Summer is the season to dedicate time to yourself. Whether you’re single or just want to have some good solo time this summer, it’s easier than ever to enjoy your own company during the sunny months. This year, you can find me blasting Olivia Dean in my headphones, gallivanting around my city by myself, and exploring all sorts of farmers’ markets, ice cream shops, and more. The way I see it, this is one of the easiest times of the year to get out and about, no matter what kind of solo date ideas you fancy.
Since you probably have a stacked summer social calendar, be sure to set aside time just for yourself. In between all the summer activities, you’ll be glad to have a little one-on-one time on a nice day. Whether you’re looking to get outside, put on a cute outfit from your summer capsule wardrobe, or adopt a summer hobby you can do solo, these 16 solo date ideas will help you make the most of the season.
1. Go berry picking
The last time I checked, frolicking through rows of strawberries with a cute little basket and a thrifted pair of overalls doesn’t require more than one person! Avoid that awkward first-date small talk and embrace your main-character energy while getting lost in endless rows of berry bushes under the sun. Bring a podcast, a playlist, or enjoy the sounds of nature while you pick strawberries, raspberries, and more. It’s simple, whimsical, and the date doesn’t have to stop there. Take your fresh-picked berries to the kitchen and treat yourself to a homemade fruit pie, fruity pancakes, or make your best homemade preserves ever!
2. Read in the park
This is one of my favorite “touch grass” activities. It helps me romanticize summer, but more than that, it’s relaxing, free, and overall, an easy way to enjoy some much-needed solo time. No doom scrolling or texting people back here. Just you, a blanket, a good read, and heck, maybe even an iced coffee in hand. I also rarely find myself wearing anything but an oversized tee and shorts these days, so it’s a fun opportunity to play dress up in my favorite gingham outfit while exploring fictional worlds and escaping real ones. Let the trees rustle, the pages turn, and stay blissfully offline. If you are not much of a reader, no worries! You can still take advantage of that beautiful park day with some reflective journaling, doodling, or simply enjoying the sun. You deserve it.
READ: The Most Anticipated New Books of Summer 2026
3. Go boutique shopping
There is something magical that happens when you combine any activity with the outdoors, and shopping is certainly one of them. Grab a coffee, a good pair of walking shoes, and soak up the sun while strolling down quaint shopping streets for some ultimate solo retail therapy. While shopping with your girls can be just as fun, journeying these boutique-y streets by yourself allows you to shop at your own pace and play with your personal style without any second opinions or pressures to buy. Bonus, popping in and out of shops will also give you a strategic moment to cool off in the breezy air-conditioning before heading back outside!
READ: Buy Now, Thank Yourself Later: Every Summer Essential You Could Possibly Need
4. Take yourself out for ice cream
In my opinion, we don’t make a big enough deal out of going to get ice cream in the summertime. I don’t know if there’s anything better than enjoying a scoop in the sunshine or on a warm summer night. To romanticize your solo ice cream date, pick a shop you’ve never been to before and try a new flavor. This summer, you don’t need to settle for a carton of Ben & Jerry’s! You can turn your craving for a little sweet treat into an excuse to get outside, appreciate the warm weather, and explore a new spot. Bring a beach read or journal if you’re planning to sit at the ice cream parlor or take a walk around the neighborhood with your scoop to truly soak in that summer feeling.
5. Attend an outdoor workout class
The best part of the warmer weather is that you can finally bring your movement outside. From hot girl walks to yoga in the park, there are tons of options for fitness in the great outdoors in the summer. Sign up for an outdoor workout class near you, or check to see if your gym has offerings for classes outside. Run clubs and walking groups are also great opportunities to meet or chat with strangers in your area—if that’s what you’re looking to get out of your solo date! However, if you simply want to get moving in the nice weather, that’s totally an option too. Head to a yoga or fitness class, and then walk to grab a coffee because you deserve a little treat after getting sweaty.
6. Enjoy breakfast on the patio
It’s patio season, folks! If you have an outdoor space of any kind, from a patio to a rooftop to a backyard, now is the time to take advantage of it. To make an at-home patio meal into a true solo date, romanticize it as much as possible. Buy yourself some fresh flowers and ingredients to make your favorite brunch recipe. Make yourself a coffee or even go on a quick walk to grab your favorite latte and come back. Play some smooth morning jazz while you cook. Then, enjoy a slow morning in the sunshine with yourself. If you don’t have an outdoor space, don’t worry. Take yourself out for breakfast and request to sit in the sweet, sweet sunshine. This is the perfect way to slow down and take a moment to appreciate the season!
7. Check out a local fair or festival
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already gone on a solo farmer’s market date this season. You don’t need me to tell you that that’s a great option as far as solo date ideas go—but have you considered hitting up a local fair or festival instead? The summer brings tons of options for outdoor vintage shows, art walks, and other festivals where local vendors are selling their creations. Grab your go-to tote bag, put on an outfit that makes you feel great, and be prepared to go invest in some fun trinkets and treats. This is the perfect way to engage with artistry in the summertime without having to go to a museum.
8. Spend a day by the water
If you don’t take at least one day this summer to go to the pool or beach and lie out solo by the water, did you even do summer?! Pick out a cute new swimsuit and pack your beach bag with a coastal-inspired read, a towel to lie out on, and sunnies and sunscreen (obviously). This is the kind of solo date that will heal your inner child as you chill by the water and soak up the sun’s rays. Whether your closest form of water is a lake, ocean, or reservoir, this is a great opportunity to be in nature, too. However, if you’re more of a poolside girl, you can totally do that, too. Be sure to pack some snacks and drinks because you’re not going to want to go back inside.
9. See an outdoor movie
The only thing better than sitting in a dark theater solo with a bucket of popcorn and nowhere to be is sitting outside doing the same thing. Summer is the time of the year when all of the best blockbuster movies hit the big screen. Find an outdoor movie venue near you—usually, you can find them in local parks, but there are dedicated venues in some cities! There’s also always an option to find a drive-in, as the ultimate way to romance yourself. Put on your comfy clothes and bring along your favorite snacks and drinks. You can even take yourself out to dinner (or hit up your favorite drive-thru on the way) before the show for a jam-packed evening of solo activities.
10. Go kayaking, paddle boarding, or biking
Want to show yourself some true self-love? Get moving in nature by going kayaking, paddleboarding, or biking. This will allow you to do something scenic and active at the same time and fill you up with all the happy summertime endorphins. As long as you let someone know where you’re going (safety first), you can enjoy some time in nature and in the sun by trying out one of these activities. Romanticize it for yourself by grabbing lunch before or after.
11. Go to a baseball game
Is there anything that screams “girl in a romantic comedy” more than going to a baseball game by yourself in the middle of summer? Put on your home team’s jersey or cap and your favorite pair of sunnies and prepare to lounge in the sun for a few hours. You don’t even really need to watch the game—it’s more about the vibes, after all. While yes, baseball games are notoriously long, they offer the perfect opportunity to put on a cute outfit and enjoy a hot dog, which is really what summer is all about. Plus, if you’re looking to do a little no-pressure flirting and develop a summer fling, there are literally thousands of people you can meet and chat with while you’re there.
READ: Payton Sartain Ross’ Guide to Effortlessly Cool Baseball Game Style
12. Sit on a patio and people-watch
This is one of the simplest solo date ideas, but it’s tried and true. Head to the nearest restaurant or coffee shop with a patio near you and enjoy some good old-fashioned people-watching with a drink in hand. You can bring a book or journal if you want, but trust me, the crowds will provide enough entertainment to keep you busy. Give yourself a checklist of things to spot (guy not wearing a shirt? Check. Kid with an ice cream cone? Check. Cutest dog you’ve ever seen? Check). In the colder months, all of these people will be cooped up inside, and patio season will be no more. Now is the time to take advantage of the great weather.
13. Go on an adult field trip
Take me back to the good ‘ole days, with field trips and brown bag lunches. Who says you can’t bring a little bit of that whimsy back into your life for a solo date? Choose a park, a local zoo, or even a museum, and spend the day like you’re back in elementary school. Pack a lunch, lather on some sunscreen, and take in the sights around you. It’s a great opportunity to wear that cute outfit you’ve been saving, take some pictures, and enjoy your own company.
READ: 25 Fun and Easy Ways to Add More Whimsy to Your Life
14. Plan a staycation in your own city
Summer is side quest season, IMO. So, book one night in a hotel across town, make restaurant reservations somewhere you’ve always wanted to try, and spend the day as a tourist instead of a local. Bring a book to the hotel bar, order room service, or lounge at the hotel pool. The best part of a staycation is experiencing your city like a first-timer again. You might learn something new about where you live, find a new favorite spot to eat, or meet someone new. The possibilities are endless.
15. Volunteer at the animal shelter
Who doesn’t want to spend time cuddling with puppies and kittens? Spend a warm afternoon walking dogs, playing with the kittens, or helping out behind the scenes at a local shelter. It will be full of sunlight, barking dogs eager to go outside, and, honestly, just pure joy. Afterwards, reward yourself with an iced coffee or lunch somewhere and enjoy that feeling of having spent a day doing something meaningful. Who knows, this must just turn into your new favorite feel-good hobby.
16. Build yourself a bouquet
In true Nancy Meyers fashion, go to a farmers market or flower stand and build yourself a bouquet from scratch—oversized sunflowers, colorful wildflowers, eucalyptus, whatever feels like summer to you. You can buy flowers for yourself without waiting for a special occasion or for another person to do it first. Take some pictures, carry them home, trim the stems, put music on while arranging them in a vase, and let your apartment smell green and fresh for the rest of the week.
Emma Ginsberg, Former Associate Editor & Podcast Assistant
Emma is a writer, editor, and podcast producer who created at The Everygirl beginning in 2021. She wrote for all sections on the site, edited the Entertainment and Community sections, and helped produce The Everygirl Podcast. You can listen to her with podcast host Josie Santi on the intros of The Everygirl Podcast and read her articles across the site.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.
