Summer is right around the corner! With the nice weather approaching us, it's time we get outside and enjoy the warm days. Here's a list I compiled of my favorite things to do during the summer with family and friends, and I hope this gives you some ideas!

1. Visit the beach

The beach is an awesome place to start off your summer. You can set up a nice little space, bring some drinks and a lunch, and just relax all day. You can tan, go swimming, bring a radio, or even read a book. The beach is one of my favorite places, not just in the summertime, but all year round. Of course, it's better in the summer since you get to enjoy the beautiful weather and take a dip in the ocean.

2. Take a nature walk

Where I live, the woods is right next to my house and I love walking in there. Sometimes it can get buggy, but nothing some repellant can't fix. Definitely wear your sneakers so you can walk with ease! If you aren't fortunate enough to live near the woods, just go for a walk around your neighborhood. I'm sure the experience will be just as exciting and it's great to get out and get some exercise.

3. Go swimming

I'm lucky enough to have a pool in my backyard. I spend hours on end floating around and watching my dog swim. She loves it just as much as I do! If you don't have a pool, don't feel bad. There are plenty of other ways you can cool off in the summer. A blow-up pool or a sprinkler is a great way to get the cooling water to you. Maybe some of your friends or family members have pools, ask if you can take a dip! Don't forget, the ocean is basically like a natural swimming pool!

4. Spend the day at an amusement park

Canobie Lake Park is one of my favorite places to go over the summer. As you can see from the picture, I have a great time on the merry-go-round. If you're looking for bigger and better rides, go to Six Flags! I've never been there, but hopefully, I can make a trip down this summer to fulfill my adrenaline-junkie needs. If you don't live in Massachusetts or aren't a big fan of rides, check out some waterparks or even aquariums and museums! All of these places are great activities to partake in over the summer and you can spend a great day enjoying them with whoever you go with.

5. Go into the North End

The North End is just an amazing part of Boston year round, especially in the summer. I absolutely love going to all of the feasts and showing off my Italian heritage, as well as getting drinks, dancing along to the live music, and of course, having a few arancini rice balls. There are different feasts that run all throughout the summer, and I'm always lucky enough to have one on my birthday! This year, on August 23, is St. Lucy's Feast, right in between the Fisherman's Feast and Saint Anthony's Feast, which are my two favorites! I'm really looking forward to these this summer.

6. Have a backyard BBQ

Who doesn't love a nice BBQ with family and friends? If you don't eat meat, grill a nice veggie burger! BBQs are a perfect way to get together and enjoy the nice weather while eating, drinking, telling stories, and making memories. Don't feel bad if you don't have a spectacular backyard, there are cheap, portable grills you can get and as long as there's no rules against grilling in public, take your party to a public park and enjoy the yummy foods there.

7. Take your pup to the dog park

If you don't have a dog, this idea may not apply to you, but don't feel bad, people without dogs can go, too! Hazel, as you can see in the picture above, was all alone at the dog park this day, but she still had a great time running around the huge, open field and rolling around in the grass. Dog parks are not only a great way to get out of the house, but you and your furry friend have the opportunity to get outside and get some exercise.

8. Have a water balloon fight

This is an activity I love doing every summer- fun enough where you get to throw things at people, but not enough that it will hurt them! You can get a pack of balloons at the dollar store, fill them with water, put them in a big bucket and get to town! I enjoy inviting my little cousins over to my backyard and having water balloon fights because it is so fun for people of all ages, and a great way to bond with family and friends. Just don't go for the face, because that actually hurts a little.

9. Go on a picnic

If you aren't a huge fan of BBQ foods, going on a picnic is a great alternative. You can bring any meal, snacks, and drinks you want in a cute little basket and spread a blanket anywhere to enjoy your food with family or friends. I personally love making a few sandwiches, packing nice fruit, and setting up my picnic in the nearest park or field. Just make sure it's not the dog park, or you'll probably have some pups looking for a bite of your sandwich. Picnics are great for either one-on-one time with a special friend or family member, but bring as many people as you want, just make sure to pack enough food for everyone!

10. Bask in the sun

This is by far my favorite summer activity. You can literally do this anywhere! If you have fair skin like me, make sure to put on lots of sunblock so you don't get burnt. The sun is a great way to get some color on your skin and it just feels great to be lying down under the warm rays, either at the beach, in a park, or even your backyard. Just be sure not to stay in the sun too long on account of certain health risks, but a few hours of basking won't do you any harm. I hope you got some ideas of what to do this summer if you're like me and don't want to waste one day of the best season there is. Enjoy! Happy Summer 2018!