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It’s summer, which means time for rosé on rooftops, outdoor concerts, international trips, and…just kidding, this is 2020, and none of these things are safe and/or legal! So, what exactly are people doing to celebrate the season that doesn’t violate state ordinances or horrify Dr. Fauci?
Thanks to Google, we have some ideas.
The search engine took a look at which warm-weather activities are reaching an all-time high search volume this summer. No surprise: most of them have to do with the outdoors, where it’s easy to be socially distant and natural ventilation makes it harder to spread COVID-19.
Many of these activities are also, well, simple and wholesome. Reminiscent of cellphone-less eras past, they sound like what you would do for fun if you lived in the 1950s.
Below, the top 5 trending social distance activities—and what to wear to each.
Hiking
Google found searches for hiking trails are spiking like crazy this summer. After all, taking a walk in the woods has both physical and mental benefits—a 2015 study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science found that those who took a stroll in a natural setting for an hour and a half showed lower depression levels than those walking in an urban one.
Just make sure you’re wearing a mask—and some proper hiking shoes—while doing so.
Drive-in theater
With megaplexes closed for the foreseeable future and blockbuster release dates pushed back, more and more people are turning to this throwback activity for cinematic entertainment. Drive-in theaters have popped up across New York, Iowa, Florida, and Texas—and attracted socially distanced crowds in the process. In East Farmingdale, New York, a local amusement park has shown family-friendly films like Cheaper By the Dozen, Toy Story, and Dr. Doolittle.
Sunset watching
No equipment required for this earthly delight: Just head to your nearest overlook or beach to watch the sky change spectacular colors. A phone won’t likely capture its brilliance, but you can never go wrong with a Polaroid.
Road trips
With airlines slashing flight schedules and international travel banned, drive-to destinations have seen a surge of popularity in the pandemic era. Safety-wise, it’s best to visit someplace you can drive without stopping in order to avoid touching extraneous surfaces and risking exposure in new places, and to protect others: don’t forget that many smalltown tourist destinations don’t have the healthcare infrastructure to handle a large scale outbreak.
But if you can do it safely and locally, a lovely getaway awaits. (Those in the NYC area: here are some recommendations.)
Paddleboarding
More and more people are looking to try out paddleboarding, which has seen an uptick in interest over the past few years. It’s easy to see why: Fitness aficionados can get a great workout paddleboarding in the ocean or doing yoga on a larger board, whereas the more leisure-prone among us can just idly float down a scenic body of water.
Kayaking
Row row row your boat! Coming in 5th place is kayaking, which is a doable socially distanced activity in your local rivers, lakes, and bays. Because isn t a day out on the water just delightful?
