Alternative Summer Trip Ideas During COVID-19
What a difference a year makes. Last summer, we couldn’t have imagined the world we would be living in today. What was once a carefree season filled with family reunions in the park, large holiday gatherings, and sunset happy hours is now fraught with unfathomable changes and uncertainties. But, perhaps there’s one positive outcome in all of the chaos: We are all living in the moment. The last few months have shown us that nothing lasts forever – both happiness and sadness – and tomorrow is not guaranteed. And, although we may not have had the choice, adopting a ‘maybe’ mentality has allowed us to reassess what is most important in each of our lives. So, while we may not have the summer we’d planned for, there are plenty of opportunities to find joy in the midst of tough times. Here are a few alternative summer trip ideas during COVID-19.
Create an Outdoor Movie Theater
As we’ve come to learn, you don’t have to leave your house to have fun. Enjoy a cinematic experience under the stars with an outdoor family movie night in the backyard. All you need is a projector, a big screen, cozy blankets, and a few lawn chairs! You can shop for mini projectors for less than $100 online. All that’s left is to vote on a movie, sit back, and dig into some salty and sweet movie theater snacks.
On the other hand, if you’re itching to get out of the house, a drive-in movie is the next best thing. As seen in the classic movie Grease, drive-in theaters, serve as a great date night idea! Not to mention, you can safely maintain social distancing guidelines in your car, or on the lawn. Find out if your local community has a movie showing in your area.
Go on a Virtual Tour
Many state parks, museums, zoos, and theme parks have limited in-person access during COVID-19. However, you can still visit some local parks close to your home or go on a virtual tour! National parks like Yellowstone National Park and many more have their own online tours where you can explore different parts of the park and learn about its history. Or, move at your own pace through the 360-degree room-by-room tour of The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Overall, you can now go out and explore and never have to leave your couch. We recommend the following free virtual tours:
- Kayak through icebergs at the Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
- See the Mona Lisa at The Louvre Museum or climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
- Ride horseback through Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
- Visit the animals at the San Diego Zoo in California.
- Hop on the Mako roller coaster at SeaWorld in Orlando.
Organize a Virtual Family Reunion
Whether for work or a social happy hour, we have all become more adept at virtual visits. So, why not utilize this technology to gather your family for a memorable virtual family reunion? There are quite a few perks, too. Unlike an in-person reunion, there is no need to arrange costs or travel; just pick a time that everyone can log on. And, while virtual reunions won’t necessarily capture or replace traditional ones, you can still share stories, see new smiling faces, and interact with loved ones regardless of not being in the same area.
Even more, virtual reunions can be recorded and preserved for future generations! Many video platforms, including Skype and Zoom allow you to record and store your chats online or in the cloud to watch in the future. Or, to show those who were unable to make it to the reunion.
2020 Looks Different, But It Can Still Be Special
While our upcoming summer travel plans may be postponed or cancelled, there are plenty of ways to seek out new experiences and adventures. Life is a journey, not a destination. What are some of your summer trip ideas during the pandemic?
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