Planning 100 things to do before you die might sound like a daunting and even morbid challenge. But I disagree. Planning an exciting life is just the same as planning to go to college, planning to get married, planning for a family, retirement, to purchase a home, etc. It really is all the same, just a different landscape to play on.
As an avid traveler and a big supporter of those looking to see more of the world, I can’t stress enough that how much travel will change you. And the thing is, you do not have to quit your job and live off the grid in Bali to lead a life of grand adventures. Believe me when I say, I learned this the hard way.
I worked very full time and was getting my MBA full time while traveling about half the year. Which meant short trips, weekends, paid time off, etc. It can be done.
I have put together what I think is the best 100 things to do before you die travel compilation and I hope you love this list. It has been a labor of love coming up with these epic adventures.
Taj Mahal – India
100 Things To Do Before You Die: The Travel Edition
The very top of the 100 things to do before you die is to TAKE A SOLO TRIP. It can be anywhere in the world, just do it. You will never regret having that independence and knowing you did something entirely on your own. Bonus points if you go somewhere foreign, like Iceland.
Hike Rainbow Mountain in Peru!
Visit all 50 states in America.
Visit the Petra Library as one of the top things to do in Jordan.
Do something almost nobody is doing on your list of 100 things to do before you die and visit Easter Island!
Go to the very top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, a staggering 1,800+ feet in the air. Walk out onto the deck and see the city in all its glory.
Tour the inside of the Hungarian Parliament while visiting beautiful Budapest in Hungary.
Go to a luau in Hawaii and witness the magical performances and fire dance.
Experience the beautiful cherry blossoms somewhere gorgeous in the world. Top contenders include: Japan, Washington, D.C. and even Paris!
Take a Viking River Cruise through Europe and see all the beautiful coastal towns on the Rhine and Danube rivers.
Take a trip to Mesa, Arizona and stop by Jalapeno Bucks for a PB&J brisket sandwich. Thank me later.
Head to Bermuda and visit Horseshoe Beach for stunning blue water and PINK SAND!
Book yourself a penthouse suite in a city you have never been and live it up!
Spend some visiting the many interesting places in Morocco!
Plan a summer trip to Mackinac Island, where no cars are allowed, and bike the exterior of the island enjoying the scenery along the way.
One of my favorite things on this list of 100 things to do before you die is to visit Cappadocia in Turkey and fly to new heights over the fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon.
Ride a double decker bus in London, and keep an eye out for the Royal Family.
Attend the Yee Peng Festival in Chiang Mai and release and admire the thousands of lanterns lit into the sky.
Fall in love with the red rock formations in beautiful Sedona, Arizona.
Tour Antoni Gaudi’s works in Barcelona and witness the magic of his colors in architecture.
Take a whale watching tour in Juneau, Alaska.
Plan short trips all year so that you can travel more and see more, extending all your holidays and weekends.
Head to Las Vegas and find all the free things to do in the city – there is over 100!
Photograph all the colorful homes and buildings in Cartagena, Colombia.
Feeling like a kid? Among the 100 things to do before you die, I suggest spending some time at Disney in both Florida and California.
Take the epic trip through Bali and eat, pray, love yourself some. Bali is one of those places that change you. Get yourself a pool villa, head to the yoga barn, eat all the acai bowls, and splurge at the spa.
Spend the day at Aquaventure at Atlantis in the Bahamas OR Dubai .. or both! They are both amazing.
Visit one or 20 of the 7,000+ islands in the Philippines. El Nido is particularly beautiful!
When it comes to picking 100 things to do before you die, don’t forget to see the Northern Lights! I would recommend Going to Iceland for this adventure and plan to stay about 5-7 days for optimal chance of seeing them in the fall or winter.
Eat fish and chips and get a pint of Guinness in Dublin, Ireland. Plan your dream trip to Ireland now!
Attend the Cayman Cookout in Grand Cayman. Mingle with celebrity chefs, eat incredible food and party the nights away in this lush adult getaway.
I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Spend a day or two exploring the temples.
Take yourself on a week long retreat for spa and fitness at Civana in Arizona.
Travel by train through the tea fields in Sri Lanka.
Summer in Greece! One must spend some time in Santorini soaking up the sun at the beaches, dancing their nights at away in Mykonos and sunbathing on the beaches. Don’t forget to stop by the beaches in Crete as well!.
Santorini
Travel through all the beautiful medieval towns of Germany. Learn their history, walk their streets, see a few castles, and shop to your hearts content.
Take a cruise to Alaska and witness wildlife, glaciers and the midnight sun.
Eat pizza where it all started: Naples!
Spend an evening in New York walking through Time Square. After you get a pretzel or hot dog, take in a Broadway show.
Plan a visit to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey and get wonderfully lost. While you are in the city, make sure to see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace – which are all walking distance from each other.
Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland! Nothing will ever compare to these milky blue waters.
Of the 100 Things To Do Before You Die, do NOT miss a sailing trip in the Caribbean where the water is insanely gorgeous.
Don’t forget a trip to the Big Easy for beignets! If you are feeling extra frisky, stick around for Mardi Gras.
Make sure and visit the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and witness the mass ascension of over 500 hot air balloons being released into the air.
Love fast cars? Then head to Monaco to witness the Grand Prix.
Attend the most epic of festivals and get dressed up at Carnaval in Brazil.
Plan a visit to Hell… the door to hell in Turkmenistan
Hang out with flamingos at Flamingo Beach in Aruba. Get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures in their home right out at the beach.
One of the most bending of the 100 things to do before you die is to go to Santa Fe, New Mexico and visit MEOW WOLF! I can’t explain it other than to say it is a non-linear interactive story with twists and turns.
If you have access, please visit Cuba. American’s had gained access only to have it taken away, Hopefully it will be available to us again.
Experience the man made wonder that is: the Panama Canal. Best if gone through on a cruise where you can learn all about it and witness going through the locks.
Go on a safari and witness animals in their natural habitat.
If you have free time on your hands and you are up for adventure, one of the 100 things to do before you die is visit throw a dart at a map and just go where it lands.
Visit the seven wonders of the world: the Great Wall of China, Petra, Colosseum, Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Taj Mahal, and Christ the Redeemer.
Take a road trip with your best friend. Don’t forget the epic playlist, snacks for days and all the fun car games you used to play as a kid.
Fly true first class and be treated like the royalty that you are.
Visit the Minnesota State Fair and eat your way through the delicious stands. Don’t forget the delicious cookies.
Make a plan to visit all seven continents. Most people dream of doing this, but it can be a reality if you put your mind to it. Make this a priority when look at the 100 things to do before you die.
Stay in an over water bungalow in a beautiful location where you can hear the water soothe you to sleep.
One of the most beautiful things on the 100 things to do before you die list is to see the tulips in full bloom in The Netherlands.
Experience Manhattanhenge in New York when the sun aligns with street perfectly between the buildings.
Take a trip to Washington, D.C. and experience all the Smithsonian Museums, Monuments and Memorials.
Surprise your parent(s) and take them somewhere they have never been. Bonus points if you have never been either and you both get to experience it together for the first time.
Get under water in one of the most interesting photos spots in the world and swim with Jellyfish Lake in Palau. The jellyfish have been considered harmless and the photos are insane.
Have a destination wedding! I know wedding planning can be extremely stressful. Why not take the stress out of the planning and let a destination that specializes in weddings do the work for you. Just select your color theme, guest count and food. Then show up.
Of the 100 things to do before you die, don’t miss a castle and whiskey tour over Scotland.
Hike the Appalachian Trail in its entirety.
Looking for an epic food fight? La Tomatina in Spain should not be missed. During this food fight OVER one hundred metric tons of tomatoes are thrown and smushed about.
Put on your walking shoes and explore the Great Wall of China!
Visit Israel for both food and history – but don’t forget to float in the Dead Sea
Visit the over 250+ wineries in the state of Virginia and become knowledgeable on all things wine!
Take an overly tourist photo with the Leaning Tower of Pisa that looks like you are pushing the tower over. Then send it back home to the family.
Bike down the Death Road in Bolivia and live to tell about it.
One of the most Instagrammable 100 things to do before you die – dine underwater at a restaurant in the Maldives.
Buy the one month rail pass in Europe and backpack as far as you can, seeing as much as you can.
Swim and take a selfie in the highest rooftop infinity edge pool in the world in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands!
When it comes to fall foliage, of the best 100 things to do before you die is to drive Skyline Drive and marvel at the sweeping vistas of colors in the mountain range.
Attend a ballet in Moscow, Russia.
If you love sailing and limestone, you should not miss sailing Halong Bay in Vietnam!
When it comes to road trips, taking one through Namibia to see Deadvlei and to sleep under the stars wins.
Head down to Key West in Florida so you can go to the furthest point in the continental U.S.
Spend your vacation doing one of the most epic of the 100 things to do before you die in the French Polynesia. Visit famous islands like Bora Bora, Mo’orea and Tahiti. Bonus points if you get an EPIC over water bungalow during your trip.
Is India on your list? The Taj Mahal, in all her glory, should not be missed on your epic adventures. Here is everything you need to know to visit the Taj Mahal. Not sure how long to visit India? This two week India itinerary is perfect.
Visit Yellowstone for insane wildlife viewing and the stunning Grand Prismatic Spring.
Head to Kotor, Montenegro and spend the day on the pristine beaches of this gorgeous country.
Attend the Olympics! Bonus points if you get to go to a summer AND winter set. If you do plan to go, book in advance.
Sleep in an Ice Hotel in Sweden. That is right – an entire hotel made of ICE!
Make sure to add sailing the Greek Islands to your list of 100 things to do before you die! Easily one of the most memorable trips and the islands are unforgettable.
Calling all book lovers – the world is lush with stunning libraries to see. Of the most beautiful to see, George Peabody Library in Baltimore, MD should not be missed.
See what is left of the Berlin Wall in Germany.
Fly over the Himalayas in Nepal during sunrise for the most stunning views even better than Everest Base Camp!
For the not so faint of heart, visit Bhutan and climb the over 10,000+ feet to Tiger’s Nest.
If you are feeling like you could survive anything, attend Burning Man out in the desert in Nevada and live off of what you brought in for the week.
Attend Fashion Week in Paris or New York and see what the hype is about. Bonus points for going to both.
Make friends with a complete stranger during your travels.
Travel for Michelin Star food. There are several restaurants globally with famed stars that should not be missed.
Visit the colorful Coasts in Italy taking in beaches of Cinque Terre and exploring Positano.
One of the top 100 things to do before you die is to visit Machu Picchu. Bonus points if you hike all the way up but no shame in taking the train!
Party all night in Ibiza, Spain.
Take yourself for a float in the Dead Sea.
SO you made it to the end of the list! Did you find things you have already done? What about things you never knew about? This list of 100 things to do before you die varies from cultural, adventurous, thrilling, and really helps you to step outside of your comfort zone and experience all the wonderful things the world has to offer.
The question now is, where to start? I say go for the craziest thing you have read on this list and then mix things up a bit.
Pins for Pinterest:
Excellent list! Some of my favorites on this list weren’t specific locations or destinations. I really enjoyed the items about planning road trips and using staycations to plot the adventures you’ve always wanted to take. I’m glad you had some of those in the mix to remind us it’s not about checking off things on the list, it’s also about experiencing them!