Create a ‘fun file’

 

From NYT articles How to Make the Most of Summer.  

Create a ‘fun file’ for weekends (another heading: Build in weekday summer pleasures.)

Try to approach your summer weekends with a vacation mind-set, said Mike Rucker, a behavioral scientist and the author of “The Fun Habit.” A 2021 study found that people who viewed their weekends as vacations reported greater happiness levels the following Monday.

Dr. Rucker suggested creating a “fun file” — a list of simple, achievable things you want to do this summer. Focus on day trips that you can do for a few hours.

And most communities, large and small, offer free or low-cost events during the summer — like outdoor concerts and festivals, Dr. Rucker added, so check your community newspaper, library or local government website.

Here's a fun file that I recently uncovered.

Weekend Explorer: Day Trips

Explore Chicago

  Explore Chicago (Chicago Tribune booklet)

  Chicago Architectural Walk (map and notes)

  Ride the 606 Trail

  Birding and Brunch on Lake Michigan (Chicago Wilderness)

  Explore Nature in Chicago Parks (Chicago Wilderness)

Explore a Forest Preserve

    Into the Wild - a resource of Chicago Wilderness Mag

    Archives of Chicago Wilderness here

    DuPage County FP Trails (* map)

    Cook County FP trails

    Morton Arboretum Map

    Chicago Botanical Garden

   Pratt's Wayne Woods - birds

    Waubonsee CC - prairie

   Bluhm County Park (LaPorte, Indiana) wildflowers in April; birds

Explore Suburbs

   FLK around Chicago

GeoCache

Apple Orchards (see 2 articles)

Weekend Explorer: Overnight 

Explore Further

  Taliesien

  FLW Trail

  Fall Travel (Chicago Tribune booklet)

  Great River Road/ Good Food

Farther Afield

Hiking
  6 Peaks, 6 States, 6 Days (AMC)
  Long trails in each State (Outside mag)
  1000-mile hikes (Outside)
  National Trails map
  8 Day hikes that are part of longer trail systems (AMC)
  Blue Blaze Trails (AMC)

  
National Parks (Outside Mag booklet)

OARS rafting and hiking trips