I’m a completionist, if that’s even a word. To me, this means I like to create and complete lists. In my opinion, everything from errands to traveling warrants a list.
I literally have lists of things to do in basically every city/state around the world and pins on my maps to see what’s nearby.
It’s why I love guidebooks so much.
However, in constantly consuming tourism media, I noticed a bunch of things I can’t put on a map, experiences more than sights, so to say.
I thought it’d be fun to share some of these on here to keep myself accountable and ensure I do them all. I present to you, my Travel Bucket List, or Experiences I Can’t Really Put on a Map.
This list is evergreen and I will occasionally be adding things to it. Likewise, I will update each thing with photos once I compete it!
Not Site Specific
Go on a cruise and get the drink package
Pretty self explanatory… I’m not a big cruise guy, but was influenced to try one with the notion of tanning by the pool with a drink always in hand. I’m not even picky on the cruise line, just get me the sun, a pool and a pina colada that I feel like I’m getting for free!
Fly Mint on jetBlue
I think Mint markets itself as the most chic of the airline first classes. From the suites to the large TV screens, every part of this experience seems shrouded in my kind of luxury. The experience is offered on a few continental routes, but really shines on jetBlue’s transatlantic flights. On these flights, the airline works with Manhattan-based restaurants to create food offerings and specialty cocktails. In the next few years jetBlue will also start rolling out airport lounges for Mint, surely only to make the experience better.
Get on/off of a plane outside
I kind of threw this on the list after I went to Portugal and had to take the bus to the terminal. I completed this for the first time in Key West on a flight to Orlando and then again on a recent flight from Washington Dulles to LaGuardia. I left it on this list to show that I can complete things!
Go on a plane when it’s raining
Likewise, I’ve done this and I probably will again, but I just feel like it’s such a vibe!
Go on a night flight when it’s raining
Similarly to above, I feel like taxiing on a plane while it’s dark and pouring outside looking ahead to hours of relaxation seems like such a cozy atmosphere.
See the Northern Lights
I’m sure it’s cliche to have this on your bucket list, but I guess that makes me cliche. There are so many places to see them across the world, you just have to get the timing right. I’m so annoyed, they were literally visible in New York once and I missed them because I was working.
See the Northern Lights from a Plane
A bit more specific, I just feel like it’d be cool!
Stay in an overwater bungalow
I’m not going to picky about a resort or destination, I just want to wake up and be able to dive directly into the ocean. Some options include the St. Regis resort in Bora Bora or my current favorite, the stunning Finolhu Resort in the Maldives.
Go snorkeling in warm water
This one’s easy. I just want to swim around and look at cool animals without worrying about being cold. I was inspired from Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which has some of the best coral reefs in the contiguous U.S.
Ok so the next section has things specific to places. I’ve taken most of these from thing I thought looked cool on the internet.
Montana
Stay in Old Faithful Lodge when the park is closed + snowy
I got this idea from Conor Knighton’s novel Leave Only Footprints. The park roads are closed in the winter which brings desolation to the nation’s first national park. You literally have to take a snowmobile into the park! Knighton document’s a silent walk through a snowy evening where he saw Old Faithful erupt alone. Does that not sound magical?
Florida
See sea turtles at Dry Tortugas National Park
I mean I feel like this should make sense. Who wouldn’t want to see turtles in the crystal turquoise water while walking the perimeter of the old fort?
Primitive camping at Dry Tortugas National Park
The small island has very few primitive campsites that go fast. There are no facilities, meaning you have to bring all fresh water and anything else you need. For me, the romanticism comes after dark. You’re in the middle of the ocean and I picture perfect evenings stargazing, walking along the moat wall and listening to the waves crashing below. And imagine the sunsets and sunrises. This may sound kind of crazy, but there aren’t any showers either. Jumping into the ocean to clean off instead of showering?! I’m so there! (I promise I’m not gross and this is just given the circumstances…)
Stay in a high-rise hotel with a balcony overlooking the ocean
Another simple one, it’s kind of incredible I have never done this. I’m not sure why, but my brain can only see this happening in Florida.
Nevada
Stargaze at Great Basin National Park
I grew up on the East Coast, I just want to stare into an interrupted sky with infinite stars.
New Jersey
Stay in the Ocean Resort in Atlantic City and walk around the casino
I enjoyed walking around the hotel and casino on a recent trip to Atlantic City, but I feel like it’d be really nice to go from the casino up to a room overlooking the ocean while slightly intoxicated from the casino bars.
Alaska
See the Northern Lights on a winter visit to Denali National Park
I know I had the northern lights earlier on this list, but I wanted to couple it in with the vibes of a winter Denali trip. Perpetual darkness and snow with the dancing lights sound absolutely perfect.
California
See steam at Lassen Volcanic National Park
The less popularized of the volcano national parks, Lassen has a few sites where you can actually watch the steam rising from the ground.
Fly out of Palm Springs Airport
Nothing will ever capture my interest more than an outdoor airport. Like what do you mean the image above is an AIRPORT?! My east coast brain can’t comprehend this.
Fly from Long Beach airport
See above. I’m a sucker for outdoor airports.
Visit the LAX United Club
From what I can see, the LAX United Club consists of a rooftop-esque bar overlooking the tarmac, of course it’d be on my list!
Take a hot air balloon in Napa Valley
I’m not even sure where I found this one, but it seems like such a great way to spend an evening. Just imagine; You’re sipping on Napa wine watching the sunset streak across the vineyards a couple hundred feet above the Earth.
New York
Stay at the TWA Hotel
I’ve been to this hotel on several occasions before flying out of JFK, but it just doesn’t compare to staying there. Imagine an afternoon flight into JFK. It’s the night before a big international trip and you’re really excited. What better way to prepare than staying in the hotel?! The rooftop pool is also a large lure for me as you can watch planes take off from INSIDE the water.
Arizona
Go to the Grand Canyon at night
This one may also be kind of niche, but it was so pretty during the day! I wonder, can you see lights across the canyon? Can you see people in the canyon? Is the stargazing good? I could probably Google all these, but where’s the fun in that?! The park is open 24 hours a day, so it shouldn’t be an issue getting in.
Germany
Get into Berghain
The legendary nightclub that’s known for denying people is calling my name. Do I actually think I could get in? No. But I want to try until I do.
Turquoise Skies 