Living in Upstate New York my whole life, I, like almost everyone else here wishes they were down South instead. However, one thing we tend forget sometimes, is that we have some of the nicest Summer weather here. Whereas, down South, our Summer months are like their (very hot) winter months, where they stay inside because of the heat.
In New York, although the Winter weather may suck, it is kind of the best of both worlds. Not all states get to experience all four seasons like we do, some people may never see snow except for in pictures. Luckily, everyone, including us gets nice sunny weather for at least a few months of year, and it is important not to waste it!
One of the nicest things about the transition from high-school to college is having almost a whole extra month added to your summer. Now, with this extra time to have fun, we better not waste it, because in a few years a summer break (unless teaching is your future career), will be nonexistent.
As someone who grew up in the Utica area, I can agree with most that Utica may not be the most exciting place to live, but it truly is not as bad as many people make it seem. When the weather gets nice there is actually a lot to do, along with places throughout New York that are worth the trip. Summer jobs can definitely make it hard to find things to do, but here are some things that I like to fill my days off with that can maybe spruce your Summer up a bit:
-
Waterfalls- New York has more than 2,000 waterfalls, some too small to explore, but there are many that are part of state parks which have trails making it super easy for a day of adventure.
-
Concerts- Concerts, especially country concerts are a huge part of summer here in New York. There are so many concert venues it is not even funny. Find some friends from school and make a weekend out of it!
-
The Boilermaker- If you are from the area I’m sure you know about the famous 15k with unlimited beer (and my favorite part: unlimited popsicles) at the finish line. Yes, 9.3 miles is a long way to run, but the whole race is surrounded by people and is one of the coolest atmospheres you will ever experience. Just incase the 15k is too much for you, there is a 5k run as well!
-
Sunflower Fields- One of my favorite things to do in the summer is visit sunflower fields, not only because they happen to be my favorite flower, but because who would not be happy surrounded by THOUSANDS of flowers?! Plus, it is the perfect opportunity for a cute (and a slightly basic) insta pic!
-
Crafts- Granted not all days will be sunny and beautiful out, but that does not mean there is nothing fun to do. Pinterest is a great place to find easy crafts that will not cost too much money to create. Then, you will be ready for the next school year with new decorations for your dorm room or apartment!
Your Summer will only be what you make of it, so do not let yourself regret the things you did not do when Fall comes rolling around!