It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to an end and that the first day of school is around the corner. This is always a bittersweet time of saying goodbye to long days by the pool and hello to a more structured routine and the promise of cool(er) weather.
We’ve been thinking about all of the places and activities we had planned for the summer months, and now it’s crunch time to fit in some of those plans before the first day of school. Here is our end of summer bucket list that we will be eagerly checking off over the next couple of weeks. We’d love to hear what items are on your bucket list as well!
Old Fashioned Picnic in the Park
This summer we’ve been meaning to pack an old fashioned picnic and make our way to the park. There’s something refreshing about spending time outdoors (preferably in the shade) with family and friends, and bonding over a communal picnic lunch with a frisbee in tow. In Houston, there are multiple new green spaces and we are eager to scope them all out. Between Levy Park, Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, and the newly renovated 160 acre Buffalo Bayou Park, there are lots of options around the city, so we really don’t have an excuse (except for the heat, of course!).
Outdoor Movie at Dusk
Evening outdoor movies are one of our favorite organized summer activities. It’s always a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by fellow city dwellers seated on blankets and snacking on charcuterie while watching a classic flick. This is an easy activity for the whole family, or a nice way to spend a date night or girls’ night out. And the best part is that these are almost always free to attend. We’ll be referring to this upcoming movie list when making our plans: https://www.houstononthecheap.com/free-outdoor-movies-houston
Museum Day
We’re all about the mid-week museum visit, especially in the summer when it’s boiling during the day. Almost all museums have a free admission day, or certain hours that are free, and it’s on our list to take advantage of this and see a few new exhibits that are in town. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is at the top of our list.
Chic Patio Happy Hour
Houston’s restaurant scene is really buzzing right now, and it seems like every major city in the country is having a similar culinary boom. There are tons of new restaurants and bars that have opened in the past year, and we have been eyeing the ones with chic, outdoor patios. In Houston, Presidio, Nobie’s, and Better Luck Tomorrow all have patios that are popular on the Instagram circuit, and we hope to celebrate the last days of summer with a happy hour at each one!
Wine Tasting
Blame it on the heat, but we have been craving crisp, cold wine. We know we like rose, and an easy sauvignon blanc, but we really want to learn more about how to describe and order wine. It’s been on our summer to-do list to sign up for a wine tasting so that we can better navigate a wine menu and the wine aisles at the grocery store. Vinology is a new wine shop and tasting bar in Houston that we plan to visit in the next couple of weeks.
Weekend Getaway
It’s not too late for a summer weekend getaway, and we don’t want to miss the opportunity! There are so many places to visit that are only a few hours away by car, and with resources like Airbnb and VRBO, it’s easy enough to plan a last minute trip. A few trips on our list are floating the river in New Braunfels, getting some beach time at Cinnamon Shore, and visiting vineyards in Fredericksburg, TX.
What last minute summer plans are you trying to fit in this month?
Hard to believe summer is already over. We head back to school this week and this mama isn’t ready for all the summer fun to be over !!