Who says summer is just for kids at camp or 20-somethings with backpacks? This 2025 summer bucket list for women over 50 proves that the best memories can still be ahead of you. Are you craving a new adventure? Some overdue me time? Or a chance to reconnect with old friends? These ideas are tailored to your stage of life, energizing, meaningful, and totally doable.

Use this list as a starting point, a nudge, or even a full-on summer challenge. You can pick one idea or try them all. Most importantly, make space for joy, spontaneity, and stories worth telling long after the sunscreen wears off.

Top 5 Summer Bucket List Ideas for Women Over 50:

1. Take a Solo Weekend Trip – There’s something liberating about packing a small bag and hitting the road on your own. Solo travel gives you the freedom to do exactly what you want, when you want.
2. Host a Backyard Movie Night – Turn your yard, patio, or balcony into a magical outdoor theater. Hang string lights, grab cozy throws and cushions, and project a favorite film onto a blank wall or sheet.
3. Try a Dance Class You’ve Never Taken Before – Always wanted to learn flamenco, belly dance, or ballroom but never got around to it? Now’s the time. Many studios offer beginner classes, and you don’t need a partner, just comfortable shoes and an open mind. 
4. Start a Container Herb Garden – You don’t need a huge yard to feel connected to nature. A few pots on a sunny ledge can hold basil, mint, rosemary, and lavender. Not only will your home smell amazing, but you’ll also have fresh herbs for cooking, cocktails, and even DIY spa treatments.
5. Plan a Multi-Generational Getaway – A vacation with your children and grandchildren doesn’t have to be chaotic; it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your summer. Rent a lake house, visit a national park, or take a cruise with fun for all ages.

Continue reading to discover more bucket list things to try this summer. 

What Are Some Fun Summer Activities to Try This Year?

Learn to Paddleboard or Kayak

Gliding across a calm lake or bay at sunrise is an experience unlike any other. You don’t need to be athletic to enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking. Many locations offer stable boards and beginner-friendly instructions. It’s both peaceful and empowering, offering a full-body workout that feels like play.

Read more: Soft Adventures for Women Over 50 – Hiking, Kayaking, and More!

Book a Train Trip Across the Country

Train travel has a certain romance to it. The clickety-clack of the rails, the ever-changing scenery, and the gentle sway of the car. Amtrak’s routes through the Rockies, Pacific Northwest, or along the California coast are especially scenic. Bring a book, sip a glass of wine, and watch the world unfold outside your window.

Read more: 8 USA Train Trips for Solo Women Over 50.

Go to a Summer Festival or Outdoor Concert

Let music carry you away. Whether it’s jazz in the park, a Shakespeare play on the lawn, or a weekend folk music festival, there’s something magical about enjoying live performances under the open sky. Pack a picnic, wear something flowy, and sing along like nobody’s watching.

Start a Journal or Photo Diary

Capture the moments that matter: sunsets, shared meals, and morning reflections. You don’t need to be a writer or photographer. Use a simple notebook or a photo app, and let yourself record the real and the raw. Years from now, you’ll be glad you documented how this season felt.

Read more: Journaling for Clarity: 6 Prompts for Self-Discovery and Growth.

Host a Clothing Swap With Friends

Bring a few gently worn pieces that no longer spark joy and swap them for something that does. It’s sustainable, budget-friendly, and a great excuse to get together. Add wine, music, and lots of mirrors. You might leave with a vintage kimono or a great pair of sandals, and lots of laughter.

Read more: How to Host a Clothing Swap Party.

Take a Cooking Class Featuring Global Cuisine

Learn to roll sushi, bake French pastries, or master homemade pasta. Taking a cooking class opens the door to new cultures and new flavors. Bonus: You get to eat your creation. Look for local classes or join a virtual session with a glass of wine from your kitchen.

Explore Your Local Farmer’s Market Weekly

Support small farmers, taste fresh produce, and discover seasonal delights you won’t find at the grocery store. Chat with vendors, try the samples, and maybe even strike up a new friendship. Bring a reusable bag and a sense of curiosity.

Spend a Day at the Spa – or Create One at Home

Book yourself a luxurious treatment or turn your bathroom into a mini oasis. Think soft robes, eucalyptus oil, a soothing playlist, and your favorite face mask. Close the door, put your phone away, and unwind. Sometimes the best vacation is the one you take in your tub.

Try Sunrise or Sunset Yoga Outdoors

The light, the stillness, the birdsong, it’s an entirely different experience than studio yoga. You don’t have to be flexible or experienced. Follow a YouTube video in your backyard or join a free community class at the park. Just breathe, stretch, and take in the sky.

Volunteer for a Cause You Care About

Giving back is a powerful way to feel purposeful. Whether it’s helping at an animal shelter, mentoring a younger woman, or planting trees in your neighborhood, volunteering connects you to others and adds meaning to your summer.

Read more: How You Can Volunteer as an Older Adult.

Organize a Themed Potluck With Friends

Missing your social circle? Throw a themed potluck, Greek night, backyard BBQ, or a retro 70s party with fondue and vintage tunes. Everyone brings a dish, and no one carries the full load. Don’t forget to take lots of photos.

Take an Online Art or Writing Workshop

Tap into your inner artist. Sites like Domestika, Skillshare, and MasterClass offer everything from watercolor painting and poetry to digital drawing. Whether you want to write your memoirs or paint a garden scene, the tools are at your fingertips.

Spend a Night Stargazing

Drive away from the city, lie back on a blanket, and look up. Summer skies are perfect for spotting constellations, satellites, and even meteor showers. It’s humbling and awe-inspiring, and all it costs is your time and attention.

Make a Summer Playlist and Dance to It Weekly

Revisit the songs of your youth or discover something fresh. Blast it in the kitchen while making breakfast or use it for a midweek mood boost. Move your body without judgment, just for the joy of it.

Read more: How Many of These 1960s Dances Do You Remember? (Including Vintage Videos!)

Go on a Vintage Treasure Hunt

Spend a lazy Sunday exploring estate sales, vintage boutiques, or flea markets. You never know what you’ll find: an art deco brooch, a mid-century chair, or a forgotten photograph. Treasure hunting is less about shopping and more about story-seeking.

Plan a Cruise With Friends or Family

Cruising offers relaxation with the bonus of travel. You can do everything, or nothing at all. Lounge by the pool, try new foods, take dance lessons, or explore new ports. It’s a floating resort with no driving required.

Visit a Botanical Garden You’ve Never Been To

Let nature refresh your senses. Botanical gardens are full of inspiration, from fragrant roses and towering trees to butterflies and fountains. Many offer summer tours, yoga classes, or even live music.

Read more: 10 Flower Festivals and Gardens to Visit Around the World.

Try a New Hairstyle or Color

Been thinking about bangs? Highlights? A sleek bob or a daring silver? Summer is the perfect season for a fresh look. Book a consultation or bring inspiration photos and let your stylist work their magic.

Read more: Spectacular Hair Color Options for Fabulous Older Women (Photos).

Bake a Seasonal Pie From Scratch

Start with a visit to a local berry farm or farmer’s market. Choose ripe peaches, strawberries, or rhubarb and channel your inner baker. Don’t worry about the perfect crust, just enjoy the process and share your pie with someone special.

Create a Vision Board for the Second Half of the Year

Mid-year is a great time to reflect and realign. Use clippings from magazines, inspirational quotes, or photos of your dream vacation. Whether it’s wellness, relationships, or creativity, visualize what you want to invite in.

What Makes a Great Summer Bucket List for Women Over 50?

The best lists are a blend of:

• Small joys and bold dreams
• Personal growth and playful fun
• Stillness and adventure
• Time alone and time with others

At this stage of life, you’ve earned the right to say yes to what delights you and no to what drains you. Use your summer to feed your soul, not just fill your calendar.

Read more: 10 Steps to Help You Plan to Achieve What’s on Your Bucket List.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What’s one new thing you’re excited to try this summer? Which bucket list ideas sparked something in you? What Would You Add to the List? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.