by Steven Perez
posted on June 12, 2020
National Get Outdoors Day 2020
It’s time to get out of the house! Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day — if you needed any more excuse to get outside and stretch your legs, this is it. We’re fully into June and the summer is heating up, so celebrate with a weekend spent outdoors in the sunshine.
Across the US, some parks and facilities still remain closed, and physical distancing guidelines limit many activities. But there are more than plenty of options for safely enjoying the outdoors in 2020 — especially if you have a car to get around in. Here are some ideas for celebrating Get Outdoors Day, so get inspired and get your body moving!
Hit the park
Many national, state, and regional parks around the US are opening to visitors, so you should be able to hit the trails at a park near you. But if you have gone hiking during a recent weekend, you’ll know that everyone seems to have the same idea — many popular parks have gotten pretty packed over the last couple months. So if you’re looking to hike, bike, or even camp, try looking up lesser-known parks in your area and skip the big crowds. Too many visitors can overwhelm and damage parks, and crowds can make physical distancing hard to maintain. Go ahead and wander off the beaten path and take this opportunity to explore somewhere you’ve never been!
Get your garden on
If you have a yard and you haven’t taken up gardening while sheltering in place, you’re missing out. Gardening is an easy way to spend time outside without traveling anywhere or getting near anyone. The go-to DIY garden project of choice is to build a planter and start a vegetable garden — you can get everything you need in one trip to the hardware store. Or, if you don’t have a yard, splurge a little and beef up your succulent collection. You don’t always have to travel far to enjoy greenery.
Visit an out-of-town restaurant
Most restaurants have been doing takeout during the last few months, even Michelin-starred restaurants. Find a nice restaurant, maybe one that’s out of town that you can take a leisurely drive out to, and make a day of it! Have a lazy summer afternoon and bring your takeout to a nearby park for a picnic!
Take your pup to the beach
Many dog parks around the country are still closed. So, let your pup run wild and free by taking them to the beach! Beaches are the perfect place for your canine friend to frolic around, play in the surf, and get real sandy digging very important holes. While many US beaches do not allow dogs (shame!), there are plenty that do — even off-leash. Give it a quick Google to find a dog-friendly beach to visit this weekend.
Not all Turo hosts allow pets in their cars. Filter for pet-friendly vehicles, and be sure to clean up after your furry friend!
Go ride a bike
Biking is another activity that many have rediscovered while sheltering in place. Nothing says summer like a chill bike ride to the ice cream shop. Plus, it’s generally pretty easy to keep your distance from others while biking.
Gone fishin’
If you want some peace and quiet, fishing might be your calling. You can spend hours out at the pond, river, or beach and get yourself a full dose of outdoors. Once again, this’ll allow you to get some space and chill out for a day without worrying about physical distancing. Be sure to check to see if you need a fishing license before busting out your reel and rod — many states require a license to cast in public spaces and could carry a fine if violated.
Steven Perez
Steven is an avid car guy and content maker at Turo. Between Golden State Warriors games he can be found getting lost somewhere in California.
