As another Summer is about to come to a close (where did that summer even go?!), I’m attempting to squeeze every last bit of fun out of Summer ’16.

I recently had the pleasure of attending 2 concerts at The Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto and both were really memorable ways to spend a beautiful night under the stars watching some of my favourite bands perform. However, as I get older I find I’m less excited about the other parts involved in attending a concert, such as long lines, waits for the bathroom and big crowds of people. I’m sure a lot of you can relate. Things that never bothered me at age 18, now make me cringe as a 30 year old. Which is why I was super excited to partner with American Express Canada to experience the concerts like an Amex Cardmember. This summer, I learned Amex offers its Cardmembers exclusive access to some of the hottest events across the country. I gained Front Of The Line access to both concerts in Toronto, which meant accessing the venue using the Front Of The Line entrance with no lines and a lounge to chill out in before the concert (away from the huge swarms of people).  We were able to order drinks and food and enjoy them on comfy couches. The Amex Lounge also had its own separate bathroom, which meant no long waits and we could actually watch the concert instead of waiting in the hour line for the bathroom! It made the night so much more enjoyable and special.

Check out what I wore below! I should really invest in a pair of cowboy boots for next summer!

Beautiful views of the city from the Amex Lounge!

To help you get the most out of what’s left of Summer ’16, I’ve put together my list of the ‘Top 6 Things To Do Before Summer Ends’.

1. Attend an Outdoor Concert

I like to be outside as much as physically possible in the summer and I find attending an outdoor concert is one of the best ways to spend a beautiful summer night outside. Whether you make it a date night or a girls’ night, it’s always a great time.  I’m a huge fan of country music and I had the pleasure of seeing both Brad Paisley and Florida Georgia Line in concert this summer. They were both incredible live! The vibe at the Molson Amphitheater is always amazing. Everyone seems so happy to be outside. Whether you’re at the front by the stage or on the grass area, everyone is always up dancing and having a great time. My favourite moment was when Florida Georgia Line performed the song “Dirt”, one of my favourite country songs. We were front row dancing and so close to the stage that we could reach out and touch them. It was definitely one of my most memorable moments of the summer.

If you’re looking to upgrade your concert experience, visit AmexInvites.ca to see how you can gain Front Of The Line access to your next concert! No lines + great seats + private lounge = the best night ever!

2. Take a Last Minute Trip

With fall quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time to plan a weekend or long weekend getaway. If you don’t have a full week to spare, I find New York, Vegas or Bahamas are great destinations when you can only spare about 3-4 days. You can still have a blast and experience A LOT in a short amount of time at any of these destinations. Plus, the flights aren’t long at all so you can spend more time vacationing and less time traveling.

3. Explore Local Festivities

We all have those local bucket list items that we’ve been meaning to do this summer. Or maybe there’s a yearly event you’ve always wanted to attend. I love researching local festivities happening in and around Toronto and making a point to make them happen! If you’re theatre buff like me, there are quite a few shows happening at the Ed Mirvish Theatre and Sony Centre for the Performing Arts that you can see this fall with Amex Invites. This year, I finally made it to the Terre Bleu Lavender Farm when it was in full bloom, and the Winona Peach Festival (is there anything yummier than an in-season peach?). I also took my yearly trip to the CNE. Next up on my bucket list is attending the Beauty in the Beast production and attending a Mermaid class. I cannot wait!

4. Road Trip!

Road tripping sounds like a great idea, but I feel like most people never actually do it. I love picking a random destination, hopping in the car and just GOING! If you live in the Toronto area, I recommend the Bruce Peninsula for your next road trip destination. Most people have never been out this way. It’s only a 3 hour trip from Toronto. You can stop halfway at Cobble Beach if you like to golf and then continue on to Tobermory. Camp or rent a cottage to stay overnight and make sure you visit The Grotto!

5. Stay-cation at a Local Spa or Hotel

Have insurance benefits from your work that you haven’t had a chance to use this summer? Take advantage of that massage therapy credit and put it to use at a local spa! I like to make a day of it and pick a spa that is either at a hotel (so you can stay the night!) or one that offers free water therapy so you can extend your stay by using the hot tubs and pools. I always book an RMT massage since I get the money back using my benefits and then book a facial or body wrap. It’s the best way to maximize your spa experience.

6. Have a Movie Theatre Marathon

You know those lazy, hazy dog days of summer where the humidity makes it almost impossible to enjoy yourself outside unless you’re by a lake or pool? If you don’t have a lake or pool handy, take a trip to the movie theatre to take advantage of the cold air conditioning and enjoy a movie theatre marathon. Find 2 movies that are playing back to back and purchase tickets for both. Most importantly, plan out your snacks. I always have the hardest time picking between popcorn and nachos. For the first movie, I would start with popcorn + chocolate. For the second movie, I’d go nachos and candy. I love spending a little extra to go to the VIP theatre so you can relax in lazy boy chairs and have your food and drinks served to you. New movies on my must see list: Sully, Bridget Jones’s Baby, Masterminds, La La Land and The Girl on the Train.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

You can unlock more memorable experiences by visiting www.AmexInvites.ca to learn more about some of the hottest upcoming events!

Thank you to Amex Canada for sponsoring this post. All views and opinions expressed are my own.