10 things to do in Hampton Roads before summer ends

1. Get to the beach.

If you've been to any of our region's beaches this summer, you know how good it feels to come home sun-bleached and sandy, ready for a nice shower and a good night's sleep. If you haven't, now you know why you should go, either for the first time or one last time. Grab the sunblock, a towel and an easy read. But be ready to just listen to the surf and watch the waves for frolicking dolphins.

- Michelle Washington

2. Get out of town.

Sure, it's home, but who doesn't love to see Hampton Roads disappearing in the rear-view mirror or from the plane window? An out-of-town trip is the adult version of getting out of school for the summer. Time's a-wasting. For a laid-back getaway, consider the Eastern Shore: Chincoteague offers ponies and nearby Assateague a pristine beach. For a homey feel away from home, drive to the Outer Banks to enjoy the sun, surf and surf-and-turf. Or take a long weekend and fly almost anywhere. In new scenery, your old life can seem as distant as your hometown.

- Jim Haag

3. Make time for one more baseball game.

Minor league ball is best enjoyed only half-heartedly watching the game, but fully appreciating the promise of young ballplayers. Go for the hot dog. Go for the chance at a foul ball or at least a T-shirt. Go because it's been a while since you discussed all things Rip Tide. Go because at night the temperatures are manageable enough for sitting outside. Most importantly go because a summer without baseball is a summer without soul.

- Mike Gruss

4. Wet a line and catch a fish.

As summer closes, the realization hits - there sure are a lot of fish out there to be caught. Cooling fall waters mean fishing opportunities dwindle to just a few. Right now, despite the stifling heat of August, a wide variety of fish await your lures. Wait too long and many of them will start to migrate. So go to a pier, hit a beach, jump on a head boat, or beg your buddy with the boat - whatever you have to do to wet a line.

- Lee Tolliver

5. Have you ignored the thrill in your grill?

It's time to fire up that backyard bad boy and sizzle up a perfect burger. Just follow these simple directions from Nelson Colwell of Chesapeake, a rising star on the national barbecue circuit.

A. Use a higher-fat ground beef for burgers. The fat renders out during grilling but keeps meat fibers lubricated and juicy. Do not press down on burgers while on the grill... that forces out juices and leaves you with a dry burger.

B. Always season ground beef for a great-tasting burger: 1 pound ground beef, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup finely diced onion, 1 egg, salt and freshly ground black pepper. When forming burger patties, make them slightly thinner in the middle than the edges (concave patties); they will level out during cooking.

C. Do not cut open a burger to determine doneness. Invest in a quality instant-read thermometer (preferably digital). When the internal temperature reaches 160, the burger is done.

- Lorraine Eaton

6. Go to an outdoor concert or catch a free show.

From single performances to multiday festivals, there's nothing like sweating, dancing and singing along with thousands of other fans under a merciless sun. It gives meaning to the old Parliament phrase, "one nation under a groove." Hampton Roads has lots of venues hosting summer concerts. Attend a free show: During the summer, acts both new and established offer free shows, usually in a park. The concert experience can be even better when you don't have to pay for it.

- Rashod Olliso

7. Compile a playlist of summer jams.

Each summer is marked by a few fun, inescapable hits. Those for summer 2010 include "OMG" by Usher, "California Gurls" by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg and "Cooler Than Me" by Mike Posner.

- Rashod Ollison

8. Take the family to Busch Gardens/the Virginia Zoo/the Children's Museum/Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Busch Gardens is pricey, but it's on our must-do-before-the-end-of-summer list. The park offers roller coasters, water play areas, and, for those with little ones, the Sesame Street Forest of Fun.

The zoo also offers water features, plus plenty of animals to see, and the Lafayette Park playground next door is a free bonus.

The botanical garden gives adults beautiful plants and shaded walking trails, while offering kids room to roam, splash fountains in its World of Wonders kids area and other fun exhibits.

For rainy days, the Children's Museum of Virginia, in its temporary space next to the Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth, houses a mock grocery store, complete with plastic asparagus and a cash register (electronic!). It's also home to a toddler room with foam steps, a tunnel and Velcro shapes.

- Lauren Roth

9. Wear white.

Get one more wear out of those white dresses and pants while the warm season lasts. But dream in color: Check out fall fashion looks in catalogs while you sit on the porch in the dim evening light. Sure, you can rock those open-toed shoes a while longer - but nothing makes fall more anticipated than seeing a pair of fierce boots. Finally, sport that swimsuit you died to get. See Must-Do Item No. 1.

- Jamesetta Walker

10. Catch a firefly.

The flashers appear as dusk falls, twinkling like terrestrial stars. It's fun to hold one for a moment and enjoy the glow. They'll be gone when the leaves fall.

- Michelle Washington