What’s on your bucket list? Have you thought much about it?
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we sometimes stop considering what we really want. What are the things we want to do before we die? When we’re on our death beds, will we be filled with regret that we spent our time stuck in routines and work and didn’t get a chance to experience the things we wanted to?
If you haven’t considered it, you’re in luck. Here are hundreds of epic bucket list ideas to help you live your life to the fullest!
What is a Bucket List?
A bucket list is a list of things you want to do during your lifetime. It might consist of lofty goals like climbing mount Everest or personal goals like raising a family.
People create bucket lists to live life to the fullest and experience the full breadth of existence.
What is the Most Popular Thing on a Bucket List?
Travel experiences tend to be the most popular bucket list items. Usually, when people discuss their bucket list, it’s through the lens of places they want to visit.
However, bucket lists don’t have to be limited to travel. Anything you want to experience in life can be on a bucket list.
What’s the Craziest Thing to Put on a Bucket List?
The sky is the limit! Some people literally have climbing Mount Everest on their bucket lists, which in my opinion, is insane!
Others might have equally wild adventures, like hiking the entire Appalachian trail, competing in a marathon, swimming across the English Channel, or sailing around the world. There is no limit to wild adventures to add to your bucket list.
200+ Bucket List Ideas for an Epic Life
Here is an epic list of bucket list ideas to help you live a life full of meaning and adventure. This list has everything from bucket list locations to visit worldwide to ideas for personal development!
Travel Bucket List Ideas
Traveling is one of the top things on most people’s bucket lists, so we will start our list with travel destinations you absolutely need to visit in your life.
We’ve broken down our Travel bucket list ideas into various travel categories, from important landmarks to natural wonders; cities you need to visit, to iconic travel experiences. Those with wanderlust will love all these epic travel ideas!
Must Visit Historical Landmarks
Historical landmarks are at the top of many people’s bucket lists. These places are fascinating because they have immense significance to our combined human history. Add these popular sites to your bucket list to explore the most incredible innovations of human history.
- The Great Pyramids
- Petra
- The Coliseum
- The Vatican
- Angkor Wat
- Machu Picchu
- The Great Wall
- Taj Mahal
- Easter Island
- The Parthenon
- Chichen Itza
Top Cities in the World to Visit
Sometimes, a city itself is worth visiting. There are cities all over the world with rich cultures, delicious foods, living history, and a wide range of museums, landmarks, and interests to explore. Here are 15 cities that need to be at the top of your list.
Remember that there are hundreds of iconic cities in the world. It’s nearly impossible to limit it to 15. Therefore, I excluded Athens, Cario, and Rome, which you must visit if you’re visiting the Parthenon, pyramids, or Coliseum, and tried to limit this list to 15 cities iconic for arts, culture, history, or feats of human engineering.
- Istanbul
- Paris
- Bangkok
- Berlin
- Hong Kong
- Marrakesh
- Prague
- Tokyo
- London
- New York
- Jerusalem
- Buenos Aires
- Dubai
- Cape Town
- Delhi
Natural Wonders You Have to See
If human history and ingenuity are not as fascinating as nature, consider visiting the world’s natural wonders. These epic places have drawn crowds for centuries and showcase the beauty of the natural world.
- The Grand Canyon
- Yellowstone National Park
- The Great Barrier Reef
- Cliffs of Moher
- Amazon Rain Forest
- Norwegian Fjords
- California’s Giant Trees (the Redwoods and Sequoias)
- The Himalayas
- See the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
- Victoria Falls
- The Sahara Desert
- Zhangjiajie
Island Paradises to Explore
If your bucket list is all about relaxing on beaches, you need to add these iconic islands to your bucket list. These are the most beautiful islands in the world and offer scenic beaches, serene ocean views, and a taste of tropical paradise.
- The Greek Isles
- Hawaii
- Florida Keys
- Caribbean
- Galapagos
- Maldives
- Pacific Isles
Travel Experiences for Your Bucket List
Often, a trip isn’t about the location but the one wild thing you can do in that location. Cities and villages around the world offer tourists differing experiences. Some host the most significant celebration of a specific holiday, others have the best culinary experiences, and others still are the only place you can see a particular species. It’s one thing to pull the slots in that random Pennsylvania gas station, but gambling in Las Vegas is an entire experience on its own!
Here are some of the best travel experiences from cities, regions, or countries worldwide.
- Hike the Incan Trail
- Hot Air Balloon over Cappadocia
- Take a Solo Trip Somewhere
- Fly over the Nazca Lines
- Attend a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- See Punxsutawney Phil Predict the End of Winter
- Watch Wales Jump in the Pacific
- Backpack through Europe
- Drink Beer at the Original Oktoberfest
- Swim with Dolphins in Miami
- Visit the Lemurs in Madagascar
- Go on Safari in the Serengeti
- Gamble in Vegas
- Party with the Full Moon in Thailand
- Embark on a Swamp Tour with Alligators
- See the Greatest Artworks in the World at the Louvre
- Relax on a Cruise
- Kiss the Blarney Stone
- Ride Your Bike Across the Country
- Celebrate Holi in Uttar Pradesh
- Visit Every Continent
- See the World’s Tallest Mountains
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Attend a Mardi Gras Celebration
- Roam the Halls of the British Museum
- Be Both the First and Last to Celebrate the New Year
- Ride a Gondola through the Canals in Venice
- Feed a Giraffe at San Diego Zoo
- Haggle at the Grand Bazaar
- Relax in an Icelandic Hot Spring
- Watch the Ball Drop at Time’s Square
- Wine Tasting in Napa Valley, Tuscany, and Bordeaux
Bucket Lists Should Include Somber Experiences Too
A life of learning and adventure includes experiencing the bad parts of human history in addition to the good. This next section of bucket list ideas showcases the worst aspects of humanity.
Here are remembrances of lives lost, memorials to horrible events in human history, and places where we are forced to face the worst aspects of humanity. They must be on your bucket list, lest we forget past atrocities and become doomed to repeat them.
Visit these places. Pay respect to the lives lost. Learn our history and help prevent society from making the same mistakes.
- Auschwitz
- The Killing Fields
- A Southern Plantation
- Pearl Harbor
- Gettysburg
- Hiroshima Peace Historical Park
- Holocaust Memorial
- Steilneset Memorial
- Chernobyl
- The Berlin Wall
A Foodie’s Bucket List Ideas
Next, we’ll talk about the regional food you need to try. Different regions of the world offer fantastic culinary flavors that are widely different than your hometown foods. Even different cities in the same country have vastly different cuisines. Eat your way around the world and add make sampling these fantastic foods an integral part of your bucket list!
It’s impossible to list every great food item from every region in the world. Here’s a small sampling of the best foodie adventures around the world.
- Chicago’s Beef Sandwiches, hot dogs, and Pizza
- Philadelphia’s Cheesesteak sandwiches
- New York’s Pizza and Hot Dogs
- Thai Street Food
- Mexican Street Tacos
- Turkish Pizza
- Tuscany’s Pasta
- France’s bread, ham, and everything else
- A Sunday roast in London with Yorkshire pudding (and don’t forget to try the Fish & Chips while you’re there!)
- An authentic gyro in Athens
- Real Street Ramen in Japan
- Traditional Indian Curry
- Cajun/Creole blend in New Orleans
- Chowder in Boston
- Canadian Poutine
- Fresh Ceviche in Peru
- Belgium and Swiss Chocolate
- Vietnamese Pho
- Brazillian Pastel
- Dine at a Michelin Star-rated restaurant
Non-Travel Bucket List Ideas
Not everyone enjoys traveling. There are hundreds of things to add to your bucket list that don’t involve traveling. Learning, growing, developing yourself, and even attending fun events near you are all fun things you can add to your bucket list!
Bucket List Ideas for Self-Development
One major thing to consider for your bucket list is self-improvement. What can you do to be the best version of yourself? What can you learn, seek out, and discover about yourself and the world around you?
This next section of bucket list ideas provides some ideas that will expand your mind and help you continue on a path of lifelong learning.
- Learn a Language
- Get a Degree
- Read 100 of the Most Influential Novels of All Time
- Embrace Meditation
- Study Martial Arts
- Start a Business
- Explore Art History
- Take a Philosophy Class
- Become a Landlord
- Find Inner Peace
Skills to Learn for Your Bucket List
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to engage in lifelong learning. Why not add your never-ending quest for knowledge to the bucket list?
Here are over 30 exciting skills you can learn that will make you more interesting and a more well-rounded adult. Discovering one or more of these skills will help you enjoy your life and feel accomplished.
- Computer Programing
- Graphic Design
- Coding
- Illustration
- Carpentry
- Candle Making
- Photography
- Public Speaking
- Web Design
- Video Editing
- Marketing
- Car Repair
- Color Theory
- Basic Household Maintenance
- Animal Husbandry
- Needlework
- Calligraphy
- Soap Making
- Cooking
- Financial Skills
- Marksmanship
- Foraging
- Brewing Your Own Beer
- Make-up and hair styling
- Drawing
- Antique Appraisal
- How to Sell Anything
- Logic and Reasoning
- Data Management
- Planning and Organization Skills
- Active Listening
- Empathy
Add Creating Things to Your Inventory of Bucket List Ideas
Human beings are a creative species. We yearn to leave our mark on the world through art, music, and exposition. Creating something that will live long after you’ve taken your last breath is a fantastic accomplishment that leads to a sense of peace and fulfillment.
If the idea of leaving a lasting mark on culture appeals to you, try adding some of these creative pursuits to your bucket list.
- Make an Abstract Painting
- Write a Novel
- Learn an Instrument
- Make a Video
- Take a Dance Class
- Start a Blog
- Paint a Scene in Oil
- Act in a Play
- Knit a Scarf
- Blow Glass
- Develop an App
- Use a Pottery Wheel
- Grow a Garden
- Write a Song
- Design Your Dream Home
- Stain Glass
- Make homemade holiday decorations
Make Service to Others a Part of your Bucket List
Helping others is key to a fulfilling life. These bucket list ideas are about helping those in need or doing your part to effect positive change in the world.
Activism, charity work, political work, and one-on-one assistance are all wonderful ways to get involved in your community and make the changes you want to see. Here are some items you can add to your bucket list to help make a difference.
- Join the Peace Corp
- Volunteer at a Local Charity
- Attend a Protest
- Foster a Homeless Animal
- Get Involved in Politics
- Teach
- Plant a Tree
- Become a Mentor
- Organize a Charity Event
- Vote
- Attend a Fundraiser
Adventurous Ideas for your Bucket List
Bucket lists were made for adventure – spontaneous, wild, crazy things, and have epic stories to tell your grandchildren. If you lust for adventure, consider these challenging bucket list ideas.
- White Water Rafting
- Skydiving
- Bungee Jumping
- Cliff Diving
- Complete a Triathlon
- Climb a Mountain
- Scuba Dive
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Snowboard
- Take Surfing Lessons
- Rock Climb
- Complete a multi-day trek
- Run a Marathon
- Explore a Cave
- Zip Line
- Parasail
- Work on a Farm
Fun Bucket List Ideas
Not everything has to be epic all the time. You can add hundreds of fun things to your bucket list that are more accessible and easier to do wherever you live.
If you’re looking for some fun experiences that will add some flavor to your life, look no further.
- Attend a Live Recording of a television show
- Be an Extra in a Movie or Show
- March in a Parade
- Ride a Roller Coaster
- Meet Your Favorite Celebrity
- Live Stream an Event
- Go Horseback Riding
- Participate in a food eating competition
- Attend an Art Opening
- Embark on a Road Trip
- Be a Tourist in Your Town
- Beat Your Favorite Video Game
- Attend the Olympics
- Ice Skate on a Frozen Lake
- Stay Up Long Enough to Watch the Sun Rise
- Participate in a Game Show
- See Your Favorite Band Play Live
- Fix up an Old House
- Hunt for Fossils
- Participate in an Open-Mic Night
- Watch Your Favorite Team Play in Person
- Agree to a Blind Date
- Have a Picnic in a Park
- Sing Karaoke
- Head to a Convention
- Play a Game of Dungeons & Dragons
- Give Yourself a New Look
- Start a Scrapbook
- Make Your Own Journal
- Complete an Escape Room
- Attend a Masquerade Ball
- Watch the Car Races
- Try a New Cuisine
- Experience a Rodeo
- Test Drive a Sports Car
- Take a Carriage Ride
- Check out the Circus
- See a Broadway Show
Make Relationships Part of your Bucket List
The final bundle of ideas in our epic catalog of bucket list ideas involves personal relationships. Humans need community. We, as a species, became what we are because of our ability to develop relationships, cooperate, help, and engage with each other.
Everyone’s bucket list should include a section on nurturing essential relationships. In the end, the people you care about will matter most.
- Care for a Pet
- Rekindle an Old Friendship
- Raise a Family
- Attend a High School Reunion
- Take a Family Vacation
- Write a Thank You Letter to Someone Who Inspired You
- Host a Family Holiday
- Make a New Friend
- Fall in Love
- Participate in Networking Events
- Have a Girl’s or Guys Trip
Endless Ideas for Your Bucket List
As you can see, the possibilities are endless. You can add thousands of things to your bucket list, whether you’re a world traveler or a proud homebody.
What are you waiting for? Print this list out and start crossing things off! Live a spectacular life full of wonder, adventure, and fulfillment!
Melanie Allen is an American journalist and happiness expert. She has bylines on MSN, the AP News Wire, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and numerous media outlets across the nation. She covers a wide range of topics centered around self-actualization and the quest for a fulfilling life.