The summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pack up your cut offs and call it a season. From classy dates to backyard bashes to camping by the sand dunes, there’s plenty to do, and only so many 30+ days left. Get going!

1. Check Out Open Roof Films
A new non-for-profit venture Open Roof Films brings Torontonians lovely open air screenings at the Amsterdam Brewery. On Thursday Aug 12 they’re screening This Movie Is Broken, and on Friday THE 13TH (oooh!) a collection of shorts will precede Nurse Fighter Boy, and next week you can check out Lovers of Hate and a sneak preview of Winnebago Man. Screenings feature a live band performance, and an afterparty.

2. The Island
The Toronto Island is one of the best ways to spend a summer day. Whether you bring a picnic to one of the beaches, run around Centreville reliving your childhood, or rent bikes and just amble along from island to island, it guarantees a memorable (and cheap!) summer day. Heck, even the ferry ride is romantic.

3. Get a Fancy Pedicure from Heartbreaker Salon
This is the place to get your nails Minxed, a la Gaga. The newest, coolest innovation in nails, minxing won’t chip or smudge, and you can walk out of the salon with crazy patterns. The perfect way to wave Sayonara to summer.

4. Beach Bound!
Head to one of Ontario’s beautiful beaches, and get away for a day or make a weekend of it with a camping extravaganza. No cottage? No problem. It’s easy to find an available campsite near you. One of our favourites spots? The rolling dunes and beautiful wooded campgrounds at Sandbanks. Choose your own adventure!

5. Have a S’more Fest at Dufferin Grove
You don’t need to leave the city to capture the campfire spirit. Dufferin Grove Park has friendly firepits available for a mere maintenance fee (or free, if you can’t swing it.) Bring your friends and some s’more fixins (GET CREATIVE!) for a lovely evening bonfire.

6. A Day Poolside At The Sheraton Hotel
Public pools not your style, with the little kids, the crowds? How about a slightly more upscale pool adventure? For $28, you can spend the day poolside at The Sheraton Hotel, a beautiful spot for tanning, swimming, and lounging. The pool is open 7 am-10 pm Sunday to Thursday, and 7 am – 11 pm Friday to Saturday.

7. Check Out Camp Drake!
The Drake Hotel has tons of nostalgic summer activities to remind you of those halcyon camp days. Every Sunday, they’ve got an old-school variety show at the Camp Drake Sing-a-Long. On Tuesdays, they’ve got Movies in the Mess Hall – $5 gets you a ticket, a sloppy joe (meat or veg) and a beer. This coming Tuesday, film critic Richard Crouse presents Flame.

8. Grab A Cone at The Big Chill
The scent of homemade waffle cones will guide your nose to this legendary Little Italy ice cream parlour. There’ll be a line up, but it’s worth it for the creamy goods. 367 Manning Ave.

9. Mojitos At Julie’s Cuban
Nothing says summer like Mojitos, and Julie’s Cuban, tucked away on Dovercourt, is the perfect place to sip ’em. Sylvia y Jesus have been serving delicious Cuban fare for years, and the atmosphere is festive and special.

10. Opera in the Garden at the Italian Consulate
Free screenings under the stars of Italian opera. On August 13th they’re showing La Cenerentola, and on August 27th, La Fanciulla del West will be preceded by a live concert of classic 1950s songs, both English and Italian. Bring a picnic and dress in "your finest operatic picnic attire."

11. The Summerworks Festival
This is the last weekend to check out the shows, installations, and walking tours on offer at Summerworks! For 20 years, Toronto’s Indie Art and Theatre Festival has been bringing crowd-pleasing juried works to the Queen West Theatre Strip.

12. Host a Beer Tasting In Your Backyard
Whether you’re rounding up the ridiculous number of lime beers out there these days (Bud Light Lime, Miller Chill, Corona and Lime, even Grolsch is getting in on the act) or sampling some summer tastes (Mill St. Lemon Tea Beer, Great Lakes Green Tea Ale, Georgian Bay Dipper), a Beer Tasting is a fun summer idea. Get the barbecue going, and fill buckets with ice and beers of choice. At the end, take a poll for the favourite and crown the official Beer of The Summer!