Student Life

Guide to avoid boredom this summer

Check out this list of activities in the community

Madalyn Pouget, Page and Graphic Editor

June 5, 2026

There are many ways to spend summer with your friends nearby. Included are some ideas to plan a summer full of memories.

With the end of the school year right around the corner, it is time to start planning summer activities. Listed are some of the top activities nearby to enjoy with friends and family.

UMW Field offers family-friendly entertainment. With four home teams, they offer baseball games each week, including firework shows Friday nights. (Hunter Liebzeit)

1. UWM Field, formerly known as Jimmy John’s Field

Enjoy a night out at UWM Field for baseball and entertainment. UWM is home to four teams playing in the United Shores Professional Baseball League, while also offering activities for younger kids such as a playground and firework shows. General admission tickets start at $12.36.

2. Beaches and nature trails

Explore Michigan’s natural beauty this summer by getting outside. Spend a beach day at Stony Creek Metropark. A popular spot, Eastwood Beach, offers a beach, playground, waterslide, and kayak, paddleboard, and bike rentals. A daily pass costs $5, and the entire park is open from 6am-10pm. Additionally, River Bends or Mae Stecker park are both great spots for bike riding or walking the nature trails and free of cost.

3. Visit a new coffee shop in downtown Utica

Stony Creek Metropark is a great place to spend summer. Including swimming, kayaking, hiking, and much more.

Stop by downtown Utica for a refreshment at brand new coffee shop Main’s Treat Coffeehouse. Offering specialty coffee, such as affogato, espresso with gelato, etc., and baked treats, like pastries, home-made gelato, and many other desserts, its a great spot to visit with friends.

4. Dave & Buster’s

Spend a night with games and food at Dave & Busters. Filled with a variety of arcade games, fan favorites including Mario Kart DX, Connect 4 Hoops, Quick Drop, and much more, and offering a bar-style restaurant. It is the perfect source of entertainment for friends or family.

Concerts gather fans together through shared experiences. Some popular venues nearby are Pine Knob, Freedom Hill, and Little Caesars Arena. (Madalyn Pouget)

5. See a Concert

Concerts are a fun way to spend time with friends. Although more on the expensive side, there are multiple venues nearby showcasing great shows such as Pine Knob, Freedom Hill, Little Caesars Arena, etc. Some artists performing this summer include Alex Warren, Madison Beer, Luke Bryan, Melanie Martinez, 5 Seconds of Summer, Megan Moroney, etc.

6. Get ice cream

Ice cream is a great way to refresh after a hot summer day. Some popular spots nearby are Custard Spot, Erma’s ice cream, featuring new special handmade flavors each week until October, and Dairy Queen.

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About the Contributors

Madalyn Pouget, Page Editor, Assistant Photo Editor

Madalyn Pouget is a junior at Utica High School. This is her first year on staff for the Arrow newspaper. She is the team’s Photo Editor-in-Training and a Page Editor. She enjoys covering stories on schoolwide events, pop culture, and social issues. In her free time, she enjoys reading or drawing. She hopes to pursue a career in journalism and is excited to share exciting stories with her peers.

Hunter Liebzeit, Reporter

Hunter Liebzeit is a junior at Utica High School, and this is his first year with Arrow newspaper. He enjoys taking pictures at sporting events and writing about Formula 1. When he is not reporting, you can find him in the UHS Chieftain marching band or playing baseball. He hopes one day he can go to college for meteorology and be a storm chaser.