Let’s hear it for summer! Sunshine. Relaxed routines. Trips to the beach.
You don’t have to go “away” to enjoy the lazy days of summer. So often we spend more time exploring places we don’t live. Perhaps we just assume that because we live here there’s no rush.
This summer I challenge you to make the most of your down time in your own town! I’ve made a list of 5 must do things that just might change your perspective about where you live.
Go to a Charlotte Knights Game. Baseball and summer go hand in hand and the Charlotte Knights are a great excuse to spend an afternoon or evening uptown. The game is a fun change of pace for a date night, night with friends or for the whole family. The stadium is great. The food is better than your traditional concession fare and the view can’t be beat! Grab a ticket and root root root for the home team!
Eat some ice cream. This should be mandatory for everyone. Any 7 year old will agree with me. What’s your favorite flavor? Charlotte has some great ice cream spots that offer way more than just the usual. It might seem obvious to put ice cream on a summer to do list but I encourage you to try a new place this summer. Don’t get it to go. Sit. Talk. People watch. Heck, get crazy and try all of the spots on this list …
Party in the Park. Summers are perfect for turning a regular old Wednesday night into something special. Charlotte is full of events thatspotlight live music or offer a movie under the stars. One of the most fun is at Romare Bearden Park. It’s a beautiful park in the heart of our city. You’ll find young and old dancing around by the bands. Local vendors offer food and drink. Here’s the schedule.
Go to the airport. What?? Yes. Go to the airport. All the extra summer fun can add up to big bucks. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the few airports in the country that has a public overlook area and it doesn’t cost a thing! Take a picnic or just sit on a bench and feel the vibration as massive jets fly take off and land before your eyes. It’s a cool experience for the young and old. One important thing to note… there’s no bathroom so go before you go.
Take a walk. Charlotte parks and neighborhoods are wonderful places to explore. I know the Carolinas get hot. Some days it’s so hot you might think it sounds like a better plan to stay in the air conditioning. Stay inside though and you might miss the new flowers planted on the corner. You can’t pet your neighbors cute dog inside. Introduce yourself to someone new. Meet a running buddy. or stop in at that local business you’ve been too busy to stop at when you are in your car. It’s like a social outing and your exercise all at the same time. Of course, if you are going to walk in the day, make sure you bring a bottle of water.
Our area has a lot of great attractions to enjoy during the summer… museums, theme parks, spray grounds. My list may be a little unconventional but give it a try and let me know how it goes!
What’s on your summer to do list?
