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For all those who are lucky enough to get out of work early on a summer Friday, we gathered 75 fun ideas to help you make the most of your sun-soaked half-days! For everyone else, consider your weekends booked!
Make popsicles out of fresh fruit from the farmers’ market.
Arrange some flowers.
Head to your local fresh market for produce to last you the weekend.
Bake a cake.
RUN to the beach.
Host a cocktail tasting hour.
Take a nap.
Take a day trip to Montauk.
Host a crab boil.
Learn how to surf.
Plan a guacamole making competition with friends—get a head start on perfecting your recipe.
Finally get to the DIY project you’ve had pinned on your Pinterest board.
Brush up on some life skills.
Go on a long bike ride with a drink or dessert destination at the end!
Skip rush hour and head out for an impromptu road trip!
Head to your favorite ice cream shop for a sweet treat.
Go on a food truck crawl.
Have an inflatable-filled pool day!
Have a water balloon fight.
Go flower picking.
Have a mini stay-cation. Discover the best of what your city has to offer!
Take advantage of Free Fridays at the MoMa.
Get a manicure.
Read a book.
Make tamarind margaritas because they are the best.
Rearrange your
Find a local lake and go swimming!
Go to happy hour in time for actual happy hour.
Take your furry friend on a walk.
Go to the gym.
Make a Spotify mix to last all summer long.
Clean out your closet. (This actually IS fun if you consider you’re making room for new stuff….).
Do a little rooftop yoga.
Buy a frisbee and set up an impromptu game at the park.
Buy cookie cutters and cut watermelon into fun shapes.
Head to a museum to escape the summer heat.
Get in touch with your natural side by camping outdoors.
Make art.
Set up an outdoor movie theater and have friends over that evening for movie night.
Catch some sun, preferably by the pool.
Bring out the old board games for a few fun rounds.
Go kayaking!
Spend the day at Coney Island.
Make s’mores.
Spend the afternoon on the High Line.
Volunteer at an animal shelter.
Go for a boat ride at Central Park.
Dine al fresco at a new restaurant you’ve been meaning to try.
Go to the library.
Grill something delicious! May we suggest Mexican Street corn?
Rearrange your bookshelves.
Treat your self to a home spa day.
Host an outdoor dinner party.
Catch up on that stack of magazines.
Do a little gardening.
Go shopping.
Attend an outdoor food festival (and try to sample all the food!).
Spend the rest of the day at a bar by the pool. (This is a solid plan for many days, really–not just summer Fridays).
Host a rooftop game night at your apartment (or just go to a rooftop bar!).
Go on an ice cream tasting tour of your city.
Visit an aquarium.
Go hiking.
Check GTFO for flights out that night.
Head to a concert.
Go camping indoors with the little ones.
Tackle something new – recipes encouraged.
Drive out to the coast.
Catch up on thank you notes.
Watch some fireworks.
Lay on the grass in the best park you can find. (Pack along some sunscreen and a good read, of course).
Throw a bonfire.
Watch the sunset.
Scope out the locale flea markets.
Watch a comedy show.
Plan a trip somewhere exotic.