The Ultimate Bucket List: 300 Things to Do Once in a Lifetime

51. Drive on the Route 66 Thelma and Louise Style

Not mandatory to have cops following you, but you can get a convertible and drive the whole 2,448 miles of freedom, or only some portions of it.

52. Swim with penguins

And play with some seals too in the Galapagos, Ecuador.

53. Look for Nessy

The mythical Loch Ness Monster still awaits to be discovered. A tour of the Hihgland Fling including Loch Ness, the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and some other adventures in the Emerald Isle can cost up to $340.

54. See the Loy Krathong

The Light Festival in Thailand is held every year on the full moon of the twelfth month in the Thai Lunar Calendar. For the history of the festival and more details on the events going on, you can take a look HERE.

55. Visit the Universal Studios in Hollywood

The VIP Experience is only $300 and the front line pass just $140. If you are a movie aficionado and always wanted to sneak peak behind the scenes, HERE is where you can find out more about this experience which should be on many people’s list of things to do once in a lifetime.

56. Attend one of the world’s largest fares

That would be Oktoberfest, a 16 days festival in Bavaria, Germany, held in between September and October every year. Around six million people attend the festivities and gain some pounds, as the Germans sure know how to cook and drink beer.

57. See the largest religious monument in the world

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a UNESCO Heritage monument and listed among the Wonders of the World.

58. Ride the longest railway line in the world

The Trans-Siberian railway is an adventure in itself. For more details you can take a look HERE and HERE.

59. Have an “Alien Burger” in Area 51

This is like Fight Club: they say it doesn’t exist, nobody talks about it and that there’s no alien there. But you can travel to the area, have an out of the world burger in Rachel, Nevada and hear some good alien stories. You can find more info HERE.

60. Ride a mechanical bull

Not very hard to do at fares and special events. However, it needs some beforehand preparation. HERE are some tips!

61. Take a canopy tour

The adventure of “flying” on a zip line on long distances between trees originated in Costa Rica, but now you can do it in many other countries. HERE is where you should begin.

62. Hike The Inca Trail in Peru

And see the wonders of the ancient Machu Picchu and the Sun Gate. You can check for more info HERE.

63. Let the House win in Las Vegas

…or not! Experience winning in a Las Vegas casino but don’t try to rob it Ocean 11 style!

64. Take the Edge Walk on the CN Tower in Canada

Talking about near death experiences… Don’t worry, accidents while Edge Walk the CN Tower don’t happen too often.

65. Float the Dead Sea

’cause you can’t actually swim in it.

66. Ride the tallest Ferris Wheel in the World

Also known as the . Not that the London Eye is not entertaining, but this is overwhelming.

67. Attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Well, attending the world’s best and most interesting festivals is among the things to do once in a lifetime, but Mardi Gras is special from so many points of view, we can’t even begin to describe them.

68. Ride a Gondola in Venice

Add the serenade too and you’ll have the most romantic tour of your life. More info HERE, but get a maximum of $140 for the most exclusive offer.

69. Follow Indiana Jones to Petra

The Lost City of Petra, Jordan, is a UNESCO Heritage wonder that still has some secrets to reveal.

70. Chase the Cheese

We’ve talked about it before. It may not be as thrilling as bungee jumping, sky diving or zorbing, but it’s no less fun, especially if you’re in England. The chasing the cheese down the hill event takes place annually in Gloucestershire, U.K.

71. Rescue a hostage

No, don’t end up in a messy terrorist situation or re-enact the movie Taken. Just as you can experience being an astronaut, you can also experience the rescuing of a hostage by getting real training, learning negotiation techniques, prepare your own assault mission and debriefing your success. You can learn more about it HERE.

72. Go on a Safari trip

While we don’t agree with hunting and cruelty to animals, going on a safari trip in Africa just to see the wilderness and nature’s breathtaking beauty is one of those things to do once in a lifetime. Whatever you saw on TV about Africa, once you embark that safari journey, nothing will be the same again. If you want to get inspired for your future safari trip, HERE is a resource you can consult.

73. Get an O’Brien Whiplash Ride

This is the alternative for the lazy water sports enthusiasts but what can be more awesome than being dragged behind a boat and just enjoy the adrenaline rush? However, this is both an extreme sport and a must-have water sport gadget for the thrill seekers. It is around $80 so you can keep one in the attic for the warm splashy summer days. Seems to be out of stock these days though…

74. Attend the Sound and Light Show

Since we all agreed that seeing the pyramids of Giza is something to do once in a lifetime and since many people actually go see them, as it they one of the most interesting touristic attractions in the world, it is pointless to say that you should also attend one of the greatest outdoor shows in the world at the pyramids of Giza. Remember that the show aims to teach you a lesson of ancient Egypt history, so don’t think this is just some disco in the dessert scheme.

75. Wingsuit Base Jump

We talked about Iron Man, about Superman, but the list isn’t over yet, so it’s Batman’s time! Since 10 years ago, base jumpers started to use the wingsuits, turning them into real human-birds that can really fly. However, before pulling this stunt for the first time in your life, there’s some training you should consider. HERE are some tips for beginners.

76. Visit Batman’s Cave

Speaking of Batman, in Los Angeles, California, there are the Bronson Caves, a place of magic for movie producers and directors, as they are perfect to film there hundreds of horror and adventure movies, including Batman scenes and The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. It’s a family fun trip with a terror scent to it that will just spice up the vacation. You can find more information HERE.

77. Ski with the yaks

Some people consider skiing a life threatening extreme adventure, while other thrill seekers would ski pretty much in any near-death condition. You can skip it if you find it too dangerous, but for the other extremes aficionado, gather around: in India, you can ski with the yaks and the best description for this is: the skier shakes a bucket of pony nuts, causing the hungry beast to charge downhill and yank the skier up at lighting speed. HERE is a starting point if you want to take a deeper look into the matters.

78. See the largest diamonds show in the world

The Diamond Museum in Antwerp, Belgium, is the largest of its kind on the globe. You won’t see only sparkling jewelry, but attend quite a sound and light show that it is said to be a once in a lifetime experience. You can look HERE for details and prices.

79. Live like the Flintstones for a day

Since there is not likely you’ll get a dinosaur for a pet, you can still find some bed and breakfast accommodation in a cave hotel that will remind you that we are indeed one with the Earth and that if our ancestors had these luxurious conditions back then, evolution would have had another course. There are some famous cave hotels in Mexico and Italy, but you can check for other extreme hotels HERE.

80. Witness the world’s biggest food fight

You can attend it too, but let’s face it, La Tomatina in Spain almost equals La Pamplona, in Spain. It is easier to survive a bull run, however, and we don’t even begin to question why people would fight in the streets with tomatoes, but attending La Tomatina even from afar is one of those crazy things to do once in a life time. HERE are the scheduled events for the upcoming festival and remember, they have other attractions in the program…

81. Visit a Christmas Market in Germany

They say around 6 million people travel to Bavaria to see the Christmas markets. And no soul among them feels lonely and unwelcome. From millions of colored light bulbs to angels’ parades, music concerts, local dishes and rivers of the richest wines, the Christmas markets in all Germany are not places to see, but experiences to live.

82. Destination nowhere

Let’s bring it a little closer to home, as this one is indeed doable, with little death threat attached to it and quite affordable. You can take a train to a destination you’ve never been before, a bus tour taking you to the middle of nowhere or fly a plane to a inland destination you don’t know much about. Roam the streets of a new city and build memories there alone, or together with friends or family.

83. Hug a Sequoia tree

We don’t realize how small we are on this planet until we hug a Sequoia tree. Speaking of closer to home, the Sequoia National Park in California is one of the best places to meet these eternal giants.

84. Take a wine route

Visit a region, taste its wines, learn their history and cultural impact, enjoy the view! There are incredibly many wine routs in the world, but you can pick your favorite wine trip starting from this list of the best and most known.

85. Meet the Moai

If you are certain that no human could have built the pyramids without some “celestial” help, same goes for the Easter Island statues. Presently, there are over 880 Moai on the Island (Rapa Nui, Chile). The stone figures have sparkled scientists’ curiosity for ages and there are still debates on how these megalithic structures ended up there. They welcome visitors with a lot of attractions too.

86. See the Madagascar Spiny Thicket

Not a desert, but not quite a forest either, this ecosystem is endangered and prone to humans’ aggression. Home to some very interesting species of lemur, this patch of wild nature is something to be seen once in a lifetime, especially because the Sifaka can actually dance. King Julien has nothing on them!

87. Be a part of the Tienanmen Mountain Drifting Race

Ever watched the Fast and the Furious movie franchise? Ever wanted to drift like the pros? There are official races on the 99 curves of ZJJ Tienanmen Mountain and maybe they won’t let you drift if you don’t have the certified ability to do so, but maybe they’ll let you watch or be in the car.

88. Take a swing in a bed by the ocean

Sleeping outdoors is a cure for the mind, buy enjoying a double-size canopy swinging bed on the ocean’s shore is one of those things to do once in a lifetime to restore your faith in perfection. In Cabo San Lucas there’s such paradise possible. That would be in Mexico and we can’t even begin to describe what else is there.

89. Tell the Maya a few words about their Apocalypse

If you ever get to Chichen Itza in Mexico and see the Mayan pyramids, you may get silenced by the majestic shape of these monuments and the mystery that surrounds the entire Mayan culture. You can find more travel and cultural information about one of the most famous cradles of ancient civilizations HERE.

90. See the perpetual water whirlpool

Often remembered as one of the Earth’s landscapes that can kill you, the Corryvreckan Maelstrom in Scotland can be safely approached in good weather and a skilled boatman. It is a natural powerful water vortex that can indeed kill whomever has the audacity of approaching it in unsettling climacteric conditions.

91. Walk on water. Biblicaly speaking

Whatever you think of, it’s not like that. This is about the Yellow Sea in South Korea suffering some transformations in the months of March through June, offering such a low tide, that thousands of people can actually walk on the sea between the islands of Jindo and Modo. Around that time, the island of Jindo organizes all sorts of festivities mostly known as “Moses Miracle” because you know… Bible reference. The natural occurrence attracts a lot of visitors yearly. You can find more info about the festival HERE.

92. Boil an egg in the Dominica Boiling Lake

Actually, don’t boil anything, as you may never escape alive. But seeing it, that’s autre chause. The Boiling Lake is set in Dominica and it’s not just a hot water lake, this creepy natural pot’s water was registered at 197 degrees Fahrenheit near the shore. Nobody can tell you the temperature in the middle, because nobody dared measuring it. You can find more info on the lake HERE

93. See the liquid rainbow

The rainbow, generally, is something beautiful, but seeing a liquid water rainbow is among those things to do once in your lifetime. We mortals know it under the name of Cano Cristales in Colombia. Normally, this is just a muddy river, like many other muddy, dull, unimpressive rivers in the world. But for a brief period of summer, between September and November, this dull river turns into one of Nature’s greatest wonders. More photos and info on the river you can find HERE.

94. Cross the Strid. Remain alive after.

The Strid is a notorious stretch of water where the River Wharfe is forced into a deep and narrow channel. In Yorkshire. In its narrowest point, it is around 2 meters wide. Falling into the Strid is 100% fatal. Nobody who went down ever survived to come out again. Why? Find out HERE about this natural death trap. You know what? Don’t cross the Strid. You have a full life ahead and still a long list with things to do once in a lifetime and you didn’t reach the Loony Bin yet!

95. Cross the Bermuda Triangle. Don’t disappear

Official documents state that The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard contend that there are no supernatural explanations for disasters at sea. Those who went there and returned may have been lucky. Who else wants to try? Myths and legends surround almost every part of the world and especially the oceans. But still… Bermuda Triangle…

96. Take pictures of the Firefall

Well maybe there’s no such thing as a firefall, but there is the Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park that you can see just as a regular waterfall or go visit in February and wait for that exact moment where the sun lights it up from the exactly right angle and sets it on fire.

97. See the Steampunk City

For all fantasy and especially Steampunk lovers, the Black Rock City in Nevada, home to the annual Burning Man Festival is the place to be, for one of the most surreal and unimaginable art manifestations in the world.

98. Knock on Fingal’s door

Or take a walk through his cave, at least. Fingal’s Cave in Scotland is famous for its inside interior design which looks man made, but isn’t and its impressive acoustics which determined Pink Floyd and Felix Mendelssohn to compose songs to it. No wonder they call it the the Cave of Melody. HERE is more info about the cave and the touristic tours.

99. Visit Alcatraz

There were some attempts, but no escapes whatsoever. The famous prison is open for tours and attracts a lot of tourists every year. For more information on tours and offers, you can take a look HERE.

100. Take a trip back to the Jurassic era

While it would be fun to experience a really Jurassic adventure, or not, considering the movie, you can visit all sort of dinosaur theme parks. But the real deal is the Jurassic Coast on the English Channel close to Exmouth. You can set foot on a different realm bearing the lost geological treasures of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. You can find out more about the wonders you can visit and learn about HERE

101. Follow Banksy’s street art masterpieces

Banksy turned the streets and walls into art canvas and he is one of the most prominent names in the world of street artists. So following his graffiti wisdom on the streets of New York, even L.A or San Francisco, is an enlightening experience for those passionate about speaking truths in open spaces or just turning the city into a real gallery.

102. Pay respects to William Ricketts

William Rickett’s sanctuary

is an amazing outdoor museum representing 92 sculptures of people and animals located in Mount Dandenong, Victoria, near the city of Melbourne, Australia.

It is a place of outer world beauty that makes more than an art statement, but a philosophical one too. HERE is where you can find out more about this exhibit that can be found nowhere else in the world.

103. Share your breakfast with giraffes

For the guests of Giraffe Manor Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, it is only natural to have some giraffes as morning breakfast partners. Once you get used to these friendly neighbors sniffing around the plate, the experience is something that cannot be translated into words. HERE are more details on how to make the best of your trip to Nairobi and spend some quality time with giraffes.

104. Capture the moonbow

Monnbow, or simply said, a lunar rainbow during the night is a rare phenomena, as there must be some conditions to perfectly concur to see or photograph something like this. For the passionate, moonbows have been captured in Hawaii, and sometimes in Yosemite Park. HERE are more info, spectacular photos and some places with predictable moonbows to occur if you want to capture something that people still consider miracles of nature.