SALT LAKE CITY — Stores are setting up their back-to-school displays, depressing everyone with the fact that summer is ending and we’ve only got a few weeks to squeeze every last drop out of it.

If you haven’t had the awesome summer we dream of every year, you have a couple weekends left to jam in some proper summer experiences before the school doors swing open, effectively ending summer for everyone else.

We’ll even make it easy for you, since you’ve procrastinated it this far. Using our readers’ suggestions and a few of our own personal favorites, we’ve compiled seven must-do Utah summer activities.

Take a hike

This might be a generalization, but it’s also true: If you live in Utah, you either hike or rock climb or both. If you don’t do either of those things, maybe you should start. Hiking is just walking in nature, so don’t overthink it. Hydrate, slather on some sunscreen, put on a pair of shoes with tread and head up any of Utah’s canyons. Also, tell someone where you’re going so you don’t end up in one of our news stories about a missing hiker.

Scenic, easy-ish hikes are accessible just a few minutes out of town all across Utah.

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In Salt Lake, head up Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Albion Basin to the Cecret Lake trail, and hike among the stunning wildflowers. In Big Cottonwood Canyon, Donut Falls is a 3.5 mile loop that small children can manage. Ensign Peak is a popular trail overlooking the Salt Lake Valley.

If you’re in Utah County, up for a moderate hike and have half a Saturday to spend in American Fork Canyon, hike up Mount Timpanogos. If you want something easier, Timpanogos Falls is a quick 2 miles out and back. Or, take the hike to the block Y on the mountain. It’s supposed to be a hot date for college students who like scavenger hunts and frozen yogurt.

Southern Utah also has too many great, easy hikes to mention, but do yourself a favor and take the Red Cliffs Nature Trail to the waterfall and pools below for a freezing cold swim. It’s perfect in St. George’s 100-degree plus weather. Shinob Kibe is a brief hike up the butte, and if you’re inclined, you can participate in a geocache at the top.

Visit a ski resort

Utah’s ski resorts don’t close in the summer, and for those who prefer to stay out of wet, cold, dirty snow, it’s the perfect time to visit. Get out of the heat and ride a zipline, race down an Alpine slide, jump and flip on a trampoline or whatever else will tire the kids and give you an adrenaline rush.

In addition to all the rides and monitored activities, you’ll find hiking, mountain biking, fishing and other outdoors activities.

Eat ice creamUtah makes some scrumptious ice cream (our cows are happy, right?) and you need to eat some while the sun is still hot enough to melt it until it drips from the cone to your hand.

Farr Ice Cream has been scooping up their cold cream since 1929, from the first commercial ice cream plant in Utah. You can buy their creamy treat in grocery stores, but this is summer, and you definitely need to choose it from behind a counter at a Farr’s Ice Cream shop.

If you prefer your ice cream on a stick, unwrap a Creamie, preferably banana or cherry dipped chocolate. Even those who don’t like bananas in real life, like myself, can vouch for their version.

Head up to Heber and get an award-winning shake from Dairy Keen. The burger joint’s milkshakes have been voted best in state since 2009, and won the title for frozen desserts 2003 through 2007.

Float the river

There are few things more fun than sitting on an inner tube and floating down the river. The Provo River is one of the more popular, and the activity has been capitalized on, making it more convenient for you for a price.

On Weber River, Barefoot Tubing offers a shuttle service, tube rentals and life jackets.

Down in Southern Utah, just about any shop along the Virgin River coming out of Zion National Park can hook you up with a tube and entrance to the river. Hop out and catch a free park shuttle back to the top and make the loop all day.

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Attend an outdoor concert or movieMost cities hold some kind of outdoor concert or movie in the park, so check your city’s calendar and attend one of their final showings.

Specifically, the Twilight Concert Series has four performances left in its lineup. Before the end of August, Red Butte Gardens will put on six more concerts. Canyons Ski Resort has a free concert every Saturday night until Aug. 31. The Utah Symphony will perform the music of the Rolling Stones this weekend.

Baseball game

Even if you don’t like baseball, you probably like nacho cheese. Be an American and eat some Cracker Jacks at a ball game.

Utah is home to the Salt Lake Bees, Orem Owlz, and Ogden Raptors, and — lucky for you — they’re all playing games at home in the next couple weeks. So cheer and shout and wear a baseball cap at a game before the season ends and you lose your chance.

Lagoon

There’s only one Lagoon, you guys, and since it’s also Utah’s only amusement park, a trip each summer is obligatory.

Ride the Colossus, that rickety White Roller Coaster, and cool off in Lagoon-a-Beach. Finish the day with an old-fashioned funnel cake because you will deserve it after the inevitable stickiness you only get at an amusement park.

If you don’t want to commit a whole day, or your stomach can’t handle too many rides, buy tickets and pay for rides individually instead of a day pass.

What other activities are on your Utah summer must-do list? Tell us in the comments section.

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