As August begins and back-to-school supplies hit the shelves, it’s easy to feel like the summer has slipped away. However, there are still plenty of sunshiny days and warm nights left to enjoy. If you are looking for some ideas of how to spend this last month of summer, here are 10 adventures to complete before this beautiful season ends.
1. Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center
The world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra plays an outdoor summer concert series at Blossom Music Center through Labor Day. You can pack your own picnic and enjoy beautiful music under the summer sky. Lawn tickets start as low as $15 and children under 18 can attend for free (two children per adult ticket purchased.) Of particular note for families are the Hollywood Heroes and Superheroes concert on Sunday, Aug. 13 and the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial concerts that take place September 1-3.
2. Miniature golf
Grab your kids and head to Swings-N-Things, Sweeties Golfland, Sundae Funday’s, or Memphis Kiddie Park for a golf game that won’t cause you stress about pars or tee times. This classic summer activity brings the whole family together for some friendly competition.
Take a day trip to Put-in-Bay or Kelleys Island to get a taste of the tropics close to home. There’s nothing like the lake breezes to make you feel like summer is here to stay. Both islands have great options for families: cave tours, kayaking, playgrounds, biking to a national monument, and a state park.
4. Local pools & splash pads
Enjoy the dog days of summer and beat the heat at your local pool or splash pad. Most are open through Labor Day, so as the season winds down, don’t miss your chance for this classic summer activity.
5. Backyard oasis
Catch fireflies, play a pick-up game of baseball or soccer, swing and slide, fire up the grill, and just generally enjoy the magic of being outside in your own backyard.
6 Take in a ball game
Before the boys of summer are gone, head to a Cleveland Indians, Akron RubberDucks, Lake Erie Crushers or Lake County Captains game to enjoy America’s pastime, along with all the trimmings of hot dogs, fireworks, and family fun.
7. Hit a beach party
The Cleveland Metroparks puts on an amazing, free outdoor summer concert series at both Edgewater Beach and Euclid Beach. Enjoy some local live music, along with our beautiful Lake Erie beaches and sunsets. The brand new Edgewater Beach House also is not to be missed. If University Circle is more your speed, Wade Oval Wednesdays offer live music, face-painting, food trucks, and more.
8. Fairs & festivals
There are so many wonderful fairs and festivals in the summer months, celebrating culture, food and music — some with rides and games, too. (Click here to find end-of-summer festival fun.) One of the biggest festivals in Northeast Ohio in August is the Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy (Aug. 12-15), but there are a lot of other options, from ethnic enclaves to county fairs.
9. Be a ride warrior
There’s nothing like feeling the summer breeze through your hair on a roller coaster. For little ones, Memphis Kiddie Park can be a great local option that is just the right size with all kid-friendly rides. For an experience that caters to the whole family, Cedar Point is the perfect place for an end-of-summer adventure.
*To enter a drawing to win one of three family 4-packs of tickets to Cedar Point, click here! The contest closes at noon on Monday, Aug. 7
10 Find a food truck
Summer is the prime season for delicious food on wheels. Downtown Cleveland plays host to food truck events weekly on Tuesdays in Public Square (bonus, you can play in the fountains there, too) and Wednesdays at Perk Plaza. You also can regularly find food trucks at Legacy Village every other Monday and Crocker Park on Tuesdays. Grab a taco, sit in the sunshine, and enjoy this fun way to eat outdoors.
Jen Rome is a born-and-raised Cleveland girl who is dedicated to experiencing all the wonderful places in town through the eyes of a wife and mother. You can find her blogs at whycle.com and northeastohioparent.com/bloggers.