If you’re familiar with childhood friends Phineas and Ferb, you’ll likely remember what they claimed as the annual problem of our generation: finding a good way to spend the summer. With a summer break just one day short of that in the Disney show, students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst face a similar dilemma. Although you may not have the facilities to climb the Eiffel Tower, build a roller coaster, or construct a portal to Mars, here are five ways to pass the time and make the most out of your break.
- Attend a Concert or Music Festival
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Unless you’re a UMass senior or sticking around for graduation, the Boston Calling music festival is the perfect way to kick off a thrilling summer!! With musical guests including The Lumineers, Foo Fighters, Paramore, Mt. Joy, and Niall Horan, there’s a little something for everyone. If you miss that, no worries! There are plenty of other opportunities for live music. Thomas Rhett, Alicia Keys, Drake, and The Jonas Brothers are all performing at TD Garden before the summer ends. If you find yourself further west, consider Lollapalooza in Illinois, a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, or the Farewell Festival in Oregon.
- Visit Flavortown, USA
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Take your turn as Guy Fieri and visit the mythical Flavortown, USA. I’m not necessarily suggesting dressing up like him – although you definitely could. Fieri’s Flavortown, USA, is “a state of mind, where fun and food meet in perfect harmony.” If you’re familiar with the show Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives, you know that Guy Fieri has visited over 1400 different diners and restaurants to sample the food. Find locations near you that Fieri has visited at this link and give them a taste test yourself! Later, stream the corresponding episode on Roku and see how your opinions compare!
- Soak Up the Sun at a national park.
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This summer, soak up as much Vitamin D as possible! Whether it be a trip to the beach or hiking a mountain., come the long Massachusetts winter, you’ll be longing for this time back. My personal favorite way to do this is by visiting national parks! August 4 is the 3rd anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, and in celebration, all National Park Service sites will be offering free admission to anyone! On other days, you can learn more about the parks and plan your trip here. Don’t forget sunscreen!
SpringSummer Cleaning-
Nothing makes me want to de-clutter more than moving in and out of a college dorm. Summer is the perfect time to sort through your clothes and belongings to figure out what is really bringing you joy and what can be passed on. Salvation Army accepts donated clothing, household goods, furniture, appliances, automobiles, and more. Plus, donations are tax-deductible. You can find your nearest drop-off location here!
- Go Skydiving
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Name a better time in your life to try skydiving than right now. You can’t! A thrill like no other, it’s typical to start with tandem skydiving, which is actually a lot cheaper than you may think! Skydive Pepperell, located in Massachusetts, is one option among many for those interested in checking it out!!
Although they may not be as riveting as painting a continent of locating Frankenstein’s brain, these five ideas can elevate your summer from just okay to scrapbook-worthy, which is good enough for me.
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