Close your eyes for a moment and complete this sentence: “Before I die, I want to…”
That’s the beginning of your bucket list—a collection of experiences that capture what matters most to you.
In this guide, we’ll explore 250 bucket list ideas that go beyond tourist attractions and Instagram moments. These are experiences that create lasting fulfillment and happiness, whether you’re in your 20s or looking to make the most of your next life chapter.
What is a Bucket List?
A bucket list is a personalized collection of experiences, achievements, and adventures you want to accomplish during your lifetime.
The term comes from the phrase “kick the bucket” (a euphemism for dying), so it’s literally a list of things to do before you die.
Despite the negative connotation of its name, however, bucket lists are all about living with intention and purpose.
Unlike regular goals or to-do lists, bucket list items typically:
- Focus on meaningful experiences rather than routine tasks
- Connect to your deeper values and dreams
- Create memories that will stay with you for a lifetime
- Push you beyond your comfort zone in positive ways
- Often involve novelty, adventure, or significant personal achievement
Your bucket list might include travel adventures, physical challenges, learning opportunities, relationship milestones, or contributions to causes you care about. The key is that these experiences matter deeply to you and align with the life you want to create.
250 Bucket List Ideas By Category
Now for the fun part! Here are 250 bucket list ideas organized by category to inspire your own list.
Remember, the best bucket list is one that reflects your unique interests and values—use these as starting points, not a prescription.
Travel & Adventure (40 Ideas)
- Watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky in Iceland or Norway
- Walk the Great Wall of China
- Go on a safari in Africa and witness the “Big Five” in their natural habitat
- Take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey
- Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu
- Swim in the bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico
- Visit all seven continents
- Sail through the fjords of Norway
- Take a road trip across Route 66 in the USA
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Explore the Amazon Rainforest
- Sleep in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora
- Witness the Great Migration in Tanzania and Kenya
- Take a gondola ride through the canals of Venice
- Experience the cherry blossoms in Japan
- Visit the Galapagos Islands and observe unique wildlife
- Attend Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
- Explore the temples of Angkor Wat at sunrise
- Trek to Everest Base Camp
- Drive the Great Ocean Road in Australia
- Visit the ancient city of Petra in Jordan
- Witness the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain
- Take an Antarctic expedition
- Explore the Grand Canyon from rim to rim
- Dive the Great Barrier Reef
- Walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route
- Visit all the national parks in your country
- Experience the vibrant culture of New Orleans during Mardi Gras
- See the Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Go island hopping in Greece
- Experience the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico
- Drive the entire length of the Pan-American Highway
- Witness the temples of Bagan at sunrise
- Take the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia
- Visit Stonehenge during the summer solstice
- Attend a full moon party in Thailand
- Take a traditional dhow cruise in Zanzibar
- Experience the midnight sun in the Arctic Circle
- Visit all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one country
- Explore the ancient medinas of Morocco
Personal Growth & Learning (35 Ideas)
- Learn to speak a new language fluently
- Master a musical instrument
- Take a silent retreat for deeper self-awareness
- Learn to dance (salsa, tango, swing, or ballet)
- Write and publish a book
- Take a cooking class in another country
- Learn to meditate and maintain a daily practice
- Master a martial art
- Learn to sail a boat
- Take up painting or drawing
- Complete a marathon or triathlon
- Learn celestial navigation
- Take a wilderness survival course
- Learn to code and build an app or website
- Give a TED talk or public speech
- Learn to scuba dive
- Take a creative writing workshop
- Master photography
- Learn to play chess at a competitive level
- Take an improv or acting class
- Learn to surf
- Study philosophy
- Take a carpentry or woodworking class
- Learn to fly a plane
- Become proficient in yoga
- Take a cross-country solo trip
- Learn to rock climb
- Create and exhibit your art
- Build something with your hands (furniture, boat, house)
- Learn calligraphy
- Read 100 classic books
- Take a wine appreciation course
- Learn to ride a motorcycle
- Study astronomy and learn to identify constellations
- Master a signature dish that wows dinner guests
Career & Achievement (30 Ideas)
- Start your own business
- Mentor someone and help them succeed
- Earn a degree or certification in a new field
- Give a TEDx talk
- Write a book related to your expertise
- Lead a significant project that impacts many people
- Earn enough to retire early
- Create a passive income stream
- Transform an industry or introduce a new method
- Be featured in a major publication in your field
- Start a podcast or YouTube channel
- Create a scholarship or grant program
- Become financially independent
- Master public speaking
- Develop a patent or trademark
- Create a non-profit organization
- Take a sabbatical to explore new interests
- Reach the top position in your field
- Create a product that improves people’s lives
- Build a successful team from scratch
- Learn high-level negotiation skills
- Create and teach a course
- Build enough wealth to fund causes you care about
- Work remotely while traveling for an extended period
- Speak at a major conference in your industry
- Become fluent in the language of finance and investing
- Develop a personal brand that opens doors
- Build a network that spans continents
- Create a workplace culture that others emulate
- Be known as the go-to expert in your niche
Relationships & Connection (30 Ideas)
- Reconnect with someone from your past in a meaningful way
- Plan and take a multi-generational family trip
- Host a dinner party with meaningful conversation prompts
- Write letters to your future self or loved ones to be read years later
- Celebrate a milestone anniversary in a spectacular way
- Create a family cookbook with recipes and stories
- Have deep conversations with people from very different backgrounds
- Build a friendship with someone decades older or younger than you
- Create a new family tradition that could last generations
- Form a book club or discussion group around topics that matter to you
- Take a trip with just your siblings or closest friends
- Volunteer alongside family members
- Create a time capsule with loved ones
- Trace your family ancestry and visit your ancestral homeland
- Host a reunion of old friends
- Learn the love language of those closest to you
- Go on a parent-child trip when they reach a certain age
- Find a mentor who transforms your perspective
- Create a collaborative art project with friends or family
- Plan a surprise celebration for someone important to you
- Have regular “digital detox” days focused solely on in-person connection
- Start a mastermind group with people you admire
- Learn the native language of a family member
- Create photo books for significant chapters of your life with loved ones
- Write thank-you letters to people who’ve impacted your life
- Host a multigenerational storytelling gathering
- Teach a skill or share knowledge with someone in your family
- Make amends with someone you’ve had conflict with
- Create rituals for important life transitions with those you love
- Be fully present at a gathering without checking your phone once
Health & Wellness (25 Ideas)
- Complete a 30-day fitness challenge
- Try a week-long juice cleanse or specialized diet
- Master the art of deep, restorative sleep
- Learn to prepare nutrient-dense meals you actually enjoy
- Take up a new sport in your 40s, 50s, or beyond
- Achieve your ideal level of physical fitness
- Learn the fundamentals of natural medicine and herbalism
- Complete a yoga teacher training
- Develop a personalized morning routine that sets you up for success
- Maintain a meditation practice for one full year
- Train for and complete an endurance event (marathon, triathlon, tough mudder)
- Learn therapeutic massage techniques
- Try cryotherapy or other cutting-edge wellness therapies
- Take up barefoot hiking to reconnect with the earth
- Learn breathwork techniques from different traditions
- Grow your own food for a season
- Complete a digital detox for a week or longer
- Learn to prepare meals from world cuisines known for longevity
- Try sensory deprivation in a float tank
- Develop flexibility to do an impressive yoga pose
- Fast for 24+ hours under proper supervision
- Learn to prepare fermented foods for gut health
- Build healthy sleep habits that you maintain for a year
- Take up a high-intensity interval training routine
- Try forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) to connect with nature
Giving Back & Legacy (25 Ideas)
- Volunteer abroad in a community that needs your skills
- Make a significant donation to a cause you believe in
- Start a foundation or scholarship
- Volunteer regularly at a local organization for at least one year
- Mentor someone from an underrepresented group in your field
- Plant 100 trees
- Organize a fundraiser that exceeds its goal
- Donate blood or platelets regularly
- Register as an organ donor
- Create a free resource that helps many people
- Foster an animal
- Teach valuable skills to those without access to education
- Build a home with Habitat for Humanity
- Organize a community cleanup
- Start a community garden
- Volunteer at a hospice
- Create a scholarship program
- Develop a mentorship program for youth
- Help a family in crisis
- Write your ethical will to pass on values and wisdom
- Create systems change in an area you care about
- Advocate for policy change that improves lives
- Launch a giving circle with friends
- Take a service-learning trip with family
- Create art that raises awareness for a cause
Unique & Memorable Experiences (35 Ideas)
- Sleep under the stars with no tent
- Experience zero gravity on a parabolic flight
- Attend a murder mystery dinner party
- Get a custom piece of clothing made by a master tailor
- Attend a silent disco
- Try foraging for wild foods with an expert
- Attend a major sporting event (Super Bowl, World Cup, Olympics)
- Learn to lucid dream
- Spend a night in a haunted location
- Attend a masquerade ball
- Go to a drive-in movie in a vintage car
- Swim with bioluminescent plankton at night
- Attend a traditional tea ceremony in Japan
- Bake bread from a sourdough starter you created
- Participate in a color festival like Holi
- Spend the night in an unusual accommodation (ice hotel, treehouse, underwater hotel)
- Attend a traditional cooking class in another country
- Create a custom perfume or cologne
- Try a sensory dining experience in complete darkness
- Take a multi-day train journey in a sleeper car
- Experience a traditional hammam or bathhouse
- Hunt for truffles with trained dogs
- Attend an immersive theater experience
- Join a flash mob
- Learn glassblowing and create your own piece
- Get a bespoke suit or dress made
- Try molecular gastronomy
- Spend a night stargazing in a dark sky reserve
- Participate in a traditional harvest (grape, olive, etc.)
- Try sandboarding down massive dunes
- Experience a traditional sweat lodge ceremony
- Go storm chasing with professionals
- Watch sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean
- Experience a food fight festival like La Tomatina
- Participate in a traditional dance celebration from another culture
Seasonal & Nature Experiences (30 Ideas)
- See the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan
- Experience the monarch butterfly migration
- Witness a total solar eclipse
- Swim in each of the world’s oceans
- See the fall foliage in New England
- Watch sea turtles nest
- Experience the midnight sun in Scandinavia
- Witness bioluminescent plankton
- Stargaze in a dark sky reserve
- Swim with whale sharks
- Experience the tulip fields in the Netherlands
- Witness the great sardine run in South Africa
- See fireflies synchronize their flashing
- Witness a major animal migration
- Camp under the Milky Way
- Walk among ancient redwoods or sequoias
- Experience a tropical rainforest during a rainstorm
- Witness a meteor shower from an optimal location
- See wild penguins in their natural habitat
- Explore a bioluminescent bay by kayak
- Swim in a cenote in Mexico
- Watch the sunrise from a mountain summit
- Experience the lavender fields of Provence in bloom
- Witness the “firefalls” at Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall
- Soak in natural hot springs
- Stand between two continental plates in Iceland’s Silfra Fissure
- Witness the desert bloom after rare rainfall
- Explore a pristine coral reef
- See the synchronous fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains
- Experience a phosphorescent ocean at night
What Makes a Meaningful Bucket List?
A truly life-changing bucket list isn’t just a collection of exotic destinations or daredevil stunts (though those can certainly be included!). Meaningful bucket lists are personal, reflecting your unique values, aspirations, and sense of purpose.
The most fulfilling bucket list items tend to share certain qualities:
- They create peak experiences: Moments of awe, wonder, and intense positive emotion that stand out in our memories
- They stretch your comfort zone: Not necessarily through fear, but by expanding your sense of what’s possible
- They connect you with others: Shared experiences that deepen relationships and create bonds
- They contribute to personal growth: Challenges that help you develop new skills or perspectives
- They align with your core values: Experiences that reflect what matters most to you
The most powerful bucket lists balance adventure and novelty with meaning and connection. They mix the extraordinary with the deeply personal.
Curious which bucket list experiences might align best with your personality type? Take our Big 5 Personality Quiz to discover how your unique traits might influence the adventures that would bring you the most fulfillment:
[Big 5 Quiz]
The Psychology of Bucket Lists
Why do bucket lists matter? And why do certain experiences stay with us while others fade?
Anticipation is Powerful
Research1https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0963823031000103489 shows that the anticipation of positive experiences can be just as enjoyable as the experiences themselves. When you create a bucket list, you’re actually giving yourself a gift—the pleasure of looking forward to amazing experiences. This anticipation can provide motivation during difficult times and create a sense of purpose and direction.
Experiences Trump Possessions
Studies2https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00472875211064631 consistently find that experiences make us happier than material possessions. While the joy of a new purchase fades quickly, memories of meaningful experiences can provide happiness for years or even decades. Your bucket list should focus primarily on experiences rather than acquisitions.
We Need Progress to Thrive
Human beings are wired to seek growth and achievement3https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1016-9040/a000294. Having a bucket list with items you’re actively working toward satisfies this deep psychological need and prevents “languishing”—that sense of stagnation and aimlessness that can lead to diminished well-being.
Meaning Matters Most
The most fulfilling bucket list items tend to connect to something4https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02508281.2021.2015673 larger than ourselves—whether that’s strengthening relationships, contributing to causes we care about, or connecting to history, culture, or natural beauty. These meaningful experiences create a sense of coherence and purpose in our lives.
What’s holding you back from starting your bucket list?
- Time constraints
- Financial limitations
- Fear of failure
- Don’t know where to start
- Already working on mine!
How to Create Your Own Bucket List
Creating a bucket list is a chance for self-discovery and clarifying what matters most to you.
Here’s how to create a deeply personal bucket list:
1. Start with Self-Reflection
Ask yourself questions like:
- What would I regret not doing in my lifetime?
- What experiences have brought me the most joy so far?
- What am I curious about or drawn to?
- What values do I want my life to reflect?
- What would make for an amazing story?
2. Think in Categories
Balance your list across different life domains:
- Travel and adventure
- Skills and learning
- Relationships and connection
- Career and achievement
- Health and physical challenges
- Creativity and self-expression
- Giving back and making a difference
3. Mix Accessibility with Aspiration
Include both “reach” goals that might take years to achieve and smaller items you can accomplish this year or even this month. This balance ensures you’ll experience the satisfaction of crossing items off while still dreaming big.
4. Make It Visual and Visible
Don’t just keep your bucket list in your head—write it down, create a digital document, or make a vision board. Keep it somewhere you’ll see it regularly to maintain focus and motivation.
5. Share Selectively
While bucket lists can be personal, sharing certain goals with friends or family can provide accountability and opportunities for shared experiences. Consider who might want to join you for specific adventures.
Making Your Bucket List a Reality
Having a bucket list is wonderful—but the magic happens when you start turning these dreams into reality.
Here’s how to move from list to life:
Prioritize Strategically
You don’t need to tackle everything at once. Consider:
- Which items would bring you the most joy or fulfillment right now?
- Which experiences might be time-sensitive due to physical requirements, seasonal factors, or world events?
- Which items naturally group together (geographically or thematically)?
- Which experiences might open doors to other bucket list items?
Create A, B, and C tiers for your list, with A items being those you want to pursue within the next year.
Build Supporting Habits
Many bucket list items require preparation. For example:
- If you want to hike Machu Picchu, you’ll need to build your fitness level
- If you want to learn a language, daily practice will be essential
- If you want to start a business, you might need to build savings first
Identify the daily and weekly habits that will make your bucket list items possible, and start incorporating them into your routine.
Track and Celebrate Progress
Keep your bucket list visible and regularly review your progress. When you do complete an item, take time to:
- Document the experience (photos, journal entries, souvenirs)
- Reflect on what you learned or how you grew
- Celebrate your achievement
- Consider what related experiences might go on your list
Overcome Common Obstacles
Don’t let these common barriers stop you:
Money: Many meaningful experiences cost very little. For more expensive items, create a dedicated savings plan or look for creative alternatives (house-sitting instead of hotels, volunteering in exchange for experiences).
Time: Start with bucket list items you can accomplish in a day or weekend. For bigger adventures, use vacation time strategically or consider ways to integrate bucket list goals with work or family obligations.
Fear: Sometimes the most meaningful experiences require stepping outside your comfort zone. Start with smaller challenges and build your confidence gradually.
Perfectionism: Don’t wait for the “perfect” time or circumstances. Sometimes a modified version of your dream is better than no version at all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bucket Lists
How do I create a meaningful bucket list?
Focus on experiences that align with your values and bring you genuine joy rather than what looks impressive to others. Mix adventure with personal growth, relationships, and contribution. Include items that stretch you but still feel attainable with effort.
What should I put on my bucket list in my 20s?
Your 20s are ideal for experiences that:
- Build foundations for later life (education, skills, financial habits)
- Leverage your physical energy and freedom (adventure travel, physical challenges)
- Expand your worldview (cultural immersion, living abroad)
- Help you discover your passions and purpose
- Build meaningful relationships and networks
How many items should be on a bucket list?
There’s no magic number, but consider starting with 25-50 items so it’s substantial but not overwhelming. You can always add more as you complete items or discover new interests. What matters most is quality, not quantity.
What are some realistic bucket list goals?
Realistic goals match your resources (time, money, physical ability) while still stretching you. Consider starting with:
- Local adventures within driving distance
- Skills you can learn through online courses or community classes
- Meaningful experiences with friends and family
- Physical challenges you can train for gradually
- Travel destinations you can visit during typical vacation time
What’s the difference between a bucket list and goals?
Goals typically focus on achievement and self-improvement with specific timelines and metrics (like “save $10,000 this year”). Bucket list items focus more on experiences and tend to be more flexible in timing. The best approach is often to have both: goals for ongoing progress and a bucket list for peak experiences and adventures.
How do I prioritize my bucket list?
Consider these factors:
- Which experiences would you regret not doing the most?
- Which items have time sensitivity (due to age, physical requirements, or world conditions)?
- Which items align most closely with your current season of life?
- Which experiences might open doors to other bucket list items?
- Which items are most accessible right now in terms of resources?
What are some unique bucket list items?
Look for experiences that combine your unique interests, like:
- Learning traditional crafts from master artisans in different cultures
- Participating in unusual festivals or traditions
- Volunteering your specific skills in unexpected settings
- Combining multiple interests (like a cooking class while mountain climbing)
- Creating something entirely new that reflects your personal journey
What bucket list items can I do this year?
Look for items that:
- Require minimal planning or specialized training
- Can be done locally or with short travel
- Fit within your current budget
- Can be accomplished in a day or weekend
- Build toward larger bucket list items
- Align with skills you already have or are developing
Start Living Your Bucket List Today
A bucket list isn’t worth much if it stays as a note on your phone or post-it on your wall. Even the grandest adventures begin with a single step.
Today, choose one item from your bucket list that you could take action on this week, even if it’s just research or preparation. Put it in your calendar. Tell someone about it. Make it real.
Remember that a bucket list is about intentionally creating a life rich with experiences that matter to you. The joy is as much in the journey as the destination.
What will you cross off your list first?
Ready to focus on personal growth and learning experiences specifically? Check out our article on How to Make a Learning Bucket List for even more inspiration!
Article sources
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0963823031000103489
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00472875211064631
- https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1016-9040/a000294
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02508281.2021.2015673
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