Summer's sunny carefree days are oh-so-fleeting. Many of us spend the cold, snowy winter counting down to summer, so we can make the most of every moment of this short but sweet season. Whether you want to kick back and relax or feel like an epic adventure, make this summer one of the best yet. Start with this Pennsylvania summer bucket list.

1. Soak up the sun at your favorite beach.

We don't have to travel to the coast to enjoy a leisurely beach day. We've got plenty of sandy shores in Pennsylvania, including the beaches at Laurel Hill State Park, Conneaut Lake, Poe Valley State Park, and Parker Dam State Park. Pack your beach towel or chair, umbrella, and all of your gear for a day of lounging on the sand and cooling off in one of Pennsylvania's lakes.

2. Hike to a waterfall.

Summer often means spending as much time as we can outdoors, making a warm day perfect for chasing waterfalls in Pennsylvania. The good news is there's a waterfall for everyone - from wheelchair-accessible cascades to waterfalls hidden along scenic hiking trails. You can even walk behind some waterfalls, including Cucumber Falls at Ohiopyle State Park and Buttermilk Falls in New Florence.

3. Float down a lazy river.

Can you think of a more relaxing way to spend an hour or an entire day than floating down a lazy river in Pennsylvania? From lazy rivers that meander through crystal-clear water at waterparks to tubing on rivers, we have plenty of places to spend time on the water.

4. Enjoy old-fashioned fun at an amusement park.

Knoebels Amusement Resort might just be the most epic old-fashioned amusement park in Pennsylvania. Admission is free, and you can buy tickets for rides just like in the good old days, or you can buy a pass. Pennsylvania is home to quite a few must-visit amusement parks, including Kennywood Park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, and Dutch Wonderland.

5. Go on a weekend getaway.

A summer weekend getaway is the perfect addition to any bucket list. Fortunately, Airbnb makes it oh-so-easy to find unique places to stay - from waterfront cottages and treehouses to yurts and sun-soaked A-frames.

6. Explore a state park.

Even if we're on a tight budget, we can enjoy a fun day out by visiting one (or more!) of the 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Admission is free, and most state parks offer a full menu of activities - hiking, swimming, boating, wildlife-watching, picnicking, and camping. Our toughest decision is deciding which state park to explore first.

7. Indulge in an ice cream treat at a classic ice cream parlor.

Remember running after the ice cream truck when we were kids? Or maybe going out for ice cream after dinner with our parents? Relive some of that childhood fun with a visit to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor in Pennsylvania. The Jigger Shop in Mount Gretna promises a hearty helping of nostalgia and a menu chock full of ice cream treats. You can even start with dinner. The ice cream parlor serves such classics as burgers, fries, salads, and wraps.

Which fun summer activity will you tick off first? What would you add to your Pennsylvania summer bucket list? Let us know in the comments! For more summer fun, set off on a road trip to one of the best lakes in Pennsylvania.

Before you hit the road, though, take a peek at our road trip essentials packing list.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/pennsylvania/fun-in-sun-lakes-pa/