When you’re coming up with ideas for your next adventure, sometimes it feels like there are a million options and you have no idea which one to choose, and other times it feels like you can’t think of a single cool thing to do.
Trust us, we’ve all been there and so we have decided to put together this great list of 50 things to do on your next adventure. Hopefully, this will give you some inspiration for your next trip, or maybe it can help you narrow down your options and help you decide which of these awesome things you’ll do first!
Remember, while this list may give some grandiose adventure ideas, this is your adventure. You don’t need to swim with piranhas in the Amazon (we actually don’t recommend that at all) or go rock climbing in Utah to have an adventure; you just need to get out of your comfort zone a bit and try something new.
Below are some great ideas for your next adventure!
Get Outside
Hiking
With so much beautiful scenery throughout the United States, it is no surprise that the country boasts thousands upon thousands of miles of pristine hiking trails. Hiking is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in this beautiful scenery, have some much-needed exercise, and get back in touch with Mother Nature. Hikes can be a short nature walk in a local park or nature reserve to see the fall colors or be a well-planned multi-day hiking extravaganza in the mountains of Patagonia with stops at crystal clear lakes and roaring waterfalls, the choice is yours! If you want to really turn the hike into a mini adventure, why not make it a night hike complete with headlamps? This gives you a whole new way to see trails that you may think you know by heart and if it is dark enough, you may be able to squeeze in some stargazing too!
Skiing & Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular winter activities around the world and for some people, the idea of swoosh, swoosh, swooshing down a beautiful mountain covered with fluffy powder is enough to get their adrenaline pumping and luckily, there are ski fields located across the world where you can find everything from bunny hills to black diamonds. Best of all, you can always dethaw a bit with a cup of hot chocolate next to a roaring fire at the end of each day!
Camping
A few nights spent sleeping under the stars can be extremely fulfilling, no matter if you are glamping on a sand dune in Oman or simply pitching a pup tent off the side of a trail somewhere. From breathing in the fresh air, learning how to adapt your daily routines to your new environment, to developing new skills…..A camping trip can help you develop in many ways and thankfully, you don’t have to go too far to do it! With tons of campgrounds across the country, you are sure to find somewhere close to you.
Biking
Fast enough to be able to cover a lot of ground in a day yet slow enough to give you the time to absorb your environment, a bike ride may be the perfect way for you to explore depending on your location. Thanks to all of the newly constructed bike trails, and bike-share programs that have been popping up across the country, there hasn’t been a bigger time to do it! You may even be able to join a bike tour depending on your location which can also be a great way to meet new people.
Volcano Boarding
If you want to try something truly unique for your next adventure, volcano boarding may be right up your alley! One of the most popular places to try this interesting activity is the Cerro Negro mountain in Western Nicaragua where riders hike up a volcano, don a bright yellow jumpsuit, goggles, and gloves, and then race down the side of a volcano on a little wooden board. Although it sounds slightly terrifying (and it kind of is), in theory, you can control your speed making it a bit easier.
Sledding
Winter is fast approaching and what better way to get into the spirit of winter than go sledding? This is a great way to relive your childhood memories (at least if you are from the Northeast or Midwest, that is) or try something new if you have never done it before. So grab your coat, hat, gloves, extra sweaters, scarf, your keys, and a sled and go find the nearest snow-covered hill!
Road Trip
If you have a bit of spare time, why not hop in the car and go for an epic road trip? Road trips are a great way to view small towns, natural attractions, and stay at the cute out-of-the-way treehouse hotel that you saw on Google Maps. Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to the United States. You can rent a car in Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, or Africa (Asia may be a little tougher to drive in) with an international driver’s license or sometimes even with just your US license.
Ice Skating
Sometimes, there is nothing that makes it feel more like winter than strapping a pair of ice skates on and going for a spin around your closest ice skating rink or nearby pond. While many of us have to cling to the rink wall or to the closest person as if our lives depend on it, there is some fun about heading out with your friends or family for a night on the ice.
Horseback Riding
A sunset horseback ride is one of the most popular activities to do at beaches around the world and it is no surprise why. The gentle, rhythmic plodding of the horse is relaxing and can even make you feel closer to nature. It is also a great way to explore some of the nature trails around the country. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can even trade that horse in for a camel in places like Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, or even Australia.
Stargazing
Our ancestors were creative enough to come up with some crazy stories associated with the heavens above us but sadly, too many of us don’t even have the chance to appreciate the beauty that is above us. A stargazing session is a great way to connect with the universe around us and all you need is a dark night sky above you to get started. If you are a beginner, it may also be a good idea to download a few stargazing apps on your phone as they can help you find constellations and planets when you are first getting started.
Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are a great way to learn more about a destination regardless of whether you have lived there your whole life or are just visiting for a few days. Here at Let’s Roam, we offer a range of scavenger hunts in cities all across the country that will have you racing your friends, family, or coworkers as you go on a quest to find your next clue.
African Safari
Like gorilla treks, safaris are an adventure that you will remember forever. No matter how many times you see pictures of lions, elephants, or giraffes, nothing quite compares to you seeing them in real life. Some of the most famous places to go on safari are the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, or Kruger National Park in South Africa. Safaris can be surprisingly expensive and the cost to enter the major parks adds up very quickly; however, there are a few ways to cut costs. You can even do a “budget” safari of the Maasai Mara that could help you save a few hundred dollars.
Gorilla Treks
Gorillas live in just a few places in the world and the chance to see these amazing, and very human-like, creatures in the wild is unlike anything you will ever experience. The most popular places to go on a gorilla trek are Uganda and Rwanda and you can combine it with other interesting treks including golden monkeys, chimpanzees, or even Dian Fossey’s grave. The trips are expensive but well worth the money and much of the fee goes towards conserving the Gorilla populations. While it certainly isn’t something you can do every day, gorilla treks are a great way to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or other special occasions.
Water Sports
White Water Rafting
If you are a bit of a thrill-seeker but don’t want to send your adrenaline pumping too much, white water rafting may be just the thing for you. You can choose rafting trips based on grade levels making it easy to find ones that are family-friendly or you can get out of your comfort zone by heading out on a multi-day rafting trip complete with Grade 5 rapids. One of the great things about rafting is that you can do it all over the world from the Ganges River in Rishikesh, India to the Colorado River of the United States.
Snorkeling
Imagine yourself swimming amongst tropical fish and crystal clear, cerulean waters while brightly colored coral provides refuge for hundreds of more sea creatures below you. Snorkeling is an amazing way to explore coral reefs and see animals in their natural habitat. If you are lucky, you may get to see reef sharks, sea turtles, eels, and more. Some of the best snorkeling spots in the world are in some pretty surprising places including East Timor, Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, and Indonesia so your snorkeling adventure can easily be combined with other cultural and historical attractions.
Stand-up Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding has become immensely popular over the past decade and there are plenty of reasons why. Not only is it an amazing workout but it is also a fantastic, and peaceful, way to explore the shoreline. You can hop on a board anywhere from the icy waters of Antarctica to the crater lakes of Nicaragua and everywhere in between! If you are just starting out or if it is your first time trying to stand up on a paddleboard, try and get the largest board possible as it will be much easier to maintain stability and help you stay on the board longer. Also, be prepared to get wet.
Kayaking
Kayaking offers another wonderful way to explore shorelines and burn some calories while you do it! The rhythm of the paddling mixed with the gentle lapping of the waves on the sides of the kayak are sure to relieve stress and best of all, it is suitable for people of all ages and even your furry friends (although they may be more like joyriders than productive paddlers. Kayaks are generally inexpensive to rent and are pretty self-explanatory so it is easy to get started. You can either head out on your own or join a tour to a particular destination. Either way, you are sure to have a good time!
Surfing
Surfing is one of the best ways to feel the full power of Mother Nature as waves come crashing onto the coastline. Surfing hotspots can be found all over the world with plenty of places where you can schedule a few lessons if you are just starting out. Just be careful to know your limitations and never bite off more than you can chew. It takes master surfers years to conquer the monster waves so don’t expect to be hanging 10 from the start.
Scuba Diving
If you want the chance to feel like a little mermaid and explore life under the sea, scuba diving is the best way to do it! While you do need to get PADI certified to go diving, you are able to acquire this in many parts of the world in less than a week and at surprisingly affordable prices. From there, you can find yourself diving through the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, off the shores of Cozumel in Mexico, or even through the flooded Lion City in China! This is one way to truly see the world from a completely different perspective.
Shark Diving
Shark diving may only be available in a few parts of the world but this is one experience that is well worth traveling for! Shark diving is exactly what it sounds like – the opportunity to swim with sharks. There is nothing quite like seeing these apex predators glide by and their beauty, strength, and grace are immeasurable. During a “dive”, people swim in protective cages as sharks swim around them. There is some controversy surrounding this as sharks are often baited to bring them close to swimmers and this may have an impact on their natural behavior. Make sure you find a reputable tour operator to minimize your environmental impact.
Swim with Whale Sharks
While the gentle giants of the sea are neither whales or sharks, they certainly are 100% magnificent and the opportunity to get in the water swimming alongside them is something that you will never forget. Organizing a whale shark trip can take a bit of extra planning as they can only be found at certain locations at specific times of the year including Mexico, the Philippines, Somaliland, Belize, Australia, and the Galapagos. There are many restrictions in place allowing swimmers to hop in the water without disturbing them so make sure that you go with a reputable operator that follows all of the requirements so that people still have the opportunity for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sailing
When you say the phrase “sailing into the sunset”, it immediately creates visions of calm water, a beautiful boat, and quite possibly a sea of colors filling the sky as the sun sets. The image that you have in your mind can easily come to life on a sailing trip. Whether you go out for a few hours on your local lake or head out for a multi-day adventure on the Nile River, sailing is a peaceful (and environmentally friendly) way to explore a new place or revisit old ones that you feel in love with.
Air Activities
Helicopter Rides
Helicopter rides are a great way to get a bird’s eye view of a destination or attraction and you can find tour operators all around the world that are willing to take you up for a spin allowing you to see the top of a volcano, the shape of a coral reef, or a vibrant city skyline. Some of the most popular places around the world include the Grand Canyon, New York City, the Great Barrier Reef, Santorini, and Bora Bora.
Bungee Jumping
The first commercial bungee jump-started in Queenstown, New Zealand, aka the adventure capital of the world, which may not come as much of a surprise. While it may seem a bit silly to tie a cord around your ankles and jump off of a platform, the popularity of bungee jumping has spread around the world and you can now bungee off of platforms on six different continents. This is definitely not for everyone and it takes a tremendous amount of courage to take the leap but you are rewarded with an amazing adrenaline boost that will linger with you for days.
Skydiving
As with bungee jumping, skydiving may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, it is undeniable that this is one of the best ways to get a bird’s eye view of the landscape around you since….. well, you basically are like a bird. There are sky diving operators all around the world and some of the most well-known spots include Dubai, Switzerland, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Sky Jumps
If you want to feel the rush of a bungee jump but want a little bit less of a rush, controlled sky jumps provide a great alternative. These generally include being strapped into a harness and lowered very, very quickly to the ground from a tower or platform. It’s not quite falling or jumping but it is certainly enough to give you a thrill and get your blood pumping!
Paragliding
If skydiving makes you feel a little bit like a bird, paragliding takes that one step further. You generally “take off” by running off of the side of a hill or mountain and then glide back to land with the help of a glider and a (hopefully) very skilled pilot while sitting in a little swing. It may sound a bit crazy but is one of the most relaxing non-motorized ways to get an in-depth view of an area and get some great photos while you are at it!
Hot Air Balloon
Hot air balloons offer another wonderful way to get a great view of a destination but this time, you get to stand in a little wooden basket as a giant balloon filled with hot air whisks you away into the sky. Like many of the other activities in this section, this may seem a bit crazy but balloon rides are universally adored around the world giving you many opportunities to check out this fun aerial event.
Try New Things
While we often look at adventures as something that involves going to a new place or trying a different activity or attraction, you can actually create your own mini-adventure simply by trying new things that teach you new skills.
Dance Classes
While some people seem like they are born to dance, others seem like they have two left feet. The great thing about dance classes is that anyone can join, no matter how coordinated you may or may not be! Dance lessons are a great way to improve confidence, coordination skills, and just good old-fashioned “show-off” skills. You may even learn more about a different culture while you are at it!
Language Lessons
While many of us have been able to glide through our international travels just by the sheer luck of being native English speakers, learning a new language can be a great way to get pumped up for your next adventure (ie Spanish classes before a trip to Mexico), they are also a great way to prolong an adventure (ie taking Italian classes while in Italy). There is a high chance that you will meet like-minded people during the classes and you may even find someone that shares your passion for traveling!
Cooking Demonstrations
We all know the saying that the way into someone’s heart is through their stomach and cooking classes are not only a great way to improve your cooking skills but they can also be a bit of an adventure in their own right! A night of Thai cooking classes can easily make you feel like you are lounging on a beach in Phuket and can open your mind (and cupboards) to cooking with a whole new range of ingredients that you may never have tried before.
Themed Events
Who didn’t love Halloween as a kid? Fun-themed events kind of serve as a replacement for those childhood Halloween parties so why not take advantage of some of the fun ones that are happening in your area?
Food Tours
So you may have maxed out on the different types of walking tours a city has to offer and are looking for something truly unique to do that helps you learn more about the culture…..why not try out one of the local food tours? During the tours, you often have the chance to try out a number of different eateries featuring everything from traditional dishes to up and coming culinary trends which is a great way to learn more about the regional culinary scene and you may even find a new place that you are dying to go back to!
Yoga Retreats
A few years ago, yoga retreats became all the rage as people were racing to ashrams and yoga studios all around the world. These retreats served as places where people could practice yoga, eat healthfully, meditate, and generally destress. They have proven to be so popular that you can find them happening on basically every continent. They are a great way to invest much-needed time and energy into your own health and happiness, and honestly, what’s not to love about that?
Awesome Attractions and Activities
Ancient Ruins
For thousands of years, humans have been sailing the seas, cultivating the land, and building cities. A trip to ancient ruins is a fascinating way to get a glimpse into the lives of the people who helped shape the world we live in and thanks to the hard work of conservation teams and organizations like UNESCO, we are able to see ruins on six different continents and in countless countries. While you may not have the time to hop on a plane to go explore Ancient Rome, you can always check out what is in your own area.
Theme Parks
For generations, theme parks have been a fun place to ride thrill rides, eat cotton candy, and escape reality for a bit While some of the world’s biggest theme parks are located in California and Florida, there are plenty of smaller, regional parks that provide many of the same thrills for a fraction of the price and much smaller crowds. Some of the parks even have zip lines, fireworks, water parks, and parades which are sure to please even the toughest of critics.
National Parks
The United States is blessed with some truly spectacular national parks especially in the western part of the country. You can spend years hiking on the miles upon miles of walking trails, driving along the scenic byways, being floored by the otherworldly landscapes, and admiring the crystal clear mountain lakes yet still feel like you have barely scratched the surface of everything that there is to see.
Nature Reserves
While not every area is blessed with as many parks as you can find in the western United States, there are still plenty of nature reserves where you can explore beautiful scenery on foot, on a mountain bike, or from the privacy of your own tent. Depending on where you are, you may even be able to sling up a hammock and relax for a while as you listen to the sounds of birds or the rustling of the tree leaves in the wind.
Museums
The United States is home to many of the world’s finest museums covering cultural and natural history, art, and science located in cities like New York and Washington DC. However, with more than 35,000 institutions across the country, there is bound to be a museum for you no matter what you are interested in or where you live. Museums offer a great way to learn more about a subject, attend workshops and cultural events, or even just to escape from the summer heat or the winter snow.
Broadway Shows
Although they may seem a bit niche, Broadway shows have worked their way into the fabric of our society and you can see this reflected in the songs that we mindlessly hum to ourselves, the plays that we read or perform at school, and even in some of the movies that we watch. While most major productions are based in New York, there are still plenty of ways to see your favorite shows whether they be regional theater or traveling productions.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a form of global treasure hunt where people use GPS to find a geocache, which is basically hidden containers of items. While it started off as just a hobby for a handful of people, it has developed into a highly organized event and it even got so popular that it was actually banned in some of the national parks in the United States.
Go to the Drive-In
Drive-in movie theaters used to be extremely popular 50 years ago and have recently started going through a new renaissance thanks to the popularity of outdoor movies. You can find more and more pop-up drive-ins opening across the country where you can see both current blockbusters and classic hits and all you need to do is drive up and park. If there is no drive-in movie theater around you, don’t worry – you can DIY it. You just need to get a king-sized white sheet and hang it up in your backyard and project a movie onto it. If you want to feel truly authentic, you can even sit in your car as you watch it.
Microbreweries
Over the past few decades, microbreweries have popped up in all areas of the United States and if you are a beer lover, this is sure to make you feel very hoppy. A trip to new microbreweries is an adventure for your taste buds and as you taste locally-produced beer, you can dwell on the interesting ingredients grown by local farmers that were used and the unique names that they were given.
Walking tours
One great way to learn more about the city that you are in is a walking tour. These are often led by people who have lived in a city for many years and they can give you lots of interesting background information about the buildings, events, and people that made a city what it is today. If walking tours just aren’t your style, don’t forget to check out one of our scavenger hunts!
Libraries
For millennia, libraries have been seen as places of wisdom that need to be revered. While people may not see a trip to a library as a fun adventure, there is way more to a library than just stacks of books. Many libraries offer a slew of interesting themed events, speakers, and activities that can help you learn more about a wide array of subjects.
Historic DDistricts
While many cities have begun to look like carbon copies of one another with the same cement and glass towers and wide boulevards, the historic districts of cities are when things really get interesting. As you stroll through the streets of a historic district, to make the most of your visit make sure to take a close look at a city’s architecture, parks, and monuments and take the time to think about all of the people who may have lived in these houses, sat in these parks, and shopped in these stores.
Island Hopping
While we may think of island hopping as something that you do in the Caribbean or Hawaii, there are many other places where you can hop your way across unique and fascinating islands such as Croatia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Greece. You can either take ferries or planes, the choice is yours – just make sure to keep yourself open for an incredible adventure!
Street Art
At a time when many cities are struggling to rehabilitate themselves after years of neglect, street art is currently filling a void that was left behind when way too many beautiful buildings across the US were torn down, leaving behind concrete shells of cities. Brightly colored murals show the most famous places in a city and provide the perfect opportunity for your next Instagram photo. Make sure to check out some of our street art guides if you want to learn more about the art in select cities across the country.
Festivals
Festivals are an amazing way to listen to great live music, eat delicious food, and learn more about a city or region that you are in. While there are some festivals that are known all around the world, there are others that are unique to specific areas and showcase the history and culture of a place. Just make sure to book your accommodation well in advance if you are planning on attending a large city-wide festival.
Baths
While this may seem like a bit of a wildcard, hear us out. Around Europe and Asia, a trip to the baths is still an extremely popular pastime just like it was during the time of the Ancient Romans and it is a great way to relax and meet friends. You can find them scattered across Germany, Scandinavia, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Russia, as well as many more countries. While going into a bathing complex with a bunch of other people in your birthday suit may seem odd at first, you simply need to relax and view it as just another adventure. Who knows, you may even love it!