Summer Bucket List 2026

There’s something about the summer, even in subtropical climates like ours that just lends nicely to planning dope, fun stuff. I think it’s the idea of school being out, even if you have a traditional schedule like mine that drives the need to soak it all in over the next couple of months. 

Back in the Tampa Bay Moms Blog days, we created a summer bucket list to capture all the cool things that were happening in the summer in the area. The article was a hit and Harper and I decided to create our own list. And offshoot of our published list with our own preferences. The list became a tradition and even though she’s well into her teen years, we still create one. 

And I encourage you to create your own.

Our list is long. The longer the better. Size matters (f what ya heard.)

Below are a few highlights of ours/my list. For the full list to maximize your summer of fun, click here. 

Hairy Audacious Things List

Last year, I dabbled with a podcast idea based on a journal entry I wrote listing all the things that I could think of that can bring you out of your shell and make you a more confident, authentic person. We actually recorded a few really cool episodes. And while the return of the podcast is TBD, the ideas are strong and summer feels like a great time to try a few out. Here are a few of the items off this list:

• Be the first person to say hello to 100 people in a row
• Take cold showers for a week
• Get 20 no’s in a week: It’s important to get comfortable with rejection. 
• Say yes to the next fun thing that’s proposed to you: Spontaneity gets lost as we get older and responsible for more things. 
• Share a poem at an open mic night
• Negotiate the price of something

Get Ice Cream Often

You don’t need me to tell you that the summer is like made for ice cream. The coolness, the texture, the blend of flavors. While you wouldn’t want to share an elevator with me after a bowl of it, ice cream feels like fun and is among one of those quintessential summer foods. Of course my daughter loves ice cream and during the summer (and her birthday), it feels like the right time to indulge her wishes. The great thing about the Tampa Bay area is that, among other things, there are a number of high quality ice cream shops. Here are a few that we’ll be hitting this summer:

• La Mamma- Edge District, St. Pete
• Chill Bros- Multiple locations, but we do the Palma Ceia one, Tampa
• Strachans- Multiple locations, but we do the Ballast Point one, Tampa
• Sea Maids Creamery- Seminole Heights, Tampa
• Cream de le Creme- Westshore Marina District, Tampa

Dining on Fowler Ave.

If you’re lucky, your city will have a part of town with a high rate of great ethnic food places. Atlanta had it. Boston has several areas. Orlando has great Thai and Vietnamese food. And Tampa now has it too. Traveling down Fowler Ave. near the University of South Florida, you’ll find top notch Indian, Chinese, and Thai food among many others. You’ll find Hot Pots, Korean BBQs (along with some traditional BBQ), and even, perhaps, Tampa Bay’s only Russian restaurant. There’s a ridiculous amount of treats on this street, in part because of lower property values (the area flanks the hood) and a diverse university population. Up to now, I just haven’t made my way up there. That ends this summer. I can’t wait to grab something delicious there. 

World Cup in Philly (COMPLETE)

About a year ago, I started telling friends and anyone who would listen about my intent to go to the World Cup for my 50th birthday. And through losing several ticket lotteries, crazy prices, and a general lack of communication (FIFA sucks at that), I was finally able to secure a ticket on StubHub. Then the waiting began. So much waiting. FIFA doesn’t release tickets to resellers until right before the tournament starts. So you purchase a ticket, then you have to have faith that you didn’t get scammed and you’re not in Philadelphia for no good reason. 

Thankfully, my ticket came in last week. 

Now about Philadelphia. I picked it because it was the right combination of cool, foodie city, affordable travel and accommodations, and attainable game. I’m going up to see the Cote D’Ivory vs Curacao game on June 25th. I’m taking Sheriss, which will be fun and I’m planning to see all the touristy stuff, eat a ton of food, including an Angelo’s cheesesteak, visit Reading Terminal Market, and get into some cool urban adventures along the way. 

Authentically Celebrate my 50th Birthday

There has been a lot of thought put into how exactly I will celebrate my 50th birthday. Well, World Cup will be a big part of it, but that’s in June. I’m doing a lot of travel before and after my birthday, so there’s a chance travel will be a part of it as well. This could be an expensive summer so I’ll have to choose wisely. 

But whatever I do, I want it to be unapologetically me. When you reach these milestone birthdays, your mind naturally considers your past decisions and the trajectory of your life. I love celebrating birthdays, but at times, I’ve bent to the wants of the people I was surrounding myself with at the time. This ends now. 

I want to have a birthday that honors my likes, interests, and values. And while I want to spend it with people, I’m willing to spend it alone to be authentic to myself. It’s really how I want to live my life going forward. If I’m not all the way into it, I want to take myself all the way out of it. You’re always going to have certain exceptions here and there because you want to do life with people, which ultimately means a little compromise. However, for the most part, I want to do the things that I enjoy and not waste time with the ones I don’t. Harder than it looks, but incredibly important to do. 

Running the Peachtree Road Race (COMPLETE)

And last, but certainly not least, I’m running the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th for the fifth time. I enjoy this race because it pushes just beyond my comfort zone physically, which causes the same impact emotionally. I never think I’m training enough and I often don’t feel quite prepared for it. But momentum builds as a cross over the three mile mark. And then, despite being tired, I feel a surge of energy when I get into Midtown. Then when I make the turn on 10th St. and come down the home stretch, I feel a power push through me that carries my tired body to then end. I’ve felt so much pride each time I’ve finished this race. It often brings me to tears because I think about everything I’ve been through. All of the work that I’ve put in, all the people who aren’t here anymore. I can’t say enough good things about this experience. Sometimes you need a physical test. A mountain to climb to get a feel for what’s in you. And then you get to go to brunch afterwards. Chef’s kiss. Such a good day. Such a blessing.