‘Tis the season of sun and fun! Summer is when we get away from school routines and the working world and spend time doing things that are fun, exciting, adventurous, or simply relaxing. Need some ideas for what to do this summer? Here’s the ultimate summer bucket list with ten great ideas:

1. Outdoor Music 

Music and summer go hand in hand. Listening to tunes at a music festival or jamming at a concert are great ways to be outside on a sunny summer day or warm summer evening and get your music fix. In Grand Rapids, one of the most popular outdoor music series is the Listening Lawn Summer Concerts 2022.

2. The Zoo Is For You

Zoos are made for summer fun. The zoo lets you walk around outdoors and visit its various exhibits so you can see (and sometimes touch) animals that you may have only seen in books. A trip to the zoo is fun for all ages, but especially for kids! The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids has over 2,000 animals to see and experience.

3. Hit The Beach

The beach has almost a gravitational pull in the summer. Maybe it’s because a visit to the beach lets us enjoy the summer outdoors, with the sun to warm us up and the water to cool us down. A beach is also a great place for simple pleasures like walking barefoot in the sand, skipping rocks across the water’s surface, building sandcastles, and collecting rocks or shells.  Kirk Park, with its beautiful beach, is just one of many parks along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and just a short drive from downtown Grand Rapids.

4. Food Festivals

Another great summer event is a food festival. They are held outdoors to help enjoy the great summer weather, and you can sample a variety of foods, often ones you’ve never tried before. Many food festivals feature a specific theme, like Greek food or ribs, and often include local vendors and merchants that sell their wares for some fun souvenirs. A great food festival to check out this summer is the Grand Rapids Foodie Fest 2022. Or visit the Fulton Street Market for more great food, as well as artisan crafts.

5. Take Me Out The Ball Game

Often called “America’s Favorite Pastime,” a baseball game is the quintessential summer sports activity. Whether you attend a local minor league game in a smaller ballpark, or take in a major league game in a grand stadium, you’ll have great fun watching your favorite team and enjoying the summer weather. Every ballpark also sells those summer favorites—hot dogs, candy, and beer—so you won’t leave on an empty stomach. With their home field located in Grand Rapids, a West Michigan Whitecaps game is a must for your summer fun list.

6. Cool For The Summer

Summer is almost synonymous with pools, water parks, sprinklers, water guns, and water balloons. And for good reason: when the temperatures rise, these activities can cool us off quickly. Many cities and towns have public pools where you can hang out and go for a dip or dive. Water gun and water balloon fights are favorites for kids of all ages. And for a quick, easy cooldown, just set up a sprinkler in your yard.

7. Camping In The Great Outdoors ( and S'mores)

Pack up your camper or load up your camping gear and get away for a week or weekend in the great outdoors. You can keep it simple with just a good tent and some sleeping bags at a nearby state park or campground, or hit the road for a national park camping experience. Be sure to build a campfire and make some warm, gooey s’mores, the best camping dessert (or meal) there is!

8. Rockets Red Glare

Pack up your camper or load up your camping gear and get away for a week or weekend in the great outdoors. You can keep it simple with just a good tent and some sleeping bags at a nearby state park or campground or hit the road for a national park camping experience. But be sure to build a campfire and make some warm, gooey s’mores, the best camping dessert (or meal) there is!

9. Go For A StayCation

Are you planning a getaway vacation this summer? While the old saying may be “Half the fun is getting there,” sometimes you want to skip the travel time and get right to relaxing and having fun on your vacation. A great way to do this is to plan a staycation at the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown.

Located in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in Western Michigan, the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown is packed with amenities and is conveniently within walking distance of many of the attractions, restaurants, and craft breweries of Grand Rapids. Plus, it’s only a short drive to the shores of Lake Michigan where you’ll find even more fun activities. Make a reservation today and start checking those activities off your Ultimate Summer Bucket List!