Grab a pair of what we promise are your new favorite sunglasses and walk through our list of the most exciting outdoor activities you should check out this summer, from weekend trips to music, food and even hot air balloon festivals.
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1. Spend a Weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Visit the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the charming small town of Adairsville, Georgia, population 4,849. Stay in a cottage at the Barnsley Resort and spend your days horseback riding, golfing, strolling gardens and hiking trails. You’ll want to fly into Atlanta and rent a car to make the drive to Adairsville, which takes about an hour and a half.
2. Cheer Up at the National Cherry Festival
Farmers markets, live music, health and wellness events and the world’s sweetest cherries. We’ll take all of the above, please. Happening in the self-proclaimed Cherry Capital of the World (aka Traverse City), the National Cherry Festival in Michigan returns in late June for a jam-packed week centered around our favorite fruit. (Make sure to grab a slice of the city’s signature cherry crumb pie.) June 29 to July 6
3. Book a Chic Miami Hotel (for a Whole Lot Less)
Clear your schedule and plan a vacation at that fancy South Florida hotel you’ve been eyeing all year long, because Miami Hotels Month is back. Take advantage of discounted rates from June through September at some of this year’s participating properties, including the Mandarin Oriental, the Kimpton Epic, the Biltmore and even Faena. Don’t forget to pack your Bose Frames. You’ll need them when you’re lounging by the pool, listening to your favorite Taylor Swift playlist. Through September 30
4. Take Your Stretchy Pants to the L.A. Food Fest
It’s the tenth anniversary of one of our favorite food events: the L.A. Food Fest. Indulge in everything from tacos and burgers to doughnuts and cocktails all while supporting small businesses and local charities like Food Forward, an initiative that fights hunger and prevents food waste. June 29
5. Have an Insta-Worthy Experience at the Hot Air Balloon Festival
Ever heard of the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Colorado? Ogle the multicolored balloons floating through the sky (yes, very worthy of an Instagram post) while hanging outside at a massive arts fair and taking part in rodeo-inspired contests. July 13 and 14
6. Catch a Show at the Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival
Think of this as a level up from Shakespeare in the Park. Channel your inner theater kid at the Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival, complete with three stages, nine local theater companies and 17 performances hosted over two days. The best part? It’s free. July 13 and 14
7. Snag Tickets to NYC’s OZY Fest
Why limit yourself to a specialty event when you can attend NYC’s annual OZY Fest, bringing you two days of art, culture, food and everything else with some of our favorite celebs, including Michelle Wolf, Laverne Cox, Malcolm Gladwell and Martha Stewart. July 20 and 21
8. Try Not to Get a Brain Freeze at the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
This isn’t your average all-you-can-eat sweets event. At the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, dig into the city’s finest frozen treats while also taking part in yoga, jump rope and other fitness activities. July 27
9. Book a Cruise Out of Miami
Did you know Miami is considered the cruise capital of the world? Sail to the most stunning destinations, all while dining on celebrity chef eats, stargazing on pool decks and indulging in spa treatments. And summer is one of the best times of year to say au revoir. It’s also one of the best times to take your brand-new pair of Bose Frames out for a spin. They may look like classic sunglasses, but they actually include built-in Bose speakers, giving you an immersive audio experience while also providing shade and style. They’re the ultimate two-in-one.
10. Craving More Festivals? Hit Up Panorama in New York City
It’s not too late to get your festival fix. Think of NYC’s Panorama as Coachella’s more manageable sibling, attracting top talent like Migos, the Killers and Janet Jackson in a smaller and less desert-y environment, if you know what we mean. July 27 to 29
11. On the West Coast? Try Outside Lands in San Francisco
A summer checklist wouldn’t be complete without a mention of San Francisco’s most popular music festival, Outside Lands. Among this year’s lineup are Childish Gambino, Paul Simon and Kacey Musgraves. Plus, the event includes the second annual Grass Lands, a curated cannabis experience right inside the festival grounds. August 9 to 11
12. Catch an Outdoor Movie in D.C.
We’ll never turn down a reason to visit Washington, D.C., one of our favorite cities, especially when it involves four straight evenings of free outdoor movies. (Coco! Black Panther! Wonder Woman!) Plus, it all benefits the National Institutes of Health Children’s Charities. August 23 to 26
13. Finally Cross Wyoming Off Your Bucket List
Experience the best of the West with a week-long getaway to Wyoming. Don’t know where to start? Let the Wyoming Travel Guide serve as your expert tour guide, ready to take you through the state’s most beautiful parks, tastiest restaurants and coolest sights. Make sure to throw on a pair of Bose Frames as you drive, for shade and songs all at the same time.
14. Hit Up Minnesota’s Epic State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is easily one of the country’s most beloved summer fairs. (Um, where else can you get a huge tub of those crazy cookies from Sweet Martha’s practically on demand?) Count on seeing jewelry and gem exhibits, live music, horses and the most Insta-worthy food your feed has ever known. August 22 to September 2
15. Round Off the Season with a Trip to Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina, has so much charm that a quick weekend getaway practically plans itself. (Tip: The weather is perfect in September.) Get ready to feast on barbecue, stroll the cobblestones and take in the historic 18th-century architecture from Rainbow Row to the Battery. You’ll go for the awe-inspiring history and culture; you’ll stay because it feels like home.
