If you want a lesson in how to keep things simple this summer, it’s as easy as taking a little inspiration from how people spent their Sundays a few generations back. When the majority of businesses were closed on Sundays, people had to find their own fun. Over the years, life seems to have sped up. Today, Sundays are often spent catching up around the house and running errands. What if, for just one summer, we brought back the concept of simple Sunday fun? Join us as we slow down the clock with a few activities that pass the test of time with flying colours.
The Scenic Sunday Drive
In the 1920s and 1930s, cars were less about commuting and more about enjoying the pure pleasure of driving. With no rush to reach a specific destination, the Sunday drive was all about slowing down, spending time together and taking in the scenery. If you’d like to take the concept of a Sunday drive for a spin, take care of a few to-do’s before you go to make the miles more memorable:
- Download a perfect cruising playlist.
- Stop in at your favourite local bakery or coffee shop to fuel up with some drinks and treats for the road before you go or find a new place to try mid-route.
- Set out in style by treating your wheels to a drive-through car wash.
- Find a new landmark that you’ve never been to before to set as your destination point. This can also serve as a fun photo opp to share once you’ve arrived. Sports fans can set up the perfect selfie in front of a Wayne Gretzky monument in Brantford, the Glen Abbey sign in Oakville or the Canadian Football Hall of Fame sign in Hamilton. Families with teens who are addicted to their smartphones can stage their selfie in front of the Alexander Graham Bell Homestead sign in Brantford.
The Leisurely Sunday Stroll
The word “stroll” means to wander from place to place, and Hamilton Halton Brant is overflowing with great options for doing just that. If you’re looking to explore a more natural landscape, the Bruce Trail, the region’s stunning shorelines, or the beautiful trails at Royal Botanical Gardens are all great choices. If an urban wander is more up your alley, we’ve got plenty of those places too!
The Sunday Picnic
After months spent isolating at home, many of us are feeling a little done with cooking and eating at home. Support a local restaurant and give the cook in your family the day off with a casual Sunday picnic at a favourite park. It’s as simple as placing a to-go order at a local restaurant, packing up a picnic blanket or some lawn chairs and then just picking up and unpacking your meal. To stretch out your outing, opt for some picnic fare from a restaurant that requires a leisurely cruise to reach. Here are some of our favourite road trip-worthy restaurants and must-try eats. Please check to ensure they’re open and offering takeout options. For even more tips to make your picnic just perfect, read Beyond The Basket: 4 Creative Ways To Summer Picnic Perfection.
Skipping Stones
After months of video calls and video games, both parents and kids are likely feeling overdue for a few hours of digital detox. You may be surprised by how good it feels to lose track of time enjoying the simple pleasure of skipping stones. With our region’s miles and miles of shorelines, you can spend less time looking for the perfect place to throw and more time developing your stone skipping skills. Here are some of our favourite skip tricks:
- Look for flat stones that are about the size of the palm of your hand.
- Hold the stone with your thumb and middle finger, with your index finger wrapped along the stone’s edge.
- Keep your hand low as you release the stone toward the water with a snap of your wrist.
Surprise your Sunday Funday crew by stretching out your weekend an extra day with a night away. Find great options from local hotels and inns with our summer Staytripping offers.
What are your favourite ways of slowing things down on summer Sundays? Share your ideas with us by tagging your social media pictures with #stayandplayinhhb.
