Everyone should have a bucket list; it’s great motivation for planning future trips, allowing you to focus on your travel achievements and personal adventure legacy. I’ve spent a lot of time travelling around the USA, exploring states and taking numerous road trips. I’ve built up a good list of recommendations and must-do attractions and experiences through my adventures.
Following my most recent cross-country road adventure, I present my compilation of must-do experiences across the USA. This list encapsulates 7 essential encounters that every wanderer should strive to embrace:
Stargazing in Death Valley, California
There’s a peculiar allure in the name itself. Death Valley—sounds a tad ominous, doesn’t it? However, juxtapose this bleakness with the celestial wonder of stargazing, and you’ve got a transcendental experience. The universe reveals its sparkling secrets in the profound silence and overwhelming darkness. Recognised as a Dark Sky Park, this desert landscape offers some of the country’s best views of the stars. As you gaze up, consider the vastness of the universe, the mysteries it holds, and your tiny yet significant place in it.
Death Valley is also near another bucket list contender, the breathtaking Grand Canyon.
Listening to Jazz on Frenchmen Street, New Orleans
If music is the food of the soul, then jazz is its spicy gumbo. And there’s no better place to feast than Frenchmen Street in New Orleans. While Bourbon Street gets the raucous revellers, Frenchmen is where the real magic happens. Close your eyes, sway to the brass symphony, and let the music transport you through time. Amidst the cacophony, find the philosophy of life: unpredictable, melancholic at times, but overwhelmingly beautiful.
If Jazz isn’t your thing, try heading to Memphis for Blus and Soul or Nashville, the home of US country music.
Journeying Through Time at the Bristol Renaissance Festival
Step back in time and experience the pageantry, artistry, and revelry of the Renaissance era. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Bristol Renaissance Festival is an immersive experience with jousting knights, wandering minstrels, and a bustling marketplace filled with artisans and their crafts. Between the feasts, the theatrics, and the authentic encounters, it’s a playful dive into history, where fantasy and reality intertwine in delightful ways.
Alternatively, head south to the country’s biggest Ren Fest, the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville.
Experiencing the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico
As dawn breaks, imagine hundreds of hot air balloons painting the sky with a kaleidoscope of colours. This isn’t a scene from a whimsical children’s book but a yearly spectacle in New Mexico. It’s not just about the visual feast but the idea of floating above the Earth, tethered to a basket, and being at the mercy of the winds. It’s an exercise in trust, surrender, and embracing the unexpected—much like life.
Make sure to take a day trip to Sante Fe to marvel at the Pueblo-style architecture and explore the art of Georgia O’Keeffe’
Riding High at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, Wyoming
Embrace the wild spirit of the West at Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in Wyoming. Known as the “Daddy of ’em All,” this rodeo is not just an event but a celebration of Western heritage. Feel the adrenaline surge as cowboys and cowgirls showcase their skills, from barrel racing to bull riding. The festive atmosphere, the thrill of competition, and the deep-rooted traditions make it an unmissable spectacle, a testament to the enduring charm of the American West.
If you can’t make the Frontier Days dates, consider visiting their equally authentic Hell on Wheels Rodeo nights.
Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah
Nature has a profound way of teaching resilience, patience, and awe. The Narrows, a gorge with thousand-foot-tall walls and the Virgin River running through is nature’s cathedral. This isn’t just a hike; it’s a meditative experience. Every step in the cold, rushing waters reminds you of nature’s raw power and beauty and the human spirit’s capacity to adapt and appreciate.
The USA has a wealth of stunning National Parks; other notable names include Yellowstone and Yosemite.
Attending the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska
The frosty charm of Alaska is palpable, especially during the iconic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Whether you’re a musher or a spectator, the race is a testament to endurance, teamwork, and the age-old bond between humans and dogs. Wrapped up in layers of clothing, cheering for your favourite team under the Northern Lights, you realise that sometimes, the most profound moments come in the coldest, most challenging situations.
Life is a beautiful mosaic of profound revelations, simple joys, and unexpected detours. In all its diverse glory, the USA offers adventures that mirror this philosophy. So, whether you’re gazing at the stars, swaying to jazz tunes, or witnessing the bravado of rodeo champions, remember: these moments, these slices of experiences, culminate to make a grand adventure called life.
