Humidity in the air and spring finals can mean only one thing: summer is on the way.
With the summer break on the horizon, freshman nursing major Brittanae Odell said that planning a summer break is not really an option.
"I don't have plans," said Odell. "Summer is a spontaneous time for me. I don't really know what I will do."
Work, school and sleep are the only plans freshman biology major Pamela Siggers has for the summer.
"Summer school and maybe working are the only things I have planned," Siggers said.
If you have not made summer plans yet, there is plenty to do in Memphis this summer.
Summer begins with the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival in Tom Lee Park. The event features several popular artists and runs from April 29 to May 1.
"Music fest is great," said Odell. "I plan on going to Memphis in May and probably going downtown every weekend."
Memphis in May continues throughout the month of May with the Desti-Nations Family Festival, World Champion Barbecue Cooking Contest and a Sunset Symphony performance.
The Stax Museum is also hoping to draw a bigger college audience this summer break when they host a collection of Bob Dylan photographs by Daniel Kramer.
"We would love to see more college students this summer," said Tim Sampson, communication director of the Stax Museum. "I don't think students realize how big our museum is."
Stax is kicking off the Dylan exhibit on May 15 with a reception and live music from Jim Dickinson, who previously played with Dylan.
"It is going to be a lot of fun," Sampson said.
Catching a baseball game is one of the most time-honored summer traditions and Memphis has plenty of opportunities to catch a game.The Memphis Redbirds have always been a popular summer spot for college students over the break, said Memphis Redbird sales assistant Daniel Shaffer.
"There are always a good number of college students at every game," Shaffer said. "They make up a large portion of our clientele."
The Memphis Redbirds are hosting a college alumni night August 14 with discounts to all college graduates. Other discounts and giveaways are offered at every game.
The University of Memphis baseball team will also be playing until mid-May on South Campus this summer, and the city is also hosting this year's junior college world series at the USA Olympic Baseball Stadium in Millington on May 28.
Catching a movie can be an all-new experience this summer through the summer movie series at the Orpheum. The series starts June 1 and includes classic movies all summer long, served with popcorn and adult beverages.
The IMAX at the Pink Palace is starting a new film series as well, beginning on June 26, and featuring perspectives of a fighter pilot on the IMAX giant screen.
Students can find an all-new summer experience through the Memphis Motor Sports Park in Millington. Memphis Motor Sports Park offers customers the chance to drive or ride along in a real NASCAR racecar at their quarter mile oval track.Students looking for a more quiet summer experience can still find the same great time at the Memphis Zoo.
"We're one of the top zoos in the country, and University of Memphis students should take advantage of having this world-class attraction in their backyard," said Julie Dodson, Memphis Zoo communication director. "You'll see something new each time you visit and the Memphis Zoo is one of only four zoos in the country to have giant pandas."
Music, baseball, racecars and pandas can all make for an interesting summer, but deciding on what to do just depends on the moment, said Odell.
"With all my friends coming home from other schools, you never know what you will be doing this summer."
