Essential Items for a Summer Weekend Getaway to Your Beach House
Spending a summer at a cottage in Canada can be an unforgettable experience. To make the most of your trip, here's a list of items that are often recommended for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Clothing and Accessories
- A Roots crewneck is a great choice for keeping warm and protecting your arms from bugs during evenings by the fire.
- Sun Bum sunscreen (SPF 30+) is reef-safe and protects your skin from harmful rays, making it suitable for use in any body of water.
- Swimwear and a beach towel with a striped pattern are essential for relaxing by the lake or swimming in the water.
- Comfortable footwear and hats are important for protecting your feet and head from the elements.
- A compact pillow offers neck support during naps or sleep, and it saves space in your bag.
- A Kindle Oasis allows you to bring a large number of books on a trip without taking up much space in your bag.
- Sunglasses are necessary for protecting your eyes from the sun's glare.
Outdoor Activities
- A cooler bag keeps beverages and snacks ice-cold for extended periods, perfect for picnics and outdoor activities.
- A Spikeball set turns the yard or dock into a competitive sporting arena, providing hours of fun.
- A portable corn hole game is recommended for turning the trip into an ultimate games tournament.
- Fishing gear is a must for those who enjoy fishing.
Entertainment
- A board game with trivia questions is suitable for multi-generational family gatherings, providing entertainment for Boomers to Gen Z-ers.
- TableTopics Past, Present, and Future is a suggested game for starting conversations during trips with friends.
- A puzzle book with crosswords, word searches, sudoku, and mazes is recommended for screen-free fun by the lake.
- A Fujifilm disposable camera encourages living in the moment during trips, and the collected snapshots make for a sweet keepsake.
Practical Items
- A first aid kit is small enough to keep in a car's glovebox for treating minor scrapes, cuts, or burns without the need to visit a pharmacy.
- A tick removal kit is useful for safely removing ticks and treating bites if the cottage is surrounded by tall grass or wooded areas.
- Bug bite cream provides instant relief from itchy stings and bites.
- A hangable toiletry bag keeps essentials organized and easy to access during nighttime skincare routines.
- A bottle of Poo-Pourri is suggested to prevent bathroom odors during a cottage trip.
Travel and Accommodation
- A recommended weekend bag is roomy and can comfortably hold clothes, and it is easier to fit into a car trunk than a hard suitcase.
- An air mattress provides extra sleeping space when needed, with a raised edge that can act as a pillow.
- A phone mount charger is recommended for keeping GPS directions at eye-level and keeping the phone battery full during long drives.
A recent BuzzFeed article titled "Life is better by the lake: 24 essentials for your next cottage trip" by Bianca Guzzo provides a more detailed list tailored for a Canadian cottage summer trip. This list serves as a great starting point for planning your next cottage adventure. Enjoy your trip!
