Close that laptop and get OUTSIDE!

1. Become a birder for the day!

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s…. Definitely a bird!

Fun, feathery and totally free! Birdwatching makes every day feel like a great safari! Just grab a pair of your Smithsonian’s Best Binoculars for Birding (and your exclusive Birdwatching Guide that comes with them!), and you’re ready to go.

2. Take a hike

Head out to your favorite trail, or better yet, take the road less traveled. Find a brand new path you haven’t explored before, and see where it leads! 

3. Take your lunch break in the park

Pack a picnic if you have the time, or just find a park bench, and spend your lunch hour in the warm sunshine, with the smell of fresh grass and the sound of birds chirping in the background. 

4. Fire up the barbecue 

Like you needed an excuse? Invite some friends or neighbors, and enjoy a good meal, with good company in the great outdoors!

5. Spend some quality thyme with your garden

A little garden therapy goes a long way!

Whether you’re tending to your peonies in your backyard, or growing tomatoes in a community vegetable garden, we encourage you to spend some quality time tending to your garden this week.  

6. Camp in your own backyard

Forget backcountry camping. Give backyard camping a try! You don’t have to go far to enjoy a good smore and an evening under the stars. Set up a private campsite in your very own backyard. 

7. Treat yo’self to some new gear (at an all-time low price!) 

Right now, the best-selling Smithsonian monoculars, binoculars and spotting scopes are on sale while supplies last. 

This includes the Smithsonian Great Outdoors Binoculars Set (the perfect choice for bird watching or scientific field work) and the Best Bird Watching Monocular set (for the enthusiast who likes to travel light and is looking for an even more affordable option)

If you’ve been meaning to upgrade with some new gear, this is your sign!