If summers “off” as a high school taught me one thing, it was that I was on the always on the hunt for free (or nearly free) summer activities. I certainly couldn’t afford to go out every weekend for wine night or to a summer concert series on my salary alone. So, check out this list of 50 Free Summer Activities that will add variety and fun to your summer.

1. Visit the local art museum. Most offer a no-cost day on the weekend, but it is common courtesy to donate a dollar or two when you enter.
2. Ask a friend if you can swim in their neighborhood’s community pool.
3. Walk the air conditioned mall and head to a department store’s make-up counter to try on a shade of summer lipstick.
4. Check out the latest magazines or books from the local library. They often have summer reading group discussions planned. Ask for their calendar of events.
5. Sample tasty local fare at the area’s farmers market. Many farmers offer samples of honey, sausage, and artisan cheeses.
6. Host a summer themed movie night for friends with fresh popped popcorn. (See our popcorn seasonings recipes). Encourage each attendee to bring their favorite candy to share.
7. Volunteer to be on the building site crew for Habitat for Humanity.
8. Tour a flea market, mall or city sponsored event. Enjoy the people watching.
9. Plan a seriously competitive game night at home. How long has it been since you broke out the ol’ Scrabble board?
10. Mark down your not-so-new belongings and host a one day garage sale. If it isn’t sold, it goes to the Goodwill.
11. Stop by an area winery for free samples. Check their calendar for the release of their newest blend.
12. Go on a model home tour.
13. Test drive a convertible.
14. Go fishing at the state park or your neighborhood’s pond.
15. Invite your musician friends over for a jam session on the deck in front of the chiminea.
16. Seek out your area’s nature center. Walk hand-in-hand with your honey or take the dog for a brisk walk.
17. Check your park board’s event calendar. Yoga in the park at sunrise anyone?
18. Brush up on your Shakespeare while enjoying a dramatic local theater production at the city park.
19. Put the chairs in the middle of the yard and stargaze with ooey gooey smores.
20. Go geocaching. Don’t forget to bring your own trinket, pen, and paper to leave in the capsule once you find it.
21. String up a hammock or lay back in the gravity chair and read a hot romance novel checked out from the library.
22. Kick off your flip flops and dance with your special someone on the deck by the light of the moon.
23. Go on a photo shoot outdoors capturing beautiful landscape, nature images.
24. Take the dog to the area dog park and meet other fur baby parents.
25. Take up frisbee golf.
26. Turn on the sprinkler system and have a backyard water party.
27. Make a competition out of catching fireflies in a jar with a friend.
28. Host a BYOB party or assign each guest a food item to bring.
29. Play quarter pool (or going during a open to the public free time) at billiard hall.
30. Have a watermelon seed spitting contest from the deck.
31. Lay on a beach blanket at the park and let your thoughts wonder while you declare cloud shapes.
32. Wash your car in your swimsuit. Take breaks to drink lemonade. Let’s face it. Detailing your car is hard work.
33. Make alcohol infused fruit popsicles.
34. Go to a local airport’s air show or tour their aviation museum.
35. Actually talk to your neighbors when out for a walk. They secretly want to break the ice with you too.