Before I know it, I’m going to be turning 29, and it’s crazy to think about the last year of being in my 20s (!) It seems pretty strange to me, I feel like so much of our young adult identity gets tied up in “being 20-something”.⁠ But really the number is so meaningless when I put it into the context of where the past few years around the sun have taken me, and I have definitely had some crazy adventures and amazing things happen I would have never even dreamed of happening at this age. And all of that is due to me making a 30 things to do before 30 list AND making a point of crossing things off my list!

I also would much rather look forward than back, so here’s looking at this upcoming next decade with open eyes and an open heart.⁠ Whether or not you are also jumping into a new decade of life let’s set some big goals together! There are so many incredible experiences around the world, a never-ending list of stunning locations to visit, and a lifetime worth of improving your photography: so many goals to put on your “30 before 30” list!

Here is the ultimate travel bucket list of 30 things to do before 30!

1. Travel Solo

Whether it’s an entire trip or just taking yourself out to eat, learning how to be comfortable with yourself and having the confidence to see the world on your own terms is definitely a great goal to start the journey into a new decade.

2. See the northern lights

The first time I saw a photograph of dancing lights trailing across an arctic sky, I knew I needed to see it with my own eyes (and let’s be real as a photographer – capture my own image too!). Head up north during the winter months, grab some layers, and learn how to see this incredible natural phenomenon for yourself!

3. Go on an overnight backpacking trip

If you haven’t hiked much, start easy with a goal of going on your longest hike to date, or maybe hiking every weekend of the year, and for the ultimate goal, go on an overnight backpacking trip to somewhere you couldn’t otherwise reach on just a day hike.

4. Eat some incredible food 

Maybe it’s pasta in Italy or croissants in Paris, or maybe it’s just the newest restaurant you’ve been wanting to try down the block – indulge in some incredible food! There is something to be said about enjoying the simple things in life, and eating a plate of delicious food without guilt is definitely one of those.

5. Hostel hop across Europe

Hit up your friends and do a classic backpacking trip across Europe, hopping from hostel to hostel. Hostels are built for young people and they are an awesome budget-friendly way to meet new friends and stay in some amazing places cheaply. It’s definitely a travel rite of passage when you’re young! Find an epic hostel stay here!

6. Go on Safari (or view local wildlife!)

Going on safari is probably on just about everyone’s bucket list – but they make the mistake of thinking it’s too expensive and wait until they are retired to do one! Safaris are definitely an expense BUT you can absolutely find a budget experience – I did a backpacker-style safari in Kruger National Park in South Africa and it was SOOO much more affordable than Tanzania or Kenya! But if Africa isn’t in the cards for you, try seeing your local wildlife – maybe that’s a bucket list trip to Alaska to see bears or heading out to a state park and going birdwatching!

7. Go to a festival and stay out until sunrise

There is such an incredible sense of community that you’ll find at a festival, plus it’s so fun to dress up for them! Staying out all night until sunrise and listening to your favorite music will easily become one of your favorite memories. You definitely have to try it at least once! I still remember driving from my college in California out to Coachella, getting the cheap tent camping pass, and having the time of my life. Bonus points: visit a festival in another country!

8. Go winetasting abroad

Passing age 21 and being able to FINALLY have new experiences is definitely a canon event. As you approach your 30s, let’s refine the college party vibes into classy wine tasting vibes – and OF COURSE you should absolutely head abroad! Try Chianti in Italy, Port in Portugal, Champagne in France – trust me, it tastes better local!

9. Start a dedicated savings account

10. Visit one of the 7 wonders of the world

Looking for an ICONIC bucket list experience for your 30 things to do before 30 list? Visita  World Wonder! I don’t know about you, but I LOVE history. Ancient history was one of my favorite classes and I was obsessed with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, of which only the Great Pyramids of Giza still stands. The current Seven Wonders include Machu Picchu, Petra, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, the Colosseu, Chichen Itza, and Christ the Redeemer; and my goal is to eventually see all seven!

11. Stay in a luxury hotel and hit up the spa 

Some of the items of this list are about living your best youthful life, but I’ve learned as I get older just how important taking care of yourself is too. With some of that money you saved in tip #9, treat yourself to a luxury spa day! With all my hiking and adventuring with a heavy camera bag, massages are seriously a lifesaver.

12. Try a new outdoor sport

If you didn’t grow up skiing, take a few lessons and hit the slopes! If you grew up snowboarding, try cross-country skiing! If you were an avid city biker, try mountain biking on the trails. If you want an entirely new sport, try rock climbing or bouldering – I bet there’s a climbing gym in your city! Before any new adventure, check with your doctor to make sure your body is up for it, take a few lessons, ask friends for help, and make sure you have the right safety gear and knowledge before embarking on any new adventure. 

13. Go on the ultimate road trip 

My absolute favorite trip style is a road trip, and I think it’s the most fun way to explore! Bonus, you have all of your stuff with you and you can travel relatively comfortably. Whether it’s across state lines, in a new country, or just around your own neck of the woods, put those windows down, turn the tunes up, and hit that open road. 

14. Meet new people and make new friends 

The older you get, the more difficult it can be to make new friends. I’ve had to move around a lot the past few years and disrupting my social network is definitely the most difficult part of moving around. When I move to a new city, I immediately jump on Meetup and find other photographers and hikers in the area. I’ve also met friends through Instagram, Facebook groups, and more. You’re never to old to make new friends!

15. Learn a new language

Coming from an English-speaking country, we don’t often realize how privileged we are that so many people share our language. I always try to learn a few key phrases in the local language of any country I travel to – it’s just polite and makes you a more responsible traveler – but I also want to keep learning entire new languages. Being able to communicate with people from around the world is truly a gift.

16. Go on a girl’s trip

As you get later into your 20s and into your 30s, you’ll notice all your friends starting to get married – and maybe you found someone special too! But if you could do immensely ANYTHING valuable for yourself and your happiness, it would be to maintain your female friendships! And what a better way to celebrate and spend time with your besties than to take some of that late-20s career money and go on a girl’s trip!

17. Live in a new country (or move to a new place!)

But what also shocked me was how different moving across my own country could be as well. Living in a new place is a completely different and much more in depth way to experience the local culture than just visiting for a week or two. If you’ve grown up and lived in the same state or place, try moving somewhere new; even just one state over can open your eyes up to so many new people, things to do, or ways of living. Do a semester abroad if your school offers it, volunteer abroad in exchange for your accomodation, work abroad for a few months, take a longer trip than you would normally, do a home stay, try to find ways to immerse yourself.

18. Dedicate yourself to your favorite hobby (Improve your Travel Photos!)

Your 20s are all about discoving you you are, and your 30s are about deep diving into the things that make YOU happy and truly LEARNING to be yourself. Try out a new hobby OR choose to dedicate time to doing the hobby that makes YOU happy – for me that is photography! Travel photography opened up a whole new world for me and I’m so glad I leaned hard into my favorite hobby (until it became my full-time job, yay!).

19. See things from new perspectives: take a hot air balloon or helicopter ride

Seeing things from the sky is a breathtaking experience – one you will never forget! I’ve done a prop plane ride over the Whitsundays in Australia, a helicopter ride over Kauai, and a hot air balloon ride in Türkiye – and they were worth every penny I spent! But if you want another way to see things from a new perspective for an easier check on your 30 things to do before 30 list, grab a drone for your travels and hit the sky!

20. Cook a local dish

Even if cooking is not your forte, challenge yourself to cook a local dish. Cuisine is such an intrinsic part of a culture, and you will find it such an immersive experience to be able to recreate a piece of your travels back home. Take a cooking class while you’re abroad or at home, or just try a new dish from your favorite food blog from a country you’ve always wanted to visit.

21. Learn how to scuba dive

Similar to taking aerial photographs, seeing views underwater opens up a whole new world. I first learned to scuba dive so I could experience the Great Barrier Reef (bucket list item right there!) – it was the perfect push to have a once in a lifetime look at the incredible wildlife under the water. Check if your city has classes, often times you can learn at a pool at home in a safe and controlled environment. Or if you want to push yourself, take an intro class while traveling! Trust me, it takes snorkeling to a new level, plus taking photos underwater is such a fun new challenge!

22. Camp under the open sky (and see the Milky Way!)

I definitely took camping for granted having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, but I recently rekindled my love for it as an adult. Looking at the stars twinkling in the night sky is one of those out of body experiences you need to have. Get out of town and escape the light pollution if you can, and spend a night under the stars. Traveling to a country with dark skies is a FANTASTIC way to see not only the stars but also the Milky Way!

23. Read a new (travel) book

I have always been an avid reader, and it’s the perfect way to exercise your wanderlust and imagination without ever leaving your house. Read a book that will inspire your next travels, listen to an audiotape of a compelling story, read a book that’s outside of your usual genre, listen to a podcast to improve your skills on a subject, there’s a book or story out there for everyone!

24. Splurge on a business class flight

This wouldn’t be a complete 30 things to do before 30 list if I didn’t tell you to treat yourself! Experiencing a business class flight feels like the height of luxury – it’s a whole new way of flying! But don’t be afraid of the price – sign up for my friend Ashley’s business class email list for epic deals or book a business class flight using credit card points and miles – here’s a list of my favorite travel cards to get you started on your earning! 

25. Overcome a fear

There is nothing that makes you feel as alive as overcoming a big fear. Go skydiving, swim with sharks – anything to get your adrenaline rushing. You will be surprised what you are capable of! Of course as always research the risks beforehand, take lessons if applicable, get the right safety equipment, go with a reputable company on your first trip, and ask your doctor before trying anything inherently risky or new to you. For me – I tried out freediving in Bali to overcome a fear and now it’s one of my favorite activities to do on a trip!

26. Explore your home country

I can’t tell you how many locals in different countries have told me I’ve seen more of their country than they have – and then I realized I was guilty of not seeing my home in the United States either! This kicked off my bucket list goal to visit all 50 states and every one of our National Parks. You don’t have to travel far to have beautiful bucket list experiences – discover more of your home!

27. Visit a tropical paradise 

As much as I love adventure travel, nothing beats the tropics: the sound of the waves, the sun on your skin, the warm breeze through your hair – it’s the most relaxing feeling. We get so caught up in our busy world we don’t get enough time to unplug and just relax. Visit a tropical paradise, take a book, and just live in the moment. 

28. Catch a sunrise in a National Park & enjoy the views all to yourself

Having an incredible view to you is so worth the early rise, especially in the National Parks – whether that’s a National Park in the United State or a park in your home country! The golden light is the most beautiful at sunrise, and the quiet stillness is the perfect way to start your day. Plus you can get a head start on the hiking trails before anyone else!

29. Take a classic train ride

Another bucket list item of mine was to ride the Orient Express – it seemed so romantic or something, or maybe I just read Murder on the Orient Express at a formative age (yet still wanted to travel on it?!) – but in the meantime, I’ll get my fix taking train rides instead of driving through the countryside. One of my absolute favorite train rides was through Norway; it was so incredibly scenic and was nice to enjoy the views without having to focus on driving. Try the trains in Germany, Japan, etc – there are so many countries with incredible views from trains. 

30. Book your dream trip

I hope after this guide you’re inspired to see the world, or even just see a little more adventure in your everyday life. Please feel free to shoot me an email with your travel questions, send me a DM on Instagram, or ask my anything in the comments below! I would love to hear from you and help you achieve all your biggest travel dreams. Let’s tackle these 30 things to do before 30 together!

Related Adventures

Pin this blog!

More adventures