During difficult times, when possibilities are restricted, it’s the ideal chance to discover fascinating adventures in your own backyard. Enjoying the moment and being able to say, “I’m so glad I did that—it was amazing!” is crucial, regardless of how big or small the task is.”
Plan an amazing weekend with friends by trying something new and adventurous from our selection of exhilarating adventure ideas below.
1. Go for a bike ride in a new park
Biking is one of the most popular activities these days, and bikes are sold out in many stores. While everyone has a favourite trail to bike, why not explore a new one? Visit a new city park or a new trail, and you might even find another favourite trail.
2. Jump into an ice-cold lake to boost your immunity
I’m a huge fan of spontaneously jumping into lakes, especially after a hike or trail run. It’s fantastic for muscle relief and boosting your immunity. The trick is not to think about it too much or testing the water beforehand. Just go for it and enjoy the tingling sensation in your body. You only live once!
3. Catch a sunrise from a mountain top
Headlamps are not only for camping. Make sure you have one before venturing out in the dark, ask in local hiking groups on Facebook for current conditions and grab a friend. Welcoming a new day from a mountain top truly is an unforgettable adventure.
4. Try stand up paddleboarding
Stand up paddleboarding is a fantastic sport suitable for all age groups and fitness levels. You can even find a budget-friendly priced paddle board to buy or rent one and go for a paddle on the lake. This is my favourite activity when Canadian lakes are thawed.
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5. Have a picnic by the river
A great opportunity to slow down in this rushed world is to enjoy delicious food in a good company with a nice view. Pack your favourite meal, a blanket and head to the river. Imagine having a nap while sun rays are shining on your face with the sound of rushing water nearby and a belly full of goodies. Sounds like an amazing combination.
6. Search for new murals or art in your city
Go for a stroll in search of colourful murals or other artistic creations. Even if you’re not a city person, it might give you a new sense of appreciation for a city where you live. That’s what happened to me when we went biking around Calgary and found plenty of cool murals; my favourite is pictured below.
7. Float down the river on a tube
Let’s see the familiar landscape from a different perspective. You can rent a raft or buy a tube and leisurely float down the river. This is a favourite for local Calgarians where we live, and I’m sure many other cities with the easily accessible river right in downtown.
8. Go camping and enjoy the solitude
Sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sound of chirping birds. Sounds pretty good, right? If you’ve been following our blog, you know how much we love camping, and it doesn’t matter if it’s in the majestic Canadian Rockies, in the middle of nowhere in Chilean Patagonia, on top of an Indonesian volcano or in your backyard.
9. Sign up for a race and start training
Have you been following someone on social media and secretly admiring their accomplishments? Then start training and make something good happen for you. To have the best motivation, sign up for a race so you have a date set in stone and can’t budge.
10. Take a walking tour
You don’t have to travel far to take a walking tour. You can take one to learn something new about your city. Whether it’s focused on history, art or haunted houses like the one I’ve attended, you’ll expand your horizons.
11. Climb a tree
I bet you did it when you were a kid, we all did. The question is, can you still climb a tree? It’s fun to stretch and strengthen the muscles you didn’t know you had, trust me.
12. Rent a canoe and paddle around the lake
Visit your local outdoor store to rent a canoe and go for a paddle down the river or in the nearby lake. They can probably advise of a slow section of the river to paddle or offer a guide to take you.
13. Take a road trip
Road trips give you a great sense of freedom, whether it’s for a weekend, a few weeks or months. Pack your camping gear and hit the road. You can explore part of your country you haven’t been to before.
14. Visit your favourite park and try the swings
Anyone loves swings as much as I do? Visit a nearby park or playground and swing away; it might bring back some lovely childhood memories.
15. Pick your produce at a local farm
It’s more fun than shopping at the grocery store, don’t you think? Ripe produce always smells and tastes better, and you will surely appreciate it more when you worked for it.