These 35 Vintage Photos of Summer Vacation Are a Blast From the Past
These 35 Vintage Photos of Summer Vacation Are a Blast From the Past
Caution: full summer vibes ahead. That's right, your fave is fully back and you have the sweaty face to prove it. Listen, I don't know if you've heard or not but—summer 2020 might be, um, a little different this year. Which means maybe your'enot in a very summer-y mood right now. We got you. And we're taking this opportunity to travel back in time to catch some vintage summer feels. No, we're not talking about a slight early 2000s throwback. Let's take it aaall the way back to the 1930s through the early 1990s. From hanging at the pool or catching a flick at the drive-in to hitting up the amusement park or enjoying a good 'ole fashioned BBQ, get ready to truly relish in the greatness of these vintage summertime photos.
Woman on the beach in Sete, France: 1980
More like summertime sadness chicness, amirite?? 'K, bye.
Three women enjoy a beachside ice cream parlor: 1960
The No. 1 rule of summer: I'm not sharing my ice cream.
Little girl skips in spray of hydrant: 1973
Could this pic be any cuter?! No it cannot!!
Setting up fireworks: 1950
To quote Jennifer Coolidge in Legally Blonde 2, "You look like the Fourth of July! Makes me want a hot dog real bad."
Lounging poolside: 1960
This picture screams "can't be bothered," and I love every pixel of it.
Sand surfing on the coast of Oregon: 1940
TBH, I didn't know sand surfing was a thing, but I'm totally down to try it.
Winners of a dance contest in the Bronx: 1994
*Obviously* they won! Your TikTok Dance Challenge could never.
Nuns ride bumper cars: 1962
I'm pretty sure this picture needs no caption and it's probably my favorite thing I've ever seen.
Posing on the beach: circa 1940
What are you even doing if you're not coordinating photo shoots like this with your besties this summer?
Cozying up at the drive-in: 1950
I'm currently accepting applications for a partner to cuddle at the drive-in this summer. Mmkay, thanks.
Boy shares his ice cream: 1960
I can't think of anything more precious than seeing this little boy share an ice cream cone with his pup. I'm not crying, you're crying.
Marilyn Monroe ignites a firecracker: 1957
Why does Marilyn's face look so surprised? But also, this is my pretend surprise face when someone asks me why the box of wine is empty.
Mother and daughter build a sandcastle: 1968
The sandcastle is cool and all, but apparently people used to carry around a literal jug of suntan oil.
Lovebirds share a milkshake: 1951
This photo is so cute that I'm going to imagine that these two got married, had kids, and lived happily ever after.
Striking a sandy pose: 1957
I would totally break my hip if I tried to do that position. Kudos, girl.
Eating ice cream on the beach: 1934
Getting sand in your ice cream is The Worst, but these girls look like they couldn't care less. So, you know, do you.
Child sets off a fire hydrant: circa 1945
If you don't understand what's going on in this photo, you definitely didn't spend summers in a big city growing up, and it shows.
All aboard the roller coaster: 1957
There are two types of people when it comes to riding roller coasters: those who are like the girl on the left and those like the girl on the right.
New York City heat wave: 1995
*adds making out under the spray of a fire hydrant to summer bucket list*
Family picnic on the beach: 1940
There's something wrong with you if this picture doesn't make you want to run to the nearest park with a Lunchable and a picnic blanket in your hand.
Chilling on a diving board: 1934
Diving boards aren't just for diving. As this woman shows us, they make the perfect chaise lounge.
Posing on a surfboard: circa 1970
Their pose is super cute and all, but who else reeeally wants a bikini like the one the girl in the front is wearing?
Running on the beach: 1925
I'm not sure who these five women are, but they appear to be conquering the world. Note to self, be like them.
Rooftop sun tanning: 1949
We all have that *one* friend who has the killer rooftop for summertime hangs, just like actress Audrey Hepburn (middle) and her friends.
Family BBQ: 1970
If this doesn't look like a picture-perfect postcard, I don't know what does. Also, now I'm hungry and miss my mom.
A fireworks employee makes a delivery: circa 1900
Not entirely sure what this fireworks employee is doing with a dummy on her back, but if I had to see this cursed image, so do you.
Country club shenanigans: 1933
This totally looks like a photo I would take with my friends after one too many glasses of wine.
Woman standing on the shoreline: 1950
For the record, I don't think anyone playing with a beachball has ever looked more graceful or glamorous than this woman.
The deck of a public pool in Paris: circa 1960
This looks like a human game of sunbathing Tetris.
Sleeping in the tent: 1935
Something tells me no other tents were built that day...
Two girls stand seaside: circa 1960
Just me, or do these two look like they're spilling major tea?? Also, talk to me about those swim caps.
Movie actress June Clyde sunbathing in cellophane: 1932
Not sure if wrapping your body in cellophane actually prevents sunburn, but my pasty butt is strongly considering giving it a try...
Hanging on the beach: 1950
Not sure who this couple is, but you can probably find them under the word "cool" in the dictionary.
Paddle boating on the lake: circa 1950
She's waving to all the haters, and he's loving every second of it.
Jumping for joy: 1949
They weren't even jumping for the perfect 'gram shot, can you imagine??
Um, did you know people used to sunbathe in cellophane?!