78 Inspired May Bucket List Ideas for Spring’s Sweetest Month
May always feels like the reward for getting through the long stretch of spring. The days turn warmer, the evenings last longer, and everything outside finally feels alive again. It’s that perfect in-between moment before summer officially starts, when weekends are made for exploring and simple things—like open windows and iced coffee—suddenly feel exciting.
That’s why I started keeping a May bucket list. It’s a reminder to slow down and actually enjoy the season before it races by. These May bucket list ideas mix easy outdoor adventures with creative ways to soak up the sunshine, celebrate the blooms, and make the most of spring’s sweetest month.
Classic May Traditions
May sits right at the tipping point between spring and summer, which makes it perfect for simple outdoor moments. These small traditions are the ones that bring the month to life without needing any planning at all.
- Dance around a maypole or start your own version with ribbons in the yard.
- Pick wildflowers and make a homemade bouquet.
- Visit a garden center and fill your trunk with plants you may or may not keep alive.
- Set up your patio furniture and actually sit out there.
- Join a community yard sale and hunt for something random to reuse.
- Take an early morning walk before the day heats up.
- Hang a bird feeder and watch who shows up.
- Make a simple flower crown for no reason except that it’s May.
Outdoor Adventures
By May, the trails dry out, lakes start to warm, and weekend plans finally move outdoors. These are the kinds of small adventures that don’t need a vacation, just a free afternoon.
- Hike a new trail and take note of what’s blooming.
- Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle across calm water.
- Bike the longest route in your local park system.
- Go stargazing on a clear night when it’s still cool enough for a blanket.
- Camp out under the stars even if it’s just in your backyard.
- Visit a waterfall and feel the mist on your face.
- Watch the sunrise at a spot you’ve never been before.
- Find a local hiking challenge and try to complete it before summer.
- Go horseback riding through a nearby trail or park.
Spring Events & Seasonal Fun
May is packed with small-town festivals, outdoor concerts, and long weekends. It’s the month when every calendar suddenly fills with something worth leaving the house for.
- Celebrate May Day with fresh flowers on your porch.
- Visit a tulip or peony festival near you.
- Spend Memorial Day weekend with a picnic or short getaway.
- Go to an outdoor concert or local music night.
- Watch a baseball game in person for that first taste of summer.
- Visit a farmers market for flowers, not groceries.
- Find a spring art fair or makers market and buy something handmade.
- Join a community cleanup before Earth Month energy fades.
- Go to a car show or vintage market that pops up for the season.
- Watch a small-town parade and cheer like you live there.
Weekend Getaways
May is made for mini trips, as it’s right before schools let out and crowds arrive. It’s the perfect month for local travel that feels like an escape but still close to home.
- Spend a weekend in Asheville before the summer rush.
- Drive up the California coast with the windows down.
- Visit the Smoky Mountains when trails are full of wildflowers.
- Plan a stay at a lake cabin and bring books instead of screens.
- Go glamping at a site with fire pits and starlit views.
- Visit Cape Cod before summer prices start.
- Spend a few days in Nashville for spring festivals and live music.
- Book a cabin in Colorado for cooler mornings and hiking.
- Visit Charleston for gardens, porches, and slow mornings.
- Go camping near a river and skip rocks after dinner.
International Spring Getaways
If you’re thinking bigger, May is one of the best months to see the world. Shoulder season means better weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.
- See Paris in bloom before tourist season begins.
- Visit London’s parks when they’re covered in lilacs and tulips.
- Go to Italy for long evenings and open-air cafes.
- Explore the Irish countryside when everything turns bright green.
- Take a trip to Amsterdam for canal walks and flower fields.
- Visit Lisbon for sunny days and outdoor dining.
- Travel to Japan’s countryside for late cherry blossoms and quiet towns.
- Fly to Greece for warm beaches without summer crowds.
- Explore Croatia’s coastline before it fills up.
- Spend a week in Scotland when the hills start to glow with color.
Spring at Home
When you don’t want to travel, there’s still plenty to enjoy right where you are. May is ideal for small home projects and routines that make your space feel ready for the season.
- Add new plants to your porch or balcony.
- Wash your outdoor furniture so you can actually use it.
- Hang string lights for evenings outside.
- Organize your closet and store away winter coats.
Nature & Garden Projects
May’s growing season makes it a satisfying time to dig in the dirt. You don’t need a full garden, just a little space and a reason to get your hands messy.
- Plant herbs for cooking or just for the smell.
- Grow sunflowers along a fence or in a bucket.
- Build raised garden beds from scrap wood.
- Try growing tomatoes and see if you can keep them alive.
- Start a compost bin with your kitchen scraps.
- Plant a tree in your yard or neighborhood.
- Visit a local arboretum for ideas and inspiration.
- Dry flowers between book pages for later.
Simple Gatherings
May weather practically invites people to hang out again. From porch nights to casual dinners, these small gatherings make the season feel complete.
- Host a backyard bonfire with music and s’mores.
- Plan a movie night outside using a sheet and projector.
- Throw a lemonade stand day with kids or neighbors.
- Plan a game night with friends on the patio.
- Host a sunset happy hour with snacks and easy drinks.
- Celebrate a birthday outdoors with cupcakes and sparklers.
- Invite neighbors over just to catch up.
- Have a picnic dinner in your backyard instead of the dining room.
- End a weekend with a campfire and acoustic playlist.
Looking Toward Summer
May feels like a bridge. These last few ideas help you make that slow shift from spring to summer without rushing through it.
- Plan a summer road trip and start mapping stops.
- Book your first pool day of the year.
- Buy sunscreen before you forget.
- Make a summer reading list and stack the books nearby.
- Clean your beach bag from last year’s sand.
- Plan a weekend at the lake or nearby campsite.
- Organize a summer playlist that actually feels like your season.
- Try on your swimsuits and see which ones still work.
- Stock up on picnic gear like coolers and blankets.
- End May with a barbecue to welcome summer right.
Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.