Zak Wood / Colorado Daily

Recent graduate Rachel Carroccio, right, and Kelly Schick, left, lounge in a pool outside of their house, Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures will stay in the 70’s throughout the week with isolated chances of rain.

Life is hard-knock when you're a working student on a budget -- it's enough to make you forget all that a Boulder summer has to offer. So, drop the remote, get out there and enjoy the weather that makes the South green with envy.

BEER ME, PLEASE

First things first. Straight off of work, you want something cold and delicious. Avery Brewery on Arapahoe Ave. is a local microbrewery with tastings (beer line-up changes weekly, of course) four days a week. Wednesday through Friday from 3:30 to 8 p.m., and again on Saturday from 12:30 to 5 p.m., the brewery offers the first five tasters free and additional tasters for $1. Thirstier? Snag a $4 pint.

Avery's tasting room is hosting "Boulder's Boldest Afterparty" on Memorial Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., following the Bolder Boulder. With a $10 cover and tents in the parking lot, Avery brewery will have a DJ and plenty of brats and beer to satiate.

GET SWEATY

So, too young to go to the bars? All you really need is an easygoing, noncommittal backyard sport with roommates.

Tom Reynolds, store manager of Play It Again Sports in Boulder, says backyard games like croquet, horseshoe and bocce ball are of the most popular this season. Player sets in these sports can run anywhere from $25 to $40, depending on styles and models, Reynolds said.

Another popular sport, according to Reynolds is disc golf: "disc golf is huge...a summer number one," he says.

If you're willing to take a short drive or bike ride, bring your Frisbee to Tantra Park or Harlow Platts Park disc-golf courses and show 'em your stuff.

Don't have one? Play It Again Sports has disc-golf Frisbees for as low as $9. For the price of an Illegal Pete's burrito, you could have enough summer fun to consider the sport a hobby.

HEAD TO THE REZ

Speaking of outside activities, Boulder Reservoir has swimming, fishing, boating and sunning.

Admission into the Rez is $6, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can enjoy their white sandy beach with a picnic -- or you can make it easy and pick up some summer grub at the snack bar.

Boat rentals are by the hour. "Boat" in the case of the Boulder Reservoir translates to newly-purchased canoes, kayaks, paddle/rowboats, sailboats and windsurfing boards. As for fishing, "if you catch it, you can keep it," says Derek Sweeny, Boulder Reservoir Boathouse employee.

BALLS TO THE WALL

If it's stress or time you are trying to blow off, paintballing may be the thing for you. Tunka.com hosts many locations for Boulder paintballing, some of the closest being Ballbuster, Aquaduct and Bushwhacker (the latter happening to be in a national forest), between 20 and 30 minutes away.

FORE!

If you happen to be the more tranquil type, Haystack Mountain Golf Course in Niwot -- chill out, that's only 15 minutes away -- is the cheapest 9-holer around. A weekday round is $13 and a weekend round is $15 - some hard prices to beat. Starting in June, their driving range will be lit and open until 10 p.m. with a large bucket of balls available for $8.

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

The Pottery Caffe on Canyon Blvd. may be more appealing to the indoor kids, but nevertheless...

For a $9 adult studio fee, and a wide variety of pottery to paint (prices range from $1 to $45), you could paint and glaze a future birthday present, or anything from a coaster to a fruit bowl.

UNDER THE STARS

If you're a student looking to take a break from Friday or Saturday night beer pong, the Boulder Outdoor Cinema could be just the $5 ticket. Their season kicks off July 11th, with some feature presentations like "Dr. Strangelove," "Airplane!" and "Juno," starting at 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night.

Before the feature, the Cinema hosts live entertainment, costume contests and trivia, says Dave Riepe, owner of the Boulder Outdoor Cinema. Events at the Outdoor Boulder Cinema, rain or shine, take place in the back lot of the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. With popcorn for $2, and soda and candy for $1 each, it could be well worth a weekend night.

PARTY LIKE A KID

Other notable summer deals are Gateway Park's batting cages, go karts and a mini golf course to keep the summer child in you alive and well.

STRIKE OUT

The Connection bowling alley, at the University Memorial Center, is still up and running -- despite the end of the academic year -- with inexpensive 3.2 beer, bowling games and pool tables open every day of the week: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday to 11 p.m., Saturdays opening at 12 p.m., closing at 11 p.m. and Sundays (yes, they sell beer on Sundays) from noon to 10 p.m.

GATHER AT CHAUTAUQUA

Rounding out the last but not the least of the top ten summer to-do's are the programs at Chautauqua, off of Baseline Road.

Aside from hosting the Colorado Music Festival in late June, Chautauqua's Auditorium is hosting big bands like CAKE and the Indigo Girls this summer, in addition to putting on an $8 silent film series taking place every couple weeks. For more detailed information about upcoming events in Chautauqua, check out www.chautauqua.com/programming.

Be bold this summer. Instead of sitting around waiting for fun to find you, get out and see Boulder.