250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (2024)

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If you don’t have a bucket list, I highly recommend you create one!

Simply put a bucket list is a series of things to do before you die. It’s not meant to be doom and gloom, but rather a collection of unique ideas you’d like to accomplish in your life.

Creating a good bucket list is really important, no matter how old you are. It helps you decide what you want out of life and motivates you to achieve your dreams.

If you need a little help getting started, a literal kick up the bum before kicking the bucket, here are 250 cool bucket list ideas you should add to your list.

Travel Bucket List Ideas

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It makes sense that some of the most common bucket list items are travel related. Travelling gest us to leave our comfort zone and discover a world beyond our own. So many places, so little time!

  1. Go on an African Wildlife Safari
  2. Ride in a gondola in Venice
  3. Kiss under the Eiffel Tower
  4. Hunt the Northern Lights
  5. Kiss the Blarney Stone in Cork
  6. Fly in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia
  7. Stand in the Sistine Chapel
  8. Visit Chichén Itzá, a complex of Mayan ruins on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula
  9. See the tulips in Holland in full bloom
  10. Scuba dive into an underwater cellar in Croatia
  11. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
  12. Have a cigar in Havana, Cuba
  13. Road trip across the United States
  14. Bathe in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
  15. See Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  16. Explore the Colosseum in Rome
  17. Shop up a storm in Milan
  18. Visit the red dunes of Namibia’s Sossusvlei
  19. Visit the Mona Lisa in The Louvre
  20. Walk through the Ruins of Petra in Jordan
  21. Visit the Palace of Versailles in France
  22. Take a boat trip down the Danube River in Budapest
  23. Take a boat trip down The Nile River
  24. Spend the night on a houseboat in Kerala, India
  25. See Dracula’s Castle in Romania
  26. Visit The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt
    250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (2)
  27. Party the night away in Ibiza
  28. Catch a Broadway Show in New York
  29. Explore the lavender fields of Provence
  30. Visit the annual Oktoberfest in Munich
  31. Raft The Grand Canyon
  32. Have breakfast on The Great Wall of China
  33. Explore the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, India
  34. Watch the sunset in Santorini, Greece
  35. Sail around the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador
  36. Visit New York during Fashion Week
  37. Go Island hopping around Greece
  38. Explore Patagonia’s glaciers from either Argentina or Chile
  39. Go stand-up paddle boarding in Amsterdam’s canals
  40. Explore a winery in every state
  41. Sail to The Statue of Liberty
  42. Sleep in a traditional hanok in Jeonju, Korea
  43. Visit Ayres Rock in Australia
  44. Take a photo in front of the Hollywood sign
  45. Explore Bolivia’s Salt Flats
  46. Camp out in the Australian Outback
  47. Visit the Acropolis of Athens
  48. See the religious Angkor Wat in Cambodia
  49. Explore the Hagia Sophia, the world’s most prominent Byzantine structure
  50. See a show at The Sydney Opera House
  51. Visit the holy Wailing Wall in Jerusalem
  52. Go sailing in Halong Bay, Northern Vietnam
  53. Discover the tiles of Porto250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (3)
  54. Roll the dice in a Las Vegas Casino
  55. Travel back in time on Easter Island
  56. Explore the sheer scale of Iguasso Falls
  57. Visit The White House
  58. Soak up the spirit of New Orleans Mardi Gras Festival
  59. Ride on a red bus in London
  60. Spend St Patrick’s Day in Dublin
  61. Watch the Tour de France roadside
  62. Drink rose all day in Provence, France
  63. Explore the fjords in Norway
  64. Feel the mist of the Niagara Falls
  65. Visit the world’s largest castle in Krakow, Poland
  66. Dance under the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan
  67. See a show on London’s West End
  68. Visit the Tonle Sap floating villages in Cambodia
  69. See the sunrise at Shwedagon pagoda, Myanmar
  70. Visit Buckingham Palace and see the Changing of the Guard
  71. Chill out at the lovely beaches in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
  72. Visit the locations in New Zealand that brought The Lord of The Rings to life
  73. Drink gluhwein at a Bavarian Christmas Market
  74. Watch the whirling dervishes in Istanbul
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Adventure Bucket List Ideas

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These bucket list items aren’t for the faint-hearted. The rarest to find and the toughest to achieve, life-changing adventures await those who are daring enough.

  1. Sleep at Everest Base Camp
  2. Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
  3. Swim With pigs in Exuma, Bahamas
  4. Swim with Manta Rays in the Maldives
  5. Hike Machu Picchu
  6. Walk The Camino De Santiago
  7. Swim in each of the four major oceans
  8. Go mushing in the arctic
  9. Swim inside cenotes in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
  10. Hike through the Himalayas
  11. Dive at The Great Barrier Reef
  12. Float in the Red Sea
  13. Ride horses on the beach in Andalusia
  14. Go skinny dipping at night
  15. Snorkel between tectonic plates in Iceland250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (5)
  16. Hike through Chile’s barren Atacama Desert
  17. Catch a wave surfing
  18. Go whale watching in Hermanus, South Africa
  19. Take a submarine down to the real Titanic
  20. Air boat across an alligator infested swamp
  21. Go camel riding into the Moroccan Desert
  22. Ride a mechanical bull
  23. Dive for your own diamond in South Africa
  24. Travel through the Amazon Rainforest
  25. Climb Kilimanjaro, the tallest free standing mountain
  26. Hike a part of the Appalachian Trail
  27. Go horseback riding with the Argentine Gauchos
  28. Ride on a motorcycle at peak hour in Bangkok
  29. Swim in one of America’s Great Lakes
  30. Abseil down a waterfall
  31. Watch the Serengeti Migration in a hot air balloon
  32. Go river rafting beneath the Victoria Falls
  33. Great White Cage Diving in South Africa
  34. Go bungee jumping

Nature and Wildlife Bucket List Ideas

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It is often in moments when we are free and uninhibited – out in nature or standing before a living, breathing wild animal – that we feel time stands still and life is most exquisite.

  1. Swim with Whale Sharks off the coast of Mozambique
  2. Climb a volcano
  3. Watch the sun rise and set in one day
  4. Chase a Tornado
  5. Ride an ostrich
  6. Walk on a volcanic black sand beach
  7. Hug a koala bear
  8. Make a snowman
  9. Take a selfie with a lemur in Madagascar
  10. Hug a baby panda in Chengdu
  11. Swim with whale sharks in Donsol, Philippines
  12. Release baby turtles back into the ocean250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (7)
  13. Witness a solar eclipse
  14. Take a falconry class
  15. Listen to a coral reef growing
  16. Experience the salmon run
  17. Sleep inside an igloo
  18. See Tarsier monkeys in Bohol, Philippines
  19. Stand underneath a waterfall
  20. Watch a caterpillar turn into a butterfly
  21. See the Big Five In Africa
  22. Visit the African Penguins in Cape Town
  23. Meet Ecuador’s sea lions
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Sports Bucket List Ideas

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These bucket list items are for the real fans. Those who want to be a part of the game, to live the action, absorb the atmosphere and taste blood, sweat and tears.

  1. Play golf on the old course at St Andrews, Scotland
  2. Watch a NASCAR race
  3. Watch the boat race between Oxford and Cambridge University
  4. Go to the Superbowl
  5. Watch a football game at London’s Wembley Stadium
  6. Attend the Olympics
  7. Run a marathon (or a half)
  8. Get an athletes autograph
  9. Watch a baseball game at a classic stadium
  10. Attend a World Cup Football game
  11. Eat strawberries and cream at Wimbledon
  12. Go to a PGA event tour
  13. Watch the Monaco Grand Prix from a boat in the harbour
  14. Learn how to play chess
  15. Sink a hole in one
  16. Experience polo at Palermo
  17. Don a fancy hat for the Kentucky Derby
  18. Get tickets to the Daytona 500
  19. Dive (or jump) off a 10m diving board
  20. Go snow skiing in The Alps
  21. Swim across The English Channel

Foodie Bucket List Ideas

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Food is at the centre of our universe; it is one of life’s greatest pleasures and we create many memories around it. Not to mention, the best way to explore the culture of a country is through its belly.

  1. Eat pho in Vietnam
  2. Partake in the annual Valencia Tomato Festival
  3. Indulge in a quintessentially British Afternoon Tea
  4. Try Murtabak in Malaysia
  5. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in three different countries
  6. Bottle your own jam and sell it
  7. Savour the best gelato in Italy
  8. Learn to use chopsticks
  9. Eat Pad Thai noodles in Thailand
  10. Order one of everything off the menu
  11. Have starters, mains and dessert at three different restaurants
  12. Create your own signature dish
  13. Enjoy fish and chips in Hastings, England
  14. Try a juice cleanse
  15. Try some roast goat with the Maasai in Kenya
  16. Get fresh honey from a beehive250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (10)
  17. Eat a croissant in Paris
  18. Catch and fillet a fish
  19. Try molecular gastronomy
  20. Make your own sushi
  21. Eat Indian food by hand
  22. Thank a waiter with a 100% tip
  23. Enter a food eating contest
  24. Bake for a cake sale
  25. Eat waffles in Brussels, Belgium
  26. Create your own latte art
  27. Learn how to cook a traditional dish using authentic ingredients
  28. Go vegetarian for a month
  29. Savour dinner at a Michelin Starred restaurant
  30. Start a herb garden
  31. Eat at a restaurant on your own
  32. Hunt for truffles with a dog
  33. Toss pizza dough in the air
  34. Shuck your own oysters

Luxury Bucket List Ideas

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Luxury comes in various shapes and sizes, and sometimes these ideas can seem near impossible. But in reality, many of them you can achieve – if you just set your mind to it.

  1. Order room service
  2. Eat at a Three-Michelin star restaurant
  3. Charter a yacht
  4. Find the dream job
  5. Pay off someone else’s debt
  6. Flip a house
  7. Start your own scholarship fund
  8. Own a successful business
  9. Drink a £500 bottle of Champagne
  10. Make a piece of jewellery
  11. Create a bespoke suit
  12. Become a self-made millionaire
  13. Fly in a private jet
  14. Rent a private island
  15. Hire a personal shopper
  16. Give back to charity
13 Epic Life Experiences To Add to Your Bucket List Right Now

Relationship Bucket List Ideas

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The ultimate relationship bucket list is not just aimed at romantic things to do. It includes working on all relationships in your life – including the one with yourself.

  1. Attend a high school reunion
  2. Go on a blind date
  3. Fall in love
  4. Get married
  5. Play matchmaker and set a couple up
  6. Compliment a stranger
  7. Stay up talking until the sun rises
  8. Go on a family vacation
  9. Become a Godparent
  10. Tell someone you love them
  11. Create a family tree
  12. Be a Bridesmaid / Groomsman
  13. Go on a double date
  14. Be a Maid of Honour / Best Man
  15. Organise a family reunion

Creative Bucket List Ideas

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These cool bucket list ideas are a great way to encourage you to tap into those creative juices or to try something new.

  1. Learn to sew
  2. Publish a piece of work
  3. Understand the art of origami
  4. Learn a new language
  5. Make your own personalised stationery
  6. Attend a live music concert
  7. Create your own business cards
  8. Learn how to play an instrument
  9. Read the (entire) book before watching the movie
  10. Purchase a piece of artwork
  11. Attend a poetry reading workshop
  12. Take up knitting or crocheting
  13. Meet your favourite musician in person
  14. Create your own website
  15. Get dressed up and attend the Opera
  16. Blow your own glass
  17. Create your own flower arrangements
  18. Try your hand at calligraphy
  19. Make a candle
  20. Finish a classic novel
  21. Create your own greetings cards

Wellness Bucket List Ideas

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Setting goals for personal wellness is key to healthy living. After all none of us would eat leaves or go running – if we didn’t care about our wellbeing.

  1. Stretch for five minutes when you wake up every morning
  2. Avoid processed foods
  3. Wear sunscreen
  4. Relax with a spa getaway
  5. Visit your doctor annually for a check-up
  6. Aim for 8 hours of sleep every night
  7. Eat a balanced diet
  8. Find an exercise type you like and stick to it
  9. Make time for yourself everyday
  10. Meditate!
  11. Spend time with people that uplift you
  12. Take time to appreciate nature
  13. Find something to laugh about each day

A bucket list is a great way to give your goals a life – and actually achieve them. So no more excuses, get out there and start ticking off your list!

Written by Kimberleigh Tessendorf

250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (15)

Tom Emerson

Tom’s travel writings are a testament to his insatiable curiosity and love for the road less traveled. Eschewing the typical tourist spots, Tom has built a reputation for uncovering hidden gems known only to locals.

From secluded mountain villages in the Himalayas to untouched beaches in the South Pacific, his adventures have taken him to the world’s most undiscovered corners.

Jump To a Section Below

  • Travel Bucket List Ideas
  • Adventure Bucket List Ideas
  • Nature and Wildlife Bucket List Ideas
  • Sports Bucket List Ideas
  • Foodie Bucket List Ideas
  • Luxury Bucket List Ideas
  • Relationship Bucket List Ideas
  • Creative Bucket List Ideas
  • Wellness Bucket List Ideas

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introduction

As an expert in bucket lists and travel experiences, I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations to help you create an unforgettable bucket list. With my extensive knowledge and passion for exploration, I can guide you through various concepts related to bucket lists and the experiences mentioned in this article.

Concepts Related to Bucket Lists

  1. Bucket List: A bucket list is a collection of experiences or goals that an individual wants to accomplish or fulfill during their lifetime. It serves as a source of motivation and inspiration to make the most out of life.

  2. Travel Bucket List Ideas: Travel-related experiences are often popular choices for bucket lists. They allow individuals to step out of their comfort zones, explore new cultures, and create lasting memories. Some examples mentioned in the article include going on an African wildlife safari, visiting iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China, and experiencing natural wonders such as the Northern Lights and the Grand Canyon.

  3. Adventure Bucket List Ideas: Adventure bucket list items are thrilling and often require courage and a sense of adventure. Examples mentioned in the article include sleeping at Everest Base Camp, swimming with pigs in Exuma, Bahamas, and hiking through the Himalayas. These experiences push individuals to their limits and provide a sense of accomplishment.

  4. Nature and Wildlife Bucket List Ideas: Connecting with nature and encountering wildlife can be awe-inspiring and transformative. Some examples mentioned in the article include swimming with whale sharks, witnessing a solar eclipse, and walking on a volcanic black sand beach. These experiences allow individuals to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

  5. Sports Bucket List Ideas: Sports-related bucket list items cater to sports enthusiasts who want to immerse themselves in the excitement and atmosphere of various sporting events. Examples mentioned in the article include attending the Super Bowl, watching a baseball game at a classic stadium, and running a marathon. These experiences offer a chance to be part of the action and create lifelong memories.

  6. Foodie Bucket List Ideas: Food plays a significant role in exploring different cultures and creating memorable experiences. Some examples mentioned in the article include trying local dishes like pho in Vietnam and Pad Thai noodles in Thailand, attending food festivals like the Valencia Tomato Festival, and learning to cook traditional dishes. These experiences allow individuals to indulge their taste buds and appreciate the culinary diversity of the world.

  7. Luxury Bucket List Ideas: Luxury bucket list items encompass experiences that are often considered extravagant or exclusive. Examples mentioned in the article include chartering a yacht, staying at a three-Michelin star restaurant, and flying in a private jet. These experiences provide a taste of opulence and allow individuals to indulge in luxury.

  8. Relationship Bucket List Ideas: The relationship bucket list focuses on strengthening relationships with loved ones and creating meaningful connections. Examples mentioned in the article include attending a high school reunion, going on a family vacation, and becoming a godparent. These experiences foster bonds and create lasting memories.

  9. Creative Bucket List Ideas: Creative bucket list items encourage individuals to explore their artistic side and try new creative endeavors. Examples mentioned in the article include learning to play an instrument, attending live music concerts, and creating personalized stationery. These experiences allow individuals to express themselves and tap into their creativity.

  10. Wellness Bucket List Ideas: Wellness bucket list items focus on personal well-being and self-care. Examples mentioned in the article include practicing daily stretching, eating a balanced diet, and meditating. These experiences promote a healthy lifestyle and contribute to overall well-being.

Remember, a bucket list is a personal journey, and the experiences you choose should align with your interests, values, and aspirations. Use these concepts as inspiration to create a unique and meaningful bucket list that reflects your dreams and desires. Happy exploring!

250 Bucket List Ideas: Incredible Things To Do Before You Die (2024)

FAQs

Is a bucket list a list of things you want to do before you die? ›

A bucket list is a list of things to do before you die (or, morbidly before you “kick the bucket”). The key here is that your list should be things that you want to do and would love to do. That's all there is to it.

What is on your bucket list answer? ›

101 Things To Do Before You Die
  • Travel all around the world. ...
  • Learn a new language. ...
  • Try a profession in a different field. ...
  • Achieve your ideal weight. ...
  • Run a marathon. ...
  • Take part in a triathlon. ...
  • Take up a new sport. ...
  • Go scuba diving / snorkeling and experience marine life up close.

What is your ultimate bucket list? ›

Top 20 Bucket List Ideas
  • See The Pyramids In Egypt. 2096 listings. List Act!
  • Visit The Grand Canyon. 2083 listings. List.
  • Write A Book. 2022 listings. List.
  • Go Zip-Lining. 1959 listings. List Act!
  • Ride An Elephant. 1861 listings. List.
  • Donate Blood. 1791 listings. List.
  • Visit Every Continent. 1743 listings. ...
  • Learn To Surf. 1686 listings.

What is a lifetime bucket list? ›

The focus of a bucket list is to live a life with hopes and aspirations. Making a bucket list allows us to reflect on our values and goals, and identify important milestones and experiences that we want to have in our lifetime.

What are 5 things you want to accomplish before you die? ›

Six Things To Do Before You Die
  • Find something to enjoy about every day. ...
  • Make a bucket list. ...
  • Sign documents to protect yourself. ...
  • Provide for loved ones. ...
  • Review beneficiary forms. ...
  • Tell friends and family that you love them.
Oct 12, 2012

What would be on someone's bucket list? ›

According to bucketlist.net, the top items on most bucket lists include one of the following:
  • See the northern lights.
  • Skydive.
  • Get a tattoo.
  • Go on a cruise.
  • Swim with dolphins.
Nov 30, 2022

What is the best thing you have done in your life? ›

The best thing I did in my life is “Did what I want to do”. I never underestimate my thoughts . I put everything in action when I am able to do (No matter what). Having this attitude, I have developed a good self growth ability and learned alot of things.

What's on my bucket list everywhere? ›

Here are 101 bucket list ideas to inspire you:
  • Travel to all seven continents.
  • Skydive from a plane.
  • Swim with dolphins.
  • Learn to surf.
  • Go on a safari in Africa.
  • Visit the Great Wall of China.
  • Take a road trip across a country.
  • Learn a new language fluently.
Jul 22, 2023

What is the emotional bucket list? ›

What's an Emotional Bucket List? It is similar to the bucket list concept you often hear of. However, it involves the emotions you want to experience — in the here and now and not what you “maybe one day” would like to experience.

What does D bucket list mean? ›

noun. : a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying.

How to make a good bucket list? ›

  1. 1) Find Accountability.
  2. 2) Have multiple things you can do on a random Saturday.
  3. 3) Have other things that will take you years to accomplish.
  4. 4) Tell EVERYONE about your new bucket list goals.
  5. 5) Postcards don't always make the best bucket list items.
  6. 6) Think about all facets of life.
  7. 7) Add Something You've Already Done.
Apr 7, 2023

What is a bucket list adventure? ›

It's often associated with the world's most popular, overcrowded attractions, as well as having a slightly morbid origin (does 'kick the bucket' spring to mind?). What we consider a 'bucket list' adventure are the rarest, toughest and dearest adventures. The ones that won't be around forever.

What is a bucket list activity? ›

A bucket list is an itemized list of goals people want to accomplish before they “kick the bucket” — or die.

What are the different buckets in life? ›

Your life is made up of three buckets: vitality, connection, and contribution. Your job in the quest to live a good life is to fill those three buckets, and to keep them as full as possible for as long as possible. To fill your vitality bucket, we're talking about optimizing your state of mind, your state of body.

What is the bucket list theory? ›

A bucket list is an attempt to make life memorable and is consistent with Daniel Kahneman's peak-end theory, which holds that what people remember from hedonic events are their peaks. No peaks - no memories, or at least not very crisp ones.

What are the rules of a bucket list? ›

  • 1) Find Accountability.
  • 2) Have multiple things you can do on a random Saturday.
  • 3) Have other things that will take you years to accomplish.
  • 4) Tell EVERYONE about your new bucket list goals.
  • 5) Postcards don't always make the best bucket list items.
  • 6) Think about all facets of life.
  • 7) Add Something You've Already Done.
Apr 7, 2023

What makes up a bucket list? ›

Bucket List: A list of all the things you want to try, goals you want to achieve and life experiences you want to have before you die. I think everyone should have a Bucket List or a “To Experience” list. Here's why: Bucket lists make you stop and think what you actually want to experience in this lifetime.

Why is a bucket list called a bucket list? ›

Zackham coined the expression "bucket list" after he wrote his own "List of Things to do Before I Kick the Bucket" and shortened it to "Justin's Bucket List". The first item on his list was to "get a film made at a major studio".

Is it normal to have a bucket list? ›

A recent Stanford University School of Medicine survey of 3,056 people found that 91% of them had a bucket list — things they want to do before they die. But I think the whole idea of a bucket list is disheartening.

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