The first day of summer is 18 days away, so we're rounding up top activities to help you prep your calendar and make the most of the season.

👙 Play pool

Denver's dozen-plus outdoor public pools open June 14 and operate through Aug. 11. They're closed June 19 (Juneteenth) and July 4 for city holidays.

By the numbers: The pools are free with recreation membership. Drop-in rates range from $1-$3.50, depending on age. Season passes are also available.

What else: The area has several hotels with rooftop pools and bars — and some, like the Four Seasons Hotel, are open to the public with passes.

• You can also book a cabana by the pool or lazy river at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora.

Another stellar option to beat the heat is with Swimply, an app for private pools that lets owners list when their pool is available for anyone looking to take a dip.

🛥️ Rent a boat

Hit the water around Denver in boats of all shapes and sizes at just about every price point.

What's new: LED-illuminated swan boats can be rented during the day and at night at both Washington Park and City Park. Hourly pricing is $12 per adult and $7 for kids 12 years and under.

Zoom in: For paddleboards, canoes and kayaks, check out Rocky Mountain Paddleboard and 5280 Paddle Sports.

Bonus: There's even an "Airbnb for boats," Getmyboat, with rentals starting under $100 an hour on local waterways like Chatfield Reservoir, Cherry Creek Reservoir, and Lake Granby.

🍿 Catch an outdoor movie

Warm evening air calls for cinema under the stars, best enjoyed on a blanket in the grass or cozied up in your car.

What's new: The 88 Drive-in Theatre in Commerce City surprised everyone with its return for one last season. The theater is open daily and features two flicks a night. Tickets are $10 per person and kids under 12 get in free.

Zoom out: More movie-watching options in the great outdoors include Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Avanti F&B, Sunset Cinema in Sculpture Park, and Movies on the Green in Central Park.

🎶 Plan a summer concert

Major music artists are making their way to Colorado this summer.

What's new: The new Sunset Amphitheater — the $90 million, 8,000-seat venue north of Colorado Springs — is set to debut Aug. 9 with a show featuring OneRepublic, the pop band that started in Colorado Springs.

Zoom in: Red Rocks' lineup is also chock-full of great acts. Here's our guide on the 16 top Red Rocks concerts this year.

• Plus: Catch the concert calendars at Botanic Gardens, Levitt Pavilion and City Park Jazz.

More summer things to do

Speaking of summer, the snow is beginning to melt from the peaks of Colorado's tallest mountains, signaling that summit season is near.

State of play: The crown jewels are Colorado's 58 14,000-foot peaks — 53 of which are considered summits in topographical terms.

If you go: Start with the peaks that are easier than their counterparts, those rated Class 1 or 2 by 14ers.com, an authority on the mountains. Experts list these five as a good launch pad:

Quandary Peak: The main route up the east ridge of this 14,272-foot trail is a doable 6.75-mile round trip with 3,450 feet of elevation gain. And you won't be alone — it's quite popular — so route finding is not an issue.

• Pro tip: Book a reservation early for parking and a shuttle to the trailhead.

Mount Bierstadt: As one of the closest 14ers to Denver, this mountain gets plenty of hiker traffic. The 7.25-mile round-trip hike gains 2,850 feet of elevation to the 14,066-foot summit.

• Pro tip: On weekends, parking is hard to find in the small lot and along the road, so arrive early — like before 6am.

Mount Sherman: Located outside Leadville, the trailhead is accessible by SUV and takes you about a few miles from the summit. You'll hike 2,100 feet up on a 5.25-mile round-trip trail to the 14,043-foot peak.

Grays and Torreys peaks: This pair outside Silver Plume are often hiked in one day as an 8.25-mile round trip with 3,600 feet of elevation gain.

• Pro tip: If you only have time to summit one, the 14,275-foot Grays is the first one and easier peak.

Handies Peak: Outside Lake City, near the beautiful American Basin, you'll find this 14,058-foot peak. It's a 5.75-mile round-trip with 2,500 feet of elevation gain if your SUV can take you all the way to the trailhead.

Share with a hiking buddy

We put together this bingo card to celebrate what makes Denver summers so special.

• That includes strolling Tennyson Street, dining at one of the city's three Michelin-star restaurants, hanging in the River North Art District, and trying some of the state's best beers and new breweries.

What's next: Once you complete it, send it to us and let us know what your favorite activity was. We'll take traditional bingo; four corners for a fun side quest. But bonus points for a blackout!

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