Adventurous 30 Things Before 30 Bucket List (Travel Edition)

Looking for a bucket list of things to do before you turn 30? Check out this list of 30 things to do before 30!

When you turn 30, you want to be able to look back and say that you’ve done a lot. You’ve seen the world, tried new things, and experienced some of the best things in your 20s.

Once you have a list of things to do before your 30th birthday, you’ll also find that you need to step out of your comfort zone to have some of these new experiences.

Creating a travel bucket list will help you make sure that you cross everything off before your big 3-0 arrives.

Let’s jump into an amazing travel bucket list of things to do before 30!

Whether it’s an epic backpacking adventure through Europe or eating your way through Maui, plan a big trip spanning more than 7 days. One of the coolest parts of planning a big trip is that you can spend as much time as you need exploring all the places you find yourself in.

I believe the best way to explore the world is with a trusted friend, however, you can travel in groups with your partner, or even take a solo trip.

Completed: backpacked through Europe (London, Rome, Paris, Dublin)

2. Learn a new skill.

Learning a new skill is something that you should definitely add to your travel bucket list of things to do before you turn 30. This can be an exciting way to explore a particular place or just broaden your horizons in general.

There was a year in my 20s when I dedicated every month to learning a different skill. I covered everything from gardening and bullet journaling to jewelry making.

In terms of traveling, one of the greatest skills I’ve learned is travel hacking, which is a way of traveling with points or rewards for free.

Download my list of 10 ways to travel hack your way to free flights or hotel rooms.

Completed!

3. Visit a new country.

There are so many incredible places in the world to visit, and adding new countries to your bucket list of things to do should be one of your top priorities.

This can be a great way to experience new cultures and traditions, as well as take some amazing photos that you’ll always cherish.

By visiting new countries, you’ll also learn how to get your passport (if you’ve never done that before) and know about all the different visas needed to visit each country.

It’s even better if you can group all the countries you want to visit on one continent so you can go to many new countries in one big trip.

Completed: I have been to a total of 19 countries all in my 20s

4. Travel solo.

If you’ve never traveled solo before, adding it to your travel bucket list is a great way to challenge yourself and push your boundaries. Traveling alone can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but the rewards are well worth it.

My first solo trip was in China where it was hard to communicate and I almost got lost. But I did make it to my destination and had such a great time connecting with the local Chinese people and making new friends!

Completed!

5. Try new foods.

Whether you’re sampling street food in Thailand or fine dining in France, trying new foods is one of the best parts of traveling. Be adventurous and open-minded when it comes to trying new cuisine, and you might just find your new favorite dish.

You can also be brave and try some of the local delicacies. I walked down the night market in Beijing and tried the scorpion. I’m not sure if I would do that again, but now I can say that I have!

Completed: Tried scorpion in Beijing

6. Go on an adventure.

If you’re looking for a little bit of an adrenaline rush, add an adventure to your travel bucket list. This can be anything from bungee jumping off a bridge to white water rafting in a jungle.

No matter what you choose, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Completed: White water rafting in Yangshuo, China

7. Take a road trip.

Road trips are the perfect way to see more of your own country or even venture into new ones.

Whether you’re driving cross-country or taking a scenic route through the mountains, there’s nothing quite like the freedom and excitement of a road trip.

Completed: 10-day road trip in New England and drove through France

8. See a wonder of the world.

Add some major bucket list items to your list by seeing a wonder of the world. These iconic landmarks are sure to leave a lasting impression on you and are definitely worth adding to your list.

The Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, and the Colosseum are just a few of these incredible wonders of the world that you can add to your travel bucket list to do before 30!

Completed: Visited the Great Wall of China and the Colosseum

9. Visit Disneyland for the first time.

If you’ve never been to Disneyland before, add it to your travel bucket list. This magical place is a must-see for anyone who loves amusement parks and Disney movies.

You’ll experience all of your favorite characters and rides in one place, and the park is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

If you’ve already visited a Disneyland Park and you still want to use this as an item to check off your 30 before 30 list, you could visit Disneyland in a different country. There’s one in Paris, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

Completed: Visited Disneyland in California

Camping is a great way to get away from it all and connect with nature. If you’ve never been camping before, add it to your travel bucket list so that you can experience this unique form of travel.

If you have been camping before, change it up and go to a new place. You could even try glamping (like in Montana because that’s beautiful) and see a new horizon.

There are so many beautiful places to go camping, so find one that looks perfect for you and start planning your trip.

Completed: Camping in Colorado

11. See the Northern Lights.

The Aurora Borealis is one of the most incredible natural phenomena in the world, and it’s something that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. If you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these magical lights, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

See the Northern Lights like in Norway. You could even go camping under the Northern Lights and cross off 2 bucket list of things to do before 30!

12. Go whale watching.

Whale watching is an amazing way to get up close and personal with these massive creatures. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to see a baby whale or two. This is definitely an experience that you won’t want to miss before you turn 30.

Completed: Whale watching in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Read Next: 10-day New England Road Trip Itinerary [Portland to Boston]

13. Swim with dolphins.

Swimming with dolphins is a truly incredible experience, and it should definitely be added to your travel bucket list. These gentle creatures never fail to steal our hearts, and it’s amazing to be able to get so close to them in their natural habitat.

One of the coolest places to swim with the dolphins is in Fiji where you can swim with wild dolphins in the ocean with professional tour guides.

14. Splurge on a trip.

Consider splurging on a trip to one of the world’s most luxurious destinations. You can wine and dine your way through Italy, book an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, or explore the stunning scenery of Switzerland.

Completed: Splurged on our honeymoon to Maui

15. Hike a 14er in Colorado.

If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding experience, try hiking one of the various 14ers in Colorado.

These peaks are some of the tallest in the country, but with enough planning and preparation, they are totally doable. Add this adventure to your travel bucket list now so that you can cross it off before 30!

Completed: Hiked Mount Bierstadt in Colorado

Read Next: 17 Day Hikes in Denver

16. Fly first class.

Flying first class is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their life. With its comfortable seats, delicious food, and excellent service, it’s no wonder that first class is so popular.

If you can afford it, add this to your travel bucket list so that you can enjoy the luxury for yourself.

Completed: Flew first class on our honeymoon trip to Maui

17. Go on a cruise.

Cruises are a great way to see multiple destinations without having to worry about the logistics of planning each individual trip. There are so many different cruises to choose from, so find one that looks perfect for you and get ready to set sail.

If getting a boat for a week or more doesn’t appeal to you, you can also book shorter 1-2 hour cruises in different locations, such as a Thames River Cruise in London, The Seine River Cruise in Paris, or the Douro River in Portugal.

Completed: Water cruises in the Seine, Douro River

18. Add some states to your count.

If you’ve never been west of the Mississippi or on the east coast of the states, there’s no time like the present to start exploring. The United States is a big country with a lot to offer.

Personally, I had wanted to visit 30 states before 30, which didn’t fully happen. But visiting 30 states, and hopefully, all 50 states one day, is still on my travel bucket list.

Currently trying to complete: I have been to 26 U.S. States

19. Run (or walk) a 5k.

Running a 5k will take strategizing and training, so you can definitely walk a 5k which is the equivalent of 3 miles. People of all ages and fitness levels can participate in these fun runs, so take one step at a time and start training now.

What can be even cooler is if you plan to do a 5k in each state or country you visit! If you’re feeling competitive or want to extend yourself, you could even plan for a half marathon, which is 13 miles!

Completed: Walked/Ran the Color Run and Black Light Run

If you love trying new foods when you travel, why not learn how to cook one yourself? Add this to your travel bucket list so that you can try cooking an authentic dish from another country.

Maybe you’ll even be able to impress some of your friends with your new culinary skills!

There are many ways to learn a new dish. If you are not planning on traveling soon, find a recipe online that you would be interested in learning, get the ingredients, and follow a youtube video.

If you are traveling abroad, then you can book a cooking class and even walk out with those recipes to recreate them at home.

Completed: Took a cooking class in Hanoi and Bangkok

21. Visit 3 U.S. national parks.

There are so many stunning national parks in the United States, and they are all well worth a visit. Whether you choose to go hiking through Yosemite or just spend some time admiring the Grand Canyon, these parks have something for everyone.

Add visiting at least 3 of them to your travel bucket list before you turn 30.

Completed: Visited Rocky Mountain National Park, Acadia National Park, Yosemite National Park

22. Take a trip with your best friends.

Traveling with your best friends is an experience that you’ll never forget. laughing until you cry, and making memories that will last a lifetime. So start planning your trip with some fun activities, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Side note: It could be difficult to plan a trip if various travelers have different traveling styles. So make sure you take personalities into consideration when planning a trip so that everyone can have a great time!

If needed, you can even plan multiple trips with a few of your friends at a time so that everyone can enjoy the trip.

Completed: We have traveled all over Asia

23. Go to a music festival.

If you’re a fan of live music, then going to a music festival should definitely be on your travel bucket list. These events are always a blast, and you’ll get to see some of your favorite music bands all in one place.

Make sure to add this to your list so that you can enjoy the experience before you turn 30.

Some cool music festivals include Lollapalooza in Chicago, Coachella in California, and Glastonbury in the UK! If these don’t appeal to you, you could always find a music festival featuring some of your favorite artists, too!

24. See a broadway show.

Whether you love musicals or plays, checking out a Broadway show is always an unforgettable experience. New York City, San Francisco, London, or any other big city is bound to have great shows playing at any given time.

Start planning your trip now and get ready for a night of entertainment.

My favorite was getting to watch Wicked in London in the West End – what a great city to see my first Broadway show!

Completed: Watched Wicked and Dream Girls in the West End in London

25. Attend a sporting event.

Attending a sporting event is an unforgettable experience. No matter what season it is, there are bound to be many professional and college sporting events in your area.

If you are like me and haven’t been to a live sporting event, but you have been to a country-wide party, then you can also cross this off your list.

Completed: Berlin – I joined many people in the city who came together to watch as their team played for the 2018 FIFA world cup

26. Go on an African safari.

If you’ve always wanted to see lions, elephants, and giraffes in their natural habitat, then going on an African safari is a must. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t want to miss, so add it to your travel bucket list now and start planning your trip before 30.

One of the best places to go on an African Safari is Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park in South Africa.

Half-completed: I have been on a safari in California, but not a true safari in Africa

Read Next: 17 Fun Things to do in Santa Rosa, California

27. Start a collection.

Whether you collect stamps, coins, or something else entirely, starting a collection is a fun way to pass the time on your travels.

It’s also a great way to remember your trip whenever you go to a new city, state, or country. So find something that interests you and start your collection today.

Completed: I have collected postcards, foreign currency, and magnets

28. Get a tattoo.

If you’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo, there’s no better time than now. Getting inked is a popular way to commemorate a trip, so add this to your travel bucket list and start browsing through some designs.

29. Ride a hot air balloon.

There’s nothing quite like floating through the sky in a hot air balloon. If you’ve always wanted to try this, add it to your travel bucket list and start planning your trip. You’ll be able to see some amazing views and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Half-completed: I have not ridden a hot air balloon, but I have seen many hot air balloons being launched

Learning a new language can be a great way to connect with people when you travel. It can also be a useful skill to have, so add this to your list of things and start learning now. There are many different ways to learn a new language, so find one that works best for you.

A couple of my favorite apps for language learning are Duolingo and Babbel. If you have the opportunity to live in a country where the primary language isn’t your first language, then immersion is an even better way to learn a new language!

Completed: When landing my first job, I moved to China and learned how to speak Mandarin

Bonus Thing to do: Take care of your finances

Although taking care of your finances doesn’t have to do directly with adventures or exploring new places, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough money to fund your travels.

You can start investing your money, create a savings fund, plan for your retirement, pay off student loan debt (like me), and much more.

So make sure to take care of your finances before you turn 30 so that you can enjoy all of the other fun things on your travel bucket list!

Overall, there are many amazing experiences waiting for you on your travel bucket list so you’ll want to be financially prepared!

Now that you have seen my list of 30 things to do before you turn 30, it’s time for you to create your own. This is a great way to get excited about traveling and make sure that you check off all the items before you enter into a new decade.

After completing these items, you’ll also become a world traveler and can start another list of different things to complete!

Brainstorm now and get ready for an amazing adventure! Check out more travel resources!

• 33 Travel Traditions to Start Today
• The Ultimate Travel Bucket List [Over 100 ideas]
• 10 Reasons to Hop on a Plane Today
• 101 Inspirational Quotes

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