June is here and our Ultimate June Bucket List has arrived! Here in the South our summers are filled with hot sunshine and a lot of humidity, and as our cooler mornings of spring are quickly fading into steamy summer days, we’re on the lookout for ways to stay cool and hydrated while making fun, seasonal memories! Today we’re excited to share our Ultimate June Bucket List to keep you entertained all June long. 

1) Play a Game of Tennis:
Whether you’ve never picked up a racket or you’ve almost reached that Tennis Pro Status, a pick-up game of tennis is a fabulous way to get that cardio in while spending some time in the summer air. We love fitting in an early morning game before the sun reaches its highest point, plus it’s a great excuse to spend some time with friends! Never played before? Check out your local Parks & Recs website for lessons, they’re typically very affordable and an excellent way to learn a new (fun!) skill to carry with you through all seasons! 

2) Make Homemade Popsicles:
There’s nothing quite like an icy cold popsicle on a sizzling summer afternoon, and we’re sure, like us, many of you have childhood memories of cooling down with a popsicle or two after a morning spent exploring the outdoors. While the sugar-filled pops may not hold quite the appeal as they did in our younger years, there are still plenty of creative ways to enjoy more “adult versions” of one of Summer’s favorite treats. Check out some delicious recipes from Country Living HERE. 

3) Visit Your Local Zoo:
Summer is the prime time to fall in love with your city’s outdoor attractions and the local zoo is a perfect place to explore! Many zoos roll out their special summer attractions beginning in early May, meaning June has given the initial crowds time to die down!

4) Host an Outdoor Movie Night:
June evenings are some of the best of the summer and the cooler nights offer the perfect temperatures for hosting gatherings. Rather than your typical summer evening BBQ, why not make it a movie night? Rent a projector from your local library, hang a white shite against a flat surface, invite friends and family members to bring their own chairs, and play a summer classic for all to enjoy! One of our favorites will always be The Sandlot!

5) Build Your Own Sundae Bar for Your Local Fire Station:
We love our small, Tennessee-Town community and truly value every local service man and woman in our area! Sadly, we don’t often take enough time to stop and say "thank you” to those who risk their own lives to protect us. As the summer months naturally tend to create more margin in our lives, why not take that extra time and give it back to others? Swing by the grocery store and purchase a few gallons of ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate and caramel sauces, cherries, and waffle cones… then drop off the goodies for your local firefighters to enjoy. After all, just about everyone loves a good ice-cream sundae in the summer!

6) Attend an Outdoor Concert:
A summer evening spent with a picnic, live music, and friends is alway a treat! Scour your city’s calendar of events for a night of music, pack a picnic, and spend the evening singing and dancing away.

7) Enjoy a Summer Sunset:
The sunsets can be beautiful all year round, but something spectacular seems to unfold when the summer air, fluffy clouds, and afternoon storms work together. The pink and purple hues of a summer sunset should not be overlooked! Pack up some cold beverages and a few lawn chairs and head to an open space on the west side of your city to watch as the sun sinks low and the sky is transformed into an incredible canvas of color!

8) Stargaze:
As with sunsets, stargazing is available to us year round but the summer season creates the perfect environment to search for The Big Dipper. Drive to a quiet area of town around 10:00 PM (we suggest somewhere on the outskirts, away from city lights), spread out a blanket, and enjoy the beauty of a starry sky… maybe you’ll even see some shooting stars if you’re lucky. Check out THIS LIST of amazing apps to help you stargaze like a pro  

9) Spend Time on the Water:
Whether you’re landlocked or close to the ocean, find a way to spend at least a day in some body of water, be it an ocean, lake, stream, or river! Rent a kayak or paddle boards, float in an inner tube, or simply sit by the shore - whatever you do, you’re sure to finish your day off feeling refreshed and filled with Vitamin D!

10) Host an Outdoor Dinner Party:
Put on your apron and grab your cooking tongs: it’s time to start planning an outdoor dinner party for all of your friends! The menu doesn’t have to be over the top or five-star, but we do suggest planning the evening to be enjoyed outdoors, lit by string lights and filled citronella candles. Spending time around the table with friends is one of life’s sweetest gifts and there’s no better time to do so than in the summer!