Summer Bucket List: Top 10 To-Do List Before Summer's End

By Wendy Mitchell

There’s no better feeling than warm sunshine on your shoulders, hot sand between your toes and a cool breeze gently kissing your suntanned face. But wait! Back-to-School sales are splashed all over TV, coupons are filling up your mailbox and emails from teachers and coaches are flooding your inbox. You know what that means… summer’s almost over.

The pressure’s on to squeeze in as much summer fun as possible before the sands slipping through the hourglass have officially run out. Patch asked friends, readers and colleagues what their top 10 must-do things were and here’s what we came up with.

1. Build a sand castle at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme - This beach has the perfect soft sand to make the best drip castles, sand sculptures or sand pillows for the most comfortable of tanning beds. Picnic areas, walking trails and views of the salt marsh make this park ideal for families. Try your hand at crabbing, fishing or bird watching at this must-see summertime destination. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. Rocky Neck State Park is located at 244 West Main Street, Route 156, in East Lyme.

2. Get splashed at Thunder Rapids at Lake Compounce in Bristol - Ride the whitecaps through the natural terrain and be prepared to get soaked on this fun-filled ride. It’s the perfect way to cool down this summer. After Thunder Rapids, dry off on the Zoomerang, Boulder Dash or any other fun amusement rides awaiting thrill seekers at Connecticut’s best amusement park. Tickets are $39.99 at the gate. Click here for more info. Lake Compounce Family Theme Park is located at 186 Enterprise Drive in Bristol, CT.

3. Cruise on a tube down the Farmington River - Don’t be fooled by the scary name. Satan’s Kingdom in New Hartford is not so evil. The river offers 3 miles of splashing fun with 3 sets of wild rapids for a day of ups and downs on your own tube on the river. Weekends and holidays are $20 per person, weekdays are $18 per person.Tubing runs daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Click here for details. Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area is located at 92 Main St., New Hartford, CT.

4. Enjoy local harvest at Chef Max’s ‘Farm to Table’ dinner - Nothing says summer like the taste of fresh, local produce. Enjoy the abundant bounty of Connecticut’s local farms at this ‘Farm to Table’ dinner. Your evening begins with a wine tasting presented by a guest winemaker. Next you’ll get a tour of the farm, followed by a delicious dinner cooked from scratch, showcasing that day’s best produce. Named one of the top 5 farm dinners by Fodor’s Travel Guide, this is a must-see on your “Summer Bucket List.” 249 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT. Click here for more info.

5. Pack a picnic and hike at Enders Falls in Granby - The natural waterfalls are a perfect backdrop to a summer picnic after a great hike along the trains at Enders Falls. A perfect mix of shade and sun makes this a great place to relax and have a picnic. Swimmable pools await beneath a 6-foot cascade of natural waterfalls. From Rte. 20, take Rte. 219 West for 1.4 Miles to Granby, CT. Click here for a map.

6. Catch a summer flick at the Mansfield Drive-In - A summer highlight and one of Connecticut’s last drive-in movie theaters, this is a must-see for your “Summer Bucket List.” . Current films are featured on the big screen, there’s a snack bar and you can’t beat the price-- just $10 for a double feature! The Mansfield Drive-in is located at 228 Stafford Rd, Mansfield, CT. Click here to see what’s playing.

7. Mini Golf and Ice Cream at Farmington Miniature Golf and Ice Cream Parlor- Enjoy some good old fashioned American fun with a game of minigolf followed by a tasty ice cream cone. Farmington Miniature Golf and Ice Cream Parlor is located at 1048 Farmington Ave., Rte. 4, Farmington, CT.

8. Pick your own berries at Rose’s Berry Farm - Strawberries and blueberries and blackberries, oh my! Nothing says summer like fresh, succulent, fresh-picked berries. This family farm should definitely be on your must-see list for the summer of 2014. Open for picking 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sundays. 295 Matson Hill Rd., South Glastonbury, CT.

9. Go skydiving in Danielson - Adventure seekers will love this Connecticut attraction. Take in the summer sun and feel the wind whipping through your hair as you fly through the sky! Skydive Danielson specializes in first time tandem jumpers and operates out of the Danielson Airport. Whether you are looking to cross skydiving off your bucket list or you need a quick shot of adrenaline, Skydive Danielson is the place to go for safe, first-time jumpers and an incredible experience you won’t soon forget! 41 Airport Road, Danielson, CT. Click here for more info.

10. Take a hike or ride a kayak at Eagleville Preserve Trail - Eagleville Preserve is an 11-acre wooded area along the Willimantic River that offers a great location for summertime exploration. Click here for a trail map. Nearby River Park offers a canoe/kayak launch with a ramp for easy access to the water. The upper end of Eagleville Lake is a half-mile downstream. The half-mile upstream is white-water, and only for experienced kayakers. Check out the Canoe and Kayak Map for details about the river’s hazards, features and launch sites. Click here for directions.

Did we miss one of your favorites? What’s on your “Summer Bucket List?” Tell us in the comments!