by Petra Zucker
Put down your textbooks and pick up your sunglasses. Summer is quickly approaching Hartsdale, New York! After a very long year, I’m sure we’ve all been looking forward to this time of year…daydreaming about what the perfect summer looks like. One of my absolute favorite things to do over the summer is going to camp; however, I know that’s not everyone’s plan! Here are some things that you can do instead of going away:
Day trip to the beach: I am happy to say that I have already been to the beach this year and enjoyed every second of it. It is so nice to be able to read a book while laying on a towel on the warm sand, and then hop in the water to play and cool off. Living in New York, there are so many beaches nearby: Rye Playland, Long Island beaches, or even the Jersey Shore.
Read a book: I love to read. However, with the workload of junior year, I haven’t had the opportunity to read books that weren’t assigned to me. There are so many good books that are available to all of us, from “Harry Potter” to “The Fault in Our Stars”, and I’m so excited to get to read some more this summer!
Drive-in movie theater: Although many indoor theaters have begun to open up, if you want an outdoors 50s style movie experience, there are many opportunities to do so. In New York, there are over 20 drive-in movie theaters. Grab your car keys and get ready to have a great time!
Go camping: Not everyone is super outdoorsy, but for those who are, I highly recommend camping this summer. There are many campsites nearby surrounded by beautiful nature, and it can be a great multi-day getaway! Here is a list of some great campsites nearby!
Exercise: Running, biking, swimming, walking – there are so many opportunities around us to go outside and get some exercise! Not only is exercising is a great way to improve muscle strength and endurance, but it also increases energy, happiness and is a great stress-reliever.
Start a new TV show: With school over, there will be much more free time, and what is a better way to pass that time than by watching TV? From Netflix to Disney Plus, there are so many places to stream TV shows and movies. I would highly recommend “Friends”, “Gossip Girl”, “The Office”, or “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”.
Sunset-watching/stargazing: My two favorite pastimes in the world are watching the sunset and stargazing. Over the summer, the sun sets between the times of 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., so be on the lookout! If you plan on staying up later on a clear night, it is so easy to just step outside and look up at the sky and look at the beautiful stars crowding the sky. In New York City or the surrounding areas, the stars can be obscured by lights, but driving half an hour away from a major city should help your stargazing prospects.
