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Goodbye 2023, hello 2024! Now that a new year has begun, I’m looking at what’s on my bucket list to plan my next adventures.
We never know what a year will bring, so I’m focusing more on creating unique travel experiences rather than just checking destinations off my list.
For 2024, let’s plan trips we can take any time, anywhere!
Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling internationally, these trips are about the experience more than the destination.
Here are twelve trips on my bucket list in honor of the next twelve months!
Go on a Solo Trip
Traveling solo is one of the most empowering and freeing experiences we can have, which is why it’s on my travel list every year.
A solo trip is a perfect excuse to make everything about you – and we all need more “me” time.
I know that solo travel can be intimidating, but it’s worth it! So learn how to be confident traveling solo, practice for solo travel, review these safety tips for solo female travelers, then book your solo trip!
Need help deciding where to go? Here are the best destinations for solo female travelers and the top U.S. cities for traveling solo.
Go on a Girls’ Trip
Get your gals together for a girlfriend getaway!
A bachelorette party or birthday is the perfect excuse to have a girls’ trip, but you don’t have to wait for a big life event to get your crew together.
So whether you’re hitting the beach, renting a cabin, partying ’til sunrise, or sleeping in, bring your besties along for the ride!
Visit a National Park
National parks are (literally) a breath of fresh air. We can escape to nature, unplug from our devices, and have any kind of adventure we want.
Tips for Visiting Popular National Parks
So whether you want to head to a popular national park such as Yosemite, Acadia, or the Great Smoky Mountains, or visit one of the best off-the-beaten-path national parks, such as Saguaro, Haleakalā, or Badlands, you can’t go wrong with any national park!
Go on a Mother-Daughter Trip
My Mom is one of the best traveling companions EVER! I love the one-on-one time I get with her on a mother-daughter trip, and we both love creating memories together.
Some of my favorite mother-daughter destinations are Savannah, The Bahamas, Sedona, Hawaii, and Napa Valley.
If you can’t travel with your Mom, then go on a trip with a mother figure in your life. I have several “honorary moms” that I love to travel with.
Go on a Road Trip
Road trips have always been one of the best ways to travel. Driving gives you freedom over your itinerary and plenty of room for your belongings.
Plus, there’s that sense of adventure, self-reliance, and accomplishment that you get from a great road trip!
My favorite road trips in the U.S. are the Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the New England Coastline.
Celebrate in a New Place
For your birthday, anniversary, or holiday this year, celebrate by visiting a new (or favorite) destination.
Traveling for a special occasion is the perfect excuse to treat yourself!
Go on a Wellness Retreat
Wellness travel is about unplugging, stepping back from the busyness of day-to-day life, slowing down, and relaxing.
The Best Wellness Retreats in the U.S.
But when we travel, it can be hard to eat healthily, exercise, and take a break from the outside world, which is where wellness retreats come in. A wellness retreat is designed to promote well-being, making it easier for us to rest, rejuvenate, and re-connect with ourselves, others, and nature.
Here are the top spa getaways for a girls’ trip, couples retreat, and mother-daughter getaway!
Go Glamping
Glamping, or “glamorous camping,” is a way to enjoy camping without giving up any of the luxuries of home. In fact, every glamping site I’ve stayed at has had nicer luxuries than I have at home!
I love being in nature, but I also like staying in luxury, so glamping is the best of both worlds.
Stay at a Cool Vacation Home
In case you haven’t heard, there are some INCREDIBLE vacation homes out there – treehouses, mansions, all-glass houses, trains, boats, and just about any other type of living space you can imagine.
So instead of booking a trip to visit an incredible destination, consider booking a trip to stay in an incredible house.
Go on an RV Trip
RVs, motorhomes, and camper vans are fantastic ways to travel. These vehicles give you lots of room, complete freedom over your route and itinerary, and make it easier to travel with friends, family, and pets.
Rent the Perfect RV for Your Next Road Trip
Driving an RV can be intimidating, but it’s easier than most people think. You just need to do your research, have the right mindset, and be flexible and gracious with yourself because there is a learning curve.
Plan a Staycation
You don’t have to fly halfway around the world to have an adventure. Wherever you live, I bet there are hidden gems right outside your door that you’ve never visited or that you’ve forgotten about.
So explore your city like a tourist. Book a room at a hotel you’ve always wanted to visit, go to that restaurant you keep forgetting to make a reservation for, hop on a tourist bus, or visit a state park.
Do whatever it is that you usually don’t do in your hometown!
Do Something You’ve Never Done Before
What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but have never done? Scuba diving, hiking a glacier, going on a no-doors helicopter tour, riding a camel?
Whatever activity is at the top of your bucket list, go do it wherever you can!
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What do you think should be on my bucket list? Share with us in the comments!
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What’s on My Bucket List for 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number 1 vacation spot in the US?
This depends on who you ask. New York City is the most-visited city, Napa Valley is the most-visited wine region, California is the most-visited state, and The Great Smoky Mountains is the most-visited national park. You can’t go wrong with any of The United States’ cities, road trips, or national parks!
How much does it cost to backpack America?
United States travel guide budget costs:
You can get by on less than $100 per day backpacking through the U.S. Camping, staying in hostels, using public transportation, cooking your own meals, limiting your drinking, and doing free activities such as walking tours, hiking, and visiting public beaches will save you money.
How much money in US dollars do I need for 2 weeks?
On average, you should follow these suggested daily budgets:
Budget/Backpacking: Less than $100 a day.
Lower End: $150 a day.
Midrange: $250 a day.
Higher End: $350 a day and up.
How can I travel across the US cheaply?
1. Travel in the shoulder and off-seasons.
2. Take day trips to more expensive cities. Visiting New York City, Napa, Anaheim, Chicago, Miami, and other popular cities in the U.S. as day trips can save you a lot of money on accommodation.
3. Do free activities – scenic drives, self-guided walking tours, hikes, and visiting public beaches.
4. When you’re visiting national or state parks, go camping instead of staying in a hotel.
5. Use your points. Reward points from the best travel reward credit cards can go a long way to offset the cost of a U.S. trip.
6. Instead of flying between destinations in the U.S., rent a car, hop on a Greyhound bus, or take an Amtrak train.
7. Bring a cooler on your road trip. Fast food might seem cheap when you get it, but it can add up. So if you’re road-tripping, bring a cooler and pack out food to save some money.
8. Eat out for lunch instead of dinner. Lunch prices are always lower. So when you do eat out, dine in the afternoon instead of the evening.
Is a passport required to travel within The United States?
All nationals require a valid passport to enter and leave The United States. Most nationals don’t need a visa when visiting the U.S. for less than 90 days. The exceptions are countries excluded from the Visa Waiver Program.
A passport is not required for domestic travel, but you will need a government-issued photo ID if you want to rent a car or fly.
Is it safe to travel to The United States?
The United States is one of the safest countries for solo female travelers. I’ve traveled extensively through my home country of The United States, and I’ve never felt unsafe. But, as with any destination, you need to take precautions to keep yourself safe. Don’t walk by yourself at night, stay in a secure and well-located hotel or vacation home, use slash-proof, lockable, and RFID-protected bags and purses, and always have a charged cell phone with you.
Can an immigrant travel within The United States?
Immigration laws and levels of enforcement are constantly in flux, so always consult an immigration attorney or reputable sources for up-to-date information. In general, immigrants with a valid visa status or green cards will not be restricted from traveling domestically by air, train, bus, or car. However, domestic travel is not advised for those who are undocumented or who have immigration applications pending.
Where should I travel to in April in The United States?
April is one of my favorite months to travel in The U.S.! The wildflowers will be blooming, the snow will be melting, wildlife will re-emerge, and it won’t be too hot or humid in the southern states.
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This is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post about what’s on my bucket list are entirely my own. Some of the links in this article about what’s on my bucket list are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
