We’ve all heard of a bucket list. It’s an aspirational list of things that a person wants to experience or achieve during their lifetime. If you have been intending to start a bucket list or simply need some ideas on what to add to yours, Travel Guides Free is here to help! Keep reading for our top bucket list experiences in the US.
Route 66
There is nothing more American than a road trip and there is nothing more iconic than a road trip along Route 66. Route 66 was one of the original highways in the United States, running from Illinois to California. You don’t have to drive the entire route to experience the spirit of Route 66. There are countless cities, bridges, buildings, and sites that you can visit along the way.
One of the many cities along Route 66 is Williams, Arizona. Williams has everything you would expect from a historic stop including live entertainment, tasty food, and a Route 66 Classic Car Show. During your visit you can also explore the largest ponderosa pine forest in the United States. Order your free “Experience Williams” guide and cross Route 66 off your bucket list!
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New York by Rail
It would be impossible to create a US bucket list without including New York. There is so much to experience when visiting the state of New York including quaint towns, incredible beaches, historic sites, mountains, lakes, and the celebrated New York City.
To truly embrace the New York experience, travel New York by rail. You can take a trip via Amtrak throughout the entire Empire State. This includes New York City, the Adirondacks, and even Niagara Falls. Order your New York By Rail Guide to plan your bucket list trip today!
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Northern Lights and Alaska Wildlife
Alaska can feel like a whole new world even though it is part of the United States. A trip to Alaska any time of the year is sure to be a bucket list worthy adventure. We recommend planning your visit to Alaska during Aurora Season to gaze in wonder at the northern lights. This natural phenomenon can be viewed from August to April.
Alaska is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. A bucket list experience includes any number of outings to see all of the animals that call Alaska home. While simply looking around is one option for wildlife lovers, you can also go on a scenic cruise, bear viewing tour, whale watching tour, or guided wildlife excursion.
Plan a better bucket list trip by ordering all of our free Alaska travel guides today!
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Greater Zion
Greater Zion is an experience unlike any other. Greater Zion offers over 2,400 square miles of outdoors just begging to be explored. Most notably, Greater Zion is home to Zion National Park. From the colorful and massive sandstone cliffs to the mysterious, narrow slot canyons, every step in Zion National Park promises to be memorable.
Greater Zion offers the opportunity for adventure at every turn. If your bucket list demands heart-pounding excitement, then the outdoor adventures of Greater Zion are calling you! During your bucket list trip, you can go on aerial tours, ride ATVs, boat, jet ski, camp, canyoneer, hang glide, paraglide, mountain bike, rock climb, sky dive, and even zipline.
It’s time to cross Greater Zion off your bucket list—order a free Greater Zion Guide today!
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Olympic Peninsula
Does your bucket list include experiencing a rainforest, ocean beaches, glacier-capped mountains, and waterfalls, all in one destination? If so, you need to visit Olympic Peninsula.
Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula is home to exceptional natural wonders– first and foremost, Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park encompasses nearly a million acres of lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails. On the west side of Olympic National Park you can find the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the largest temperate rain forests in the United States. You can also marvel in the magnificent creations of nature by walking through the Valley of the Rainforest Giants, home to record-breaking trees. Continue on the magical journey by basking in the beauty of waterfalls along the Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail. Finally, stare out at the Pacific Ocean from miles of driftwood-strewn beaches and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for whales.
Are you ready to cross the Olympic Peninsula off of your bucket list? Order your free Olympic Peninsula Travel Planner today!
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The Colors of New England
New England is renowned for autumn foliage, when all the leaves turn to beautiful oranges, yellows, reds, and browns. Watching the New England countryside come alive with color is an essential bucket list experience.
In September and October, the White Mountains put on a color show. There are few places that can compare to the gorgeous colors of fall in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Experience the colors of New England this fall! Request your free White Mountains Travel Guide today!
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Flavorful Food and Drink
The United States is home to fabulous food and drink. Every region has its own unique flavors that are worthy of your bucket list. Below are some of our top flavorful experiences worthy of your bucket list.
Do you crave seafood? If your answer is yes, then Maryland seafood should be at the top of your bucket list experiences. The best way to savor the flavors of the Chesapeake Bay is on the Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail where you can indulge in Maryland’s fresh oysters and world-renowned crabs. Maryland is also home to countless seafood festivals where crabs and oysters are prepared in new and creative ways.
Are you ready to raise your glass? Then add Cottonwood and Verde Valley to your bucket list. Cottonwood is located in the heart of Arizona and is the heart of Arizona wine country. An essential part of the Arizona wine country experience is the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Along the trail, wine enthusiasts can sample an array of Arizona wines. Make sure to check off all 10 stops along the way.
Are you craving authentic flavors of the iconic Wild West? Then add the cowboy cuisine of Wyoming to your bucket list experiences. While thoughts of Wyoming cuisine may bring to mind the infamous Rocky Mountain oysters, the Cowboy State has many other savory dishes to add to your bucket list. Tantalize your taste buds with wild game, bison burgers, prime rib, chicken-fried steak, elk, trout, morels, and biscuits and gravy.
Have you experienced the full flavors of the South? If you haven’t, then it is time to add the food culture of the Smoky Mountains to your bucket list. The local fare of the Smoky Mountains is a combination of a variety of influences—from locally brewed moonshine and sweet tea to collard greens and grits—all of which come together to deliver memorable flavors and dining experiences.
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Go to the Rodeo
Have you ever been to a rodeo? If you haven’t, then it is time to cross your first rodeo off your bucket list!
Rodeos are competitive events that are fun for the whole family. Most rodeos include bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, and bull riding. For an authentic rodeo experience, head to the Rodeo Capital of the World—Cody, Wyoming! Cody is home to the Cody Stampede and the Cody Nite Rodeo. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the Cody Stampede and the 86th anniversary of the Cody Nite Rodeo.
The Cody Stampede is a PRCA rodeo held from June 30th through July 4th. The Cody Nite Rodeo takes place every summer night from June through August. Order your free Cody Yellowstone Guide and experience your first rodeo this summer!
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Find Your Next Bucket List Experience
The United States is full of bucket list worthy experiences. The best part about bucket lists is that they can continue to grow. To find additional experiences that are worthy of your bucket list, peruse our list of featured experiences today. And, don’t forget to get your free travel guides and check back often for new guides and experiences.