enjoying "playing restaurant" and creating themed dinners inspired by different countries.

creamy lemon pasta in bowl with lemons and vegan parmesan

We kicked it off with a French dinner party, and I made potato salad, ratatouille, cassoulet, and my creamy lemon pasta. Coming up I'm planning a Greek dinner, Italian dinner, and Mexican dinner.

2. Go On a Restaurant Tour of Your City

Speaking of restaurants... 🙂 It can be so easy to slip into a habit of not exploring your own city. While I love to travel, I often forget to travel in Nashville. My bucket list includes spending one day exploring my city, which means going out to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

3. Take a Day Trip

Is there anywhere new you can explore within an hour or two of where you live? Chances are, there is. I haven't decided where we'll go yet, but spending a day traveling to a waterfall, hiking with Frisco, or strolling through a cute, historic town sounds like the perfect way to unplug.

4. Shop at the Farmers Market

Surprisingly, I don't make it to the farmers market as much as I'd like to. An organic, local grocery store is 5 minutes from my house, so I feel a little spoiled. But there is nothing that compares to shopping outdoors from local farmers and discovering new small businesses in your own community. Grab your reusable tote bag and hit the farmers market this summer!

5. Read a Book in the Park

I have been trying to read more fiction this summer and being able to lounge outdoors to read has made this goal so much easier. Every time I go for a hike in the park with Frisco I see people laying on blankets reading, and I always tell myself, I should do that! Well, now's the time to pack a blanket and lay down in the park to read.

6. Journal at a Coffee Shop

If you work from home like I do, it can be hard to find reasons to get out of the house—especially when you love being home! But I like to imagine myself in a French café, sipping an Americano, and journaling any musings that flow through my head...so I added this one to the list. 🙂

7. Go On a Date to a Winery

Near Nashville we have a small vineyard outside of Franklin. It's incredibly romantic and the perfect place to pack a picnic and enjoy a wine tasting. Whether it's a winery, brewery, or somewhere else, think about a beautiful setting where you could go on a date with your partner, friend, or yourself and sip a beverage, munch on food, and enjoy the view.

8. Go For a Bike Ride

When we go to Seaside, we always go everywhere on bikes. Whether it's to the beach or to dinner, we bike everywhere. It feels so carefree, and I always miss this feeling when I return home. I decided I'd like to go for more bike rides at home. I don't have a bike, but fortunately most cities offer bike rentals that you can use on the spot via your phone.

9. Enjoy a Picnic

In addition to planning a themed dinner and having a picnic date at a vineyard, I also like the idea of simply going to a nearby park with a picnic basket and a beautiful dinner. What is it about dining al fresco that just makes food and life taste better?!

If you plan a picnic, these two vegan summer salad recipes would be great options for packing!

10. Shop in a Historic Downtown

Downtown Franklin is incredibly charming and very historic. Though still lively, it's much quieter than Nashville and makes for an easygoing shopping experience. Truthfully I don't enjoy shopping that much, but Franklin has a lot of boutiques with interesting dishes and kitchen items. Hopefully I'll find some new props to use for the blog!

11. Visit a State Park

I'm totally guilty of going to the same two or three parks every time I want to hike. I'd like to challenge myself to branch out and try some new places even if I have to drive a little further. 😉

12. Do Something Crafty

Okay, I'll be honest. My bucket list actually reads "paint rocks." I used to love doing this as a kid, and I plan to go for a hike to pick out rocks, then come home and paint them. If this doesn't sound as enticing to you as it does to me, find something else crafty to put on your list!

I hope these late summer bucket list items inspired you to write your own list! I think it's a fun idea to write a new list for every season, or you can keep a running list that you work on throughout the year. Either way, remember to always find time for play every single week. Being fun, flexible, and childlike is a key ingredient for finding joy and being present in life.

I would love, love, LOVE to hear what you added to your bucket list! Share in the comments below. 🙂