The August Blues Are Real: 10 Outdoor Activities You Need to Tackle Before Summer Ends

Combat the August blues with these 10 things to do around Philly before summer ends.


Guys, we hate to break it to you, but we’ve only got one month left of summer (the last day of summer is September 22nd). But let’s be real: Summer really comes to a close for many of us around Labor Day. And as Science of Us reports, for some of us, August feels like a full month of the Sunday blues: If summer isn’t your jam, you’re anxiously waiting for the sweaty, long days to end, and if summer is your happy place, you’re getting bummed that this time is coming to a close. Either way, you likely feel guilty about not making the most of the past three months, because if there is any time when using the hashtag #livingmybestlife is acceptable, it’s summertime (and probably involves a floaty swan).

So, to help you avoid wallowing in the August blues, we’ve created a checklist of items that will keep your mind and body busy. Below, 10 activities you need to check off of your summertime bucket list before the season comes to a close.

CRUISE ON CAR-FREE STREETS
Even though the tree-lined MLK Drive is closed off to cars through on weekends through October, it’s probably smart to check off a bike ride along the wide open roads before your weekends are consumed with the responsibilities that come along with fall.

RUN TO A HAMMOCK (AND BEER!)
If you have yet to enjoy a refreshing brew at Philly’s Parks on Tap pop-ups, there’s no time like the present! These beer gardens (complete with hammocks!) run through September, so we suggest picking a weekend, planning a running route (hey, you have to earn that hammock time somehow) and pounding the pavement to one of the parks.

SQUEEZE IN AS MUCH OUTDOOR YOGA AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE
Seriously, you will curse yourself for never once laying your mat out outdoors come winter, when just the thought of being outside for more than two minutes makes you want to cry a little bit. (The heat is really on for you to try our Be Well Philly Summer Yoga Flow series at Dilworth Park on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m., which comes to a wrap on August 29th.)

GET YOUR FILL OF SUMMER PRODUCE
We all know that summer produce is the best produce (we love you, juicy stone fruits), so take advantage of the season’s harvest at one of the many, many local famers’ markets we’ve got during these warmer months. Or for a party-infused farmers’ market experience, check out Greensgrow’s Twilight Markets.

EAT YOURSELF COOL
Because, August is the time for eating yourself silly with cooling treats. Here, 13 cold treats around Philly you need to track down before the temps go down.

SPLASH AROUND
Believe it or not, we’ve got some sweet public pools in Philly. Case in point: The 2016 Best of Philly winner John B. Kelly Pool nestled in Fairmount Park. And it closes August 25th, so we say you make a point of getting there, stat. (Pool happy hour, anyone?)

GET LOST IN THE WOODS
Because getting lost in nature is more fun when you aren’t afraid that nightfall will come and you’ll end up freezing your butt off. (Just don’t forget your water bottle when you head out on these waterfall-riddled hikes around Philly.)

PEDDLE DOWN A NEW PATH
While you still have some free time (thanks, summer), switch up your go-to bike routes with one of these less-frequented local bike paths.

EXPLORE FAIRMOUNT PARK — FINALLY
Don’t let another summer pass without venturing into the gem of trails, hidden tree houses, gardens and more that lives in our backyard. Seriously … just don’t.

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