friends travel ideas

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Group Travel

18 Great Trips to Take With a Group

From Mykonos to Aspen, these are unforgettable group trips for every type of traveler.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

The chance to explore an exciting new destination, or revisit a favorite spot, with your pals is one of the great joys of travel. Virtually any place has the potential to be great for a vacation with friends. (You just might have to get a bit creative in some cases.) That being said, some spots are just inherently better suited for a fabulous group trip. And that can take many forms. It might mean lively nightlife, stellar restaurants with space to accommodate your entire crew, loads of activities, or wide, sandy beaches for everyone to sprawl out in the sunshine.

In need of group trip ideas? Our list includes 18 awesome options, whether your ideal getaway is an action-packed city break or a relaxing island escape .

Tokyo, Japan

At once futuristic and deeply rooted in the past, Tokyo showcases glimmering skyscrapers alongside ancient pagodas, giant megamalls, and tiny artisan shops that honor centuries-old traditions. Book an omakase experience (depending on the size of the restaurant, you might have the whole place to yourself) and then hit the pint-size drinking dens in Golden Gai. Splurge on a traditional luxury ryokan stay with an on-site onsen in the middle of the city at Aman Tokyo .

Ibiza, Spain

Many people consider Ibiza to be the ultimate group trip. That's because this Balearic island paradise is famed for its nightlife. Of course, it's not all about bar hopping and beach clubs. Pals who prefer to relax instead of party can visit secluded coves, traipse around the chiller villages, browse the artisan shops, or just make the Six Senses Ibiza vacation HQ. Ibiza also brims with natural beauty and hosts many yoga retreats throughout the year.

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Searching for the perfect place to surf, do yoga, and chill with your pals? Santa Teresa is a laid-back beach town on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula with beautiful beaches, great food, and a relaxed pace. It has an international dining scene with cuisine to please any palette, spirited bars right on the sand to watch the stunning sunsets, and lovely local boutiques to pick up souvenirs. And ATV excursions, hiking, and zip-lining offer plenty of opportunities for adventure.

Scottsdale, Arizona

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Scottsdale is quickly gaining steam as a go-to destination for group trips thanks to its broad variety of activities, restaurants, and accommodations. Love high-flying fun? Sunrise hot air balloon rides over the desert await. Craving a little R&R? Book a rejuvenating massage at one of the many destination spas . After a group dinner at FnB Restaurant , snooze at ADERO Scottsdale , the only Autograph Collection property in a certified Dark Sky Community.

Capri, Italy

An upscale coastal Italian getaway with glamorous hotels such as Capri Palace Jumeirah and villa rentals, fresh-caught seafood, chartered boat tours, scenic hikes, a chairlift to the highest point on the island , sun-drenched afternoons at La Fontelina , and aperitivo at the iconic Grand Hotel Quisisana , Capri is a dreamy trip to take with friends. Just be sure to book all your reservations well in advance as things fill up quickly during high season — especially for larger groups.

Cartagena, Colombia

Perched on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Cartagena turns on the charm and makes for a sizzling group getaway. Within its 16th-century stone walls sits a warren of cobbled corridors, preserved Spanish colonial buildings, bougainvillea-clad balconies, striking churches like Catedral de San Pedro Claver, and bustling plazas where groups can sit and sip cocktails while watching local performers. It's also a popular beach destination and provides access to the palm-fringed shores of Isla de Barú and the Islas del Rosario.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

A charming and energetic city with a little bit of everything for everyone, Amsterdam looks like a postcard with colorful old houses, canals, flower-clad bridges, and bike paths. There are many excellent restaurants, fascinating museums, cool neighborhoods, and glorious green spaces such as the famous Vondelpark. And with everything from dance clubs and dive bars to upscale cocktail bars and underground speakeasies, Amsterdam very much deserves its reputation as a party capital of Europe.

The cosmopolitan gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is easily accessible with direct flights from most major East Coast airport hubs (which makes things much easier if you have travel buddies flying in from all over). This popular Caribbean vacation destination also wows with its beautiful beaches, incredible snorkeling, interesting cultural sights, and duty-free shopping in the capital of Charlotte Amalie.

New Orleans, Louisiana

A soulful and spirited city on the Mississippi River, New Orleans is a non-stop good time with bars and live music venues around every corner. Need a break from the more raucous side of things? Chow down on flavorful Creole cuisine, go for a ride on the historic St. Charles streetcar, and (provided you're all feeling brave) book an after-dark ghost tour. Then recharge at one of the many design-forward boutique hotels such as The Chloe and Hotel Saint Vincent .

Aspen, Colorado

World-class slopes, swanky lodgings like Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection , and a convivial apres ski scene make Aspen the it destination for the jetset crowd come winter. But this legendary Colorado locale also shines during the other seasons. Wildflowers bloom in the spring, summer brings sunny conditions for trekking and cycling, and fall is prime for leaf peeping. We guarantee everyone in your crew will shout out hiking the Maroon Bells as a highlight of the trip.

Bali, Indonesia

There's a reason why everyone who visits Bali falls in love. The Island of the Gods is a magical place with an irresistible mix of nature, culture, wellness, and nightlife. Beautiful beaches, lush rice terraces, yoga, clifftop temples, fishing villages, flavorful cuisine, spa rituals, and jaw-dropping sunsets are just a few of the highlights. And a trip to this Indonesian paradise won't drain your bank account. Groups can split a huge serviced Balinese villa with a pool and ocean views.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A renowned brewery culture remains one of the biggest reasons to take a trip to Milwaukee . For groups, that translates to good times and sprawling spaces to sip microbrews. In between pints, crews can do a tour to learn about the history of the city's beer industry. A prime perch on Lake Michigan's western shore means access to all sorts of fun waterfront activities, from kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding to jet skiing and sightseeing boat cruises.

Marrakech, Morocco

Hypnotic and at times dizzying, Marrakech is an intoxicating mix of maze-like alleyways, vibrant souks, Moorish architecture, grand palaces, manicured gardens, and ornate mosques. Moments of peace and refreshing mint tea can be found at El Fenn's rooftop refuge above the madness of the medina. Down to splurge on a serene, next-level luxurious stay with your closest friends? The Grand Riad at Royal Mansour Marrakech has a cinema, library, hammam, gym, and two swimming pools.

Da Nang, Vietnam

Does your crew love trying local delicacies? The central Vietnam city of Da Nang is a culinary powerhouse with an array of palate-pleasing delights. The night market stalls overflow with fresh-hauled seafood, and the fragrant aroma of bún chả cá fills the air outside the cafes. Besides mouth-watering food, there are sandy beaches, the Marble Mountains, the Ba Na Hills, and the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort for a swish group stay.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

For some groups, the stress of planning a holiday overshadows the excitement of actually escaping somewhere awesome. That's when a luxury all-inclusive resort comes into play. If you'd rather hit "book" and let the rest unfold in easy, breezy vacation style, consider jetting off to Punta Cana for a few days of oceanfront bliss, great food, and fun with your buddies at the top-rated Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana on beautiful Juanillo Beach.

London, United Kingdom

Love sightseeing, shopping, and theater? London is the perfect place to indulge those passions with your pals. It's home to Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and countless other recognizable landmarks, plus posh shops such as Harrods and Dover Street Market as well as the treasure trove of vintage stores in East London. Of course, no trip would be complete without afternoon tea, taking in a show at Shakespeare's Globe, and shacking up at a five-star London legend like Claridge's .

Vancouver, Canada

Movie and television buffs will jump at the chance to visit Vancouver . Beyond serving as the filming location for countless motion pictures and shows, this dynamic British Columbia seaport dishes up diverse cuisine, live music, art galleries and museums, and outdoor adventure. Want to stay in the heart of the action? Groups will love the 1,492-square-foot Rosewood Suite at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia , which features two bedrooms and a rooftop garden terrace with a plunge pool.

Mykonos, Greece

When a group trip means devouring whole grilled octopus, poppin' bottles, and dancing on tables, it's got to be Mykonos. Greece's unofficial party island has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and tons of bars and beach clubs where world-famous DJs spin tunes. It also boasts five-star hotels with impeccable service and amenities to help you recover from a big night out. Because everyone knows the best hangover cure is a dip in your private plunge pool followed by an in-room massage.

Welcome to Epic Travel Plans!

Epic Travel Plans

Destinations that will leave you Breathless. Plans to make it happen

30 Best Trips with Friends! FUN Weekend and International Places to Go

But before you decide on a destination, be sure to keep the personalities and preferences of your friends top of mind. Some friends are awesome to lay on a beach with, but not so great for trekking through the jungle or road tripping through Europe.

My top tip: Embrace the personalities and preferences of who you’re traveling with, and let it guide your destination.

After getting trip ideas below, check out my travel planning guide to help you make it epic.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links to excellent travel-related products. If you use the links below to make a purchase, we’ll receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

15 FUN Places to go with friends on the weekend

I highly recommend OFTEN taking fun trips with friends near where you live. Short and sweet trips are a great way to “test the waters” of traveling with friends without putting too much stress on a relationship. Especially if your travel styles are quite different.

Here are awesome places to go with friends on the weekend, including ideas across the US and Canada.

1. HOUSEBOATING near you

My very first BIG trip with friends was a houseboating weekend in beautiful British Columbia. It was perfect! 

We soaked in the hot tub and slid down the waterslide when we got too hot. Ate way too much ice cream. Met some cuties. And we even crashed. Yup, we did. There’s nothing like a little drama to pull you together! (Make sure you get insurance, ‘cause those boats are harder to steer than they look!)

Find the nearest pretty lake country near you, book a car and make it happen. It’s like camping but with a waterslide.

2. Fun LOS ANGELES weekend getaway for girls

A girls trip to LA is pretty classic. Strut your stuff like Pretty Woman on Rodeo Drive. Hit up the star-prone restaurants. And time it with the Oscars to experience the red carpet. It’s possibly THE most epic place to travel with friends on the weekend.

Or, if you’re not into the Hollywood mayhem, stay on beautiful Santa Monica Beach. Cycle The Strand bike path along the waterfront. Ride the ferris wheel on the pier. And people-watch while enjoying incredible beachfront restaurants.

Where to stay with friends in Los Angeles:

• Casa Del Mar resort and spa (Santa Monica): Right on Santa Monica Beach, with an outdoor pool, restaurants and live music on Sundays. Every room has a hydrotherapy spa tub and floor-to-ceiling windows, some with an ocean view.
• Beverly Wilshire (Beverly Hills): As close as you can get to Rodeo Drive, overlooking Rodeo Drive and the Via Rodeo fountain and steps. An epic place for a trip with friends to explore Rodeo Drive’s boutique shops and cafes.
• SIXTY Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills): Five blocks from Rodeo Drive along Wilshire Blvd, with a pretty rooftop pool and bar.

3. FLORIDA KEYS road trips with friends

A road trip from Miami to the tip of the Florida Keys is the perfect mix of beach and culture. It’s only about 3.5 hours, with plenty of time to stop along the way.

If you’re not from Miami, spend a day exploring its museums, Bayside Marketplace at the waterfront, or cultural neighborhoods like Little Havana.

Then, rent a car and head out to Key West. Along the way, stop to play with dolphins, feel the sand between your toes, and eat and drink with a view. Want more adventure? Where better to go skydiving with the girls than in Key West?!

Find all you need to plan your Florida Keys road trip with friends .

4. NEW ORLEANS weekend getaway with friends

Visiting the plantations in Louisiana would certainly make for a memorable travel experience with friends in the USA. Stay in a former plantation mansion, the elegant Nottoway Plantation that dates back to the 1850s. It’s the south’s largest antebellum mansion, located right on the Mississippi River. It features antiques and fireplaces in the rooms. Plus, an outdoor pool, hot tub, onsite dining and self-guided tours.

Plantations to visit near New Orleans, Louisiana:

• Oak Alley Plantation : Known for the stunning Oak-lined path entrance to this sugarcane plantation. Features tours of the “big house” (with a pretty wrap-around upper balcony), slave cabins, expansive garden and exhibits.
• Whitney Plantation : Famous for its ground-breaking slavery museum, with restored buildings and educational guided tours.
• Destrehan Plantation : Established in 1787, this sugar plantation was the site of one of the three trials following the 1811 Slave Revolt. Features interpretive tours, exhibits and pretty grounds.

5. Fun trips with friends to NEW YORK CITY

New York City can be anything you and your friends want it to be. 

Times Square and Fifth Avenue are perfect for high-end shopping, flashing lights and nightlife. Its museums, Broadway theater and The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts are epic for the culturalists. Foodies will love exploring Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. And for those who love relaxation, Central Park, Staten Island and Brooklyn waterfront promise amazing views. I’d argue that NYC is one of the BEST places to travel with friends.

On my trip with friends to NYC, we stayed in a boutique hotel in the Upper West Side . Within a block, we had a small pastry shop, grocery store and plenty of cute cafes. We could easily walk to Central Park and Riverside Park (perfect for a You’ve Got Mail walking tour). And since we were surrounded by residential streets, I got to meet so many dogs out for their walk! Plus, easy subway access to everything else.

Find your perfect place to stay in Manhattan , Brooklyn , Staten Island , Queens and the Bronx (a 3-part series).

6. SEATTLE jazz weekend trips with friends

I love Seattle, Washington. Its Pike Place Market and waterfront restaurants. Plenty of jazz clubs. And lots of excellent shopping and coffee shops, too. Seattle has beautiful waterfront parks, artsy museums, Space Needle views, and boat tours to stay busy. Time it with a concert, too!

When I visited Seattle with one of my best friends, we LOVED the comfortable beds and pillows at the Staypineapple Maxwell Hotel . You simply cannot get a better sleep! It’s colorful vibe is super fun, too, and it has an indoor pool and bikes you can use. Price includes wifi.

Now, as much as I love the Staypineapple beds, you can’t get a better location than The Edgewater . It’s right at Pier 67, with fabulous views of Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Elegant rooms have fireplaces, cozy furnishings and spa bathroom. The property features an onsite restaurant, gift shop and coffee bar. Price includes wifi and downtown shuttle.

7. Fun LAS VEGAS weekend trips with friends

I’ll admit that Las Vegas is pretty low on my list of places to visit, but I understand the appeal – especially with friends. Awesome shows. Epic shopping. Sights you just won’t see anywhere else.

If you want to embrace the chaos, Las Vegas Strip is the place to stay. If you want to come up to breathe, consider a place like Tahiti Village Resort & Spa near the airport and outlet mall.

You’ll also find some incredible house rentals on VRBO , both near The Strip or near the mountains.

8. Epic CANYON road trips with friends

A great add-on to a friends Vegas trip, especially for the outdoorsy adventurers at heart, is a 2-day canyon road trip . Hike the amazing canyons of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon North Rim and Antelope slot canyon.

You have some incredible options for places to stay, too. Under Canvas near Lake Powell has lovely tents with a cozy wood-burning stove and private balcony with canyon views. Or book the luxury Amangiri spa resort, tucked right into the rocks. It has an onsite restaurant, bar, concierge, sauna and spa. And the rooms look AMAZING.

9. AMUSEMENT PARK hopping trips with friends

Are you guys dare-devils? How fun would it be to go amusement park hopping together?!

Top on my list are Coney Island in New York City and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. In Canada, Montreal’s Six Flags is lots of fun.

To visit a bunch on one trip, take a road trip through California or Pennsylvania. Yup, Pennsylvania! Check out this USA Today article for 17 awesome parks.

10. BEACH resort weekend getaway with friends

You can have an amazing beach resort getaway with friends even without leaving the continental USA. One of my favorite spots is about half an hour from downtown Jacksonville, Florida, at the lovely Ponte Vedra Beach seaside community. It’s also known as San Pablo Island, and is a great mixture of relaxing beaches and bustling Jacksonville nearby.

A wonderful place for a beach weekend getaway with friends is Ponte Vedra Inn and Club . Its beach and gardens are beautiful, with warm and comfortable rooms. Enjoy four heated pools, bikes, seven restaurants and lounges, and plenty of onsite shops and boutiques. Despite all of its amenities, it feels like a charming boutique inn.

Our equivalent for relaxation in Canada is Prince Edward Island. It’s super low-key and perfect for friends who just want to chill.

Dalvay by the Sea Hotel is classic and luxurious, located on the north shore. It’s inside a national park and has an onsite restaurant, bar, tennis courts and bike rentals. Or stay in one of many lovely historic inns in Charlottetown. I highly recommend the charming Fairholm National Historic Inn .

11. Fun ARTSY places to go with friends

Here are two very different types of artsy places to go with friends.

First, East Hampton Art Bed and Breakfast on Long Island. This sprawling property is perfect for art lovers and those looking for a refreshing getaway. Relax in the outdoor pool and jacuzzi while admiring the meditation garden, waterfalls, and lotus pond.

And second, head to Memphis to meet the king! If your friends are big music buffs, you’ll enjoy exploring the Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum, Gibson Guitar Factory, and Orpheum Theatre. And of course, the iconic Beale Street’s shops and restaurants. 

Stay at the Peabody Memphis with an onsite dining room, spa, indoor pool and luxurious bathrobes. And don’t miss Peabody’s “March of the ducks” tradition!

12. LAKEFRONT retreat weekend trips with friends

Head to Upstate New York for a weekend trip with friends at the lake. 

Inns of Aurora is a community of five lakefront properties. They’re beautiful and cozy, with wine tastings, yoga and painting classes. Plus, a private beach, lakeside firepits, paddling and bikes. Organic, fair-trade coffee and fresh scones in the morning. Farm-to-table restaurant during the day. Book a room with a fireplace and lake views.

13. Fun weekend trips with friends in TEXAS

There are plenty of beautiful resorts in Texas perfect for weekend trips with friends. One of my favorites is the JL Bar Ranch Resort and Spa in lovely Texas Hill Country. This estate is grand, with a full-service spa, outdoor pool and two restaurants. Plus, pretty gardens to explore, complete with a fountain. Rooms offer warm decor, with gorgeous dark wood accents, furnished patios, bathrobes and slippers. Price includes wifi.

Another favorite is Commodore Perry Estate in Austin Texas. Its manicured gardens are gorgeous, as is the massive library with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and plush couches. You’ll also spend plenty of time in its elegant tea room, pool, terrace and restaurant. Book a room with a terrace for pretty views. Price includes wifi and shuttle service.

14. WINE AND SPA getaways with friends

Do you girls love sipping wine and relaxing with beautiful views? One of the best places to travel with friends in the USA is Napa Valley, California. Napa Valley is about 1.5 hours northeast of the San Francisco International Airport. You’ll find more than 375 wineries, more than 150 restaurants, and beautiful weather year-round. Napa Valley is nestled among two mountain ranges, with incredible views wherever you look.

For weekend getaways with friends at Canadian wineries, choose from gorgeous views in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, and Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. All three locations have excellent wines, spas and views.

Where to stay for a wine and spa getaway with the girls:

• Auberge du Soleil Resort (Rutherford, California): This gorgeous resort is the ultimate friends weekend getaway, surrounded by a 33-acre olive grove. Relax in cabanas at the pool. Indulge at the spa and fine dining restaurant.
• Therapy Vineyards (Okanagan, BC): Suites overlook the vineyard and Okanagan Lake, with oversized windows, fireplace, patio and oversized tub. The property also has an outdoor fireplace and hot tub, and serves breakfast.
• Prince of Wales (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario): This elegant Victorian-style luxury hotel is the perfect base for exploring nearby wineries. Features an onsite spa and indoor pool. Enjoy traditional English tea at the onsite restaurant and local wines in the cozy lounge.

15. CRAFTING retreat with the girls

There’s something about a crafting getaway that screams “treat”! How often do you dedicate time to create together?

You can find accommodations that offer things like cooking classes or join a retreat that focuses on a particular craft, like painting. For me and my friends, we’d just bring our favorite crafting supplies to a cozy cabin retreat with a hot tub and views.

15 BEST Places to travel with friends in Europe and the world

Taking international trips with friends is a sure way to create lasting memories and bonds. But the stress of international travel will put pressure on your friendship. Make sure you choose a destination that complements your relationship and how you enjoy spending time together.

In Europe, my favorite place to look for accommodations is Plum Guide . You’ll find the coolest house rentals ever, all verified and not all ridiculously expensive.

Here are awesome places to travel with friends in the world, including Europe.

16. European CASTLE getaway with friends

Take your international trip with friends around Europe chasing castles! The biggest challenge will be narrowing your castle adventure to a geographical area, like England or France.

Pick the most iconic castle or area you most want to see and plan the rest of your friends vacation from there. Here are three ideas:

• Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany): The most classic fairytale-like castle nestled in the Bavarian Alps. Take in its stunning architecture, lush surroundings, and panoramic views. Other (relatively) nearby castles to visit include the medieval and mountaintop Hohenwerfen Fortress in Austria and 
• Château de Chambord (France): A Renaissance masterpiece with elegant French architecture and vast gardens. It’ll enchant you with its grand halls and intricate details. Other notable French castles to visit include the lovely Château de Chenonceau built atop an old mill and the opulent Palace of Versailles.
• Eilean Donan Castle (Scotland): A remarkably enchanting castle among many in Scotland, with its charming bridge and moss-covered walls near the entrance to the Isle of Skye. My other favorite castles are on the opposite side of Scotland: the grand Sterling Castle and romantic cliffside Dunnottar Castle.

17. International trips with friends to AUSTRIA

Austria is a captivating blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and cultural experiences. Start your trip with friends in Vienna , the capital city. It’s a hub of art, music and architecture, with magnificent palaces, cathedrals and museums. Pick accommodations near City Center so you can walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral for evening drinks.

Then, travel through the Danube’s Wachau Valley before heading south to Salzburg. Wachau Valley is a beautiful area of vineyards and cute villages along the river valley. I also highly recommend a stop at Stift Melk Abbey .

Roam the streets and hills surrounding the lovely city of Salzburg , the birthplace of Mozart and setting for the Sound of Music. It’s a charming old town with cobblestone streets, lovely gardens, and the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress looming above.

18. ENGLAND road trips with friends

Take a road trip with friends through the English countryside. There are SO many romantic castles, parks and gardens. Quaint villages in the Cotswolds. Rugged rolling hills in the Lake District. And haunting mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel. Experience England’s beauty on a drive from London to Edinburgh .

If you’d prefer a relaxing group tour rather than driving yourself, check out excellent tours of England from Trafalgar . Include a tour of Scotland and Ireland, too.

Find amazing places to stay on PlumGuide.com .

19. EUROPEAN CRUISE vacation with friends 

A European cruise vacation with friends would be AMAZING. You have all the benefits of world-class service, entertainment and food. Plus the gorgeous cities, islands and rugged coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. Elegant spires off the Baltic Sea. Incredible history and the Cliffs of Dover off the North Sea. And then the more intimate cruise experience of exploring the Rhine or Danube.

Choosing your perfect European cruise option will be the toughest part. River cruises are quite unique, and an incredible way to experience Europe together.

20. Road trips through ITALY with friends

I’ve been to Italy only once and long to go back. There is SO much to see in Italy and it would be absolutely amazing to experience it with my best girl friends. Given the variety of sights to see, I recommend either getting a train pass for the time you’re there or renting a car.

On a road trip through Italy, start and stop in the vibrant city of Rome. Rome is a must-visit for historical landmarks like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain. Stroll its charmings streets while indulging in pastas and gelato.

Then head up to Venice, a unique floating city built on canals. On your return to Rome, stop in Florence to see the famous Statue of David and beautiful churches. Then calm things down with a few days exploring the stunning Cinque Terre coastline and Tuscany wineries.

If you have more time, continue south of Rome to explore the historic ruins of Pompeii. It’s just south of Naples, another gorgeous coastal city. Sorrento and the Amalfi coast promise more spectacular views and memories for an epic trip with friends.

Find amazing home rentals on PlumGuide.com and hotels on Booking.com .

21. Explore ICELAND on a trip with friends

Iceland is a magical land of fire and ice, with waterfalls, the Blue Lagoon and ice caves. It’s an amazing trip with friends who love exploring nature’s wonders … and don’t mind a remote experience. There are no Starbucks in Iceland! But you will find other delicious coffee.

Visit the famous Golden Circle, which includes the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Þingvellir National Park. Take in the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach. Hike through the mesmerizing landscapes of Landmannalaugar or the volcanic region of Mývatn. Discover rugged fjords and black sand beaches, and then soak in the soothing Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

If you want to explore Iceland’s famous ice caves or chase the Northern Lights, you must come in winter. Plan your friend’s trip between mid-November and mid-March.

22. Fun CARIBBEAN CRUISE trips with friends

A cruise is as easy as they come for trips with friends. Choose a destination, timing, and go!

A super easy cruise vacation for friends would be the Bahamas or Caribbean. Hop from beautiful island to beautiful island, all while enjoying luxury amenities, entertainment, and dining onboard.

A cruise is also a fantastic solution to taking trips with friends who have different interests. So long as you can agree on a cruise destination, you can go your separate ways in the afternoon and come back together at dinner.

Explore cruises on CruiseDirect.com .

23. INDIA adventure places to travel with friends

India is rich in cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and unforgettable experiences for friends traveling together. Explore the bustling streets of Delhi and vibrant markets of Jaipur. Visit the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. And take a spiritual journey in Varanasi.

But to see the best of India on your trip with friends, you need to leave the popular northern cities. Travel south to the popular Kovalam Beach and witness the breathtaking landscapes of Kerala’s backwaters.

Find incredible treehouses for your next best adventure with friends! Check out these treehouses on Booking.com , including in India, Chile, Costa Rica and more.

24. International trips with friends to THAILAND

Are you and your friends intrigued by Asian culture and finding the perfect secluded beach (like in The Beach movie)? Then I’m guessing Thailand is on your radar for international places to visit with friends. 

My main tip for visiting Thailand is to get out of Bangkok as quickly as possible. It’s busy, smoggy and not especially friendly. Instead, head north to Chiang Mai to experience the floating markets . Climb an ancient temple and brush up against an elephant. Then indulge at a beach resort at Phuket or the Phi Phi islands . Bask on white sand beach, surrounded by gorgeous limestone peaks and perfect turquoise waters.

Interested in a guided group tour? I highly recommend Intrepid small group tours for an incredibly rich, “local” experience. They have tours into Northern and Southern Thailand, including food and beach tours!

You may also like 5 Charities in SE Asia Tourists Should Visit .

25. Epic CAMBODIA trips with friends

Ancient temples, jungle and Tomb Raider. And an incredibly resilient people that carry an awful history of genocide. Cambodia is a place that will touch your soul and guarantees a friends trip you’ll never forget.

You’ll want to visit both the capital of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, home to the famous temples. In Phnom Penh, visit markets, temples and gardens. But hold onto your food, because those monkeys are gutsy! And my opinion is that tourists should pay their respects at the genocide sites . How else can we begin to appreciate what their people have been through?

In Siem Reap, explore the gorgeous temple ruins of Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm. A local guide can also take you to lesser-known temples you can climb with a jungle view all to yourself. Be sure to have a drink at The Red Piano and ask for a Tomb Raider drink. Cheers!

When I was in Siem Reap, my sister challenged me to do more than visit, so I will challenge you. Read about my experience of donating blood in Cambodia . (Yes, it was safe.)

26. JAPANESE MONASTERY places to travel with friends

I’ve only had a taste of visiting Japan on a layover in Tokyo on our way to Vietnam, but they completely charmed me with their hospitality! Japan is now on my bucket list, and specifically the zen experience of staying in Japanese monasteries.

Two iconic Japanese monastery communities to visit on a trip with friends include Kōya-san (Mount Kōya) and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Mount Kōya is in a mountainous region about 7 hours southwest of Tokyo. It’s home to over a hundred temples including the famous Kongōbu-ji. Stay in shukubo (temple lodgings) with traditional Japanese-style rooms, vegetarian meals, and the opportunity to participate in morning meditations.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) is right in Kyoto. It’s known for its stunning golden exterior, and creates a breathtaking view as it reflects off the surrounding pond. Explore its exquisite gardens and the historic tea house inside the complex.

27. Fun AUSTRALIA beach road trips with friends

Australia is known for powdery white-sand beaches. So, rent a car and go beach-hopping on a road trip with friends!

Fly into Sydney and start your trip with friends at the iconic Bondi Beach . It’s known for its vibrant atmosphere, excellent surf and coastal walks. Take in the lively beach culture as you sample the many beachside cafes.

Then, head south for about 3 hours to Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay. It holds a Guinness World Record for having the whitest sand. Swim and snorkel at these beautiful clear waters and enjoy the laid-back coastal vibe.

Along the way, stop at the coastal Royal National Park and inland Heathcote National Park . They offer rugged hiking and other adventures that balance nicely with beach-bumming!

28. International trips with friends to BRAZIL

Have you heard of Iguazu Falls? Iguazu Falls is the world’s LARGEST waterfall, made up of a massive 270 separate falls! Check it out for yourself in the best virtual tours of waterfalls around the world . Iguazu Falls is right on the Brazil and Argentina border. 

Along with Iguazu Falls, experience Brazil’s beaches, rainforest and Rio de Janeiro. Make the epic climb up to Christ the Redeemer for epic views.

If you’re interested in a guided tour, check out Trafalgar’s tours in South America . This would be an easy way to explore the best sights on a trip with friends.

29. COSTA RICA best places to travel with friends

I SO want to experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica. And stay in treehouse resorts. It sounds incredible.

Costa Rica is a tropical paradise known for its incredible biodiversity and natural wonders. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers breathtaking views, misty forests, and the chance to see rare wildlife. The nearby Arenal Volcano National Park provides thrilling hikes and hot springs for relaxing afterwards. 

For a beach experience, head to Manuel Antonio National Park. Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned for stunning beaches and lots of wildlife, perfect for relaxing and snorkeling. It’s on the Pacific Ocean and accessible by road.

With its lush rainforests, stunning coastlines, and eco-friendly practices, Costa Rica offers a memorable and sustainable travel experience for friends.

30. Fun MEXICO beach trips with friends

There’s a reason why North Americans flock to beautiful Mexico! Mexico has some of the world’s finest beaches, best preserved Mayan ruins and fascinating, colorful cultures. But with all the options, where should you travel with friends? I suggest two. 

First, Cancun is an obvious choice. It’s a world-class destination with something for everyone. Exquisite beaches, first-class hotels, a more authentic downtown area, Mayan ruins and fantastic weather year-round. For an incredible trip with Mom to Cancun, stay at the adults-only all-inclusive Le Blanc Spa Resort . 

A second, quieter choice is Playa Maroma. About 30 miles from Riviera Maya, Playa Maroma has arguably the best beaches in the world. Plus rainforests and snorkeling right off the beach. A beautiful all-inclusive resort to check out is Catalonia Playa Maroma .

You may also like:

• How to travel with friends: Trip planning
• How to find better accommodations
• Trips with Mom and Trips with Dad

Featured photo: Priscilla Du Preez from Unsplash.

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Plan your ROMANTIC getaway with our eBook, available in our TRAVEL PRINTABLES store Dismiss

Sign up now to receive your fillable PDF templates for building your travel bucket list and planning those epic trips! Plus, monthly inspiration and tips to make those "wow" trips happen.

Unsubscribe at any time. But we don't think you'll want to.

Travel Tips and Trivia

Last Updated: January 23, 2024

30 Super Fun Places to Go With Friends [Best Friends Trip Ideas]

Hunting for some fun places to go with friends? Check out this long list of the best places to travel with friends! It includes countries, cities, and local suggestions for an unforgettable best friends trip.

Danny Newman

Looking for some fun places to go with friends? I hope this post helps!

There’s only one thing that makes travelling better:

Travelling with your friends!

Maybe that’s why 58% of us prefer to travel with friends than travelling solo or with a tour group.

If you’re searching for some fun places to go with friends, you’ve come to the right place.

Today, I’m going through the best places to travel with friends around the world.

Whether you’re on a tight budget, an adrenaline junkie, or a sun worshipper, there’s a destination on this list that’s perfect for your next best friends trip!

Ready to feel inspired? Dive into the list below to find the perfect travel destination for you and your besties!

Here we go, then: 30 super fun places perfect for a best friends trip!

Interested in the best places to travel with friends ? You might also like these:

• 60 Awesome Adventure Dates Ideas
• Top 11 West Coast National Parks to Visit
• 20 Places with Crystal Clear Water
• 20 Coldest Countries in the World
• 20 Hottest Countries on Earth
• 12 Famous Landmarks in Asia
• 30 of the Best Outdoor Adventure Books
• 120 Best Songs about Adventure
• 10 Reasons Why Travelling Is Fun
• Best Jobs for Adventurers

Fun Places to Go With Friends on a Budget

1. thailand.

It’s a backpacker Mecca for a reason — Thailand is cheap, user-friendly, safe, and unbelievably fun for a best friends trip.

Get your party on at Bangkok’s Khao San Road, head up north to Chiang Mai to volunteer at an elephant rescue, then finish with some relaxation on the gorgeous southern beaches of Krabi and Ko Phi Phi.

2. Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic (or “DR”) offers everything you’d want in a Caribbean vacation at a fraction of what you’d pay on other islands.

Stay at an all-inclusive resort, ride horses on the beach, snorkel through the crystal clear waters, or go ziplining through the treetops. Then you’ll be ready to hop on a party cruise boat and dance the night away.

Europe isn’t known for being the cheapest continent to travel to, but you can still find great deals in countries like Croatia.

It has just as much history and Mediterranean charm as Italy, Spain, or Greece, but if you travel during the autumn, winter, or spring, you won’t blow your travel budget!

Tour historic castles, go island hopping, sample local wine and beer, then marvel at the waterfalls in Plitvice Lake National Park.

4. Guatemala

Beaches, mountains, volcanoes, rainforests, and ancient ruins — what more could you ask for in your search for places to go with your best friends?

Guatemala packs the cultural and ecological punch of Costa Rica at a (much) cheaper price tag. Wander the colonial cobblestone streets of Antigua, trek through lush tropical jungles, then pull up a lounge chair beneath a postcard-perfect palm tree.

Another Southeast Asian hotspot, Vietnam belongs at the top of your list of fun places to go with friends.

Sample some of the healthiest and cheapest street food in Asia as you meander the bustling, chaotic streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

When you’re ready to slow down, take a cruise through spectacular Ha Long Bay or go for a trek through the traditional hill tribe region of Sapa.

In the following section, we’ll run through the best vacation for friends who loves adventure!

Best Vacation for Friends Who Love Adventure

From arid coastlines to ancient civilizations nestled high in the Andes, Peru is a must-see for any group of friends who loves a good adventure.

Wander through the archaeological sites outside Cusco before you tackle the 4-day Inca Trail, considered to be one of the top treks in the world. You’ll be rewarded with the unforgettable sight of Macchu Picchu at the end!

Eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains are in Nepal. So if you’re wondering where to go with friends who love the great outdoors, Nepal is as extreme as it gets!

Get your fill of delicious curries in the capital city of Kathmandu before voyaging to Chitwan National Park in search of tigers and elephants.

Then lace up your hiking boots and get ready for the trek of a lifetime on either the Everest or the Annapurna Circuits for an up-close encounter with the Himalayas.

8. New Zealand

Whatever you and your friends fancy, you’ll find an extreme (and extremely awesome) version of it in New Zealand.

Hit the northern beaches for scuba diving, surfing, and kiteboarding, then soak your worries away in the natural geothermal hot springs at Rotorua.

When you’re ready to kick back into high gear, head south to Queenstown for an endless array of adrenaline thrills such as bungee jumping, skydiving, paragliding, jetboating, and heli-skiing.

This Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic is home to some of the harshest and most dramatic landscapes on earth.

Ride Icelandic ponies across the tundra, get up close to active volcanic lava flows, marvel at the Glacier Lagoon and the black sand Diamond Beach, then relax into the hot glowing waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Bonus points if you’re brave enough to try hakarl and “Black Death” — also known as fermented shark and the equally pungent Brennevin liquor.

10. Tanzania

Is an African safari the best vacation for friends? Travel to Tanzania with your posse and your answer will be a resounding “Yes!”

Take a safari across the Serengeti in search of the “Big 5” or climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak. Then head east to the island of Zanzibar to explore its white sand beaches and diverse African, Indian, and Muslim cultures.

Do you know where to go with friends that love history?  Check out these ones…

Where to Go With Friends Who Love History

11. cambodia.

Lying in the centre of mainland Southeast Asia, Cambodia has a long, fascinating, and often tragic history.

Tap into your inner Tomb Raider and begin with a tour of the jaw-dropping Temples of Angkor, a once-mighty civilization that vanished into the jungle for almost 1,000 years.

Then head down to Phnom Penh to tour the Killing Fields and learn about the Khmer Rouge — one of the most atrocious (and surprisingly recent) genocides in human history.

Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and has been a major centre of human civilization since — well, the dawn of man.

Start in the exotic city of Istanbul, once the head of the mighty Ottoman Empire and home to over 3,000 mosques .

Venture east to Cappadocia and take a hot air balloon ride over the region’s bizarre rock-cut houses and churches. Along the way, you’ll find remains of every great empire that passed through Turkey, from the Greeks to the Romans to the Ottomans.

Greece is definitely one of the best places to go with friends who adore history.

Walk in the footsteps of ancient Greek philosophers at the Acropolis in Athens. Tour the famous archaeological ruins in Delphi, Mycenae, and Olympia. Then it’s all aboard for some island hopping to Santorini, Mykonos, and other jewels of the Aegean Sea.

Tick a major item off your bucket list with a best friends trip to Egypt, where you’ll come face to face with some of the greatest archaeological treasures in the world.

Ride camels through the desert around the mind-boggling Pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the 4,000-year-old Temple of Karnak, the largest religious structure ever built, along with Luxor’s Valley of the Kings where King Tut’s tomb was discovered.

If you still can’t get enough, add the temples of Abu Simbel, the ancient port city of Alexandria, or a trek to the top of Mount Sinai to your itinerary.

If you’re ready for the “history buff” trip of a lifetime, add China to your list of fun places to go with friends.

Hike along the Great Wall and get lost in Beijing’s Forbidden City, then travel south to Xian to see the 13,000 Terracotta Warriors

Eat some seriously spicy food in the Szechuan province before you journey further south to learn about Buddhist culture and customs in Tibet.

Or you can travel north along the ancient Silk Road and learn more about the powerful dynasties that controlled the first global trade routes.

If you and your besties are into partying, these are the best places to travel with friends!

Best Places to Travel With Friends & Party

16. cartagena, colombia.

One of South America’s most beloved party hubs, Cartagena is a prime choice for bachelor and bachelorette parties (or any group of travelling friends).

This Caribbean gem was founded in the 16th century, so there’s plenty of colonial architecture and gorgeous beaches to explore.

The main event, though, happens after the sun goes down when the city lights up with parties. Go club-hopping with your besties and dance the night away, or rent an Airbnb villa and throw yourselves the ultimate private pool party.

17. Bali, Indonesia

The island of Bali is known for its peaceful temples and rice terraces, but it’s also a haven for pleasure-seekers.

Book your stay in Kuta or Sanur and get ready to party hard with your besties and hundreds of new friends. Beach bonfires, bar crawls, cheap drinks, and delicious street food await!

If you have any energy left over in the morning, sign up for surf lessons or a day trip to the charming (and equally party-friendly) city of Ubud.

18. Cancun & Cozumel, Mexico

The ultimate destination for spring breakers, bachelor parties, or any other excuse you need, Cancun and its neighbouring island of Cozumel won’t disappoint.

Book your stay at an all-inclusive resort along the Caribbean Sea and get ready to do as much (or as little) as you desire. Enjoy those free-flow drinks while you relax under a beach umbrella or dine at the pool’s swim-up bar.

And if you need a break from the booze, there’s plenty to see and do, from ziplining and touring ancient Mayan ruins to scuba diving with whale sharks.

19. Barcelona, Spain

Wondering where to go with friends who like to do a little bit of everything? Barcelona is your destination!

This Mediterranean city truly has it all — ancient history dating back to Roman times, modern art galleries and Gaudi’s bizarre architecture, and some of the most delicious cuisine anywhere in the world.

Wander the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter for cheap drinks and free tapas before you settle in to watch the sunset over Barceloneta Beach.

20. Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)

Does Las Vegas really need any introduction?

This US city (oddly built in the middle of the desert) has been featured in films, books, and pop culture as the ultimate place to cut loose and let your fantasies unwind.

You can gamble, you can dance, you can see some of the best shows on earth, and you can drink ‘til you drop — all while enjoying the luxurious resort hotels along “The Strip.”

Next up: some fun trips to take with friends for relaxation and unwinding…

10 Fun Trips to Take With Friends to Relax

Has all this jet-setting tired you out? If you and your friends have relaxation as your ultimate goal, consider one of these destinations to help you unwind.

21. The Algarve, Portugal

22. Hawaii, USA

23. The Lake District, England

24. Montego Bay, Jamaica

25. Vientiane, Laos

26. Amalfi Coast, Italy

27. British Virgin Islands

28. Cape Town, South Africa

29. Montevideo, Uruguay

30. Boracay, Philippines

Last but not least, here are some ideas of nearby places to go with your best friends!

Bonus: Places to Go With Your Best Friends Close to Home

Understandably, you might not have the budget to hop on a plane and jet off to Southeast Asia tomorrow.

Does this mean you and your besties are doomed to a life of boredom?

Not at all! Whether you live in a big city, a small town, or somewhere in between, you can make amazing memories in a nearby location such as:

• A national park
• A wildlife preserve
• A seaside resort
• A historical monument
• A campsite in the mountains
• A major shopping centre or outlet mall
• An Escape Room
• An amusement park
• A miniature golf course
• A skating rink
• An art gallery
• A sporting event
• A live concert
• A theatre performance
• A festival, fair, or carnival
• A lake or river
• A new restaurant or bar
• A farmer’s market

Some of these destinations could be right in your own backyard! Do some research, find out what’s happening in your area, and make some plans for your next staycation.

Where Will Your Best Friends Trip Take You?

With so many fun places to go with friends, the hardest part might be making time to see it all!

Start by choosing the most appealing destination on this list and go from there.

And if you need some time to save up, that’s okay too! There are sure to be some amazing places to go with your best friends right in your own backyard.

Now that you know where to go with friends, what’s next? Get inspired for your upcoming holiday with these awesome adventure travel ideas .

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Tips

The Ultimate Best Friend Travel Bucket List

Published: November 20, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Naoma Benefield

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

Traveling with your best friend is a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’ve known each other since childhood or became inseparable in recent years, embarking on adventures together creates lasting memories and strengthens your bond like nothing else. If you and your best friend want to take your travels to the next level, it’s time to create a bucket list of epic adventures that will make your hearts race and your spirits soar.

In this ultimate best friend travel bucket list, we’ll explore a wide array of thrilling and awe-inspiring experiences that will leave you with stories to tell for a lifetime. From exotic island paradises to adrenaline-fueled activities, cultural immersions, and natural wonders, there’s something for every pair of travel enthusiasts.

As you read through these ideas, keep in mind that while some destinations may be far-flung, there are always budget-friendly options available if needed. The most important thing is to create unforgettable memories with your best friend, no matter where you go or what you do.

Now, grab a pen and paper, or simply bookmark this page, as we dive into the ultimate best friend travel bucket list. Get ready to plan the adventure of a lifetime!

Explore an Exotic Island Paradise

Imagine stepping onto a powdery white sand beach, surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters that stretch as far as the eye can see. Exploring an exotic island paradise is an experience that will take your breath away and provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable adventures with your best friend.

There are numerous enchanting islands around the world that offer a slice of paradise. From the Maldives and Seychelles in the Indian Ocean to Bali in Indonesia and Phi Phi Islands in Thailand, each destination boasts its own unique charm and natural beauty.

While lounging on the beach and soaking up the sun is a must, don’t underestimate the thrill of island exploration. Embark on snorkeling or scuba diving adventures to discover vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life. Take a boat tour to explore hidden coves and secret beaches, or try your hand at water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking.

For those seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences, consider cliff jumping or parasailing for a rush of excitement. Go hiking through lush rainforests, stopping at breathtaking viewpoints along the way. And don’t forget to indulge in the local cuisine, savoring fresh seafood and tropical fruits that will tantalize your taste buds.

Whether you choose a well-known island destination or opt for a lesser-known gem, exploring an exotic island paradise with your best friend will create cherished memories. It’s an opportunity to connect with nature, relax, and appreciate the beauty of the world around you. So pack your swimsuits, grab your sunglasses, and get ready for an island adventure like no other.

Embark on an Epic Road Trip

There’s something undeniably liberating and exciting about embarking on a road trip with your best friend. The open road, the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you please, and the endless possibilities of discovery make it an experience that will create lasting memories.

Choose a scenic route that takes you through diverse landscapes, charming towns, and iconic landmarks. Consider the iconic Pacific Coast Highway in California, the breathtaking Ring Road in Iceland, or the stunning Great Ocean Road in Australia. These routes provide stunning views of nature, opportunities for outdoor activities, and cultural experiences along the way.

Before setting off, make sure to plan your itinerary, taking into account the sights and attractions you’d like to visit. However, be open to spontaneity as well, as some of the best memories are made when you stumble upon hidden gems and unexpected adventures.

During the journey, switch off and enjoy the company of your best friend. Sing along to your favorite road trip playlist, play road trip games, and share stories and laughter. Take turns driving, capturing photos of the breathtaking scenery, and stopping to stretch your legs at scenic viewpoints.

As you explore different regions and towns, immerse yourselves in the local culture. Try regional dishes at roadside diners, visit local farmers’ markets, and interact with friendly locals who can provide you with insider tips and recommendations.

Remember that a road trip is not just about the destination; it’s about the journey itself. Embrace the freedom, the sense of adventure, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. It’s an opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your best friend, forging an even deeper bond along the way.

So, pack your bags, fill up the gas tank, and embark on an epic road trip with your best friend. The open road awaits, offering an adventure that will stay with you long after the journey comes to an end.

Conquer a Challenging Hiking Trail

If you and your best friend are up for a physical and mental challenge, conquering a challenging hiking trail is an experience that will test your limits and reward you with breathtaking scenery and a sense of accomplishment.

Choose a trail that matches your fitness level and hiking experience, but don’t be afraid to push yourselves beyond your comfort zones. Iconic trails like the Inca Trail in Peru, the Appalachian Trail in the United States, or the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal offer a combination of stunning natural beauty and a rewarding sense of achievement.

The journey will not only take you through awe-inspiring landscapes but also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-reflection. As you navigate steep ascents, rocky terrains, and varying weather conditions, you’ll develop resilience, determination, and a deeper appreciation for the power of nature.

Before embarking on your hiking adventure, ensure you’re well-prepared. Research the trail thoroughly, acquire the necessary permits if needed, and invest in quality hiking gear and equipment. It’s essential to have a basic understanding of wilderness safety, including navigation, first aid, and leave-no-trace principles.

During the hike, support and encourage each other through challenging moments. Share the weight of the backpacks, take breaks to rest and refuel, and motivate each other to keep going. Celebrate reaching milestones, whether it’s a mountain peak, a stunning viewpoint, or a campsite with breathtaking vistas.

As you make your way along the trail, take the time to immerse yourselves in the beauty of nature. Marvel at towering mountains, pristine lakes, and cascading waterfalls. Observe wildlife in their natural habitats and take in the peace and serenity of the wilderness.

The experience of conquering a challenging hiking trail with your best friend will deepen your bond and create memories that will live on forever. It’s an adventure that will inspire you both, leaving you with a sense of accomplishment and a renewed appreciation for the beauty and power of nature.

Take a Breathtaking Hot Air Balloon Ride

Experience the world from a whole new perspective as you and your best friend soar through the sky in a breathtaking hot air balloon ride. This unique and exhilarating adventure offers a bird’s-eye view of stunning landscapes, giving you a sense of awe and wonder.

Choose a picturesque location for your hot air balloon ride, such as Cappadocia in Turkey, the Napa Valley in California, or the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Each destination provides its own unique backdrop, whether it’s mesmerizing rock formations, lush vineyards, or the sweeping savannah dotted with wildlife.

As the hot air balloon gracefully lifts off the ground, be prepared to be captivated by the beauty below. Floating silently through the sky, you’ll witness the world awakening as the sun rises or the magic of golden hour enveloping the landscape.

Take this opportunity to relax and absorb the beauty around you. Share this tranquil moment with your best friend, celebrating the sense of freedom and tranquility that comes from being suspended in the air. Capture the breathtaking views with your camera or simply etch them into your memories.

Depending on the location and duration of the hot air balloon ride, you may also have the chance to witness wildlife from above. Spot herds of animals roaming the plains or catch a glimpse of rare bird species in flight. It’s a truly unique and unforgettable way to connect with nature.

After the hot air balloon ride, celebrate the experience with a champagne toast or a delicious breakfast at a local café. Reflect on the beauty you’ve witnessed and the bond you’ve shared during this extraordinary adventure.

A hot air balloon ride brings a sense of adventure, serenity, and awe. It’s an experience that will leave you and your best friend with a lasting sense of wonder and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of our world.

Dive into the Crystal Clear Waters of a Tropical Destination

Escape to a tropical paradise with your best friend and immerse yourselves in the mesmerizing world beneath the waves. Explore the vibrant coral reefs and swim alongside colorful fish in the crystal clear waters of a tropical destination, creating unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

Choose a destination renowned for its pristine beaches and thriving underwater ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, or the Riviera Maya in Mexico. These locations offer warm waters, excellent visibility, and a diversity of marine life.

Before you start your underwater adventure, it’s important to become a certified scuba diver if you’re not already. Enroll in a scuba diving course together and learn the necessary skills to safely explore the ocean depths. Once certified, you’ll have the freedom to dive in some of the most stunning dive sites around the world.

Descend into the depths and discover the wonders of the underwater world. Marvel at vibrant coral formations, swim alongside graceful sea turtles, and encounter schools of tropical fish in a kaleidoscope of colors. If you’re lucky, you might even spot majestic manta rays, dolphins, or even harmless reef sharks.

Snorkeling is another fantastic option for exploring the reefs if you prefer to stay closer to the surface. Simply don a mask, snorkel, and fins and enter a world of wonder just a few meters below the surface. Float above the coral gardens, observing the marine life from a different perspective.

Remember to respect the underwater environment by following responsible diving and snorkeling practices. Avoid touching or damaging the delicate coral, and do not feed or disturb the marine creatures. Let the beauty of nature unfold before you and leave only your bubbles.

After a day of diving, relax on the beach, bask in the warm sun, and share stories of the incredible encounters you’ve had underwater. Savor the flavors of the tropical cuisine, indulge in refreshing tropical beverages, and simply enjoy the bliss of being in paradise with your best friend.

Diving into the crystal clear waters of a tropical destination allows you both to witness the wonders of an underwater world. It’s an experience that will deepen your appreciation for the beauty of nature and create cherished memories that will forever be etched in your hearts.

Attend a Vibrant Festival in a Foreign Country

Immerse yourselves in the colorful and lively atmosphere of a vibrant festival in a foreign country with your best friend, and get ready for an experience filled with music, dance, and cultural immersion. Attending a festival allows you to witness and celebrate the traditions and customs of a different culture, creating memories that will stay with you long after the festivities end.

Choose a destination known for its lively festivals, such as Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for Carnival, La Tomatina in Spain for a tomato-throwing extravaganza, or Holi in India for a colorful celebration of love and joy. These festivals attract thousands of visitors from all over the world who come together to immerse themselves in the vibrant energy.

As you join the festivities, be prepared to be dazzled by the elaborate costumes, lively music, and energetic dances. Let loose and dance alongside locals, letting the infectious rhythm sweep you away. Embrace the spirit of the festival by wearing traditional attire or adorning yourselves with colorful accessories.

Take the opportunity to sample the local cuisine, indulging in traditional dishes and street food specialties. From savory treats to sweet delights, the diverse flavors will tantalize your taste buds and give you a true taste of the country’s culinary heritage.

Learn about the cultural significance of the festival by participating in workshops and demonstrations. Engage with locals, listen to their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of their traditions and customs. By immersing yourselves in the local culture, you’ll enrich your travel experience and create a connection with the community.

While attending a festival in a foreign country can be an exhilarating and unforgettable experience, it’s important to respect the local customs and traditions. Dress appropriately, follow any guidelines or rules, and always show appreciation for the culture you are immersing yourselves in.

Attending a vibrant festival in a foreign country with your best friend will leave you with a sense of joy, connection, and awe. It’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity, embrace new experiences, and create lasting memories that will always bring a smile to your faces.

Go on a Safari Adventure in the African Wilderness

Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure with your best friend, immersing yourselves in the vast and untamed wilderness of Africa. From witnessing the iconic Big Five to discovering the rich biodiversity and captivating landscapes, a safari offers a thrilling and awe-inspiring experience that will leave you in awe.

Choose from a range of incredible African destinations, such as the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Kruger National Park in South Africa, or Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya. These renowned safari destinations are home to an abundance of wildlife and offer exceptional opportunities for wildlife sightings.

As you venture out into the wilderness, keep your eyes peeled for majestic elephants, graceful giraffes, stealthy lions, and elusive leopards. Witness the thundering herds of wildebeest and zebras as they migrate across the sweeping savannah, or admire the vibrant plumage of exotic bird species that call Africa home.

Depending on your preference, you can choose to embark on game drives in an open 4×4 vehicle, guided walking safaris, or even hot air balloon safaris for a different perspective. Each method provides unique opportunities to observe the wildlife and immerse yourselves in the captivating African landscapes.

Engage with expert guides who have an intimate knowledge of the area and its wildlife. Their expertise will enhance your safari experience as they share fascinating insights, track animals, and ensure your safety while exploring the wilderness.

In the evenings, relax in luxurious safari lodges or tented camps, sharing stories around the campfire under the sparkling African sky. Delight in delicious meals featuring local flavors and unwind, reflecting on the incredible wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery you’ve witnessed throughout the day.

It’s important to remember that safaris promote conservation efforts and sustainable tourism. Respect the animals and their natural habitats by following the guidelines provided by your safari guides. Support local communities and initiatives that work toward preserving the delicate ecosystem and wildlife.

A safari adventure in the African wilderness offers a chance to connect with nature, witness incredible wildlife, and create lifelong memories with your best friend. It’s an experience that will leave you humbled, inspired, and with a deeper appreciation for the majestic beauty of Africa.

Experience the Thrills of Bungee Jumping

If you and your best friend are adrenaline junkies seeking an exhilarating experience, bungee jumping is the perfect adventure for you. Feel your heart race and embrace the adrenaline rush as you leap from towering heights, defying gravity and experiencing a moment of pure thrill.

Choose a renowned bungee jumping destination that offers breathtaking landscapes and a safe, professional setup. Some popular locations include the Nevis Bungy in New Zealand, Victoria Falls Bridge in Zambia and Zimbabwe, or the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland.

Before taking the plunge, make sure you are both physically fit and meet any required weight or health restrictions. Listen carefully to the safety instructions provided by experienced jump masters, who will guide you through the process and ensure your safety throughout the entire experience.

As you make your way to the jumping platform, you’ll likely feel a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. Take a deep breath, trust in the equipment and the professionals, and when the moment arrives, leap into the unknown with your best friend by your side.

Feel the rush of wind as you freefall towards the ground, your heart pounding in your chest. The exhilaration is indescribable. And just when you think it’s over, you’ll be propelled upwards, bouncing and swinging, adding an extra layer of excitement to the whole experience.

When the adrenaline subsides and you’re safely back on solid ground, take a moment to savor the experience with your best friend. Reflect on the courage it took to take that leap and embrace the sense of achievement and empowerment that comes with conquering your fears.

Capture the memories by purchasing photos or videos of your bungee jump, allowing you to relive the thrill and share the adventure with others. It’s an experience that will undoubtedly become a legendary tale to tell for years to come.

Remember, bungee jumping is an extreme activity, so it’s essential to follow safety protocols and jump with reputable operators. While it may seem intimidating at first, the rush of adrenaline and the feeling of conquering your fears is an experience that will bond you and your best friend even further as you face the unknown together.

Discover Hidden Gems in an Ancient City

Step back in time and explore the mysteries of an ancient city with your best friend, as you uncover hidden gems and immerse yourselves in history and culture. From archaeological sites to ancient ruins, these cities offer a captivating journey into the past and an opportunity for unforgettable discoveries.

Choose a destination known for its rich historical significance, such as Rome in Italy, Cairo in Egypt, or Athens in Greece. These cities are a treasure trove of ancient wonders, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of empires and civilizations that shaped the world.

As you wander through the ancient streets, visit iconic landmarks like the Colosseum in Rome, the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, or the Acropolis in Athens. These grand structures will leave you in awe of the architectural marvels that were constructed centuries ago.

But don’t limit your exploration to just the well-known sites. Venture off the beaten path to discover lesser-known ruins, hidden archaeological sites, and ancient neighborhoods. These hidden gems often reveal fascinating stories and provide a more intimate glimpse into the daily lives of past civilizations.

Engage with local experts, historians, or tour guides who can provide insightful commentary and share lesser-known tales of the city’s history. Their knowledge will enrich your experience and help you fully appreciate the significance of what you’re witnessing.

Immerse yourselves in the local culture by savoring traditional cuisine, wandering through local markets, and engaging with the friendly locals. Take the time to learn about their traditions, customs, and the ways in which ancient history continues to influence their daily lives.

Be prepared to be amazed by the intricate details, stunning artwork, and the sheer magnitude of the ancient structures you encounter. Capture the beauty through photographs, but also take moments to simply absorb the atmosphere and soak in the ancient vibes that emanate from these historic sites.

Exploring an ancient city with your best friend offers a unique connection to the past and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of human ingenuity. It’s an opportunity to learn, be inspired, and create shared memories as you unravel the mysteries of a bygone era.

Indulge in a Relaxing Spa Retreat

Take a moment to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and treat yourselves to a luxurious spa retreat with your best friend. Immerse yourselves in a world of ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, as you unwind and pamper yourselves with indulgent treatments and tranquil surroundings.

Choose a destination renowned for its spa and wellness offerings, such as Bali in Indonesia, Tuscany in Italy, or the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. These destinations are known for their serene settings, luxurious accommodations, and world-class spa facilities.

Upon arrival, let the stresses of daily life melt away as you step into a realm of serenity and calm. Indulge in a variety of spa treatments, ranging from soothing massages and facials to rejuvenating body wraps and aromatherapy sessions.

Allow expert therapists to work their magic, easing tension from your muscles, revitalizing your skin, and guiding you on a journey of relaxation and sensory bliss. Close your eyes, let go of any worries, and give in to the healing touch of the skilled professionals.

Take advantage of the other wellness amenities available, such as yoga and meditation sessions, fitness classes, or hydrotherapy facilities. These activities not only enhance your physical well-being but also promote a sense of inner balance and harmony.

Between treatments, enjoy the serene surroundings and make the most of the tranquil ambiance. Lounge by the pool, soak in a Jacuzzi, or simply unwind in a beautifully landscaped garden. Let the peacefulness of the surroundings envelop you and allow space for deep conversations and moments of pure relaxation with your best friend.

Take breaks for healthy, nourishing meals and beverages, embracing the concept of wellness from the inside out. Whether it’s freshly squeezed juices, organic salads, or nourishing spa cuisine, savor the flavors that complement your wellness journey.

Throughout your spa retreat, take the time to reconnect with your best friend on a deeper level. Share stories, dreams, and laughter as you bask in the serenity and luxury of the spa surroundings. Strengthen your bond and rejuvenate your spirits together.

A spa retreat offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in self-care, rejuvenation, and quality time with your best friend. It’s a chance to prioritize your well-being, both physically and mentally, and return home feeling renewed, refreshed, and ready to take on the world.

Learn to Surf the Waves in a Surfing Paradise

Get ready to catch the waves and embrace the thrill of surfing with your best friend in a surfing paradise. Whether you’re beginners or seasoned surfers, learning to ride the waves together creates a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and a deeper connection with the natural elements.

Choose a destination renowned for its world-class surfing conditions, such as Hawaii’s North Shore, Bali’s Uluwatu, or Costa Rica’s Playa Jaco. These surfing meccas offer a variety of breaks suitable for all skill levels, as well as a vibrant surf culture and a laid-back beach atmosphere.

Enroll in surf lessons conducted by experienced instructors who will guide you through the fundamentals of surfing. They’ll teach you proper paddling techniques, how to catch a wave, and how to maintain balance and control on the board. Safety is paramount, and they’ll provide essential advice on reading the waves and understanding ocean conditions.

As you hit the waves together, support and cheer each other on, celebrating every successful ride and learning from every wipeout. Surfing is as much about building resilience and determination as it is about mastering the technique, making it an ideal activity for you and your best friend to tackle together.

Embrace the surfing lifestyle as you immerse yourselves in the beach culture. Enjoy laid-back beach days, soak up the sunshine, and relish in the saltwater and sandy toes. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, you’ll find a sense of community and shared passion for the ocean.

Take breaks from the waves to explore the local surroundings. Each destination offers unique attractions, from stunning coastal landscapes to vibrant beach towns. Engage in other water activities like snorkeling, paddleboarding, or even go on coastal hikes to discover hidden gems along the coastline.

Take the time to appreciate the beauty of the ocean and the power of nature. Indulge in breathtaking sunsets, marvel at the ocean’s vastness, and perhaps even spot marine wildlife like dolphins or turtles. Surfing is not just a sport; it’s an opportunity for a profound connection with the ocean and the natural world.

Above all, cherish the moments shared with your best friend as you embark on this surfing adventure. Create memories of laughter, encouragement, and the bond forged through conquering the waves together. No matter your skill level, surfing in a paradise destination will leave you with a sense of achievement, a love for the ocean, and a longing to return to the waves time and time again.

Camp under the Starry Skies in a National Park

Escape the confines of city life and immerse yourselves in the beauty of nature by camping under the starry skies in a national park with your best friend. Set up a cozy campsite, share stories around a crackling campfire, and embrace the serenity and wonder of the great outdoors.

Choose a national park known for its breathtaking landscapes, such as Yosemite National Park in California, Banff National Park in Canada, or Kruger National Park in South Africa. These parks offer unparalleled beauty, diverse ecosystems, and ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.

As you pitch your tent and settle into your campsite, disconnect from technology and embrace the simplicity of life in nature. Immerse yourselves in the sights, sounds, and scents of the surrounding wilderness. Listen to the crackle of the campfire, marvel at the grandeur of towering trees, and breathe in the fresh, crisp air.

During the day, embark on hiking trails that wind through lush forests, along majestic mountains, or alongside cascading waterfalls. Take your time to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you, pausing for breathtaking viewpoints and chances to spot wildlife in their natural habitats.

As the sun starts to set, prepare a delicious campfire meal and gather around to share a hearty dinner. Swap stories and reminisce, and let the flames of the fire and the starry sky above create a backdrop for moments of laughter, reflection, and heartfelt conversations.

As night falls, lie back on a blanket and gaze up at the vast canopy of stars. Away from the city lights, the night sky reveals a breathtaking tapestry of twinkling stars, constellations, and even the faint glow of the Milky Way. It’s a humbling and awe-inspiring sight that reminds us of the vastness of the universe.

Allow the tranquility of nature to lull you to sleep, cocooned in your sleeping bag, serenaded by the sounds of the wild. Wake up to the gentle rays of the sun, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated by the simplicity and peace of a night spent under the stars.

Camping in a national park with your best friend is a chance to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and reconnect with the natural world. It’s an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature, create lasting memories, and deepen your bond as you navigate the wilderness together.

Volunteer Together in a Meaningful Project

Make a difference in the lives of others and strengthen your friendship by volunteering together in a meaningful project. Engaging in community service allows you to contribute to a cause you’re passionate about while creating lasting memories and a sense of fulfillment with your best friend.

Choose a volunteer project that aligns with your interests and values. Whether it’s environmental conservation, animal welfare, education, or community development, there are numerous organizations around the world that welcome volunteers. Research and select a project that resonates with both of you.

As you embark on your volunteer journey, be prepared to step out of your comfort zones and embrace new experiences. It might involve working with local communities, assisting in building projects, supporting orphanages, teaching, or participating in wildlife conservation efforts.

Engage with local communities, listen to their stories, and learn about their daily lives. Immerse yourselves in the local culture and traditions, respecting and appreciating the unique perspectives and diversity you encounter. The connections you make with the people you help and the fellow volunteers can be incredibly rewarding.

Working side by side, you and your best friend will face challenges together, develop resilience, and experience the joy of making a positive impact. The shared experience of volunteering in a meaningful project will strengthen your bond and provide a deeper sense of purpose.

While it’s important to contribute your time and skills, remember that volunteering is a learning experience too. Embrace the opportunity to learn from the local community, gain new perspectives, and reevaluate your own values and priorities.

Capture moments of joy, gratitude, and laughter as you engage in your volunteer work. Take photos together, but also be present in the moment, immersing yourselves fully in the experience. Reflect on the impact you’ve made, both big and small, and carry the lessons learned with you throughout your lives.

Volunteering together in a meaningful project offers a chance to give back, create positive change, and experience personal growth. It’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities, all while strengthening your friendship and creating lifelong memories.

Explore Historic Landmarks and Cultural Sites

Embark on a journey through history and immerse yourselves in different cultures as you explore historic landmarks and cultural sites with your best friend. From ancient wonders to UNESCO World Heritage sites, these locations offer a fascinating glimpse into the past and the richness of human heritage.

Choose destinations known for their historical significance, such as Rome in Italy, Machu Picchu in Peru, or Angkor Wat in Cambodia. These places are steeped in history and boast architectural marvels that have stood the test of time.

As you visit these landmarks, prepare to be in awe of the intricate details, grandeur, and sheer scale of these ancient structures. Take guided tours to gain in-depth knowledge about their historical context, architectural significance, and cultural importance.

Immerse yourselves in the local culture surrounding these landmarks. Engage with locals, learn about their traditions and customs, and sample traditional cuisine. Visit nearby museums or cultural centers that further deepen your understanding of the region’s history and cultural heritage.

Enjoy the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who came before. Marvel at the columns of ancient temples, wander through ancient ruins, or explore the corridors of majestic palaces. Capture the moments through photographs, but also take time to appreciate these landmarks with your own eyes and create lasting memories.

Take a moment to reflect on the significance and the impact these historic sites have had on shaping the world we live in today. Contemplate the stories of ancient civilizations, the triumphs and challenges they faced, and the enduring legacy they’ve left behind.

By exploring historic landmarks and cultural sites with your best friend, you deepen your appreciation for different cultures, expand your knowledge of history, and gain a deeper understanding of our shared human heritage. It’s an opportunity to connect with the past, broaden your horizons, and create shared memories that will forever bind you together.

Enjoy a Wine Tasting Tour in a Vineyard

Indulge your senses and embark on a delightful wine tasting tour with your best friend in a picturesque vineyard. Explore the world of viticulture, sample delectable wines, and immerse yourselves in the beauty of sprawling vineyards and rolling hills.

Choose a renowned wine region, such as Napa Valley in California, Tuscany in Italy, or Bordeaux in France. These destinations are known for producing exquisite wines and offer a plethora of vineyards where you can experience the art and science of winemaking.

On a wine tasting tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit vineyards, learn about the grape varieties, and witness the process of winemaking from vine to bottle. Knowledgeable guides will take you through the vineyards, sharing insights about the terroir, harvesting the grapes, and the various methods of winemaking.

Savor the diverse aromas and flavors as you sample a selection of wines. Learn how to distinguish the different characteristics of each varietal, from the fruity notes of a Chardonnay to the complex layers of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Engage your senses as you swirl, sniff, and savor the wines.

Pair your wine tastings with delicious food that complements the flavors of the wines. Many vineyards offer wine and food pairing experiences, allowing you to appreciate the interplay of flavors and textures. Indulge in local cheeses, artisanal chocolates, or gourmet dishes that elevate the tasting experience.

As you wander through the vineyards, take in the beauty of the countryside. Stroll along the rows of vines, bask in the warm sun, and capture the stunning vineyard landscapes in photographs. Enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings and the joy of being immersed in nature with your best friend.

Engage in conversations with winemakers and vineyard owners, listening to their stories and passion for winemaking. Ask questions, learn about their craft, and gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication and knowledge required to produce exceptional wines.

Throughout the wine tasting tour, cherish the moments shared with your best friend. Laugh, toast, and create lasting memories as you savor the flavors and create your own wine stories. It’s an opportunity to deepen your friendship, broaden your wine knowledge, and indulge in the pleasures of the grape.

A wine tasting tour in a vineyard offers a sensory journey that combines culture, history, and camaraderie. It’s a celebration of the artistry of winemaking and an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the vine with your best friend in a charming and idyllic setting.

Go on a Wildlife Spotting Expedition

Embark on an unforgettable wildlife spotting expedition with your best friend, immersing yourselves in the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Connect with nature on a profound level as you witness majestic creatures in their natural habitats, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Choose a destination renowned for its diverse wildlife, such as the Maasai Mara in Kenya, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or the Pantanal Wetlands in Brazil. These locations offer incredible opportunities to encounter a wide variety of animals, from iconic big cats to exotic marine life and rare bird species.

Join knowledgeable guides or expert naturalists who will lead you through the wilderness, sharing their insights and expertise. They’ll help you spot elusive animals, teach you about their behavior and habitats, and ensure your safety throughout the expedition.

Venture out on game drives, boat cruises, or guided walks as you search for wildlife. Observe lions patrolling their territories, elephants gracefully moving across the plains, or vibrant schools of tropical fish darting through coral reefs. Each encounter will leave you in awe of the intricate beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom.

Take advantage of early morning and evening game drives when animals are most active. Be patient and observant, as spotting wildlife often requires keen eyes and a bit of luck. Listen to the sounds of nature, from the roar of lions to the melodic calls of birds, as you traverse these remarkable environments.

Capture the magic of these encounters through photography, but remember to also take moments to simply be present and absorb the beauty firsthand. Observe the animals’ behaviors, admire their natural grace, and appreciate the delicate balance of ecosystems.

During your wildlife spotting expedition, respect the animals and their habitats by following ethical guidelines. Maintain a safe distance, never disturb or feed the animals, and always adhere to the instructions of your guides or rangers to ensure the well-being of both wildlife and humans.

As you marvel at the incredible wildlife you encounter, reflect on the importance of conservation and preserving these precious habitats. Appreciate the fragility of the ecosystems and consider ways to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts, whether through supporting local initiatives or raising awareness of the issues they face.

A wildlife spotting expedition offers a profound connection with nature and an opportunity to witness the wonders of the animal kingdom. It’s a chance to bond with your best friend as you share in the awe-inspiring encounters and gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and beauty of life on our planet.

Try Local Street Food in a Vibrant Market

Embark on a culinary adventure with your best friend as you immerse yourselves in the vibrant flavors and authentic atmosphere of a local street food market. From sizzling skewers to mouthwatering noodles, exploring the local street food scene allows you to taste the essence of a culture, creating a sensory journey that will tantalize your taste buds and create lasting memories.

Choose a destination known for its bustling street food markets, such as Bangkok in Thailand, Marrakech in Morocco, or Mexico City in Mexico. These cities are renowned for their diverse and delectable street food offerings, with stalls and vendors lining the streets, tempting passersby with their irresistible aromas.

As you explore the market, let your senses guide you. Be adventurous and try a variety of dishes, from iconic street food staples to lesser-known local delicacies. Sample skewered meats grilled to perfection, slurp on steaming bowls of noodles, or indulge in flavorful wraps filled with savory ingredients.

Engage with the vendors and observe their culinary expertise. Watch as they skillfully prepare their dishes, using regional ingredients and age-old techniques. Take the opportunity to learn about the cultural significance of their food and the stories behind their recipes.

Don’t forget to pair your street food adventures with refreshing beverages. Sip on freshly squeezed fruit juices, delight in tropical smoothies, or savor the complexity of traditional teas or coffees. Unwind in the vibrant atmosphere of the market, enjoying the energy and camaraderie of locals and fellow food enthusiasts.

As you and your best friend indulge in the local street food, let go of any inhibitions and embrace new flavors and textures. Be open to trying unfamiliar ingredients, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations. Share dishes, take turns ordering, and celebrate the joy of discovery as you savor every bite.

Remember that the true essence of street food lies in the communal experience. Engage with fellow food lovers, strike up conversations, and exchange recommendations. Street food markets often provide a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, and sharing a meal together can create connections that transcend language and borders.

Trying local street food in a vibrant market is not just about satiating your hunger—it’s about immersing yourselves in the local culture and gaining a deeper understanding of the people and traditions that shape it. It’s a culinary adventure that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the diversity of flavors and a treasure trove of unforgettable taste memories.

Marvel at the Northern Lights in a Remote Destination

Prepare to be awestruck as you witness the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights with your best friend in a remote destination. This celestial phenomenon, also known as the Aurora Borealis, creates a mesmerizing display of dancing lights, painting the night sky with vibrant hues and leaving you breathless with wonder.

Choose a destination located within or near the Arctic Circle, such as Iceland, Norway, or Lapland in Finland. These remote locations offer prime viewing opportunities due to their clear skies and proximity to the Earth’s magnetic poles—the source of this natural spectacle.

Timing is crucial when it comes to witnessing the Northern Lights. Plan your trip during the winter months when darkness prevails and the night sky is at its darkest. Make sure to check the forecast for aurora activity and be prepared to stay up late, as the lights are most commonly spotted in the late hours of the evening.

Find a secluded spot away from artificial light pollution, such as a lake, open field, or a mountainside. Bundle up in warm clothing and bring blankets to keep comfortable while waiting for the show to begin. Patience is key, as these dancing lights can be unpredictable, but the anticipation makes the experience all the more rewarding.

As darkness falls, watch in awe as the sky comes alive with curtains, ribbons, and swirls of luminous colors. Shades of green and purple stretch across the heavens, sometimes accompanied by hints of pink, blue, or even red. The display dances in a mesmerizing symphony, captivating the senses and creating a truly magical experience.

Take the time to absorb the beauty and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the moment. It’s a shared experience with your best friend that brings a sense of tranquility, as you realize the magnitude of the natural world and your place within it.

Capture the Northern Lights on camera to preserve the memory of this extraordinary phenomenon. Experiment with different camera settings and long exposure techniques to capture the vibrant colors and the movement of the lights. However, do take moments to simply soak in the experience directly, allowing your senses to fully appreciate the wonder unfolding above.

Remember, witnessing the Northern Lights requires optimal weather conditions and a touch of luck. Even if you’re not fortunate enough to witness a vibrant display, remember that the journey itself is an adventure worth undertaking. The remote destinations that offer views of the Northern Lights are often pristine and untouched, providing incredible landscapes and other unique experiences to enjoy.

Marveling at the Northern Lights in a remote destination is a privilege and a profound experience that will forever hold a special place in your hearts. It’s a reminder of the beauty of our planet and the wonders that exist beyond our daily routines—a moment shared with your best friend that will create memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Take a Thrilling Helicopter Ride over a Stunning Landscape

Experience an adrenaline-filled adventure with your best friend as you soar through the skies on a thrilling helicopter ride over a breathtaking landscape. From towering mountains to cascading waterfalls, this exhilarating experience offers a unique perspective on the world below and creates unforgettable memories.

Choose a destination known for its stunning aerial views, such as the Grand Canyon in the United States, the Swiss Alps, or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Each location showcases a different natural wonder, and a helicopter ride provides the perfect vantage point to soak in the beauty.

As you board the helicopter, feel the excitement build as the rotors spin and the aircraft lifts off the ground. Once airborne, be captivated by the panoramic views that unfold before your eyes. From the window, witness the majesty of the landscape stretching out in all directions.

Gaze down upon rugged peaks, picturesque valleys, and vibrant coasts. Take in the unique geological features, such as canyons, fjords, or coral reefs, that have been shaped over millions of years. The vastness of the landscape and the perspective from above will leave you in awe of the intricate beauty of our planet.

Listen to the expert narration from your pilot, who will provide insights into the geographic wonders, historical significance, and environmental importance of the area. Learn about the natural processes that have shaped the landscape and the ecosystems that thrive within.

Capture the jaw-dropping views through the windows of the helicopter, ensuring you have your camera ready to preserve the memories. However, also take moments to simply revel in the exhilaration of the flight and appreciate the incredible sights before you.

As the helicopter gracefully maneuvers through the air, embrace the feeling of freedom and the sheer thrill of the ride. Share in the joy and excitement with your best friend, knowing that you are creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Upon landing, reflect on the incredible adventure you’ve just experienced. Discuss your favorite moments, the awe-inspiring views, and the rush of adrenaline that coursed through your veins. Cherish the bond between you and your best friend that has deepened through this shared adventure.

A helicopter ride over a stunning landscape offers a unique and thrilling perspective on the world below. It’s an opportunity to witness the grandeur of nature, challenge your sense of perspective, and create extraordinary memories with your best friend that will leave you breathless with wonder.

Capture Stunning Photos in a Scenic Location

Unleash your creativity and unleash your inner photographer with your best friend as you explore a scenic location and capture stunning photos. From majestic landscapes to charming cityscapes, this adventure allows you to document the beauty around you while creating lasting memories through the lens.

Choose a destination known for its photogenic qualities, such as Santorini in Greece, the lavender fields of Provence in France, or the serene landscapes of New Zealand. These locations offer a plethora of breathtaking backdrops and unique perspectives to unleash your artistic vision.

Begin your photo excursion by scouting out the best vantage points and viewpoints. Venture off the beaten path to discover hidden gems and lesser-known spots that offer a fresh take on iconic landmarks. Research which times of day (such as sunrise or sunset) offer the most dramatic lighting.

Experiment with different camera techniques, angles, and compositions to capture your vision. Play with depth of field, long exposures, and framing to add an artistic touch to your photographs. Encourage your best friend to join in on the fun, capturing each other in candid moments or striking poses against breathtaking backgrounds.

Take the time to immerse yourselves in the environment and capture not only the landscapes but also the culture, people, and small details that make the location unique. Emphasize the colors, textures, and patterns that create a visual tapestry, and focus on the emotions and stories that your images evoke.

Engage with locals and learn about their way of life. Ask for their stories and permission if taking portraits of individuals or capturing cultural practices. Use photography as a means to connect and bridge cultures, fostering understanding and appreciation.

Don’t be afraid to embrace post-processing techniques to enhance the visual impact of your photos. Experiment with different editing styles and filters to create a consistent aesthetic or bring out specific elements in your images. Remember to stay true to your vision while respecting the integrity of the scenes you capture.

Take breaks from behind the camera to simply soak in the beauty of the location with your best friend. Enjoy the moment without the need for capturing every detail, and allow yourselves to fully appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.

At the end of your journey, reflect on your collection of stunning photos. Share your favorite shots, exchange stories, and reminisce about the moments shared together. These photographs are not just images, but visual records of your friendship, adventures, and the beauty of the world you’ve experienced together.

Embarking on a photography adventure in a scenic location allows you to express your creativity, capture lasting memories, and see the world through a unique lens. It’s an opportunity for artistic exploration, connecting with the environment, and creating a visual story of your friendship that will be cherished for years to come.

Embarking on adventures with your best friend is an opportunity to create lifelong memories, strengthen your bond, and experience the wonders of the world together. From exploring exotic island paradises to indulging in spa retreats, from conquering challenging hiking trails to capturing stunning photographs, the possibilities for adventure are endless.

Through these shared experiences, you’ll not only create memories but also deepen your friendship, fostering a connection built on trust, support, and shared adventures. Traveling with your best friend allows for growth and self-discovery, as you navigate new environments, adapt to different cultures, and overcome challenges together.

Embrace the thrill of stepping out of your comfort zones, whether it’s trying new activities, experiencing different cuisines, or immersing yourselves in unfamiliar cultures. These adventures will broaden your horizons, ignite your sense of wonder, and leave a lasting impact on your lives.

As you plan your next adventure, consider the experiences outlined in this comprehensive guide. Whether you choose to explore ancient cities, embark on wildlife spotting expeditions, or indulge in the simple joy of camping under the stars, each adventure will bring you closer together and provide opportunities for discovery, connection, and personal growth.

Remember to be present in each moment, savoring the experiences and cherishing the time spent with your best friend. Allow yourselves to be open to new possibilities, cultivating a sense of curiosity and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.

As you traverse the globe, remember to prioritize sustainability, respect for local cultures, and responsible tourism practices. By making conscious choices, you can contribute to the preservation of the natural world and the communities you encounter along the way.

So, grab your backpacks, embark on new adventures, and create lifelong memories with your best friend. Your journeys will be filled with laughter, discovery, and the joy of experiencing the world side by side. Embrace the spirit of adventure and let the world become your playground.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

17 Fun Trips to Take With Friends

Traveling with friends can be a life-changing experience. Check out this list of fun trips to take with friends and create a lifetime of memories!

From weekend getaways to New York City to long-haul adventures across Southeast Asia, traveling with friends can be an unforgettable experience. You not only learn a lot about each other but also about yourself. You also create great new memories that are sure to last a lifetime! It’s a time when you can focus on self-care and reflection and think about how lucky you are to have so many great people in your life.

We know how important and meaningful traveling with friends can be. So, we’ve put together a list of fun trips to take with friends. These adventures around the world can be done with just your bestie or with a whole heap of friends!

Enjoying Precious Time With Let’s Roam

If you’re interested in fun trips to take with friends, bonding must be on the brain! Let’s Roam is dedicated to helping you enjoy every precious moment of time you have with friends and family. It doesn’t matter if you’re hanging out at home or exploring the world! With hundreds of great scavenger hunts in cities across the globe, expertly designed scratch-off adventure books full of fun activities, and virtual games that are perfect for both kids and adults, Let’s Roam gives you plenty of great ways to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!

Great Travel Experiences to Enjoy With Friends

Below, you will find a long list of travel ideas you can do with friends. Since we know some of these places may be a bit far to travel to from North America, we’ve included some additional adventures. You can include these in your trip to make the most of your travel time! We’ve also included some useful travel tips for traveling with friends based on our own decades of travel experience. 

1. Go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

Roughly the size of 70 million football fields, the Great Barrier Reef off of the eastern coast of Australia is big. Like, really, really big. It’s the world’s largest coral reef system and is home to millions of colorful fish, turtles, sharks, sea snakes, dolphins, seabirds, eels, mollusks, sponges, and, of course, coral. Thanks to this incredible biodiversity and how easily accessible it is from cities like Sydney and Melbourne, it’s high on the bucket lists of many travelers. So, why not take a trip with a great group of friends?

You can choose to visit the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns. These boats tend to be big and crowded. It can be difficult to explore the reefs without having a lot of other people around. Alternatively, you can book a spot on one of the liveaboard diving boats that go out for a few days at a time. This is a great option if you have the time and the budget. It allows you to experience the reef with significantly fewer people, and it gives you the chance to spend the night floating above this breathtaking natural landscape.

Expert tip: While you’re underwater, you’re very likely to hear a chomping sound, like someone or something is taking a big bite of something crunchy. That’s actually the colorful parrotfish eating algae off the coral. They’re an important part of the reef’s ecosystem. It’s one of my favorite parts of snorkeling, and I love watching the fish happily chomp away on the coral. 

Additional Adventures in Australia

After you’ve snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, you can continue your Australian adventure by heading up through northern Queensland to the Daintree Rainforest. This is the oldest rainforest in the world at a whopping 135 million years old. You can visit as a day trip from Cairns or spend the night in one of the many lodges located nearby. There are many different hiking trails within the rainforest that let you get a closer look at the unique flora and fauna there. 

2. Spend a weekend visiting the historic bars of New York City.

New York is a fascinating city, and many tourists barely even scratch the surface of what it has to offer. For many people, their first visit to the Big Apple includes highlights like Times Square and Broadway, Central Park, and the World Trade Center. However, if you want to see how New Yorkers really spend their time and learn more about the cultural fabric of the city, why not spend a weekend bar hopping through some of the city’s historic dive bars? 

The many dive bars scattered across the island of Manhattan are a treasure trove for history buffs looking to get a peek at old NYC. Some of the most popular historic bars, like McSorley’s, Rudy’s, and Jeremy’s Ale House, still have much of their original decor. If you look closely, you can often see the ornate woodwork, colorful flooring, and vaulted ceilings of yesteryears. To make it even better, the drinks are often much, much cheaper than what you would pay at some of the trendy bars of the Meatpacking District or Midtown. 

To help break up your day of drinking a bit, we suggest taking the time to see some of the many attractions located near the bars, especially ones off the beaten tourist path, such as the many tiny parks hidden amongst apartment buildings and niche museums that you had no idea even existed. 

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out one of the Let’s Roam New York scavenger hunts ! These hunts are expertly designed to help you get off the normal tourist trail and see some of the lesser-known sights. From the public art of Chelsea to the ghost of Greenwich , there’s something to fit the unique tastes of every traveler!

3. Check out the nightlife of Hong Kong.

With buildings that reach high into the sky, sparkling seas, and emerald-green hills, Hong Kong is one of the world’s most photogenic mega-cities. It’s also one of the most vibrant. While New York is often considered the city that never sleeps, Hong Kong can easily be considered the Big Apple’s sister from another mister. 

Additional Adventures in Hong Kong

If you don’t have a Chinese visa but still want to combine your trip to Hong Kong with another nearby destination, we highly recommend taking the ferry to Macau. Once a Portuguese colony, Macau is now the Las Vegas of Asia with tons of casinos, grandiose hotels, entertainment venues, and bars. You can still see vestiges of its colonial days in the downtown area as well as some of the original Chinese casinos built there. This creates a fascinating juxtaposition that you can’t find anywhere else and makes it well worth the trip.

4. Take a road trip across Patagonia.

With wide open spaces, rugged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and charming mountain towns, Patagonia is the ultimate destination for a road trip. You can begin your journey in Santiago and head south, crisscrossing the border of Chile and Argentina. Or, head straight down to Ushuaia, the end of the world, and work your way north from there. 

When you’re planning your journey, make sure to leave plenty of time for hiking. This region is home to some of the world’s most magnificent hikes, including the incomparable W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. This five-day trek takes you high into the Andes Mountains, offering breathtaking views and breathtaking ascents along the way! 

Additional Adventures in Chile and Argentina 

The lands of Patagonia take a surprisingly long time to get to from the United States, so if you have the time, we definitely recommend staying a bit longer to see other great destinations. Check out the enigmatic Easter Island, the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, or Iguassu Falls, one of the world’s biggest waterfalls. Domestic flights are relatively inexpensive, which makes it easy to travel around. There’s so much to see that you may find yourself wishing you had many months to spend there!

5. Say hello to Lady Luck in Las Vegas.

Will luck be a lady tonight? This is something you can only find out by organizing a fun getaway to Las Vegas ! Las Vegas, Nevada, has come a long way from its days as the original Sin City. Besides what feels like an endless line of slot machines and over-the-top casinos that make you feel like you’re in some weird version of Disneyland, Las Vegas offers some of the world’s best hotels, entertainment venues, bars, and restaurants just waiting to show you a good time (and to take some of that hard-earned money off your hands!). It’s even the temporary home to some of the country’s most famous musical artists who have long-running residencies there. 

This fun combination of activities makes it the perfect spot for weekend getaways for anyone wanting to spend the day lounging by the pool with a colorful cocktail in hand, trying their luck on the slot machines, and watching their favorite musicians sing their hearts out.

6. Hit up the all-inclusive resorts of the Yucatan Peninsula.

While it’s fun to DIY your own trip, sometimes nothing beats a week at an all-inclusive resort with your best friends. Gone is the stress of having to pick a restaurant, call a taxi, or find a bar to go to. Instead, you have everything you need all under one roof! All-inclusive resorts range from intimate affairs with a handful of restaurants and idyllic poolsides to full-blown resorts with tons of restaurants, pools, and activities to choose from. These ones are usually a bit better suited for groups of friends, but to each their own, right? The beauty of going to an all-inclusive resort lies in the lack of planning you need to put into it. You can simply show up and be you!

While you can find all-inclusive resorts scattered across the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, we love going to the ones in the Yucatan simply because there is so much to do around them! Not only is the peninsula blessed with gorgeous white sand beaches and marvelous weather most of the year, but it’s also dotted with ancient Mayan ruins, fascinating sinkholes that are perfect for swimming in, and colorful colonial towns. This gives you the chance to easily learn more about the history, culture, and geography of this amazing country! 

Some of the most popular areas to stay in include Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, but you can find high-end resorts dotted all along the coastline. 

7. Swim with whale sharks in Mexico.

Mexico is famous for having good food, beautiful scenery, great weather, and friendly people. However, if you still need another reason to visit this amazing country, we have one more for you. Mexico is also one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks.

Whale sharks are the biggest fish on the planet, measuring more than 40 feet in length and weighing as much as 47,000 pounds. Their mouths alone can stretch up to five feet wide with 300 tiny teeth. Although they’re considered sharks, they’re not dangerous to humans. In fact, these gentle giants eat only plankton. Swimming with whale sharks is an incredible experience. Although you get just a few minutes in the water with them due to strict conservation rules, it feels like a lifetime as you watch their muscular bodies glide gracefully below you.

The best place to join a whale shark tour is in Isla de Mujeres, just a short boat ride from Cancun. This tourist-friendly island has a downtown area lined with budget-friendly accommodation options, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It’s a nice, laid-back spot to spend a few days before or after your trip, and it gives you a little taste of Mexico without having to deal with all the craziness of Cancun. 

8. Explore the Tuscan wine country in Italy.

While Napa Valley is considered one of the best wine regions in the US, why not think a bit bigger when it comes to having an awesome and memorable vacation with your besties? Just imagine yourselves sitting with a glass of Chianti, overlooking rolling hills lined with vineyards and dotted with historic farmhouses. Taking a wine tour of Tuscany is a great way to try a whole new range of mouthwatering wines that you normally wouldn’t have access to and learn more about Italian culture and heritage. 

The wine region of Tuscany in Italy is relatively easy to get to from major tourist hotspots like Florence, Rome, and Milan. Otherwise, you can base yourself in one of the smaller cities or towns nearby, like Sienna, San Gimignano, and Pisa. Here, you will find a wide range of accommodation options, including boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, and vacation rentals. There are also tons of different wine tours that you can choose from. Otherwise, you can create your own DIY wine tour and make your way to the wineries by train, car, or bike. Or go on foot for tours of the wineries and wine tastings. 

Additional Adventures in Italy

After you’ve tasted the nectar of the gods in Tuscany, why not visit the ancient delights of Rome or Pompeii? Check out the Renaissance masterpieces in Florence or pretend like you’re holding up a certain tower in Pisa. The comprehensive and budget-friendly train network makes it easy to get around!

9. Take the train across Canada.

All aboard! Epic train rides like the Orient Express may seem like a thing of the past, but in fact, they’re thriving in many parts of the world! The Blue Train in South Africa and The Ghan in Australia are still Mesmerizing riders today. But if you want to try something a little closer to home, you may want to consider riding the long-distance rails of Canada!

Train rides in Canada can range from multi-day adventures to shorter hops between destinations. Some of the most popular routes include Halifax to Montreal and the much longer Rocky Mountaineer that goes from Vancouver all the way to Banff. This luxurious rail journey takes you along the Canadian Pacific Railway in custom-designed trains complete with panoramic glass roofs. The daytime views along the way are breathtaking. At night, you can stop in towns like Whistler, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Quesnel.

10. Visit the honky tonks of Nashville.

Nashville has been THE place to go in the US for live music for decades. From the stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium to the bustling honky tonks of the Broadway Historic District, it’s easy to see why it earned the nickname “Music City.” If you and your friends love spending a night out on the town shaking your groove thing, Nashville has plenty of fun in store for you! 

One of the best ways to get the night rolling is with our Nashville Bar Crawl Scavenger Hunt ! This hunt will take you to some of the best bars and watering holes in Nashville, giving you plenty of chances to make new memories as you complete one quirky challenge after another!

During the day, you can either explore the many different museums on offer in Music City or head out for a day trip to Mammoth Cave National Park or to the Jack Daniel Distillery, both of which are about an hour and a half drive away. You can also combine it with a mini road trip to Memphis!

11. Go for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.

Famous for its fairy chimneys, Cappadocia looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. And there’s no better way to view these than from up above! There’s something quite magical about going on a hot air balloon ride. From feeling the heat of the fire to seeing the earth slowly melt away below you, hot air balloons have a special something that many other air activities don’t. It’s an even more memorable experience when you’re flying over something amazing!

Flights depart nearly every morning, weather permitting, and you only normally need to book a few days in advance. Make sure to wear plenty of warm clothes, as it can get pretty chilly up there, and have your cameras ready!

Additional Adventures in Turkey

Before or after visiting Cappadocia, make sure to spend some time exploring Istanbul. Straddling both Europe and Asia, this city truly is where east meets west. It’s a fascinating blend of cultures from all over the world. From there, you can head down to Izmir and begin a southwest Turkey road trip down toward Ephesus, one of the many ancient wonders left behind by the Romans. 

12. Island hop in the Aegean Sea.

Most of us have probably seen photos of the Greek Isles. The white-washed houses with their blue roofs surrounded by the sparkling Aegean Sea are the stuff that dreams are made of. This image has graced everything from mouse pads to coffee mugs. While islands like Santorini, Patmos, Mykonos, and Rhodes are incredibly beautiful, one of the best things about visiting them is just how accessible they are!

Although there are many cruises that roam the waters between the Greek islands, you can visit many of the islands simply by hopping onto one of the many ferries leaving Athens, Greece. While this does require a bit more planning than simply booking a cruise, this gives you the chance to spend as much time as you want on each of the islands. You can see what they’re like when the cruises leave. 

Additional Adventures in Greece

Once you’ve finished island-hopping, you may want to consider spending a few days exploring the ancient ruins of Athens or traveling up to see the sky-high monasteries of Meteora.

13. Unlock your inner mermaid at Miami Beach.

The beautiful shoreline and sunny weather of Florida have been attracting northerners for centuries, and Miami has long been at the top of the list of must-see destinations. From the white sand beach to the curvy Art Deco architecture, Miami Beach feels like a completely different city than the rest of Miami. By day, you can be lounging around in the sun or wandering up the cute residential streets. By night, you can go to some of the hottest clubs in the entire country. 

If you plan on spending the full day at the beach, there are places where you can grab beach chairs and umbrella rentals that allow you to get extra comfy, and don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen with you! Nothing ruins a great vacation faster than a painful sunburn. 

Travel tip: While you’re in Miami, don’t forget to visit Wyndood Walls. This collection of street art and murals spread across warehouses and shop exteriors resembles a long line of outdoor art galleries. The neighborhood is also home to a few microbreweries and pop-up restaurants, making it a great place for foodies and craft beer lovers who are in serious need of a break from the beach. 

14. Get weird in Austin, Texas. 

Located in the great state of Texas, Austin is unapologetically weird. Home to both the University of Texas’s main campus and the Texas State Capitol, the city has an interesting mix of government buildings and a fun, youthful energy. As you would expect from a city this diverse, there is a wide range of restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions to choose from. You can even do your very own pub crawl while you’re there! 

Austin isn’t just all culture-vulturing, though. There are plenty of unique activities to do here. During your stay, you can cool down at Barton Springs, a natural pool full of fresh water, watch millions of bats take flight at the Congress Avenue Bridge, take a stroll around Lady Bird Lake, or pick up your very own pair of authentic cowboy boots at Allen’s Boots, an Austin institution!

15. Enjoy a week of outdoor adventures in Iceland.

Iceland was once a bit of a hidden gem for outdoor adventure and other-worldly natural attractions. However, with the rise of low-cost airlines and a massive drop in their currency, Iceland became much more accessible as a vacation destination. Suddenly, it exploded onto seemingly every must-see list. While the excitement surrounding Iceland as a destination has abated a bit, this doesn’t mean that it is any less stunning than it was a few years ago. It simply means that you are likely to have many of the biggest sites all to yourself! 

Most people start their trip in the capital city of Reykjavik before venturing out for an epic road trip on Iceland’s famous Ring Road. Stretching 825 miles, this road takes you by some of the biggest natural attractions in the country, including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Dyrhólaey cliffs, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. While the entire road can be driven in 24 hours, it is best to slow down and take your time so that you can truly enjoy all of the many waterfalls, glaciers, gorges, and hiking trails you see along the way. 

Before you leave, make sure to take some time to relax at the Blue Lagoon, which is conveniently located close to the airport. This will give you some time to reflect on your remarkable journey and all of the magnificent things you saw and did!

16. Get your jazz on in New Orleans.

Throughout the course of history, the city of New Orleans changed hands repeatedly. This wave of cultures left an undeniable mark on the city in terms of architecture, culture, cuisine, and, of course, music. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, so what better place could there be to spend a few evenings at a smoky jazz club listening to these lively melodies? Some of the most popular places to listen to jazz music include the historic Preservation Hall and the intimate The Spotted Cat, so one of these should be your first port of call regardless of whether you are a jazz aficionado or a new fan!

While New Orleans is famous for its nightlife, there is plenty to do during the day as well! You can explore the streets of the French Quarter, explore the wide boulevards lined with stately homes in the Garden District, or visit world-class museums, such as the National WWII Museum or the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Travel tip: If you plan on traveling to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance as places tend to sell out very quickly!

17. Explore the natural wonders of Costa Rica.

Thanks to the country’s focus on providing excellent ecotourism experiences, the country of Costa Rica has been a fantastic vacation destination for decades. With beautiful beaches, tranquil cloud forests, smoking volcanoes, and gushing waterfalls, Costa Rica provides the perfect backdrop for tons of great outdoor activities. During your trip, you can put some miles in on the hiking trails, go ziplining above the treeline, or spend your days relaxing on the beach, enjoying the sea breezes coming off the Caribbean.

Travel tip: Prices for hotels and activities have gone up substantially in Costa Rica over the past few decades, making it one of the most expensive travel destinations in Latin America. Make sure to double-check the prices of things before you book your hotels and flights to ensure you will be able to have the vacation you’re dreaming of without having to empty your bank account too much!

So, Ready to Roam?

We hope this list of fun trips to take with friends has given you plenty of inspiration! As always, we would love to hear your feedback, so please let us know if there are any great adventures you think should be added to this list!

If you would like to learn more about any of these destinations, make sure to check out the Let’s Roam Explorer blog , where you can find hundreds of travel guides, to-do lists, and blog posts about both domestic and international travel. You can also download the Let’s Roam app to find scavenger hunts near you as well as user-generated info on destinations around the world. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to have a nice time, what about a weekend in New York or Las Vegas ? If you want to go further afield, Australia , Argentina , and Italy are great options for something unique and memorable!

To make a friends’ trip a bit more fun for everyone, why not try a fun-filled destination scavenger hunt ? With hundreds of hunts to choose from, there is sure to be one perfect for your group!

Mexico , Australia , and Costa Rica all have beautiful beaches and are easy to travel to with friends. Download the Let’s Roam app to see how the locals spend their time in these great spots!

If you want to ensure that you have a great trip with friends , try to schedule a mixture of unique activities like scavenger hunts with plenty of free time for people to explore on their own!

New York , Las Vegas , and Miami all have something unique to offer, making them great destinations for getaways with friends ! Get the Let’s Roam app to access travel tips for these locations and more!

Featured Products & Activities

Friends Forever: The Best Destinations For BFFs

There's nothing better than traveling with a friend, and these destinations are great for exploring with a group.

Best friends can pretty much go anywhere together and be contented by the simple fact that the other one is there—ready to listen, ready to laugh, and ready to have a good time. They share their secrets, fears, and hopes for tomorrow, never afraid of sounding ridiculous because even if they do, they know judgment is the last thing they'd ever get from their closest confidant.

What better way to celebrate friendship than by jet setting, road-tripping, and exploring the world together? These 'friend-cation' destinations will have dynamic duos packing their bags, ready to create memories to look back on fondly when they're old and gray.

10 Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is jam-packed with all the activities best friends love to do together. There's both casual and high-class cuisine, laid-back and over-the-top shopping. There's live entertainment, dancing, art, and best of all—primo people-watching. If the crowds become too much, the surrounding desert is saturated with nature worth getting lost in . Though a trip to Sin City might leave friends feeling more exhausted than recharged, the unforgettable memories born from the trip will be well worth it.

9 Tulum, Mexico

Those fulfilling, deep conversations with a friend satisfy no matter where they occur, but what could be better than gabbing in paradise? Tulum is a little slice of heaven off the coast of the Caribbean Sea, brimming with pristine beaches, lush jungle, and superb nightlife. From lazy days of soaking in pools of sacred water to nights filled with food so delicious you wish licking the plate was socially acceptable, wanderers will likely question why they'd ever want to leave.

8 London, United Kingdom

London is understandably a bucket list destination for international travelers. There's something worth exploring around every corner—beautiful gardens, historic landmarks, hidden bars, stunning street art, and the list goes on and on. The diversity of attractions means everyone leaves happy, though it remains to be seen if friends will be able to keep calm with all that London magic surrounding them.

Related:  Skip Big Ben, Here's Everything Else Worth Seeing In London

7 Music Festival, Anywhere

So this one is highly customizable. Spending a long weekend outside absorbing the regenerative vibrations of live music is something best friends should do at least one time in their lives. Part of the fun is figuring which line-up sounds the most exciting, and there are so many music festivals to choose from that friends can make an entire night out of planning their adventure.

6 Hawaii, USA

Hawaii may be a top honeymoon destination, but the beautiful islands are enjoyable in an entirely different way in the company of friends. Heavy cleansing rains give way to rainbows that look vibrant enough to slide down. The sun beats on pillowy white sand beaches, and epic sunsets paint the skies in magic. Volcanic mountains blanketed in green, deliciously fresh food, and aquatic adventure are only a few of the things travelers have to look forward to.

5 Rome, Italy

Friends who eat together, stay together, and one of the most fantastic places in the world to eat through is Rome . In between bites good enough to thank god for, visitors can travel back in time by exploring the abundance of historical attractions. Stunning architecture and artistic masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum will only inspire friends to see more of the world together.

4 Amsterdam, Netherlands

The capital of the Netherlands is an ideal destination for friends who love art, rich history, and an unforgettable good time. The laid-back metropolis is home to the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, exhibiting the largest collection of work by the titular artist. More masterpieces await in the Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt House Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. With a cup of delicious coffee in hand and notable attractions on every street, exploring with a friend never sounded so sweet.

Related:  Only Have 48 Hours In Amsterdam? Here's How To Spend Those Two Days

3 Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chaing Mai is the place to go for anyone who wants to maximize adventure without breaking the bank. Thailand is a rather budget-friendly international destination, and Chiang Mai, despite its beauty and affordability, receives less tourism than places like Bang Kok and Phuket.

Friends might find themselves experiencing a spiritual awakening, as the city boasts over 500 temples, many of which are simply too beautiful to describe. Travelers also have the opportunity to ethically interact with Asian elephants at the Elephant Nature Center, a rescue sanctuary funded in part by tourism.

2 Fredericksburg, Texas

A weekend getaway filled with delicious wine sounds like just what every group of BFFs needs. The town of Fredericksburg boasts an impressive number of top-tier vineyards and wineries , each offering a different vibe to lean into. Its location in Texas Hill Country also means no shortage of scenery to enjoy, including the charmingly hued pink granite mountain at Enchanted Rock State Park.

1 Barcelona, Spain

Friends might find themselves staying out all night like the good old days when they encounter the glorious nightlife in Barcelona, Spain. It might even be in their best interest to do just that, as the sunrises over the water in the coastal city are out of this world. During the day, travelers can explore an endless array of historical attractions and feel the buzz of Spain's modern, vibrant culture pulsing through the streets.

Next:  Dos & Don'ts For Having A Perfect Puptastic Road Trip In 2022

How to travel with friends – without falling out

Sep 3, 2019 • 6 min read

Travelling together offers friends the chance to enjoy quality time awash with in-jokes, proper catch-ups and unforgettable experiences. Sound like bliss? It can be. But beware: even the best of friendships can be tested on the road.

Whether you’re about to embark on your first adventure with your mates in tow or are looking to improve on past experiences, here are writer Emma Sparks' 10 tips for having a harmonious trip with friends.

Beginners: start on the right foot

1. choose the right people to go with.

Pick any old pal with a passport at your peril. Just because you share a love of Nicolas Cage movies and Chinese food doesn’t mean you’re compatible travel buddies. Think twice before travelling with someone you only ever see in one context; your coffee-and-cake companion, yoga chum or work bestie might be a dream to hang out with at home, but a nightmare when it comes to exploring somewhere new. Opt for someone you’re confident you could tolerate for three days straight and you should have a reasonably hiccup-free trip – but there are no guarantees.

You might also like this:  All abroad: how to plan a group trip

2. Set expectations

Is this trip about winding down and going with the flow, or ticking off a list of sights the length of your arm? Will it be action-packed and outdoorsy, or heavy on the hangovers? It’s easy to make assumptions about your friends’ vision for a trip based on their usual behaviour, but travel can bring with it a different set of priorities and reveal a totally different side of people. Night owl travelling with early birds or vice versa? Proceed with caution – or agree to adjust your body clocks accordingly. Verbalise your needs: a simple conversation about what each of you wants to get out of the holiday – and what you don’t want to do – should do the trick.

3. Discuss your budget

You probably have an idea of how flash or frugal your friends are, but it’s worth chatting about what you intend to spend on food and activities before you go. In situ, manage money sensitively – some people are happy to split the bill every time, while others will find subsidising your dessert addiction stressful. Keep a tally in a group budgeting app like Splitwise if you like, but don’t sweat the small stuff – no-one likes a penny-pincher.

You might also like this:  What I learned from backpacking in my 20s and 30s

4. Prepare for close quarters

If you’re sharing accommodation, prepare to learn a lot more about your mates. Sleeping habits, bathroom routines and kitchen cleanliness (or lack thereof) can all cause friction between friends. Years of sharing rooms with incessant snorers, shower hoggers and the occasional gleeful farter have taught me that the best way to overcome small irritations is to make light of them – no doubt you have your own shortcomings too – and always pack earplugs...

‘When we travel as a three, Emily always gets a room to herself as she’s the loudest snorer. Emma puts up with my mild snores and I ignore the fact she leaves hair in the plughole’ – Mary, Emma’s travel buddy on many long weekends in Europe .

Intermediate: avoid common pitfalls

5. hanger and fatigue.

The needs of travelling adults often mirror those of a two year old’s. If someone’s acting moody, chances are they’re hungry or overtired. Punctuate sightseeing with plenty of pit stops and snacks, or work siestas into your holiday routine to keep the peace.

‘I like my sleep and I’m prone to energy dips if I don’t eat at regular intervals. Before a long hike through the Latvian wilderness, Emma made sure to buy some carb-heavy snacks and sugary sweets, which saved the day’  – Helen, Emma’s travel buddy in Australia , Latvia and Estonia .

6. Too much time together

Find yourself lingering in the loo, or volunteering to pop to the shops for the milk and a few precious minutes by yourself? Don’t feel bad about taking some time away from each other. Introverts in particular often need plenty of alone time to avoid burnout – but splitting up for a few hours here and there can refresh and revive everyone. 

7. Lack of flexibility

Travelling with friends is a masterclass in the art of the compromise. When Friend A is laser-focused on finding a tabbacheria for their strictly-on-holiday smokes, Friend B wants nothing more than an Aperol spritz and a sit down, and you want to get to the top local landmark before it closes, something has to give. If it isn’t essential to you, let it go – but don’t let dominant or demanding personalities get their way every time. If you’re lucky, everyone’s wants and needs can be met with some tactical shuffling of schedules. 

‘Emma has dragged us up church spires and medieval towers in Florence , Porto , Seville and more – we expect it now, just as she expects to skip a few sights so we can sample local tipples in the sun’ – Emily, Emma’s travel buddy on many long weekends in Europe.

8. Overenthusiasm

The weeks and months ahead of a trip can be saturated with hope and high expectations, excited text messages and squeals of anticipation. So much so that by the time you board the plane, you’re already exhausted. Then, in the face of adversity – a disappointing Airbnb, bad weather or mosquito invasions – one friend may appoint themselves as a hype man, ignoring glaring issues and refusing to let anyone whinge. While positivity is a lifesaver on group trips, you can still keep it real. It’s OK if things aren’t perfect, so don’t put pressure on yourself or each other to have the best time ever – go with the flow and it will happen naturally.

Advanced: be your best self

9. forgive (and apologise) quickly.

An intense dose of togetherness coupled with new, sometimes challenging experiences means minor niggles are almost inevitable. Left to fester, resentment and pettiness can thrive. Unresolved tension is a sure-fire way to spoil a trip, so be honest about the way you’re feeling. If anyone gets snappy, forgive and forget immediately – and always apologise if you’re the grump of the group.

You might also like this:   How travel helps me cope with grief

10. Be considerate and self aware

When it comes to maintaining a good group dynamic, basic courtesies go a long way – and taking extra care of each other (without fussing) will give you the warm and fuzzies. Make sure you’ve got the fundamentals covered, such as doing your fair share of washing up and collecting the morning croissants, then go the extra mile by keeping tabs on hydration levels and sunscreen top ups, or volunteering to drive.

Explore related stories

Health & Wellness

Jul 28, 2023 • 5 min read

The tourism industry is helping to make travel with loved ones living with dementia comfortable and more common.

Jul 13, 2022 • 8 min read

Jun 13, 2022 • 3 min read

May 16, 2022 • 7 min read

Mar 30, 2022 • 6 min read

Feb 13, 2022 • 6 min read

Oct 14, 2020 • 5 min read

Sep 11, 2020 • 9 min read

Sep 9, 2020 • 5 min read

Mar 14, 2020 • 3 min read

Home » Travel Articles » Ultimate Guide to Friend Vacation Ideas: Tips and Destinations

Ultimate Guide to Friend Vacation Ideas: Tips and Destinations

• Travel Articles
• August 12, 2023
• 6 minutes of reading

Planning the Perfect Friend Vacation: Key Considerations

Setting a budget: making every penny count.

When it comes to organizing a vacation with friends, budgeting stands as a cornerstone. It’s not just about how much you’re willing to spend, but ensuring everyone is on the same page. Start by discussing individual budgets. This will help in narrowing down destinations, accommodations, and activities that everyone can comfortably afford. Remember, it’s not about splurging, but maximizing experiences within a set budget. Tools like Splitwise can help keep track of shared expenses and ensure everyone contributes fairly.

Moreover, consider setting aside a contingency fund. Unexpected expenses can pop up, and it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Whether it’s a last-minute activity everyone wants to try or an unforeseen expense, this fund ensures you’re not caught off guard. By planning finances meticulously, you pave the way for a stress-free vacation.

Choosing the Right Time: Balancing Schedules and Preferences

Coordinating schedules can be a challenge, especially if your group has varied commitments. Start planning early and consider using tools like Doodle to find common free dates. It’s also essential to consider the best time to visit your chosen destination. While summer might be perfect for beach vacations, it might be crowded and more expensive. On the other hand, off-peak seasons might offer better deals and fewer crowds but could come with unpredictable weather.

It’s a delicate balance between finding a time that suits everyone and ensuring the destination offers the best experience during that period. Open communication is crucial. Discuss potential dates, weigh the pros and cons, and make a collective decision. Remember, the essence of a friend vacation is togetherness, so ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Top Destinations for Memorable Friend Getaways

Beach retreats: sun, sand, and sea.

There’s something magical about the beach that makes it a top choice for friend vacations. The allure of sun-kissed sands, the rhythmic sound of waves, and the promise of fun-filled activities make it irresistible. Places like Bali, Maldives, and the Caribbean islands are renowned for their pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife. However, if you’re looking for something less commercial, consider hidden gems like Algarve in Portugal or the beaches of Sardinia in Italy.

While the beach is the main attraction, these destinations also offer a plethora of activities. From water sports like jet-skiing and snorkeling to beachside cafes and local markets, there’s never a dull moment. Ensure you pack essentials like sunblock, beachwear, and a good book. With the right company and the perfect beach, you’re set for an unforgettable vacation.

Adventure Trips: Exploring the Great Outdoors

For those who crave adrenaline and love to challenge themselves, adventure trips are the way to go. Think hiking in the Swiss Alps, white-water rafting in Colorado, or exploring the dense Amazon rainforest. These trips are not just about physical activity but also about bonding over shared challenges and experiences. Before embarking on such a journey, ensure everyone is physically prepared and aware of the challenges ahead.

Research is key. Understand the terrain, the difficulty levels, and any potential risks. Equip yourselves with the right gear, be it hiking boots, protective clothing, or specialized equipment. Websites like Adventure Travel News can offer insights and tips for such trips. While adventure vacations can be demanding, the sense of achievement and the memories you make are well worth the effort.

Essential Tips for a Smooth and Enjoyable Trip with Friends

Communication is key: setting expectations and boundaries.

Traveling with friends can be a joy, but it’s essential to set clear expectations and boundaries. Before embarking on your journey, sit down and discuss everyone’s vision for the trip. Some might be looking for relaxation, while others might be keen on exploring every nook and cranny. By understanding everyone’s preferences, you can plan a trip that caters to all. Tools like Trello can help in organizing and visualizing the trip’s itinerary, ensuring everyone’s interests are considered.

Additionally, discuss potential pain points. These could range from snoring habits to dietary preferences. By addressing these issues head-on, you prevent potential conflicts during the trip. Remember, the goal is to create lasting memories, not disagreements. Open, honest communication paves the way for a harmonious vacation experience.

Packing Smart: Essentials for Every Type of Trip

Packing can be a daunting task, especially when traveling with friends. You might be tempted to pack for every possible scenario, but it’s essential to pack smart. Start by creating a checklist. Websites like PackWhiz offer customizable packing lists based on the type of trip and destination. Share this list with your group to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Consider the activities you’ll be engaging in. A beach vacation might require swimwear and sunblock, while an adventure trip might call for specialized gear. It’s also a good idea to discuss shared items. There’s no need for everyone to carry a hairdryer or a board game. By coordinating, you not only save space but also ensure you have everything you need for a memorable trip.

Making the Most of Your Vacation: Activities and Experiences

Cultural immersion: museums, local cuisine, and more.

One of the joys of traveling is immersing oneself in a new culture. And when you’re with friends, these experiences become even more special. Start by exploring local museums and historical sites. They offer a glimpse into the destination’s history and heritage. Websites like TripAdvisor can provide insights into must-visit cultural spots.

But cultural immersion isn’t just about visiting sites. Dive into the local cuisine. Whether it’s a street food stall or a local diner, savoring local dishes is an experience in itself. Engage with the locals, learn a few phrases in their language, and participate in traditional activities. These experiences not only enrich your trip but also create stories that you and your friends will cherish for a lifetime.

Bonding Activities: Strengthening Friendships through Shared Experiences

Traveling with friends is not just about exploring new destinations but also about strengthening bonds. Engage in activities that foster teamwork and collaboration. This could be a group cooking class, a team-building activity, or even a simple game night at the hotel. Websites like Meetup can help you find local events or activities that promote bonding.

Remember, it’s the shared experiences, the laughter, the challenges, and the memories that make a friend vacation truly special. By engaging in activities that promote bonding, you ensure that the trip is not just about the destination but also about celebrating the joy of friendship.

Important Conclusions

• Effective budgeting and early planning are crucial for a successful friend vacation. Tools like Splitwise and Doodle can assist in managing expenses and scheduling.
• Open communication is vital. Discussing preferences, expectations, and potential issues beforehand can prevent conflicts during the trip.
• Packing smartly, with the help of tools like PackWhiz, ensures you’re prepared for every adventure without overburdening yourself.
• Cultural immersion, from visiting museums to savoring local cuisine, enriches the travel experience and offers unique memories.
• Engaging in bonding activities strengthens friendships and makes the trip more memorable. Shared experiences are the essence of a friend vacation.

Traveling with Children: How to Save and Enjoy Your Journey

Bicycle Travel: A Detailed Guide

European Dominance: Four Countries Share World’s Most Powerful Passports

Culinary Tourism on a Budget: World Flavors for Less

Japan’s Tourism Boom Sparks Concerns: Tackling Overtourism Challenges

Key Considerations for Traveling to Israel: Flight Suspensions and Insurance Insights

Traveling Solo: Safe and Economical Tips for the Solo Traveler

Travelling on a Penny: A Guide to the Cheapest Places in the World

Unlocking Travel Savings: Mastering Advance Trip Planning for Flights and Accommodations

Traveller’s Guide: How to Redeem Loyalty Points and Airline Miles Effectively

A Comprehensive Guide for Digital Nomads: Mastering the Art of Work and Travel Simultaneously

Be Your Own Guide: Mastering the Art of Off-the-Beaten-Path Tourism

Latest travel guides.

Travel Guide

• Tags: adventure trips , beach retreats , bonding activities , budgeting tips , communication , Cultural Immersion , friend vacation , group travel , Local Cuisine , packing essentials , shared experiences , travel destinations , travel planning

Travel for seniors: Safety, health and savings

Navigating the World’s Most Stressful Airports: A 2024 Guide

Navigating Barcelona’s Tourist Tax Increase in 2024

The Renaissance of Night Trains: A New Era in European Travel

Enhanced Road Trip Guide: Nine Key Strategies for a Memorable Journey

Embark on Europe’s Most Enchanting Spring Hikes

10 Fun Places to Go With Friends: Exciting Travel Ideas!

There are no better travel companions than your besties. Exploring a new part of the world might just be the best bonding experience. But what are fun places to go with friends? Here’s a list of 10 spots your travel buddies will love!

There’s no better travel companion than your best friend or a group of your closest pals. You usually enjoy doing the same things, so putting together an itinerary can be easy and fun! It’s also an excellent opportunity to spend quality time together and strengthen your bond.

Choosing the right destination makes all the difference! You need a spot with suitable accommodation for small groups, plenty of activities that you’ll all enjoy, and sometimes a place that is budget friendly so that everyone can enjoy traveling together without any money awkwardness.

With that in mind, these are my top 10 recommendations for the best fun places to go with friends on vacation in 2023. There are options for beach lovers, culture buffs, and party animals.

New to planning trips with friends? Read  tips and tricks on how to plan a vacation trip with friends .

10 Fun Places to travel to with Friends

Here are the top 10 fun places to go with friends. From the USA to Australia, there are some brilliant destinations all over the globe, and what better way to discover this planet than with your friends?

10. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is unforgettable during Mardi Gras in February and Halloween in October. But it’s also a fantastic place to visit with friends all year round if you enjoy music and partying. You can find affordable shared accommodation near the French Quarter, where most bars stay open late, and scores of excellent Creole and Cajun restaurants exist.

During the day, stroll through the beautiful garden district and several fascinating cemeteries. Get some culture at the  National WWII Museum , or hit up the amusement rides at  City Park . In the early evening, take a  Voodoo tour  or get your fortune read. Next, hit up some Jazz and Blues venues before taking to Bourbon Street until dawn.

9. Reykjavik, Iceland

If you and your friends prefer to explore the world’s natural wonders and disconnect from life’s stresses, head to Reykjavik in Iceland. 

Reykjavik is an excellent base for exploring some of Iceland’s best sites via the Golden Circle. This ring road lets you take in some of the country’s best waterfalls, national parks, lava fields, and glacial lagoons.

Plan many inspiring hikes together, including a trip to one of the country’s famous hot springs to relax and rejuvenate. A boat trip to encounter whales and puffins and an evening watching the aurora borealis, the northern lights, is an unmissable experience. This guide on  things to do in Iceland  is sure to inspire you.

8. Lisbon, Portugal

Suppose you’re looking for an affordable Mediterranean destination for a trip with friends. In that case, Lisbon should be at the top of your list. 

Lisbon perfectly combines old European culture, Mediterranean weather and cuisine, art and culture, beaches, and lively nightlife. There’s something for every taste, and it won’t break the bank.

During the day, wander the Alfama district for old Portuguese charm and visit some of the city’s incredible museums. The  Museu Coleção Berardo  is a contemporary art gallery displaying works from the twentieth century. Or visit the  Museum of the Orient  for a cultural explosion of beauty and ancient history. 

You can catch the train to Cascais to find beautiful sandy beaches or spend the day shopping at Feira da Ladra, a top flea market since the 13th century. There’s so much to see! This guide on  things to do in Lisbon  will help you narrow the options!

In the early evening, you’re spoiled for choice with excellent Mediterranean food and places to taste local wine and rich sweet port. The club scene is one of the best in the country, but don’t expect  Lisbon nightlife  to get started before midnight.

7. Prague, Czech Republic

Suppose you and your friends enjoy catching up over a drink and making new friends with travelers worldwide. In that case, Prague is an ideal destination. It’s also one of the most affordable cities in Europe, so you can travel on a budget that suits everyone.

Prague is famous for its beer and has more bars per capita than anywhere else. Line your stomach with heavy Eastern European cuisine, including sauerkraut, goulash, bread dumplings, and fried cheese. At every bar and restaurant, you’ll encounter other travelers looking to share stories and make new memories. 

This is all done against a Medieval backdrop, with layers of architecture dating from around the 10th century onwards. Go to Old Town, see the Astronomical Clock and Church of Our Lady, explore the fascinating 15th-century Jewish cemetery, and hike up to Prague Castle.

Prague is undoubtedly one of the most fun places to go with friends and caters to every type of traveler and budget. This guide on  where to stay in Prague  will help you and your besties find the perfect pad.

6. Bogota, Colombia

Colombia is the most biodiverse country in the world, bordered by the Amazon Rainforest, Andes Mountains, and the Caribbean Sea. The country is safer than its reputation suggests, but it will still be more fun to explore within a team’s safety. Taking on this destination is a bonding experience for besties.

The capital, Bogota, is a great place to stay to find a mix of historic charm and modern urban culture. Take a bike tour of the city when you arrive to get the lay of the land, and then stay in the La Candelaria or Callejon Embudo districts for the best restaurants, bars, and shops. 

Expect great coffee and fruity cocktails. The city is home to some surprisingly good museums, including the  Gold Museum  and the Botero Art Museum.

Bogota is a city that boasts a wide variety of  things to do . Make time for some day trips out of town to discover some unique natural wonders within just a few hours of Bogota. Visit the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, a glowing underground place of worship, Lake Guatavita, or the fantastic waterfalls of La Chorrera Falls and Tequendama Falls. 

5. Bali, Indonesia

If you’re looking for fun places to go with friends, Bali has to find its way onto your travel bucket list. What could be better than renting a private beach villa with your friends or staying together in a luxury resort? You’ll find pristine beaches and affordable accommodations in Bali. 

While it’s one of the most expensive places in Indonesia, it’s cheap when compared to the United States or Europe. These tips on  the best time to go to Bali  will help your group settle on a date that suits everyone.

Stay close to the beach for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing—the waves are excellent. There are also plenty of beach parties almost 24 hours a day if you know where to go. If you prefer a more relaxed day, take a car or a boat to one of the country’s more remote beaches.

If you feel like getting active, there are plenty of beautiful hikes, many of them to gorgeous temples. There are more than 10,000 temples in the area. Recuperate in the afternoon with a massage, and then get dressed with your besties to head out to a high-end restaurant or club.

4. Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is another excellent Southeast Asian destination if you’re looking for fantastic beaches and affordable resorts for a group trip. There are also plenty of beach parties and delicious Thai food to eat. There are so many fun places to go with friends when you’re visiting Phuket. 

Bangtao Beach is an eight-kilometer stretch of white sands and crystal clear waters, and you must eat at one of the floating restaurants at Laem Hin Pier. As well as beaches, parties, and clubs, you can visit the  Green Elephant Sanctuary Park , the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery, Bang Pae Waterfall, see the Big Buddha, and experience the ladyboy show at Simon Cabaret. 

If you’re a little overwhelmed by all the choices, here’s a helpful guide on  things to do in Phuket for first-timers .

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and tends to have the most options, but there are plenty more islands to explore. You can also check out Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha Ngan. Why not take a  boat tour around the Phi Phi islands  surrounding Phuket - talk about fun places to go with friends!

3. Hanoi, Vietnam

Suppose you’re looking for an affordable but exotic destination where you and your friends can eat, drink, and be entertained without breaking the bank. In that case, Hanoi in Vietnam should be on your list of fun places to go with friends.

Hanoi is a beautiful city with a rich history. While it’s a city of modern skyscrapers, it’s also spotted with ancient temples, Chinese-style pagodas, and French colonial mansions. But the city doesn’t feel like a concrete jungle thanks to the more than two dozen lakes. Plenty of sites like the Temple of Literature and the  Museum of Ethnology exist.

As you explore, enjoy some of the world’s cheapest beer and best street food, including unusual delicacies such as ostrich meat and traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Pho and Banh Xeo meat-stuffed crepes.

2. Napa Valley, California

This is for a more luxurious getaway with the besties, especially if you all love wine! If you’re looking for one of those fun places to go with friends that’s just peaceful and easy, head to Napa Valley in California. 

As well as finding a luxurious villa for the group, you must book a  wine tour  and visit some of the 400 wineries in the area. Try French-inspired bubblies, artisanal Pinots, and award-winning Sauvignon Blancs and Cabernets.

You can also spend days boutique shopping in downtown Napa or at one of the many spas in the area. Sign up for a group yoga session or take a bike tour across the valley. If you don’t want to party in your accommodation, then there’s the lively but sophisticated nightlife in Napa.

1. Gold Coast, Australia

If you want to experience the best of what Australia offers on a trip with friends, head to the Gold Coast for fantastic beaches, dramatic national parks, and lively nightlife. You’ll also find some of the country’s largest shopping centers if you do some shared retail therapy too! 

The Gold Coast is one of the most fun places to go with friends if you’re heading to Australia.

Find an apartment close to the main beach area with a veranda overlooking the ocean or an Airbnb on a suburban street. Work on your tan during the day, or take a surf lesson at one of the many surf schools in Surfers Paradise. 

You might also catch an international surf competition if you’re lucky with your dates. 

If you’ve got transport, there’s plenty to do within a short drive. You’ll find hikes, scenic views, and waterfalls up Tamborine Mountain if you love nature. If you’re looking for something to raise your adrenaline levels, head to one of the many nearby theme parks, including:

• Movie World

Make sure everyone is happy with what you’ve planned by reading another helpful  guide to trip planning with friends .

Plan Your Trip Collaborative with Pilot!

The logistics of planning a collaborative trip can be challenging. Coordinating schedules and budgets and ensuring everyone gets their top priorities on the to-do list can be a logistical challenge. But that’s where Pilot can save the day!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Satisfy your wanderlust

Get Pilot. The travel planner that takes fun and convenience to a whole other level. Try it out yourself.

Trending Travel Stories

Discover new places and be inspired by stories from our traveller community.

Related Travel Guides

Packing Cubes Traveler's Review: Are they really worth it?

Complete Vacation Packing List: Remember for your next vacay!

12 Best Travel Games to Enjoy With Friends on Your Next Trip!

How to Plan a Trip with Friends for a Perfect Getaway

Make the most of every trip.

You won’t want to plan trips any other way!

The trip planner that puts everything in one place, making planning your trip easier, quicker, and more fun.

Little Blue Backpack

chase what's fun.

Tips & Tricks · May 3, 2022

The Ultimate Guide For Traveling With Friends [15 Tips]

Traveling with friends isn’t always easy. You are dealing with sleep schedules, expectations, quirks, and budgets that are not always in line. The goal is to enjoy time and new experiences with your friends, but sometimes you quickly realize people are more complex when you spend 4 days in close quarters vs. a night out for dinner.

Group trips are usually amazing or quite the opposite and the truth is, the little things usually make the difference! Here are 15 tips for traveling with friends that will help create a positive travel experience and create memorable moments.

Make sure everyone has a good time—the whole time.

Before You Commit to Traveling with Friends

There are top things to consider before you even sign up to take a trip with friends. The first step…

1. Understand WHO You are Saying Yes to:

You are not required to travel with everyone and anyone. It’s not always a good idea are simply people we are compatible with and those who we should spend a limited amount of time with—even if we appreciate it to the fullest.

Red flags? You’re a morning person and get up at 6:00 am and your potential traveling companions prefer 11:00 am. Maybe they can’t walk .5 miles without complaining or they only eat kale. Take some time to think about who your good friends are, how they operate, and if a trip together is a great idea.

If you have common travel styles and are able to set similar expectations, book those flights! There’s nothing like traveling with those closest to you. And who doesn’t love finding “vacation friends?”

Here are a few questions to think about:

• Does their travel style line up with mine?
• What about travel costs? Do you have similar budgets? (At least for this trip)
• Can I voice honest opinions with these people?
• What do I love about them?
• What really annoys me about them? (And is this list longer than the question above…)

2. Understand WHERE You are Saying Yes to:

You’re not done thinking yet. Equally as important, you need to consider which travel destination they are asking you to go. If the destination is on your list (and you’ve decided they are a trusty travel companion)—great! But if it’s somewhere that has never been of interest or looks boring, chaotic, or unappealing, you should say no.

Maybe they want to head to the boundary waters but sleeping on the ground makes you cringe. Or they want you to join their kids birthday party in Wisconsin Dells because “it will be fun for the adults too.” (Okay, Megan…) You know what you are interested in and what will be fun for YOU. Unless it’s required, don’t commit and spend money on a trip you know is going to drive you nuts.

Commitment Rule of Thumb: If It’s Not A Quick Yes, It’s a No.

Let me explain. You get a text from your best friend Hey! Me and Brittany are thinking about going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras! Wanna come? What is your VERY FIRST thought? Listen to that. It’s your intuition.

Maybe it’s OMG I have always wanted to experience Mardi Gras. On the flip side, it might be, Mardi Gras with Sam and Brittany…those two partying together is bad news…

Your first thought is going to give you A LOT of what you need to know. If it’s excitement, keep the door open. If it’s negative, you probably don’t want to do it and shouldn’t force yourself.

3. Pick One Way or the Other

It’s not required that you say yes to traveling with friends. We all have priorities. If you have reasonable friends, they are going to understand if you don’t have the money right now, or are committed to something else, feeling burnt out, or not interested in the destination.

That said, one thing to stay away from is the middle ground. That sounds so fun, let me think about it! And then…crickets. Don’t put your friends, or yourself, in that position. For them, it’s hard to continue planning. For you, you are wasting time thinking about your decision when you likely deep down already know the answer.

If it’s a no, don’t fall into avoidance mode. Thanks for the invite but I’m going to have to pass. I don’t have the money right now and it’s not great for my schedule. I hope you guys have a blast! Or Thanks for the invite. I’M IN. LET’S GOOOOOO!

Tip: Set a date for decisions to be made as a group so everyone knows that’s when the next steps are going to happen.

Once you’re committed to traveling with friends.

You’re all in! It’s time to start planning what’s going to be an unforgettable time traveling with your friends—assuming you follow the rest of these tips.

4. Appoint a Leader

In most cases, this happens naturally. It could potentially fall on the person who ties the group together. Or maybe it’s the one friend who knows what she’s doing 18 weeks from now—she just loves planning and being a travel agent.

She can schedule the pre-trip chats, book the hotel, provide information, and give reminders. Have the planner start a group text or email chain which is a great way to keep a record of your plans.

5. Schedule a Group Chat

This is one of the best things you can do! Trip plans and details are easily sorted out when you meet in person. Avoid only communicating through text where you can’t gauge emotions and feelings. Make it fun and grab happy hour after work one night (in-person or on Zoom) to discuss the next steps.

Tip: If you can’t meet up before the trip, use the first breakfast as a time to align.

6. Determine Transportatio n as a Group

Planes, trains, and automobiles. Determine the times of day first. Are you aiming to leave Thursday night and return Sunday afternoon? Great, now the group knows what to look out for instead of scanning every available flight, as well as the information needed to take off work and other activities. It’s also helpful if you are coming from different cities in order to align the arrival times as closely as possible. (And don’t forget rental cars!)

Tip: if you purchase on one credit card, you are much more likely to sit together without paying any extra fees – even if you don’t choose the seats yourself.

If you are taking a road trip, make sure to lock down who is driving and what vehicle you are taking. Schedule a time/place to meet and don’t forget to tell the notoriously late friend a solid 30 minutes earlier. In addition, be mindful of how many bags can fit with the number of bodies going! Notoriously late friend’s suitcase has to fit too!

7. Determine Where You are Going to Stay as a Group

AirBnbs are great options when traveling with friends and are typically budget-friendly. A hotel room allows for great perks like pools with swim-up bars. Figure out the following:

• Max budget; Most websites will have a filter to only show what is in your price range. Four people, $75 per day = filter at $300/night (likely a little below due to taxes/fees). Don’t even look at what’s not in everyone’s range.
• Location; The heart of downtown for the experience and walking accessibility? A nearby suburb to save money? Near one particular attraction?
• Special Accommodations; Free breakfast, outdoor pool, etc. Note: this may cost more upfront, but think about a day at the pool—very inexpensive compared to other activities, so it may be worth it. (I take that back if you opted for the swim-up bar.)
• The key to finding the perfect place to stay is determining all of the above and then filtering. It’s much easier to pick and choose between 3 than it is to sort through the 100s that come up in your initial search of the city.

8. Choose One Priority Each

As you’re discussing how to get there and where to stay, listen to everyone’s feedback. It’s likely going to give you answers as to what everyone wants to do. Make a mental note or write down any restaurants, shops, museums, and activities people mention.

Talk about the list of things along with any other ideas and have each person name one experience they want to make sure you do. You want to make sure everyone has input. Plus, it allows people to try new things and get out of their comfort zone!

While Traveling with Friends

9. make splitting expenses easy:.

When traveling with close friends, credit cards are going to be flying around left and right. Paying the bill at dinner, purchasing tickets for the group, hopping in Ubers after the unnecessary round of shots. To make it as easy as possible, here are my tips:

• Don’t “figure it out later:” when someone pays, make sure you determine who owes what and at least have a running note on your phone. You are going to forget if you go through 4 days of expenses.
• Venmo App ; the easiest and best way to pay others back—if you don’t have it, it’s time to get with the times!
• Community Fund ; have everyone in the group throw in $50 or so that can be used throughout the trip on Ubers, a round of drinks, or any other smaller purchases that requires everyone to pitch in. That way, you’re not constantly sending $5 back and forth.
• Don’t count pennies ; we all have that friend Becky who calculates the bill and says “Okay, everyone owes me $22.47.” Don’t be, Becky. Pennies all come full circle in the end.

10. Break Off Into Smaller Groups

Is your group not agreeing on an activity? Not. A. Big. Deal. Don’t let this turn into tension or a fight—you don’t need to be together the entire trip. Split off into smaller groups, or head somewhere alone if you’d like.

Tip: make sure to set a time to meet up again.

Whether it’s the end of the day or even the next morning. This helps set expectations and no one is left out or feels bad. Continue using the group text for communication and everyone can enjoy their own great adventures!

11. Find Personal Time

Traveling with a group of friends forces you to be around people at all times. If you are any bit of an introvert, you will likely need to make space for some alone time.

Spend an hour at a coffee shop in the morning or head to the hotel lobby. Maybe it’s before bed as you scroll your phone and watch the day’s best YouTube videos. The chance to unwind and be alone, outside of the shower, is crucial and the best way to remain a good travel companion.

12. Do NOT Gossip About Each Other

If she talks about her boyfriend one more time I am going to freak out. Stop. Do not talk crap about your travel buddies; it’s the best way to end things in disaster. This will cause a divide for the rest of the trip and it’s likely not worth it at all. Have FUN with each other; that’s why you are together and you want to spend as much time HAPPY as possible.

13. Always Carry a Few Snacks

For when your friend starts whining about something dumb. They need a Snickers. (Nuts, apples, and beef jerky are healthier, easy to carry, no mess options as well.) Ha, seriously, this is one of those small ideas that end up being one of the most important things.

Final Tips for Traveling with Friends

14. communication is key..

Make sure everyone is on the same page with travel plans as often as possible. And don’t be afraid to speak up. Did your friends do something they weren’t thrilled to take part in? Say thank you. Travel companion annoying you? Tell them, nicely, to cut the shit. Just kidding, but do nicely say something. If you’re traveling with them and they are true friends, you should feel comfortable being honest.

Most group travel frustrations are due to a lack of communication and expectations.

15. and remember….

Traveling with friends can be an amazing experience and bring you closer than ever before. You will share good times and memories you remember forever, learn more about them, and experience new places. Make planning, listening, and communicating a priority, and you are going to have an incredible time.

Enjoy your next adventure with your closest friends!

My Best Group Trip Recommendations? Sedona , Las Vegas , and Austin !

Do You Have More Tips for Traveling with Friends?

Let me know in the comments how you can have the best time with a travel buddy or five!

You’ll Also Love

The Best Hidden Gems in Colorado: 14 Towns to Visit

What the people love.

• Destinations
• Save Money to Travel
• Tips & Tricks
• Let’s Connect

Copyright © 2024 Little Blue Backpack · Theme by 17th Avenue

No products in the basket.

14 places to travel with your best friend

Updated On 27th May, 2021

Friends that travel together, stay together! Your bestie is the one person you can always rely on. The one that’s there to help you forget about all the hard days at work, the  difficult breakups  and to just generally embrace the good vibes with! They are also the perfect person to build a best friend bucket list with and tick off as many places to travel with your best friend as possible .

Jobs, colleagues, flings, hard times… they all come and go. But your best friend(s) will stick with you through it all. When you’ve got yourself a BFF, cherish them, appreciate them, and make the most of every second with them!  Life is short .

Get your pen and paper out and start your best friend bucket list for 2021.

Your best friend is the  perfect  adventure buddy. They know you inside out, perhaps even better than you know yourself. Creating a best friend travel bucket list together is such a fun task to do and  then there’s going out and ticking the adventures off!  Check out my guide to planning your next adventure here.

The memories you make as you work your way through your best friend bucket list are priceless. There are so many places to travel with your best friend that the adventures will last a lifetime. They are the memories you’ll be laughing about for years and years to come, especially if you  turn them into a scrapbook . Travelling and sharing memories is one of the best ways to  show your BFF that you love them .

If you’re looking for places to travel with your best friend, places to visit with your best friend or ideas for your best friend travel bucket list, this is the blog post for you. Go on, share this with your best friend, get your notepads out and get planning!

Check out my best friend bucket list here.

14 places to travel with your best friend...

1. australia.

Travelling or backpacking through Australia is high up on many people’s best friends bucket lists !  It’s not hard to see why Australia is one of the best places to travel with your best friend.

Maybe it’s the tropical climates, the wildlife, the laid-back beachy lifestyle, the epic road trips or the backpacker goals lifestyle that has you dreaming of a trip down under, or maybe it’s a combination of them all?

Whether you want to try a city break in Sydney , backpacking down the East Coast , a trip to the outback , or a laid back weekend in Byron Bay, there are so many best things to do in Australia that it can be hard to choose what to do first! Not to mention the bucket list trips to the Whitsundays , Fraser Island or the Great Barrier Reef! Wherever in Australia you decide to visit with your best friend, you’re sure to have an awesome time. 

Check out the best things to do in Australia here. 

2. Portugal

Portugal is somewhere I recently spent a fair amount of time in, exploring with my van and my girlfriends, and we absolutely loved it!  Portugal is 100% a stop off you should make on your European road trip or adventure. 

Portugal is a great place to travel with your best friend because there  are  many   awesome things to do in Portugal. W hether it’s for surfing in Nazare or Lagos , exploring the stunning city of Lisbon or relaxing on the Algarve, Portugal is definitely somewhere to add to your best friend bucket list. 

Whether you’re an avid surfer, walker, camper or beach bummer – Portugal is going to cater for you and your best friend… and some.

Check out the best things to do in Portugal here.

Travellers tend to give England a hard time for its rainfall but where there’s rain, there are lush greens. If you are your BFF love hiking, then a staycation in England is a great place for your best friend bucket list. The beautiful English countryside, such as that in Yorkshire ,  the Lake District ,  Devon  and the  South Downs  will be, without a doubt, one of the highlights of your English adventure and trust me, you’ll be missing the cosy English pub scene within days of departure. The most beautiful places in England are going to blow your mind.

From the bustling cities such as  London  and  Leeds , beachside towns in  Cornwall  and  Dorset , to the many Areas of Outstanding Beauty and  national parks , England really holds its own when it comes to choosing places to travel with your best friend. 

• 15 UK National Parks: which one should I visit?
• The best places to visit in England
• My favourite things to do in England
• Unique things to do in England

From taking on one of the incredible  French via ferratas , wine tasting in one of the French wine regions and hiking in the  French Alps  all the way to  Skiing in Val D’Isere , a  city break in Paris  and a  Christmas Market road trip , you aren’t short of things to do in France that you can add to your best friend bucket list.

I’ve done many road trips with my best friend through France over the years and your trip to France can include so many incredible types of adventure. You can also try surfing down in Hossegor / Biarritz, climbing in Chamonix and visiting the champagne region ! Gosh, France is amazing!

If you’re based in the UK, getting the ferry over to France is such an easy option, make France one of many great places to travel with your best friend. The crossing takes around an hour and it means you don’t have to worry about going to the airport / hiring a car when you get there. See my experience and tips for the ferry crossing here.

See all the best things to do in France here. 

5. Indonesia

A country that I’ve fallen in love with time and time again, Indonesia really is a great place to travel with your best friend. I’d say it’s one of the cheapest places to travel in Asia, or even in the world, making it perfect for anyone who is travelling on a budget. From exploring the famous island of Bali (for example the surf break in Uluwatu , or the monkey forest in Ubud ) to swimming with manta rays on Nusa Lembongan , and discovering the smaller, less travel islands that are equally as beautiful, Indonesia provides plenty of opportunity for adventures for your best friend bucket list.

Check out all the best things to do in Bali here. 

Beautiful Italy is one of the best places to travel with your best friend. Seeing the colosseum in Rome should be on everyone’s best friend bucket list, as well as taking a gondola in Venice, seeing the Duomo in Milan, eating all the pasta in Puglia, visitng Pompeii, going on a Calabrian road trip and exploring some of the best things to do in Sicily , such as exploring the multicultural capital of Palermo . Hop on a plane with your BFF for a well-deserved dose of sunshine, gelato and good wine!

See all the best things to do in Sicily here. 

There are million reasons to visit Greece, and it’s one of the best places to travel with your best friend. From swimming in the turquoise waters to exploring underground lakes, exploring the history in Athens or Crete, sailing around the Ionian Islands or going on a road trip across the Greek mainland, it’s one of the best places to put on your best friend bucket list. 

Check out the best things to do in Greece here. 

8. Thailand

Thailand is such a popular destination for first time backpackers due to its low cost of living, and high delivery of adventure and freedom (partying) – the best of both worlds and ideal for an adventure with your best friend. From buy one get one free buckets and partying with international backpackers in some of the most gorgeous locations in the world such as Bangkok, to volunteering in elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, PADI diving certificates and island hopping – it’s not hard to see why it’s popular. Why not add Thailand to your best friend bucket list and share all the fun with your BFF?

• Check out my top tips for travelling in Thailand in this post. 
• See all my tips for travelling in Southeast Asia in this post. 

With 50 provinces, 17 regions, and at least 5 languages, Spain is a super diverse country, so it’s one of the best places to travel with your best friend if you’re looking for some variety in your adventure! From hiking and skiing in the Pyreenes to surfing on the coast, spending a party weekend in Marbella to going on a road trip in Mallorca and catching some of the most beautiful sunsets in Formentor , or enjoing the winter sun in Gran Canaria or a city break in Barcelona , Spain has something to offer every set of BFFs! Don’t forget the amazing cuisine, stunning architecture and the fact that Spain hosts some of the best music festivals in the world – add Spain to your best friend bucket list now! 

10. Costa Rica

Get yourselves ready to be immersed  in the abundant, rich quality of nature that is on offer in   Costa Rica . From what I’ve seen, Costa Rica is truly a playground of nature, consisting of 27 National Parks dotted across the country. Can you imagine? It’s an awesome place to travel with your best friend!

If you’re not kicking back and relaxing on the Caribbean Coast in Santa Teresa , you could be trying your hand at riding the waves along the Pacific Coast. And then after that, you’ll most likely be spending a few nights in the treetops at one of the eco-resorts before diving into the jungle or climbing  Costa Rica’ s highest mountain. You get the picture… it’s adventure central, great for your best friend bucket list!

Check out all the best things to do in Costa Rica in this blog post. 

11. New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most popular places to visit in the world, especially for backpackers, and who wouldn’t want to go backpacking with their best friend?!

There are so many awesome things to do in New Zealand, that even though I’ve been twice now, I can’t wait to get on a plane and explore some more. Maybe it’s the breathtaking scenery, the friendly local people, the entralling history and culture, the epic road trips, the amazing food and wine, or the backpacker lifestyle that has you dreaming of a trip to New Zealand, or maybe it’s a combination of them all?

There are so many cool things to do in New Zealand, making it a great destination for your best friend bucket list. There’s skydiving in Taupo , bungy jumping in Queenstown , taking on the Tongariro crossing , seeing the dolphins , exploring Auckland , and more! 

See all the best things to do in New Zealand here. 

12. Croatia

From  sunset kayaking around Dubrovnik castle  to hiring a boat and  travelling around some of the islands , all the way to dancing the night away during the  Yacht Week  or Underground Market in the cellar of  Diocletian Palace in Split , you aren’t short of things to do in Croatia – it’s definitely one for your best friend bucket list.

I’ve been to Croatia a few times over the years, including with the  Yacht Week  and with the  Global Travellers family , and Croatia really is full of adventure. Whether you want a city break in  Split  or  Dubrovnik , to go  Croatia island hopping  along the Dalmatian Coast, to go hiking in the Plitvice Lakes National Park or go swimming under the  Krka waterfall,  Croatia really has adventure to offer everyone, making in the perfect place to travel with your best friend.

Check out all the best things to do in Croatia here. 

A luxury safari in Kenya . Talk about once in a lifetime opportunities… definitely one for your best friend bucket list! 

How does an adventure to uncover the big five sound? In the wild? In Africa? In your own private jeep? What dreams are truly made of, right? What’s more, after you’ve seen all the animals on safari you can head to Watamu for some beach time and fully chill out on the coast… pure bliss!

• See my guide to planning your Kenya safari here
• See my guide to Watamu on the Kenyan coastline here

14. The Philippines

The Philippines is a destination that  changed my approach to travel , and I can’t wait to return there one day. From the stunning beaches to the deep blue lagoons, you can really have a ‘luxury’ holiday on a backpacker budget in the Philippines! The Philippines is also one of the best places to do adrenaline-rushing activities such as canyoneering, skydiving, paragliding, and swimming with whale sharks – adventures that are perfect for your best friend travel bucket list! Check out my experience of canyoneering here.

Have you travelled with your best friend?

Where are your favourite places to travel with your best friend? Anything you’d add to this best friend bucket list?

Love as always and happy adventuring,

Passionate about adventure and creativity. Currently enjoying the sunshine while teaching English in southern Italy.

Did you find this post helpful? I’d love you to share it for me.

Pin and save this blog post for later…

IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

Shop the google map legends

Search by adventure type, active travel, backpacking, budget travel, love and relationships, once in a lifetime, packing tips, solo travel, weekend getaways, where's mollie newsletter, travel shop, search by destination, other posts that you may like....

Drinks at Vertigo 42, London

A beginner’s guide to hiking

The best things to do in the UK National Parks

My first Via Ferrata in Nax, Switzerland and a night at Hotel D’Angleterre in Geneva

How to plan Burning Man if you’re flying in internationally

Breakfast at Duck and Waffle, Bishopsgate London

The best things to do and see in Portugal

Franz Josef Glacier – My first heli ride :)

4 days in southern Finland exploring Helsinki, Salo and Hanko

Privacy overview.

• Destinations
• National Parks
• Unique Stays
• Gear Guides
• Travel Tips
• Get in Touch

Best Places to Travel With Friends | 3 Terrific Trip Ideas

Wondering about the best places to travel with friends? You’re in the right place! Travel expert Tyla Oliver brings us this fun guest post with the top three destinations for traveling with friends, along with tips and tricks for ensuring it goes smoothly!

From early morning hikes to late-night partying overseas and paddleboarding in the Canadian Rockies , trips with friends are adventures like no other.

With your passport, carefully selected travel gear , and a close-knit friend group at your side, you’ll be able to craft lifelong memories with some of your closest compadres.

While exploring some of the best places to travel with friends might seem like a daunting experience, you’ll be well-equipped for your trip with some destination inspiration and travel hacks.

From an adrenaline-infused Emerald Cave kayaking tour to simply sleeping the day away with a hangover, a best friends’ trip is a kaleidoscope of different adventures.

Unsure how to unearth the hidden gems of the ultimate places to travel with friends? Take a look at the best places to go with your friends to ensure you have an unforgettable trip!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission — at no cost to you — if you click or make a purchase through any of them. For more information, read my  disclosure statement . I appreciate you!

Jump ahead to:

Amsterdam – The All-Rounder Choice

Las vegas – the party & adventure choice, sri lanka – the tropical & chill choice, tips & tricks for travel with friends, final thoughts on places to travel with friends, best vacation for friends | cities & countries to visit.

Whether you’re craving a quaint setting or a vibrant city filled with life and color, you’ll have a blast discovering the nooks and crannies of urban spaces with your friends.

Take a look at a few exceptional destination options to get the ball rolling for the perfect pal-cation trips for best friends.

Photo credit: Liene Ratniece on Pexels

The taste of delicious street food, charming waters of the canals, and sweet smells from a flower market — Amsterdam is a tapestry of sensations waiting to be explored.

From the iconic cultural museums to the ever-famous cannabis-infused sweet treats at coffee shops , the capital of the Netherlands is a fantastic find like no other.

While accommodation is quite expensive in this magical city, you and your friends will find plenty of traveler hostel stays to enjoy a budget-friendly trip . 

What could be better than having a nostalgic sleepover experience (many times, even equipped with bunk beds!) to swap travel war stories after a long day of traveling?

Plus, there are many awesome FREE things to do in Amsterdam !

Top Group Excursion: A pillar of the hop-filled history of an uber-famous brewery , the Heineken Experience is sure to be a crowd favorite with your travel crew. From a sneak peek into the beer brewing process to a frothy taster at the end of the tour, this excursion is a treat to experience.

Local tip (pun intended!): Tipping in Amsterdam is somewhat different from what you may be accustomed to. For example, you generally don’t tip for every drink or round ordered at a bar. Instead, you tip a few euros at the end of the evening.  

As they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Except for the memories, of course! With a nickname like Sin City, you’ll be able to experience a vast tapestry of interesting and exciting activities with your travel buddies.

Whether it’s the loud jingles of a winning slot machine or a killer tune from a famous singer at a Las Vegas show, you’ll soon be transfixed by the melodies of this city.

If you’re looking for a hot deal (in terms of both very warm weather and low hotel prices), June to August is a great time to pack your bags and head for the Mojave Desert.

And if you’re specifically looking for one of the best places to travel with friends on a budget, here it is! Not only can you do Sin City cheap, but you can get there without spending much, either, especially if your group takes a bus to Las Vegas .

As a bonus, Vegas is less than three hours from Zion National Park , the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree! Closer to town, you also have the option of touring Hoover Dam or heading out to Valley of Fire State Park. 

Top Group Excursion: A breath of fresh air from neon and late nights, Red Rock Canyon near Vegas is a trip worth taking. This excursion is a fun trip to take with friends, with hikes filled with sandstone rock formations and hidden waterfalls . Remember, bring lots of water, even in winter!

Photo credit: olga-filo on Pixabay

Are you looking for the lush tropics of Hawaii and Thailand without the sea of tourists and soaring accommodation prices ? Sri Lanka is a beach paradise destination sure to be high on any best place to travel with friends list.

This dazzling Asian country is known for producing an abundance of different sights and activities to tickle any traveler’s fancy. From the fragrant aromas of Ceylon tea plantations to the gentle giants of elephant sanctuaries, Sri Lanka provides a layered trip filled with treasured experiences.

Make your way to the hippie haven of Hikkaduwa on the West Coast to experience the life of sea, sand, and sunshine. From November to April, surfers rejoice due to the epic surf breaks found during this time.

Top Group Excursion: A must-visit destination rather than an excursion, a few days in the town of Tangalle in the South is the ultimate stay for the beach bum lifestyle .

With stunning secluded beaches and quaint restaurants, this town is perfect for a lazy vacation with best friends— but there are also tons of fun things to do in Tangalle .

Photo credit: zwaan6 on Pixabay

While it might be tempting to set sail with your friends overseas, a vacation with your close clan sometimes makes or breaks a holiday — and a friendship. To ensure you keep the peace between pals, take a look at a few essential pre-planning guidelines.

• Plan in advance – While planning travel isn’t always easy, the stakes are much higher when you add friends to the mix. By crafting a group vacation plan in advance, you’ll ensure many key travel components are handled, such as the destination and accommodation.
• Use an app to help – These days, we have endless tools and resources to help plan travel. Especially when it comes to friend trips, group travel planning apps like Tab or TripSplitter can be a tremendous help. 
• Determine your budget – Whether you’re looking to swim in the lap of luxury travel or ballin’ on a budget, you need to be on the same page with your fellow travelers. From there, decide if you’ll pool finances or pay separately. This is another way travel apps can help!
• Travel with the right people – A breezy break can quickly turn into a storm of awkward tension if you’re not traveling with close friends. While this definitely isn’t always the case, you’re more likely to know what’s in store if you’ve known your travel group for a long time. Have an open communication policy throughout your trip to ensure no underlying negativity.

Photo credit: esudroff on Pixabay

From bustling beaches to sanctuaries of solitude, the best places to travel with friends are beautiful opportunities to explore exotic locations and solidify friendships.

Whether you choose boozy Las Vegas or the tranquil tides of Sri Lanka, the destination won’t matter, but rather the people you embark on new journeys with.

So there you have it, three of the best places to travel with friends. Do you have any recommendations we missed? Comment below or connect with us on social media to let us know!

Sharing is caring!

Taryn is happiest when she's outside and always up for an adventure — especially if it involves a hike, sunset, road trip, or limited cell service.

You May Also Like...

Glamping unplugged | dreamy north carolina glamping domes, harvest hosts review + 9 amazing harvest host locations, alyeska hideaway | charming log cabins in alaska, leave a reply cancel comment.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

36 Ultimate Cross Country Road Trip Tips

12 most spectacular bioluminescent bays in the world, privacy overview.

6 Fun Trips to Take With Your Best Friend

Party islands, desert towns, and everything in between: Try one of these hand-picked destinations for your next girls’ getaway.

Editor's note: As we continue to practice  social distancing , we encourage our readers to check the  Centers for Disease Control website  for up-to-date information on how to safely travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The beauty of vacationing with your best friend is that you’re effortlessly on the same wavelength; after all, so much of what makes for an easy trip is that baseline of compatibility. And now that more arms are getting shots and travel restrictions are beginning to ease, it’s a perfect time for the two of you to start plotting your next escape.

Where to? We’ve rounded up six spots around the country that offer culture, adventure, and spectacular sites or scenery—basically, a foolproof formula for any twosome. (Bonus: If you sign up for the brand-new  United Quest  card from Chase, you can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles. Plus, get a $125 annual United purchase credit and two free checked bags for each of you, saving up to $280 right out of the gate.)

Palm Springs, California

Why go:  Everywhere you turn in this desert town, there’s something interesting to look at. Charming boutiques and galleries, pastel mid-century modern architecture, palm trees swaying in the breeze—it’s no wonder aesthetes flock to the Coachella Valley for celebrated art and design festivals like  Modernism Week  and  Desert X . And with  Joshua Tree National Park  less than an hour away, you can balance the urban cool with some off-grid adventure.

Where to stay:  Les Cactus , which opened in February, may be a newcomer to Palm Springs, but the Airbnb-hotel hybrid is a total throwback—a revamped 1930s property renamed for a 1960s song by French rocker Jacques Dutronc. There are 27 airy, bungalow-style guest rooms, a hammock garden, an outdoor fire pit, and a cool pink exterior, all of which scream California eclectic.

What to do:  Hit the  Palm Springs Art Museum  to admire works by Louise Bourgeois and Anish Kapoor, and book a  day spa package  at the newly opened  Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort  in Desert Hot Springs, where the geothermal mineral springs are naturally heated to 174 degrees and there’s a Himalayan salt room for relaxing and detoxifying.

Later on, enjoy Hemingway daiquiris at the Cecil Beaton-inspired  Bar Cecil , which opens in mid-April. Sacred  Tahquitz Canyon  has 60 miles of trails; one of the two-mile loops rewards hikers with ancient rock art and a 60-foot seasonal waterfall at its summit. And in 2022, be on the lookout for the opening of  Agua Caliente Cultural Museum  from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. When the 5.8-acre center debuts, it’ll be the largest Native American museum west of the Mississippi.

Stay In The Know

Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

Austin, Texas

The Carpenter Hotel

Why go:  For pals who have cemented their sisterhood through food—tracking the latest restaurant openings, veering off the beaten path to hunt down delicious street eats—Austin is the buffet that just won’t quit. There’s famous  Franklin Barbecue , of course, but also stellar breakfast tacos at  Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ , matzo ball caldo at  June’s All Day , brisket bentos at Texan izakaya  Kemuri Tatsu-ya , and the sunny wine patio at  LºLº , where the only thing more hip than the bottles are the (masked) servers.

center']For pals who have cemented their friendship through food, Austin is the buffet that just won't quit.

Where to stay:  Even ATX hotels pride themselves on next-level fare.  Carpenter Hotel , a stylish haunt in an old union hall, serves fresh-baked kolaches (pastry) in its café and innovative dishes like Tex Mez, a white bean hummus with pecan baba ganoush, golden beets, and feta, at its restaurant,  Carpenters Hall . The 93-room inn, founded by alums of the  Ace Hotel , hosts creative activities like sound bath meditations and textile marbling—though you and your better half may prefer to just decompress by the pool, Oaxacan Old Fashioneds in hand.

What to do:  Dance up a storm at the tropical-themed  Coconut Club ; go for a splash at  Barton Springs , a spring-fed emerald swimming pool in Zilker Park; catch a drive-in movie at  The Blue Starlite ; or browse the wild collection of rare motorcycles, souped-up hot rods, and movie cars (including one of three original Ghostbusters Ectomobiles!) at the  Austin Rock & Roll Car Museum .

For a cool souvenir, book a portrait session with  Lumiere Tintype , a photo studio pitched in the backyard of  Justine’s Brasserie . Photographer Adrian Whipp is a master of the wet plate collodion process and will capture your grinning mugs in a tintype as timeless as your friendship.

Punta de Mita, Mexico

Punta de Mita

Why go:  Friends who need a good re-centering after the challenges of the past year needn’t look any farther than the Riviera Nayarit. Punta de Mita, in particular, is just 45 minutes from the airport in Puerto Vallarta but feels a world apart with its hidden beaches, consistent surf breaks, and varied wildlife.

Where to stay:  For sunny-good vibes,  W Punta de Mita  is the perfect pick. Its infinity pool has a see-through wall and the “wet deck,” a ‘grammable million-tile mosaic walkway inspired by the artistry of Mexico’s indigenous Huichol people. The spa has five private treatment rooms, plus a therapy pool equipped with hydro jets and a pressure shower. Yoga classes take place in the high season, with private Pilates and meditation sessions available upon request. The guest rooms are spirit-lifting too, splashed in bright colors like turquoise and magenta, some with deep soaking tubs and headboards made of punched tin. Best of all, you don’t have to walk far to sample some of the peninsula’s freshest fish. W’s  Chevycheria , a 1950s Chevrolet truck turned thatched-roof cevicheria and beach bar, specializes in regional varieties. Try the spicy Yucatán version with shrimp, scallops, and octopus.

Just 45 minutes from the airport in Puerta Vallarta, Punta de Mita feels a world apart.

What to do:  Learn how to catch a wave with bilingual instructors from the esteemed  Tranquilo Surf Adventures & Surf School . Their semi-private lessons, with two students per teacher, are ideal for friends. (If you two already know what you’re doing and just want to rent boards or SUPs by the hour,  Mita Surf Club  can help.) Hop a private yacht to  Islas Marietas , a national marine park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its humpback whales and blue-footed boobies.  Punta Mita Expeditions  will take care of all the details, leaving you to enjoy the snorkeling or diving.

Another day, shop the funky galleries and bohemian boutiques in nearby Sayulita, or hike up Monkey Mountain, a 4.6-mile trail near Bahía de Banderas. It’s rocky and steep with an elevation gain of more than a thousand feet—but the sweeping views of the sparkling Pacific are worth it.

Mykonos, Greece

Why go:  After a year of Zoom meetings and puttering around in sweatpants, doesn’t it sound fun to dress up real nice and, like, hang out with strangers? Greece’s most glamorous party island siren-calls with beautiful beaches by day and glittery nightlife from dusk till dawn. Notably, it’s just a 40-minute flight or 2.5-hour high-speed ferry ride from Athens, so you can first cram in a little culture (Acropolis, Parthenon, etc.).

Mykonos siren-calls with beautiful beaches by day and glittery nightlife from dusk till dawn.

Where to stay:  This sun-drenched Greek isle has no shortage of dreamy hotel suites, but many are aimed at honeymooners.  Paradise View  is unique because its light-flooded rooms, done up in dazzling white with pops of Aegean blue, include double beds with rainshower baths and terraces overlooking the sea. The helpful front desk staff can assist with bike and car rentals, and while it’s just a five-minute stroll down to buzzy Paradise Beach, you might just find yourself spending most of your time lounging by the hotel's jewel box pool.

What to do:  Tempting as it is to stake out a sunny strip of sand at tranquil  Kapari Beach  or spend every day lounging by your suite’s private plunge pool, this is an island that rewards doers. Ask the Paradise View concierge about chartering a catamaran for a sunset cruise on the brilliant blue Aegean Sea or set off on foot to tour the très chic boutiques and ancestral chapels in labyrinthine Chora. Panagia Paraportiani, a whitewashed church dating back to the Byzantine era, is not to be missed.

When hunger strikes, make the schlep to  Kiki’s Taverna  near buzzy  Agios Sostis Beach . There’s no sign, no phone, not even electricity, but the rustic cooking and utter simplicity of high-quality local ingredients makes it a fan favorite. As the sun sinks on the horizon, bound over to Paradise Beach to see what’s hopping. Some of Mykonos’ most storied EDM clubs ( Cavo Paradiso ,  Paradise Beach Club ) haven’t fully reopened yet, but when they do, look out. Ibiza who?

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Shiprock Santa Fe

Why go:  With its groovy mix of Native American arts and culture, to-die-for shopping, and striking high-desert vistas, the City Different really delivers. The downtown is walkable, but you’ll need to rent a car if you want to explore the landscapes that gobsmacked Georgia O’Keeffe.

Where to stay:  Plopped on an original stretch of Route 66,  El Rey Court  is a 1930s roadside motel filtered through a modern New Mexican lens. The five-acre campus, rehabbed by the co-owners of the cult-favorite olive oil and skincare brand Wonder Valley, features 86 trendily decorated rooms (some with kitchenettes and fireplaces) and an outdoor heated swimming pool. Conveniently, it’s just a two-minute walk to the best Chimayo-smothered breakfast burrito of your life, courtesy of 1948 diner  The Pantry .

What to do:  Scoop up bundles of dried lavender and jars of green chile sauce at the colorful  Santa Fe Farmers Market , then swing over to the edgy contemporary art museum  SITE Santa Fe . A trippy, choose-your-own-adventure installation awaits at the  House of Eternal Return , created by esoteric art collective Meow Wolf and Games of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

After ogling the stunning—and stunningly expensive—Native American rugs, jewelry, and ceramics at  Shiprock Santa Fe , shop for artisan-painted molcajete bowls from Michoacán at  Heritage By Hand  or rummage through racks of threadbare rock tees and retro aviators at  Santa Fe Vintage , a by-appointment-only showroom on the outskirts of town. For a sweet memento, grab some small-batch bonbons from  Kakawa Chocolate House , made with New Mexican ingredients like red chili and piñon, or a box of Southwesternized French macarons from  Chainé  in a fun flavor like churro (cinnamon meringue buttercream and dulce de leche).

Nashville, Tennessee

Graduate Nashville

Why go:  Maybe the reason they call it Music City is because everyone who visits Nashville sings its praises. Whether you’re challenging your bestie to a Hot Ones-style hot chicken binge (heaven help your fire-breathing hearts if you order the “Shut the Cluck Up!!!” at  Hattie B’s ) or you’re going to see the next big country music star at the  Grand Ole Opry , it’s impossible not to have a grand ole time in the Tennessean capital.

Where to stay:  From the genius duo behind  Urban Cowboy  in Brooklyn comes  Urban Cowboy East Nashville , set in a rambling Victorian mansion. Eight suites, each with their own personalities, sport 14-foot ceilings, copper-leafed bathtubs, hip Pendleton bedding, and eye-popping Printsburgh wallpaper. There’s even a music parlor, should the two of you feel the urge to burst into song on the upright piano.

What to do:  After taking in the rhinestone getups and Elvis Presley’s 1960 “Solid Gold” Cadillac at the  Country Music Hall of Fame , bounce over to the new  National Museum of African American Music , the only such museum devoted to preserving and celebrating the countless genres of music created and influenced by Black Americans. Nightfall begs adventurous types to cut a rug at the honky tonks of South Broadway ( Tootsies Orchid Lounge  and  Robert’s Western World  are always a good time).

Come morning, you can start the day with a little indulgence: by chomping into an East Nasty buttermilk biscuit sandwich with fried chicken thigh at  Biscuit Love  or sipping frozen Aperol Spritzes under fringed magenta umbrellas at  White Limozeen , the rooftop pool bar at  Graduate Nashville . For a one-of-a-kind vacation keepsake, make a field trip to the novelty record booth at Jack White’s  Third Man Records . There you can record an acapella duet on a refurbished Voice-o-Graph machine, cutting a two-minute vinyl single that immortalizes your bad singing for generations to come.

"... we were all nervous about what she might have said on the album."

By Danielle Campoamor Published 19 April 24

She's taking a glamorous break from sweatpants and Birkins.

By Julia Gray Published 19 April 24

Who needs sleep, amirite?!

It’s pampering time.

By Michelle Stansbury Published 11 May 23

The most stylish things to see and do in the creative hub of Paris, the 6th arrondissement.

By Sara Holzman Published 2 May 23

Explore one of the happiest cities in the world.

By Emma Childs Published 25 April 23

Where to stay and what to do in the City of Lights.

By Sara Holzman Published 8 December 22

BRB, setting my "out of office" message.

By Emma Childs Published 18 November 22

In case you needed another reason to be pumped about your trip.

By Julia Marzovilla Last updated 25 September 23

Wine, oysters, and more wine please.

By Sara Holzman Last updated 18 August 22

Find love in all the right places.

By Sara Holzman Last updated 13 February 23

• Contact Future's experts
• Advertise Online
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy

Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

60 Bucket List USA Trip Ideas: Best Places to Visit in the US (2024)

Here are 60 awesome USA trip ideas and the best places to visit in the US that will get you really excited about exploring America.

From USA road trips , to the best city getaways, We have traveled to all 50 states and can wholeheartedly tell you there are some incredible destinations in the United States that absolutely deserve a spot on your USA bucket list .

If you are taking a trip to the USA, you’ll find that America is filled with majestic natural landscapes.

The most beautiful states in the US have incredible waterfalls, beaches, mountains, slot canyons, and more. There are terrific cities to explore too. So let’s get started with the best places to visit in the USA.

Table of Contents

Our Favorite Resources to Plan a Trip to the USA

This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a commission. There is no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure  here .

• A USA road trip is even more fun when you rent an RV or Sprinter Van. We booked a trip with Outdoorsy to try out Van Life and loved that we could choose from so many amazing options. Use code Jen50 to get $50 off your first Outdoorsy rental
• I think we’ll all seen that trip insurance can come in really handy for things you would never expect to happen. We use SafetyWing to protect ourselves..
• For more in depth trip inspiration, check out these USA Destinations or our YouTube Channel that has tons of USA Trip videos.

15 Top USA Road Trip Ideas Worthy of Your Bucket List

Whether they are close to home or far away, road trips are awesome. It lets you get up close and personal with a destination without being stuck in one place.

Road trips are great for traveling with your significant other, a family vacation, spending time with a parent, or a girlfriend’s getaway.

1. Pacific Coast Highway is the Ultimate Bucket List USA Road Trip (600 miles)

A Pacific Coast Highway road trip from San Diego to San Francisco (600 miles) will take you past the Prettiest Beaches in Southern California and the cutest California beach towns .

Be sure to stop in the entertainment capital of Los Angeles , the beachy community of Santa Barbara , and nearby Ojai .

The road turns inland for stops in Solvang , Los Olivos , and Paso Robles for a wine tasting before you head back to the coast. See the famed Hearst Castle and continue on to the redwoods of Big Sur .

The quaint communities of Carmel-by-the-Sea , Monterey , and Santa Cruz are worth stops before arriving at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge . You’ll have plenty of exploring in San Francisco before you head home.

RELATED POST: 18 BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE DANISH TOWN OF SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA

2. Northern California Wine Country (225 miles)

California wines are renowned worldwide. To get a proper taste of them, the California Wine Country road trip is the best option.

First, make your way through Napa Valley , its vineyards, historic landmarks, and the thriving luxury hotel scene. Spend a few days wine tasting and trying some of the best restaurants in the USA.

Catch a glimpse of Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga before heading to Sonoma County and staying at a boutique hotel in the charming town of Healdsburg .

One of the best things to do in Healdsburg is shop in Healdsburg Plaza and stay overnight at the new Montage Healdsburg with gorgeous vineyard views.

Continue towards Mendocino and stop at one of many tasting rooms like Navarro Vineyards & Winery before arriving at the windswept coast.

Redwood forests and beaches abound. Head back to San Francisco driving along the stunning Northern California coast route.

3. California Highway 395 and the Eastern Sierra (300+ miles)

This scenic road trip along US Route 395 will take you east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Start your adventure in Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe has so many fun things to do. Bring an inflatable kayak to use in Secret Cove and other lakes.

Head to the Mammoth Lakes area making sure to stop at otherworldly Mono Lake along the way. If you have enough time, you can visit

Yosemite National Park through the east entrance in summer. Mammoth has summer activities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and kayaking.

Visit the Hot Creek Geologic Site and take a soak in a natural hot spring. Alabama Hills is next up and the perfect place to stay overnight with a sprinter van or RV.

This much-loved film location has hiking and beautiful vistas. Last but not least, drive another hour to reach Death Valley National Park .

RELATED POST: 10 HIKING ESSENTIALS TO PACK FOR A DAY HIKE

4. Southern California Deserts (285 miles)

Fly into Palm Spring Airport and start the road trip exploring the eclectic area of downtown Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Don’t miss the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for birdseye views and a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park .

A 2-hour drive will get you to the vineyards and historic downtown of Temecula . It’s a great place for a hot air balloon ride if you plan ahead.

Continue to the beautiful Anza Borrego Desert State Park known for its natural wonders and cactus-studded hills.

Finally visit the Salton Sea , the biggest lake in California that was accidentally created. Stop by the almost ghost town of artistic Bombay Beach and Salvation Mountain , a religious structure featured in the movie Into the Wild .

The Pacific Northwest Has Stunning USA Road Trips

5. Oregon Coast (340 miles)

Head straight up the Oregon coast for 350 miles of extraordinary amazing Oregon beaches . See the Natural Bridges at Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor .

Catch sunset at Face Rock State Park and stay overnight in Coos Bay to explore the area. Devil’s Punchbowl State Park has an incredible sea cave that you can see from above.

Go hiking at Cape Lookout State Park and take in the impossibly turquoise water nearby in Netarts Bay . Tour the Tillamook Factory for a fun outing.

Don’t miss the forest walk to Short Sand Beach where all the surfers hit the waves. Iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a must-see. End your journey in Astoria on the Columbia River or continue on to the Washington coast.

6. Oregon Scenic Byways

Venture inland on one of the Oregon Scenic Byways and you’ll be completely blown away. Oregon is best in summer but fall is absolutely gorgeous.

See incredible foliage in Silver Falls State Park and fun harvest festivals in the Willamette Valley and Mt Hood/Columbia River Gorge Area. Winter skiing at Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor in Oregon is also amazing.

Travel through the McKenzie Pass to the gorgeous Tamolitch Blue Pool and Proxy Falls. From there, it’s a quick drive to Smith Rock State Park, a premier destination for rock climbers and hikers alike.

It’s right near the active and fun city of Bend, Oregon . In addition to Mt Bachelor, you’ll find multiple lakes, the Deschutes River, Tumalo Falls, and tons of breweries.

RELATED POST: 10 BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN BEND, OREGON

7. Olympic Peninsula in Washington (around 330 miles)

To enjoy nature and its beauty, take the Olympic Peninsula loop road trip. Start your adventure in the beautiful emerald city of Seattle .

Continue your way through the charming town of Port Townsend . Take a stroll through Sequim’s quaint streets – and its many lavender farms. 

Enjoy Olympic National Park and the stunning lakes within it. Drive to Hurricane Ridge for jaw-dropping views of the Olympic Mountains.

A must-see in the area is the Hoh Rainforest , one of Washington State’s natural wonders. Lastly, catch Neah Bay and the gorgeous Pacific Coast beaches before you end your trip.

8. Make Sure Alaska is on Your USA Bucket List – It’s Amazing!

A lot of people think of Alaska as a cruise destination but a 7 to 10 Day Alaskan Road Trip and spending time in Denali National Park is so much more exciting.

Kayak through iceberg lagoons, zipline through forests, see massive glaciers calve into the ocean, watch bears fishing for salmon, or fly around Denali, one of the tallest peaks in the world.

You may not think of Alaska as a year-round destination. While Alaska is at its prime in summer, don’t overlook the fall colors mid-September that coincide with the later end of the salmon run for those who want to fish.

Alaska is also a top spot for Northern Lights viewing between September and March.

9. A Southwest USA Road Trip Never Disappoints

There are many variations of a Southwest road trip and most involve really cool USA National Parks like Zion, Bryce, Arches, Grand Canyon, or White Sands.

Visit interesting Native American sites like Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Havasupai.

See slot canyons, waterfalls, and more in Sedona, Arizona , Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico. The Southwest is visually stunning and full of fun activities.

Don’t miss the chance to Hike the Wave or White Pocket in Arizona. These are a few of the amazing things to do in Kanab on the Utah – Arizona border.

Spring and Fall are ideal for a Southwest road trip because it’s the best weather. In Spring, the waterfalls and wildflowers peak and you can catch some fall foliage around Taos, New Mexico, and many parts of Utah .

10. Route 66 is a Quintessential USA Road Trip

The full Route 66 road trip is 2,137 miles, filled with natural wonders and offbeat sightseeing, between Chicago, the Grand Canyon, and Los Angeles. Do the whole route (2 weeks) or just a portion like California and Arizona.

You can also take this route on a cross-country trip and veer off course to Durango, Colorado as we did. Route 66 starts at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles and works its way through 7 states to Lake Michigan.

11. Florida Keys Road Trip From Miami to Key West is A Unique USA Experience (160 miles)

This road trip traverses the overseas highway, where 43 of 1,700 islands are connected by bridges, to the southernmost tip of Florida. You can drive from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to Key West in 4 hours.

Make the trip over a few days and stop at the 16 best stops from Miami to Key West .

The north end of the Florida Keys has Biscayne National Park with crystal clear blue water and the world’s 3rd largest coral reef system with lots of outdoor activities.

The peak time to visit the Florida Keys is from November through February when the weather is perfect in the 70s-80s, but it’s also the busiest and most expensive.

Spring travel from March through May still has nice weather without the crowds Fall weather is lovely but it’s also hurricane season, so make sure you have trip insurance in case you need to cancel.

12. The East Coast is Full of Great USA Trip Ideas for Summer or Fall

A favorite East Coast road trip is from Rhode Island up to Maine. It can be a romantic fall foliage trip or a great summer trip with kids.

Hit the beaches on Block Island , mansions in Newport, charming towns of Cape Cod, the Freedom Trail in Boston, lobstering in Maine, or hiking in Acadia National Park. Check it all out on a New England Road Trip with Teens .

A Southern East Coast road trip will take you from the beaches of Florida to the historic towns of Savannah and Charleston with many historic sites and countless antique shops or markets.

Myrtle Beach is a draw for so many recreational things to do. There are so many places to explore on the Eastern seaboard.

13. Mid-South Road Trips

We did a short version of this trip through Tennessee where you can see the sights and sounds of Nashville, and whiskey tasting in Lynchburg and Chattanooga.

Add on the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Great Smoky Mountains for fall foliage and a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

Incorporate coastal cities like Charleston and beautiful beach areas like the Outer Banks.

14. Lake Michigan Circle Tour is Amazing for Road Trippin’ the USA

This trip will take you through Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and a bit of Indiana. It’s the prettiest summer trip that’s perfect for families and you can combine it with a Midwest college tour.

Chicago is such a cool city, especially in summer. If you’ve never been to Wisconsin, get it on your list ASAP for a summer or fall trip with foliage and Badger football at Camp Randall.

Don’t miss Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Sleeping Bear Dunes at the top of Michigan for beautiful beaches and stunning landscapes.

15. The Road to Hana is Definitely a Bucket List USA Trip

The famed Road to Hana in Maui is more of a long, scenic drive than a road trip. In 59 miles, you will want to stop at every waterfall, black sand beach , or viewpoint.

Another great Hawaiian drive on the big island of Hawaii from Hilo to Honokaa is Hamakua Coast Drive. Big wave season is from the end of October through March on the North Shore of Oahu.

We’ve been dying to see the 30-50 foot waves in person. Hawaii has year-round amazing weather.

15 Best National Parks to Visit in the USA

If you plan to visit more than one National Park, save money with an America the Beautiful National Park Pass . There is nothing better than getting out in nature, and there are so many great national parks to visit in the US.

16. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

There’s no place like the Grand Canyon. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a first-time visitor, there’s no wrong way to experience this natural wonder.

For the truly adventurous, a hike to the bottom of the canyon is a must. The trailhead for the Bright Angel Trail is located near the visitor center, and hikers can choose between a day hike and an overnight camping trip.

There’s no better way to appreciate the scale of the canyon than by spending some time at its bottom.

For those who want to stay closer to the top, there are plenty of vantage points from which to take in the incredible views. Yavapai Point and Mather Point are two of the most popular viewpoints.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a see-through cantilever bridge that takes you out over the edge of Grand Canyon West.

Combine the Grand Canyon with the best places to visit in Arizona like Sedona, Page, and Monument Valley,

17. Arches National Park in Moab, Utah

Arches National Park is full of, well, arches! The most famous of these is Delicate Arch, which has been featured on everything from postcards to Utah license plates.

But there are plenty of other arches to explore in the park, including Double Arch (shown above) and Sand Dune Arch, among others.

Of course, you can also enjoy the stunning natural scenery or stargaze in one of the darkest skies in the country.

For those who want to get closer to nature, there are plenty of hikes to explore, ranging from easy nature trails to challenging multi-day treks.

Arches National Park definitely deserves a spot on your Utah Bucket List .

18. Canyonlands National Parks in Moab, Utah

A visit to Canyonlands National Park can be a series of scenic drives and mind-blowing views or filled with incredible hiking and off road adventures.

With over 400 miles of hiking trails, there is sure to be a route that appeals to everyone, from casual walkers to hardcore adventurers.

No visit to Canyonlands would be complete without a trip to one of its three major attractions: Mesa Arch, The Needles, or Dead Horse Point State Park.

You can stay in Moab to visit both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Without having an airport nearby, you will probably want to see other parks on your way there like Zion.

We put together a video of our Utah top 10 and a 20 Must See Places in Utah blog post with even more.

19. Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With its red rock formations, hoodoos, and stunning views.

From above, the Bryce Amphitheater is a USA bucket list sight. There are multiple viewpoints to watch the sunset or enjoy a picnic lunch.

But the real treat is spending one Day in Bryce Canyon National Park and hiking down into the towering hoodoos.

The Navajo Loop Trail is one of the most popular trails, winding through some of the most beautiful parts of the canyon, including Wall Street. You will be surrounded by high walls of red rock and if you’re lucky, you might even see some wildlife.

20. Zion National Park

With over four million visitors each year, Zion National Park has some of the best sights in America. The park features sandstone cliffs, canyons, rivers, and iconic views that you’ve probably seen in tons of photos.

With one day in Zion National Park , you can take a short hike on the Canyon Overlook trail and then take a scenic drive that will blow you away with its beauty.

With more time, you can take advantage of the many bucket list USA adventures in Zion. Wade through the river on the Narrows hike with 1,500-foot canyon walls towering above you.

Or get your adrenaline fill on the Angels Landing hike that takes you to the top of a 1,488-foot tall rock formation along precarious paths and steep drop-offs.

Visiting Zion is only one of the completely awesome things to do in Kanab and Southwest Utah .

21. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to an incredible amount of natural beauty, including soaring mountains, pristine lakes, and lush forests.

And while there are countless ways to enjoy the park, one of the most popular activities is hiking. With more than 350 miles of trails, there’s a perfect hike for everyone.

Dream Lake and Emerald Lake are the best hiking spots for beginners. With shorter trails and lakes with beautiful reflections, these are highly popular.

A must-do hike for those that want a great workout is Sky Pond. Serious hikers head for Long’s Peak, the biggest challenge at 14,259 feet.

22. Yosemite National Park in California

Tucked away in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park is one of the world’s most incredible natural landscapes immortalized in Ansel Adams photographs.

With more than 1,200 square miles to explore, there are plenty of sights worth seeing in this national treasure.

Catch sunrise lighting up soaring granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View. Then head to the thundering waterfalls of Yosemite Valley and picturesque hiking trails.

In February, catch the bucket list moment when Horsetail Falls lights up from the sunset to create the “firefall.”

Our 2 Days in Yosemite Itinerary will give you all the best things to do in the park along with where to stay and how to get around.

23. Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is a place of extremes. It is the hottest, driest, and lowest point in North America. But it is also one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here are some of the best things to do in Death Valley National Park.

One of the most popular things to do in Death Valley is visit the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. These massive dunes are a great place to hike, sled, or simply take in the majestic views.

For another dose of natural beauty, head to Zabriskie Point for a sunset that you won’t soon forget. Another must-see are the Salt Flats at Badwater Basin.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or simply want to marvel at some of Mother Nature’s finest work, Death Valley National Park should be at the top of your list.

24. Joshua Tree National Park in California

Joshua Tree is the most low key, surprisingly wonderful national parks. It is named after the trees native to the region, and it consists of 760,000 acres.

More than 2,500 species live in this area making it one of the most biodiverse regions in North America.

We highly recommend doing a little slow travel here. You can go rock climbing, take hikes, see stars at night like you’ve never seen before or take in the vibe at a cool Airbnb.

Check out the best things to do in Joshua Tree for a weekend getaway or as part of a California road trip.

25. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the country, including glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, hot springs and more than 200 species of animals.

On a 3 day Yellowstone itinerary , wildlife watching should be at the top of your list. Lamar Valley, full of bison, is so exciting that it creates a traffic jam in the park every day.

The park’s many geothermal areas are showstoppers including the world-famous Old Faithful geyser that erupts every 90 minutes. See the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the US, at ground level or from above on a nearby hike.

If you’re looking for an active adventure, you can go whitewater rafting on the Yellowstone River or hike through Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon.

26. Grand Teton National Park

At next-door neighbor Grand Teton National National Park, you can boat, float, fish, hike and camp with the Teton mountain range and Snake River as your backdrop.

The 42 mile scenic drive will take you past some of the most stunning scenery in the park. Make sure to stop at Mormon Row, the historic district of well-preserved late 19th century homesteads.

Next, head to Jenny Lake for a peaceful canoe or kayak ride. This is a great way to take in the incredible views of the Tetons while getting some exercise.

If you’re feeling ambitious, hike up to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls. This trail is moderate to strenuous, but it’s definitely worth it for the stunning views of Jenny Lake and the Tetons beyond.

There’s so much to see and do in Grand Teton National Park, you could easily spend days here and never get bored.

27. Glacier National Park in Montana

Glacier National Park has over 1 million acres of wilderness and some of the most jaw dropping scenery. It’s a hiker’s paradise but you’ll also find other adventures like whitewater rafting, photographing wildlife, kayaking, fishing and more.

Don’t miss the drive up Going-to-the-Sun Road, which bisects the park from east to west.

The road climbs over 6,000 feet (1829 m) in just 52 miles (84 km), providing motorists with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park.

Visit 3 National Parks on One Trip to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. They’re all driving distance from each other and each one offers something unique.

28. Acadia National Park

A trip up to Maine is so worth it for a chance to see Acadia National Park. It’s home to some of the best hiking trails in New England with plenty of scenic views and easy hikes.

Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try one of their more challenging trails like South Bubble Trail or Mt. Cadillac North Ridge Trail!

If you’re not up for a hike there is still plenty to do at Acadia National Park with many different activities including camping, biking, canoeing or kayaking on Echo Lake Lake, rock climbing, and bird watching.

Don’t miss the delicious popovers at the restaurant overlooking Jordan Pond!

29. Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska

Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most beautiful and underrated places in Alaska.

Some of the best things to do in Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park include a hike to Exit Glacier, iceberg kayaking in Bear Glacier Lagoon and a whale watching trip to see incredible marine life along with massive calving glaciers.

Alaska has 8 National parks and each features magnificent landscapes and activities. No matter which you choose, you’re guaranteed an amazing Alaskan experience!

30. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii is home to 2 of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Take the Crater Rim Drive to the Jaggar Museum overlook, hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail and through the rain forest to the Thurston Lava Tube, and have a bucket list dinner overlooking the crater at The Rim at Volcano House.

10 Cities That Deserve a Spot on Your USA Bucket List

31. New York City, New York

New York is a city of endless possibilities. It’s the world capital of finance, fashion, media, and culture. Start your New York trip with a walk in Central Park, followed by a visit to the Met.

New York’s museums are world class and the Guggenheim is another of New York’s most iconic attractions.

Don’t miss a Broadway show in Times Square and the Empire State Building, if it’s your first trip to the the Big Apple.

Hit the latest restaurants in Greenwich Village, shop in Soho, get out on the water to visit Lady Liberty and time travel at the TWA hotel . If you visit in September , you can also see all the excitement of New York Fashion Week.

32. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is a great city with so much more to do than most visitors realize. In addition to the amazing Southern California beaches , the mountains are filled with incredible hiking trails .

Los Angeles is a great city for foodies with insanely good restaurants to see and be seen. And the scenic drives in LA are like movies in real life.

Spend your days at one of the latest museum exhibits or take your kids to a theme park. Wander around downtown LA checking out all the cool street art.

Shop for a great outfit or home decor that reflects cool California style. Just avoid the 15 biggest mistakes when visiting Los Angeles .

33. Washington DC

Washington D.C. is a city that offers something for everyone. From the history and culture of the Smithsonian museums (there are 19 of them!) to the nightlife and restaurants of Georgetown, there’s plenty to do and see in this vibrant city.

Take a walk or bike ride through the National Mall to see the monuments and memorials, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

If you plan ahead and request a tour through your member of Congress, you might get lucky enough to tour the White House. Stay in a DC hotel with a rooftop pool for extra fun.

34. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is one of the most unique and best places to visit in the USA. Take a walk across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to get a view of the San Francisco Bay.

We recommend getting a view from water level too. Follow it up with a trip to Alcatraz Island, probably the only time you’ll visit a prison as a tourist attraction.

Chinatown, one of the oldest and biggest in the US, is a great place to try Dim Sum. Of course you have to ride a cable car over one of the steep city streets.

Visit Coit Tower for another great viewpoint. Spend some time in the Marina at the Palace of Fine Arts, Crissy Field and the Presidio.

35. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a fantastic city to visit – especially in good weather. Millennium Park is home to the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, as well as a variety of gardens and performance venues.

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest art museums in the world, and a must visit. Even though it’s super touristy, it’s fun to catch a cruise at Navy Pier to tour Chicago’s incredible architecture.

If baseball is in season, you should definitely catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Hit Michigan Avenue lined for the best high-end shops.

Last but not least, while you’ll probably go to the famous long standing restaurants in Chicago, don’t miss one of the cutting edge restaurants in the city.

36. Boston, Massachusettes

Boston is a city of many firsts from the country’s oldest public park, Boston Common to Harvard, America’s oldest University. Many of Boston’s historical buildings can be seen by taking a stroll on the Freedom trail including Paul Revere’s house. 

Faneuil Hall, the site of America’s first town meeting is a bustling marketplace today. Stop in Quincy market for a bite to eat and take in the vibrant energy of Boston.

Art enthusiasts will enjoy Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, the largest in North America. Sports lovers should catch a Red Rox game at Fenway. Finally, don’t forget to get a peek of the Charles River, where you might see some collegiate crews rowing.

Plan an extra day or two when you visit because there are plenty of great day trips from Boston too.

37. New Orleans, Louisiana

With major events like Mardi Gras, the Jazz Festival, and others, New Orleans is one of the best places to vacation in the United States.

Watch street performers at Jackson Square and admire their impressive skills. Hop on a streetcar and discover all the fun and wild parts of New Orleans, including St. Charles Avenue, the Garden District, and Uptown New Orleans. 

Visit the French Quarter, packed with museums, art galleries, restaurants, and of course notorious bars. Since New Orleans is a foodie paradise, you have to try beignets from Cafe du Monde!

Other yummy favorites – the original Muffaletta from Central Grocery Deli, and hot dogs from Dat Dog. Don’t leave the Big Easy without meals at Commander’s Palace and Jacques-Imo’s.

Those who don’t mind venturing outside the city (approximately 1-hour drive) should discover some of the best southern plantation estates in the country, such as Laura Plantation, New Orleans Oak Alley Plantation, and San Francisco Plantation.

An airboat tour in the Bayou is another great day trip and one of the most memorable, super fun things we’ve done in Louisiana.

38. Miami, Florida

Dreaming of a beach getaway? Miami’s blend of different cultures creates the ultimate destination for entertainment. Loved for its spectacular beaches and vibrant art scene, the coastal metropolis has something to offer for everyone. 

Stop by South Beach – the most iconic area in Miami. Wander through its beautiful Art Deco District to enjoy a sprinkle of 1930’s nostalgia.

Spend the day soaking up rays and cool beach vibes. Whenever hunger kicks in, stop by Bayside Market has a lively atmosphere while enjoy views of the bay. 

To get your daily dose of culture, plan a visit to one of Miami’s greatest treasures – the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which offers a little taste of Europe with its elegant furniture. 

Other great Miami beaches include Surfside for postcard-worthy vistas and Sunny Isles Beach to be in the midst of all action. There is no doubt the coastal metropolis is one of the most fun USA places to explore.

39. Charleston, South Carolina

From charming cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture to world-class restaurants and lively nightlife – Charleston is surely one of the best US destinations.

Take a ghost tour in the oldest and most haunted city in America, with over 100 recognized otherworldly beings.

A trip to the Lowcountry would be incomplete without shopping for antiques and visiting high-end boutiques on King Street, which also has fantastic restaurants and bars. 

Join the locals for seafood at Chubby Fish or rev up your taste buds with a delicious cheddar and jalapeno biscuit from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit.

Stop by the Charleston Farmers Market, which is considered one of the best in the South. Not only will you get your hands on amazing produce, but you may even catch a live performance.

Sullivan’s Island beach should be on your itinerary too. Although it is the smallest of Charleston’s beaches, it is the most pristine.

40. Seattle, Washington

Consistently ranked among the ten best places to live in the United States, Seattle’s coffee culture, grunge music scene, and lush evergreen forests will charm you too.

Visit the top of the Space Needle – an iconic part of Seattle’s skyline with 360 degree views. While in the area, have crispy pancakes at Paju or delicious ramen at Cafe Goldinblack.

Set aside some time to explore one of the country’s most famous public markets – Pike Place Market. Then, take the commuter ferry across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island and discover the stunning city from a new perspective.

For culture freaks, paying a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture – MoPop – is a must. One of the most beautiful libraries in America can be found at the University of Washington’s Suzzalo Library, which feels exactly like Hogwarts.

With endless opportunities to have fun, there is no doubt Seattle is one of the coolest USA places to visit.

Vanlife, RVs, Camping or Glamping for USA Adventure Trips

The type of accommodations you choose for your trip can actually be part of the adventure all on it’s own. Rent a converted Sprinter van or RV to be your home AND transportation on a USA road trip.

Stay in a luxurious Glamping tent to add extra pizazz to your vacation. Or enjoy nature and pitch a tent. It’s more rustic but super fun with your friends and family.

41. USA Glamping Trips

Accommodations range from luxurious to rustic in permanent tent structures, cabins, teepees, chuck wagons, dome tents, yurts and tree houses. We LOVE glamping!!

Glamping in Big Sur under massive redwood trees in a king bed with an electric blanket and a push button campfire is right up my alley.

It’s one of the coolest glamping destinations in California . There are a ton of options!

We’ve glamped in Sonoma near vineyards, at El Capitan near Solvang , at Autocamp in a airstream trailer and more. Glamping with kids is really fun too!

42. Tent Camping Trips in the USA

I was so nervous to do our first tent camping trip at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon but it was a blast.

We took the dogs and piled in with an amazing 4″ memory foam mattress that made our inexpensiv e awesome tent so cozy! Obviously you can only have that much gear when you’re not far from your car.

We did it again on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to watch Speed Week on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. That was even better because the ground was hard packed salt (basically no dirt).

If you’ve never been to Crater Lake or Bonneville Salt Flats , get them on your USA bucket list. They are both jaw droppingly cool! There are incredible places to tent camp all over the USA.

43. Backpacking Trips in the USA

Backpacking, as the name implies involves a hike to a remote area, where you carry everything you need on your back – like food, water and shelter.

Since you are carrying everything, you have to really conserve on the amount of weight. It’s also important to follow the leave no trace behind principles .

We planned our first backpacking trip to Havasupai and we can’t wait! That amazing blue water at Havasu Falls has been on our USA bucket list for years now.

In addition to Havasupai, the other beginner backpacking trips that are on our USA bucket list are the Lost Coast Trail and John Muir Trail in California, the Point of Arches Trail in Olympic National Park, Washington, and the Golden Cathedral in Escalante, Utah.

44. Rent a Converted Sprinter Van

Campervan photos on Instagram make everyone swoon. There’s something about the idea of opening up the door to an incredible view and living life completely free.

A sprinter van allows you to have a mini RV that goes anywhere and off the grid if there’s solar power.

We rented a sprinter van for a Utah road trip on Outdoorsy. Honestly it was so much more fun than we expected.

So…. we bought one and did our own sprinter van conversion that you can see in the photo above. Use JEN50 to get $50 off your first Outdoorsy rental.

If you decide to do a van or RV road trip, we made a list of 30 Campervan Gadgets and Accessories that would have greatly enhanced our experience.

45. RV for a USA Road Trip

I have a friend that goes RV camping and I’ll be honest, I thought it was 100% not for me but I’m starting to rethink my position.

There’s so much space and some of them are seriously luxurious. The obvious benefit to an RV is that it holds more people, so it’s better for a family trip than a campervan.

A good RV Resort has a cool location, full hook ups, activities available and restaurants too.

Twelvemile Beach Campground at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan sits on a gorgeous beach near lots of great things to do. Salmon River Campground in Stanley, Idaho is quite a scenic area too.

Active Trip Ideas in the USA

Having a chance to take an active trip really makes it feel like a true vacation. It can be such a departure from everyday life and a way to disconnect from all of our electronic devices.

Whether you love water sports, Yoga retreats, or exploring backcountry wilderness on foot, the USA has tons of active trips available.

46. Lake Vacations are Very Popular USA Summer Trips

Lake vacations are a great way to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Enjoy beautiful scenery, fresh air, and plenty of outdoor activities.

Some of the best lake vacations in the USA can be found in states such as California, Oregon, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado.

Check out the 10 Best Southern California Lakes for a weekend gateway.

These states are home to some of America’s most picturesque lakes, which offer plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking and skiing.

47. USA Kayak Trips

If you like kayaking, you can find some amazing USA trip ideas in this post with the Best Kayaking and Canoe Trips in the USA .

A few of our favorites include iceberg kayaking in Alaska , lake kayaking and floating down the Deschutes River in Oregon, and kayaking along the bays of the Northern California Coast.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin features beautiful islands and cliffs, and is perfect for kayaking trips of all lengths.

True adventurers should try kayaking down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This trip will test your skills as a kayaker, but it’s definitely worth the effort!

48. Canoe Trips

Canoe and kayak trips have a lot in common but since a canoe can carry more gear, canoe trips make great overnight adventures.

One of the best canoe trips in the US is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. This area is full of pristine lakes and rivers, and campgrounds to stay overnight.

Another great park for canoeing is Grand Teton National Park . The park has several beautiful rivers and lakes, and it’s also home to some of the most impressive mountain ranges in the country. Glacier National Park is another top spot.

49. Whitewater Rafting Trips

There are many great whitewater rafting trips in the USA. With a wide variety of rapids there are trips that will thrill both beginners and experienced rafters.

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado make for some of the most thrilling whitewater rafting in the country. California offers a wealth of options for whitewater rafting trips.

The American River is one of the most popular destinations and offers everything from mild Class II rapids to heart-stopping Class V rapids.

Oars is a great outfitter with so many rafting trip options on the Green river (shown above), the Colorado River , Salmon River , Rogue River , Snake River and more.

50. Winter Ski and Snowboard Trips

There are a plethora of awesome ski and snowboard destinations in the United States. The best quality snow can be found in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and California.

Vail , Colorado is a world-class resort with stunning mountain scenery and plenty of slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.

Another great destination is Aspen , which offers superb skiing on four mountains as well as luxurious accommodations and fine dining.

Utah is also a great place to ski, with five world-class resorts including Park City and Deer Valley .

The Sundance Film Festival in the end of January is one of Hollywood’s favorite USA trips in winter. Idaho’s Sun Valley and Wyoming’s Jackson Hole are also at the top of every skier’s list.

California has skiing up and down the state . Mammoth Mountain is one of the top rated family friendly resorts. Big Bea r is a favorite in Southern California where you can surf and ski in the same day

51. Biking Trips to Add to Your USA Bucket List

Biking is a great way to see the sights while getting some exercise. And there are plenty of scenic biking trails all across the United States.

Whether you do a family biking trip with an outfitter like Backroads, or a longer distance ride, it will definitely be a memorable experience.

The Green Mountains in Vermont offer the Catamount Trail , a 300-mile long trail that traverses the length of the state, making it perfect for a multi-day biking trip.

For a bit of history along your ride, pedal along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Maryland . This 184.5-mile long trail follows an old canal towpath and passes through towns, forests, and along the Potomac River.

Some other must-do, incredible view rides include Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur, the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, the Flume Trail in Lake Tahoe, the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, NC, the McKenzie River Trail in Bend, and Trail 401 in Crested Butte, Colorado.

52. USA Bucket List for Birding

If you’re a bird lover, or you’ve seen The Big Year , you know that people definitely plan travel around birding. The USA is home to an incredible diversity of birdlife.

There are plenty of hotspots where you can see some truly spectacular feathered friends like the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail with over 370 species.

The Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is one of the best birding events in the country, attracting tens of thousands of enthusiasts every year.

Brooklyn’s Prospect Park is another great spot for birdwatching, with over 200 species of birds recorded in the park.

The Biggest Week in American Birding Festival is held each year in Ohio, and it’s one of the biggest birding events in the world. Over 300 species make their way to the Great White North all the way from South America.

Other places that should be on your birding bucket list include Point Reyes National Seashore, Tuscon, Arizona, Everglades National Park, and Cape May, New Jersey,

Bucket List USA Photography Tours

Tourists flock to the USA in droves, eager to snap photos of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge. But there’s so much more to this country than those two things.

From the majestic mountains of Alaska to the red rocks of Arizona, the USA is a photographer’s paradise. Here are four of the best Photo Tours in the USA that should be on your bucket list.

53. Alaska Northern Lights

One of nature’s most spectacular displays, the Northern Lights are a must-see for any photographer. And what better place to see them than in Alaska, where they are at their brightest?

There are few things more breathtaking than watching the skies light up in a shifting display of colors.

Northern Lights tours typically take place during the winter months, when the nights are long and the air is clear. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get that perfect photo, whether you’re using a DSLR camera or your phone.

Dress for temperatures that can dip below zero. But it will be worth it when you end up with some amazing photos that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

54. Alaskan Bear Photo Tour

Alaska is well-known for its large population of bears, and a bear photo tour is the perfect way to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures.

One of the most unique photo tours you can do in the USA is to Arctic Alaska to get eye to eye with polar bears .

Plan on spending between 3-6 days, where you’ll take boat tour each day to capture the bears in their natural habitat while learning about their behavior and ecology.

During summer join a wildlife photographer for a brown bear photo tour in King Salmon. It’s a trip of a lifetime to be able to see the bears feeding during the salmon run and interacting in the wild.

55. Channel Your Inner Ansel Adams in Yosemite

For those who love to take photos, Yosemite National Park is a veritable paradise. From the grandeur of Half Dome and El Capitan to the majesty of Yosemite Falls, there are endless opportunities for breathtaking shots.

And with a little planning, it’s easy to make the most of your time in the park. The first step is to choose the right tour. There are many different companies that offer photo tours of Yosemite, so it’s important to do your research.

Once you’ve found a tour that suits your needs, it’s time to start planning your itinerary. Depending on the time of year, you’ll want to make sure to include shots of Tunnel View, the Valley floor, Glacier Point, and Tuolumne Meadows.

56. Astrophotography in a Dark Sky Park

If you’re an amateur astronomer looking for the best place to snap some pictures of the night sky, you need a spot with no light pollution and the right atmospheric conditions.

There are a few places that tend to be ideal for astrophotography, such as Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and Big Bend National Park in Texas.

Utah has incredible spots like Canyonlands and honestly plenty of spots if you just pull off the road somewhere desolate.

These locations offer dark skies and minimal light pollution, making them ideal for capturing clear images of the stars and planets. So if you’re planning a trip to see the night sky in all its glory, be sure to add these parks to your list!

Equipment to Take Magnificent Photos on Vacation:

• Splurge on a full format camera and learn how to use it with your professional photo tour guide. Get a super telephoto lens for wildlife photography or a 10 stop filter that costs almost nothing and makes stunning, smooth waterfall shots.
• Get a drone , learn how to fly it and capture cool photos and videos. It was our best purchase ever!
• A GoPro offers unlimited fun potential. Strap it onto your kid’s bike helmet, put it on a surfboard, or use it for great wide angle shots. Add an underwater dome and take super cool above and below water photos.

Best Places to Visit in the USA By Season

57. Fall US Trips for Autumn Fun, Foliage and Less Crowds

The obvious choice for an Autumn trip is to New England for fall foliage from mid September to the beginning of October. but you can find incredible fall colors and harvest festivals all over the country.

Check the Farmer’s Almanac for peak foliage dates by state. Notable states with vibrant color include Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Colorado, and Oregon.

Another great trip idea for fall are places that are way too busy in summer like Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains and the Utah Mighty 5.

New York City is perfection in fall from the excitement of Fashion Week to enjoying the delightful weather in Central Park. Albuquerque hosts Balloon Fiesta in October that is a colorful sight to see.

58. Winter Trips for Sun and Snow

If you’re dreaming of a winter getaway, there’s no shortage of destinations in the USA that offer the perfect combination of snow and fun.

New York, is hands down one of the best places to visit in December . You can experience all the excitement of the city that never sleeps, with the added bonus of the festive holiday season.

Take a stroll through Central Park, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and wrap up warm and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snow-covered streets.

From the world famous slopes of Aspen to the majestic mountains of Colorado, there’s no shortage of great places to hit the slopes. And while you could easily spend a fortune on a luxury ski trip, there are plenty of budget-friendly options as well.

If winter sun is your jam, Hawaii is the perfect place to relax and escape the cold. San Diego has great weather year round and plenty of fun activities.

With sandy beaches and turquoise water, there’s no question why snowbirds spend the winter in Florida. And don’t forget Arizona for golf,

59. Flowers and Celebrations Make the Best USA Trip ideas for Spring

If you want to see cherry blossoms , head to Washington DC. Tulips abound in Holland, Michigan and Skagit Valley, Washington.

California poppies, Texas bluebonnets and Azizona’s desert blooms will make your heart sing. When Spring has sprung, it can make the grumpiest person happy.

Spring is also a great time for festivals. New Orleans is one big party from February to May. Austin, Texas hosts South by Southwest in March while California has Coachella in April .

Spring break in Alabama , Florida, Mississippi and Texas at the beach is also highly popular!

60. Summer is a Great Time to Take your USA Road Trips North

Summer is a great time for road trips in America and it is also a common time for people to take off from work.

As a general rule of thumb, the northern states are at their best while the southern ones are drowning in heat and/or humidity.

The states that are the best to visit in summer are Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, Hawaii and Alaska.

61. Staycations for the Best Places to Visit in the USA Near Home

A staycation is the cop out of vacation ideas unless you really do it right. Take the week off of work and look at your home town as a vacation destination. What do all the people do that are tourists in your area? Better yet, what are the coolest places in your area that tourists don’t know about. Pro Tips: Stay at a hotel and make an itinerary so you aren’t tempted to keep up with real life distractions.

5 Cool Things to do on a Staycation

• See museums, go to a play, or visit interesting cultural events. A staycation is the perfect time to support the arts.
• Do a day trip of an area 1-2 hours away that you’ve never been to or haven’t seen in years. Head to a lake near you and spend some time enjoying lake life.
• Eat out every night at restaurants you’re really wanted to try. Have breakfast at a cool restaurant way across town.
• Stay at the newest hotel in your area that’s the talk of the town. We live in Los Angeles so it’s really easy to feel like you’re going on vacation 30 miles away because it can take 2 hours to get there. Haha!! For us, staying in a hotel across town would open up a world of possibilities we never touch.
• Go hiking , take a long bike ride, or take advantage of an exercise class you’ve heard about. Take up a new sport you’ve wanted to try like rowing , stand up paddle boarding (SUP), surfing or a boot camp and kickstart your fitness regime.

Other Posts You Might Like:

• TRAVEL:  The Best Places to Travel in March
• ARIZONA: Visiting Sedona for Hiking and the Sedona Vortex
• CALIFORNIA: Joshua Tree Weekend Getaway Guide
• ALASKA: Alaska Summer Road Trip Itinerary

Save These Bucket List USA Trip Ideas to Read Later? Pin It!

About Jenifer

You might also like....

21 Best Kayaking Trips in the US for Your Bucket List

20 Best Places to Travel in September

5 Reasons to Get An America the Beautiful National Park Pass

23 comments.

Awesome list, you can also discover the charm of New Hampshire’s autumnal beauty and diverse attractions as you seek the best places to travel to in November.

Thank you Jennifer for the details of every place, I really love the photos

acevisiontreks

Thank you for sharing your USA travel ideas for adventure outdoor activities. Your post is really helpful.

Ganesh Adhikari

Thank you so much for listing the USA trip ideas. Love your post, Beautiful Pictures, and informative article for the outdoor travel guide.

Great to know all this about USA, Appreciate your great job Thanks

Ok, wow. Let’s just say that my bucket list has grown significantly after reading this! Thank you so much for sharing!

Just pinned! I will never need to think of where to go on vacations. Thank you for sharing such great places that I definitely need to visit.

So glad! Hope you have some great trips coming up!

Big Sur to San Diego is the most incredible road trip you will ever take. Or if I would say it correctly, it’s actually… San Diego up to Big Sur! I live in San Diego and I’ve personally done this before and the PCH and all the views up the coast is absolutely incredible. Totally amazing and probably one of the best ‘drives’ you will ever take. I can’t think of a better road trip you could ever possibly take, if you visit San Diego, consider taking a drive up the coast on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) up to Big Sur. This article totally nailed it.

Amazing blog, Please keep on writing blogs like this.

MP Allegaert

My bucket list has just exploded!

michele linton

I just loved this post! The photos are amazing, and now I feel inspired to get my road trip on! Thanks Jennifer!

Thanks Michele! There are so many great road trips to take in the US. Hope you get to venture out soon.

Hilda Smith

This is incredible information and I am following your vlog/videos too. Love your camper van in Utah. You two are brilliant. Not sure I would be able for that heat.

Thank you so much Hilda! We weren’t very excited about that heat either 😂

Gwen Gottlieb

So many fabulous suggestions! I just made a new bucket list! We’ve done just a few so plenty to add to the list. I think I’d be the glamping type! As long as I can bring my blow dryer!

So glad you found new things to add to your bucket list. You can definitely use your blow dryer when you go glamping 😉

Adrian Grant

So beautiful! Excited to see where the road will lead you in your new adventure 😊

I LOVE this!!!

These are really amazing and fun ideas dear!

I want to do Route 66, Pacific Northwest and the California coast road trips!

Jennifer Effortlessly Sophisticated

All 3 of those are so much fun!

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Copyright 2024 - The Evolista | All Rights Reserved | Disclosure

How to Plan the Perfect Stress-Free Trip with Friends

Candice Walsh

September 19, 2023

Picture this: you and your friends have just arrived in Argentina. You’re ready for an amazing two-week trip, but before you’ve even had your first empanada, there’s tension as you start disagreeing about how to split funds and how to do everything you want when the group has wildly different interests and budgets.  

Trip planning can be a lot of work even if you’re traveling solo, but when you add a handful of other people to the mix, things can get even more tangled. The good news: a little work and some honest conversations before you depart—and even before you book your trip—can reduce the stress and help ensure everyone gets the trip they want. 

Here are twelve tips for planning an epic trip with friends (going with family? Read our guide to multi-generational trips !) 

1. Choose the right friends, and set expectations from the start.

Let’s get the most obvious point out of the way first: You can be friends with lots of different people, but it doesn’t mean you’ll make good travel partners. Choosing your travel buddies wisely and being up-front on your expectations can mean the difference between a group trip you’ll always remember and one you can’t wait to forget. So how do you know you’ll be a match if you’ve never traveled together? 

Consider things like interests, budget, and personality. That doesn’t mean you need to be perfectly aligned on each of those things, but think about where you can appreciate the differences, and where they could cause friction. 

For example, if your art-loving friends expect you’ll do every activity as a group, but you’re just not into museums, you may get annoyed by the time they’re on their third hour at the Louvre. But on the other hand, if you’ve got independent friends who are cool with separating for an afternoon, you can do what makes you happy while they spend another 90 minutes admiring Etruscan antiquities. 

Have a frank discussion with your friends—and yourself—around the following: 

• Will they want to map out each hour, or are they open to spontaneity? 
• Do they want to go, go, go, and see it all, or do they prefer to take things slower? 
• Are they night owls who want to party until dawn or early-birds who want to rise with the sun? 
• Is their budget more street food and hostels or Michelin-starred dinners and luxury hotels? 
• Do they want to spend all their time as a group, or occasionally separate and do their own thing? 

2. Be upfront about your finances.

Money can cause a lot of resentment among friends, especially if you have different financial expectations for the trip. If you can only afford a hostel dorm but your friends want to stay in a resort, tell them. There’s no point in putting yourself in debt to please someone else.

From the start, be upfront about how much you can afford to spend—and how you would prefer to spend your money. While your friend may have the same budget as you, you might find out that while you prefer to splurge on a nice meal, they put their extra funds into shopping. 

Be clear not only on how much you can afford for the total trip, but also on how much you’re willing to spend per night for accommodations, what you’re comfortable spending on meals and activities, and how you prioritize your spending. Again, you don’t have to agree, but you should set expectations for what happens when you have different budgets and priorities. 

3. Consider how you’ll pick your destination. 

Deciding on a destination might actually be the toughest part of this whole trip planning process. How do you choose a place that everyone is happy with and can get to relatively cheaply?

One option: have each of your friends write out their top three to five preferred destinations, bearing in mind the length of time you have to travel and the budgets of everyone involved. 

You can easily do this over email or on paper. For a more tech-savvy way to do it, check out Kayak’s new Trip Huddle tool. First, you sign up and pick your destinations and preferred dates.

Once everyone has added their input and voted, Kayak will recommend some hotels and vacation rentals for your group. It’s useful if you have a large group and would prefer not to scroll through hundreds of messages to keep up with the conversation. 

However you vote, compare everyone’s answers, and see if there are any common destinations. If there are none, think about the common factors. Did you all choose a beachy destination or a European city? This can help narrow down your choices.

Another option: decide based on airfare and go wherever you find the best deal. The group might have been thinking London, but if nonstop flights to Paris pop up for $250, they might say “oui” to a different idea. 

If you’re coming from different destinations, make sure you choose a place that’s realistic for everyone, especially given the number of days you plan to travel. For example, you might be up for a 3-day weekend in Hawaii if you’re based in Los Angeles, but for your friend in NYC, that may be too far to go for a shorter trip. 

When you join Going, you can select multiple airports to follow, so if you’re got friends spread across the US, you can see which deals apply from the most departure cities. 

>>Read our guide to the world's cheapest destinations or check out ideas for where to go in Europe

4. use the right tools to find airfare deals. .

Aside from joining Going, there are a few tools you can use to make it easier to find the best deals, especially if you are flexible on travel dates and destinations. 

Skyscanner has a handy “Search Everywhere” option that shows you the cheapest flights from your airport during your selected date range. 

The Google Flights Explore map is similar. Input your departure airport(s) and it will show you the cheapest places on the map you can fly to either during specific dates, or during a date range like a weekend, one-week, or two-week trip during a specific month. You can type in a specific region or move the map to narrow down your options. 

>> Read our complete guide to finding cheap flights. 

5. start planning far in advance..

The more people involved, the slower the planning process can be—and speed is your friend when it comes to snagging cheap flights . Two to eight months in advance is the sweet spot for the best airfare prices, you’ll want to start looking for flights as early as you can, especially if your dates and destination are fixed or you’re traveling over peak season like the summer or holidays. Start tracking prices by setting up flight alerts so you’ll get notified when the price dips. 

If your dates and destination aren’t fixed and you’re open to wherever there’s a good deal, chat with your friends in advance about what dates you’re all free so that you can cut down on the back-and-forth and quickly jump in a great deal when you see one. And remember, the 24-hour rule means that in most cases you can cancel a flight within 24 hours of purchase so you don’t miss a deal while waiting for your friends to confirm the dates. 

6. Use apps to keep your finances sorted.

It’s important to keep track of everything you’re splitting as a group, whether it’s the flights, hotel rooms, activities, or meals. You can create a simple spreadsheet to do this, or use an app like Tricount or Splitwise .

Tricount was developed for roommates to keep track of split expenses, but it’s completely customizable so you can use it for your travels instead. Splitwise works the exact same way. If you want to keep it simple, Venmo is also a great option for sending money quickly to your friends (but it’s not available everywhere just yet). 

>> Check out our list of the best travel apps.

7. check refund policies carefully and don’t get stuck with the bill. .

It’s a cautionary tale often repeated: a group of friends plan an epic trip, with one friend making the reservations on her credit card. One by one the other friends cancel, until the friend who booked it all is left sleeping solo in a nonrefundable room for six. 

Book refundable hotels and tours as much as possible, and for anything nonrefundable, have each person book individually when you can. When you can’t, such as sharing the cost of a room, get payment upfront and be clear than any nonrefundable payments are just that: nonrefundable. Anyone who cancels at the last minute, will be out their share of the nonrefundable costs. 

If you’re booking Airbnb accommodations, you can use Airbnb’s “Pay Less Up Front” option to make a partial payment, giving you time to collect everyone’s share before the rest of the payment is due. 

If you’re traveling with a very large group and need several hotel rooms (usually at least 10) you can call the hotel and reserve a “room block.” This holds a certain number of rooms up until a specific date, but doesn’t require you to cover all the costs. When your friends book a room as part of the block, they pay individually. Any rooms not booked by the cutoff date are released, so you’re not personally on the hook if you end up needing fewer rooms than you thought. 

10. If you want to book your seats together, it may cost you.

If members of your group are each booking their own airfare, you’ll have to take a few steps to make sure you’re all sitting together. 

• Book early . Waiting until the last minute to book not only increases prices, but it increases the chance you’ll be left with only middle seats to choose from. 
• Don’t do basic economy . The cheapest rates come with fewer perks, like not being able to select your seat until check-in. While there’s a chance you could still get seats together at that point, if you want to guarantee it, upgrade to main economy, or pay extra to choose your seats in advance, if allowed with your fare. 
• Show up at the airport early . If none of the options above work for you, arrive early at the airport. You can speak with the attendant at check-in to see what seats are available, and if there are several seats altogether, he or she will likely be happy to accommodate you. 

11. Take some time for yourself. 

As mentioned above, it’s unrealistic to think everyone wants to do the same activities all the time, and taking some time apart from your group can help keep everyone stress-free. 

If there’s something you want to do and your friends don’t, there’s no harm in stepping out on your own—so long as that expectation was set at the beginning. A little bit of space ensures you get to do everything you want, and it can help you appreciate your time together even more. 

>> Read our tips for solo travel.

12. but don’t be afraid to let your friends push you out of your comfort zone. .

Maybe you’re not normally into the idea of cliff jumping in Hawaii, or tackling a via ferrata in Switzerland, but there’s a big difference between not wanting to do something, and wanting to do it but feeling apprehensive. 

In the latter case, a little encouragement from braver friends may be all you need—and if you decide it’s not, you can always hang out nearby or snap photos of their adventure.  

That’s the joy of traveling with friends. When it’s bad, it’s stressful and tense, but when all goes well, not only will you have an amazing adventure, you may wind up growing in unexpected ways. 

Freelance Writer

Published September 19, 2023

Last updated December 21, 2023

Articles you might like

Everything You Need to Know About Staying in a Hotel with Your Pet

Apr 11, 2024

How Anyone Can Use AARP to Save on Travel, Even If You Aren't Retired

Apr 4, 2024

The 22 Best Travel Apps

Mar 28, 2024

Treat your travel to cheap flights

Most deals are 40-90% off normal prices with great itineraries from the best airlines. If it's not an amazing deal, we won't send it. Sign up for free to start getting flight alerts.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Ask a Travel Nerd: How I Introduce Friends to Award Travel

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

I’ve been an enthusiastic award traveler for over a decade, using points and miles earned from credit cards to book flights, hotels and more. Award travel has granted me experiences that would have otherwise been over my budget, helping me explore the world, spend time with loved ones and get where I’m going in comfort.

I’m grateful for my hobby and eager to share it with curious friends and family. However, award travel has complexities and pitfalls that make it risky.

I’ve learned over the years that introducing others to award travel requires a degree of care, so here are five guidelines I use when I welcome new players to the points and miles game.

1. Set realistic expectations

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. household spent over $1,850 on transportation and lodging for out-of-town trips in 2022. With that figure in mind, I’m not surprised people commonly get into award travel as a way to cut costs. But while “get a credit card and travel for free” sounds alluring, the reality is it’s not free and not that simple.

Booking with points and miles takes varying degrees of effort, depending on where you want to go and how luxuriously you want to travel. In addition to planning your itinerary, you’ll have to figure out which airline and hotel programs you’ll use to book it.

Once you earn enough points and miles, there’s no guarantee the airplane seat or hotel night will be available. Even when they are, booking them may involve out-of-pocket costs, such as taxes, fuel surcharges or resort fees . In short, it’s no sure bet.

To manage expectations, I paint an honest picture of award travel. While it’s not a golden ticket to first class seats and presidential suites, it can help you travel for less.

2. Start small

Since I started collecting points and miles in 2010, I’ve opened over 80 credit cards in pursuit of sign-up bonuses, spending rewards and other benefits. I've sometimes averaged more than one new credit card per month.

I can handle that volume because I’ve worked up to it, learning how to manage my credit and loyalty accounts over the years. But a beginner attempting that same pace would be like a student driver entering a Formula One race.

I encourage newbies to start small and set an achievable travel goal (like booking one flight or hotel stay with points) and figure out how best to meet it. That narrow focus provides an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of award travel without getting overwhelmed. If things go well, ramping up is easy. If not, the cost of failure is low.

3. Emphasize good financial habits

You’re not likely to ding your credit score by trying chess or snorkeling, but getting into award travel generally involves opening (and monitoring) various financial and loyalty accounts.

Richard Kerr, vice president of travel at Bilt Rewards, says that award travelers must set their priorities appropriately.

“Rewards never outweigh interest and fees,” Kerr said, who adds that it's important to make sure "the well-being of your personal finances always comes first in your pursuit of points and miles.”

According to data from the Federal Reserve, credit card annual percentage rates averaged more than 20% in 2023. Meanwhile, when redeemed for travel, most points and miles are worth just 1 to 2 cents.

Mismanaging accounts can be costly, so I stress the importance of organization and fiscal responsibility. I implore new award travelers to pay their credit card balances on time and in full and warn them against overspending. I also offer tips for keeping track of accounts and due dates and share my organizational tools where needed.

4. Follow along 

Points and miles can open a lot of doors, but throwing folks in the deep end to fend for themselves can do more harm than good.

Once I introduce someone to award travel, I feel some responsibility for the outcome, so I offer my continued assistance as needed to help them stay afloat.

I try to proactively check in with folks about their progress and ensure they’re meeting spending requirements, managing accounts and avoiding unnecessary costs. If all goes well initially, I keep them apprised of future opportunities (like award sales or outsized credit card bonuses ).

5. Don’t be pushy

The prospect of traveling at a heavy discount has the ring of a late-night infomercial, making many folks distrustful of it initially. I talk about award travel without sounding like I’m selling something. I speak plainly, avoid overhyping and never force details on disinterested parties.

On a related note, I’m upfront about any way I stand to gain personally. For example, I always disclose when a credit card offer earns me a referral bonus (even though I send my friends only the best available offers anyway).

Finally, I don’t ask for anything in return — my help comes with no strings attached.

on American Express' website

on Chase's website

on Citibank's application

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spend on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

• Investigates
• Houston Life
• Newsletters

WEATHER ALERT

4 warnings in effect for 5 counties in the area

Hey houston ✈️🌍 2024 travel tips if you’re planning an adventure.

Ahmed Humble , Digital Content Producer

HOUSTON – Summer is almost here and before you know it, you’ll be hitting the road or taking that flight to your next adventure!

MORE: Travel prices increase this summer! Here are 3 budget-friendly vacay options, money saving hacks

However, anyone whose ever traveled knows things can go wrong, so KPRC 2 consulted Doug Shupe with AAA Texas to get some tips before you start booking flights or requesting time off work.

Key Takeaways:

• Analysts are predicting they’re projecting that 4.9 billion people will travel globally this year. That’s going to be a record higher than the 4.5 billion who traveled around the world back in 2019 before the pandemic began.
• Some domestic carriers have been consolidating routes due to smaller regional jet services in some areas and hiring airline staff.
• Think about where you want to go and book the flight now - the sooner the better! This is because the cost of airfares is ALWAYS up in the summer. Consider flying out on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or a Saturday. Those tend to be the cheapest because you don’t have as many business travelers on those days,
• Consider working with a trusted travel advisor, to help bundle your vacation - packages include airfare and accommodations. And if you’re a AAA member, there are even more savings and benefits you may be eligible for. NOTE: You don’t have to be a member to work with AAA advisors, but Shope says it’s highly recommended.
• Don’t let high gas prices deter you; consider a road trip, as you can make your own schedule and you’ll save a lot more money than you would for airfare.

Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ahmed humble.

Historian, educator, writer, expert on "The Simpsons," amateur photographer, essayist, film & tv reviewer and race/religious identity scholar. Joined KPRC 2 in Spring 2024 but has been featured in various online newspapers and in the Journal of South Texas' Fall 2019 issue.

Recommended Videos

Protect Your Trip »

The 9 best airline-approved pet carriers of 2024 + tips from experts.

Find the purr-fect travel carrier for your favorite furry travel companion.

The Best Airline-Approved Pet Carriers

Courtesy of Sleepypod

Flying with your pet requires its share of homework. Regulations on bringing your pooch or feline aboard an airplane include providing updated paperwork as well as picking a pet carrier that adheres to baggage requirements and size restrictions . (For other things to consider when flying with a pet and advice from animal experts, jump to the tips section .)

If you plan to bring your cat or dog with you on your next flight but aren't sure which pet carrier is best – or allowed – U.S. News is here to help. Start with this list of the top airline-approved pet carriers for your jet-setting four-legged friends.

Best Overall: Henkelion Pet Carrier – Medium

• Jump to features and traveler insights ↓

Best Overall, Runner-up: Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier – Medium

Best expandable: petsfit expandable pet carrier – medium, best convertible: natuvalle 6-in-1 pet carrier – small.

• Best Pet Carrier Backpack: PetAmi Backpack Pet Carrier

Best Luxury: Away The Pet Carrier

Best compressible: sleepypod air, best for dogs in cargo: sportpet rolling plastic kennel.

• Best for Cats in Cargo: Petmate 2-Door Kennel

(Note: Prices were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand or other factors.)

What sets this carrier apart: Designed with airline approval in mind, the medium size of this traveler-favorite carrier accommodates cats or small dogs with its spacious interior. Mesh panels zip open on three sides of the carrier as well as the top, ensuring a well-ventilated bag. The outer material is a lightweight and durable polyester. A removable, machine-washable woolen mat makes the interior comfy for your pet; there's also a safety leash you can use to secure your pet inside.

You can use the connectable loop handles and padded shoulder strap for easy carrying, and this carrier bag folds up when you're ready to store it away. The Henkelion Pet Carrier even comes in several fun colors, such as purple or green.

Travelers appreciate: "I have used the Henkelion soft-sided carrier many times," says Robbie Parker of travel blog Expat in Paradise , who travels with his small dogs. "These are great carriers as they are hardy for travel, collapse for storage, and fit perfectly under the seat for in cabin travel. Also, I like that they have one side that is mesh and the other side is solid with a pocket. You can face solid side toward the aisle so people walking around the plane don't upset your dog." He adds, "Overall, I would recommend it for in-cabin plane travel."

Frequent traveler and luxury travel advisor Ashley Les, founder of Postcards From , also appreciates that the design puts her cats at ease when flying. "I find that with more mesh, cats are exposed to more light and sight – it gets them more anxious," she says, adding: "There are multiple ways to get my cats in the carriers, from the sides or above, as well. I love that you can take out the bottom to wash it separately."

Price: $28.99 or less for medium

Courtesy of Sherpa

What sets this carrier apart: Beyond a patented, crash-tested flexible wire frame that keeps your little buddy safe, Sherpa provides a Guaranteed on Board program that offers a refund for your flight and airline pet fee if you're denied boarding because of the small or medium sizes of this carrier. This mesh and polyester bag is an industry standard with good airflow. The front and top entries have locking zippers, and this collapsible carrier also features a removable (and machine-washable) faux-lambskin liner, a rear pocket for storage, and a seat belt safety strap that doubles as a luggage strap.

Travelers appreciate: This Sherpa carrier is renowned for its reliable functionality and amazing value. Recent travelers say the medium carrier fits well under the seat and keeps their pet comfortable in transit.

Price: $70 or less for medium

What sets this carrier apart: This Petsfit carrier's medium size adheres to most airline requirements (as does the small carrier). One of the mesh windows can be unzipped to form an extra compartment, expanding the carrier by 9.4 inches for an extended width of 20.4 inches. This product is a great option if you need a carrier for air travel but still want your pet to enjoy a bit more space to stretch out when not tucked under the airplane seat.

The sturdy solid wire construction ensures the bag won't collapse but is flexible enough to tuck into a small space, though you may need to remove the rods on either side if the carrier is too tall to fit easily underneath. There's a side pocket for storage, double zippers and a water-repellent inner cloth.

Travelers appreciate: "The Petsfit carrier was flexible enough to squeeze under most airplane seats, but still was sturdy enough to hold," says Alexandra Lauren of the travel blog The Bucket List Mermaid , who has used this carrier to fly with her cat. "My kitty could look around the airport with the built-in leash in the carrier. The expandable portion was an added bonus because it allowed for more room for my pet when on long layovers or when I had an empty seat on the airplane." Lauren also recommends Petsfit's expandable backpack-style carrier for a hands-free option.

Price:  $56.99 or less for medium

Courtesy of Natuvalle

What sets this carrier apart: For travelers seeking versatility, this Natuvalle cat or dog carrier can be used like a backpack, shoulder bag, tote with carrying handles or even – if worn on your front – a baby carrier. This convertible choice can also be used as a car seat crate with built-in seat belt loops, and you have the option of using it either in the upright or side position. Other features include zipper locks, mesh panels, reinforced stitching, two walk-through doors and a photo ID tag. The carrier is foldable and has reflective stripes for night travel. While there are medium and large size options, the extra-small and small sizes are your best bet when it comes to fitting under an airplane seat.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners like the versatility of this bag; some travelers say the carrier fits best under the seat when on its side, as the upright position can be too tall.

Price:  $119.90 or less for small

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Best Backpack: PetAmi Backpack Pet Carrier

Courtesy of PetAmi

What sets this carrier apart: Go hands-free with this PetAmi backpack-style carrier. A sturdy frame maintains its shape while you traipse through airport terminals, with chest and waist buckles for extra support. Four-sided access makes loading easy, and a rollaway mesh top means your furry friend can stick their head out the top when you're not in the air. The safety strap and buckle are designed to thwart even great escape artists, and a sherpa-lined bed entices fur babies to relax. The backpack carrier color options include red and purple.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners like the easy carrying this style provides, though they advise that you'll need to store this bag on its side in the plane cabin, and it won't fit on every airline.

Price: $39.99 or less

Courtesy of Away

What sets this carrier apart: It's a splurge, but this cat and dog carrier is made by Away, a popular luggage brand known for its sleek design and functionality. The same applies to this nylon and leather tote, which comes in black or a coast blue. The water-resistant lining is paired with sherpa bedding and exterior pockets that can hold a phone, keys or waste bags. If you already have an Away suitcase, this carrier will fit seamlessly over the handle with its trolley sleeve.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners who travel with this bag like that it's roomy, saying their pets seem comfortable inside. This carrier fits pets up to 18 pounds but is a bit on the larger side of an airline-approved carry-on, so be sure to research your airline's policies before taking it aboard.

Price: $225 or less

What sets this carrier apart: The Sleepypod Air is designed to compress to fit under the seat during takeoff and landing; when the seat belt sign is off, your pet can enjoy slightly more room (but be aware that it doesn't hold its reduced size in a freestanding position, only when tucked into a small space). This unique carrier employs sturdy luggage-grade ballistic nylon for its base, with a panel of mesh running along the front, top and back. A removable privacy panel can be slid over part of the mesh. Available in multiple colors, this crash-tested model also has a seat belt strap, a trolley sleeve and a comfortable shoulder strap for carrying it.

Travelers appreciate: Users like the carrier's many features and say it's a good option especially for larger cats traveling by air, but some pet owners felt there was not enough airflow (especially with the privacy panel) for longer flights.

Price: $199.99 or less

What sets this carrier apart: Any furry friends larger than about 20 pounds will likely have to travel in the cargo hold if they're not a service animal. You'll want a very sturdy dog crate for the journey that meets every regulation, and SportPet's kennel passes the test for many travelers. This carrier meets International Air Transport Association guidelines with two snap-on water dishes and four stickers that indicate a live animal is inside; a "floor gutter" contains messes for easy cleanup. The durable plastic frame is connected with metal nuts and bolts and features airline-required tie holes for bungees.

This travel crate comes in six sizes, from small up to XXX-large, so be sure to determine the right size for your pet. A cushioned bed is not included and costs extra. For more information on pets traveling in cargo, consult the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners like the sturdy construction and the compliance with airline regulations, but the traveler-favorite feature is the removable wheels, which are included with the carrier (except with size small).

Price: Ranges by size from $76 to $385

Best for Cats in Cargo: Petmate Two-Door Kennel

Courtesy of Petmate

What sets this carrier apart: This option made of hard plastic and steel wire is tough enough to protect your cargo-contained cat, according to recent travelers. (Keep in mind that airlines do not recommend hard-sided carriers for in-cabin travel, and this kennel is too large to fit under airline seats.) The two front and top doors assist with entering and exiting, and color options like hot pink or blue will make this kennel easy to spot. The carrier comes in small (24-inch) and extra-small (19-inch) sizes, so choose accordingly based on the measurements of your cat. As with most hard-sided crates, you will have to purchase a plush bed separately.

Travelers appreciate: "I haven't traveled by air with this carrier, but I've owned it for years and really appreciate how sturdy it is," says Catriona Kendall, associate editor of travel at U.S. News. "The assembly of the carrier is straightforward, and my cats feel safe enough to hang out in it at home."

Price: $66.99 or less for 24-inch

How to choose the best pet carrier

There are a few major points to consider when choosing a carrier that will serve as your pet's safe space during a flight:

Size: Selecting the right carrier size for your pet is essential not only for your pets' comfort but also for their safety, according to Sara Hogan, hospital manager at Clarendon Animal Care in Virginia. "Please ensure the measurements for your carrier meet a standard that allows for your pet to comfortably turn around AND lay down," she says. But be aware that if the carrier is too large for your furry friend, they could end up injured in transit. The best way to determine the right size is to take measurements of your pet; to be as precise as possible, use the IATA's formula .

Keep in mind that only carriers able to fit under the seat in front of you are allowed in the plane cabin – a space that will vary by airline. Consult the next section on airline policies for more information.

Airflow: Don't underestimate the importance of adequate airflow. "Carriers and crates really need to have proper ventilation for short or long-term travel," Hogan says. "There IS a difference between taking your pet down the street to a friend's house or the vet and taking your pet on a trip with any sort of additional time involved."

Stability: Check the quality of all the zippers and materials − you want this to be an escape-proof carrier, and any malfunction can put your pet at risk. "If something has previously broken or fallen off the carrier or crate look to replace the piece or the entire crate/carrier," Hogan advises.

Soft-sided vs. hard-sided: If your pet is small enough to fly in the cabin, most airlines highly recommend a soft-sided carrier, which gives the most flexibility. Airlines are often slightly more lenient with the dimensions for soft-sided carriers in the cabin as long as they are able to fit underneath the seat without blocking the aisle of the airplane. Another bonus: Soft pet carriers often come with removable fleece bedding for extra comfort.

Note: Crates and carriers destined for the cargo hold of the plane must be hard-sided. Find more details on carrier specifications for the cargo hold in the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Airline pet carrier dimensions

Each airline sets its own specifications and safety rules for pets in the plane cabin with you, so be sure to check with your intended airline for dimension limits, breed restrictions and other guidelines. Be aware, too, that most major airlines based in the U.S. do not offer an option to transport animals in cargo.

Use the links below to find more information on the specific pet policies for the following U.S.-based airlines. Each airline's size limit for soft-sided pet carriers in the cabin is also listed, with dimensions given in length by width by height.

• Alaska Airlines : 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches
• Allegiant Air : 19 x 16 x 9 inches
• American Airlines : 18 x 11 x 11 inches
• Delta Air Lines : 18 x 11 x 11 inches
• Frontier Airlines : 18 x 14 x 8 inches
• Hawaiian Airlines : 16 x 10 x 9.5 inches
• JetBlue : 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches
• Southwest Airlines : 18.5 x 13.5 x 9.5 inches
• Spirit Airlines : 18 x 14 x 9 inches
• Sun Country Airlines : 16 x 10 x 8 inches
• United Airlines : 18 x 11 x 11 inches

How to prepare to fly with a pet

Help your pet acclimate.

When preparing to travel with your furry companion, planning ahead is key, especially if your pet isn't used to being confined in a crate or carrier. "I recommend buying the carrier as far in advance of travel as possible to allow your dog to become comfortable relaxing in the carrier in a familiar home environment before traveling," says Amanda Farah, CPDT-KA, national training and behavior coordinator for Best Friends Animal Society.

Some pets are sensitive to loud noises, so one way to prepare them for the journey is by playing recordings of sounds they might encounter in transit, Farah says. "I'd say a good general rule is that because so much of what they encounter during air travel will be new and potentially stressful, you should familiarize them to many factors as possible in the weeks or even months leading up to travel."

Book your travel far in advance

Keep in mind that airlines limit the number of pets allowed on a flight, so book early and try to secure a direct flight to cut down on travel time.

Familiarize yourself with your departure airport

Before you set off on your journey, familiarize yourself with the airport you're departing from – such as where to find a pet relief area – and how to go through security with a pet in tow. For example, you must never place your pet on the security conveyor belt (only the empty carrier goes through the X-ray tunnel).

Research your destination

This is a crucial step. Some countries will not allow pets in at all, while other destinations (such as Hawaii) may have strict rules about rabies vaccines or require all animals to travel in cargo. Christine Barton, a veterinarian with The Vets , recommends checking the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website to learn about requirements for health certificates, vaccines and more.

Other considerations will depend on what type of vacation you're planning; if it involves hiking or camping with your dog, Barton suggests checking the expected weather, making a small emergency kit for you and your pet, and considering a GPS tracker for remote areas. Wherever you're headed, locate the closest emergency animal hospital just in case and make sure to book pet-friendly accommodations .

Consult your vet

Once you've done your research, your veterinarian can help ensure your pet has everything you both need to travel, such as microchipping, required or recommended vaccines (and proof of them), testing, and health records, Barton says. A vet can also address any health concerns. "Doctors can discuss risks, precautions, and things to monitor while traveling," Barton explains, adding that you should make sure your pet is up to date on needed preventive medications, such as treatment for fleas or heartworm.

If your furry friend struggles with anxiety, your vet can prescribe them a medication to make the journey less stressful for both of you. "Talk to your veterinarian before administering any sort of medication to your pet, but definitely consider it for future travel," Hogan says.

Frequently Asked Questions

A carrier being "airline-approved" typically means it adheres to the airline's size requirements, is leakproof, provides adequate airflow and keeps your pet securely inside.

You can find a pet carrier on wheels, such as the  Snoozer 4-in-1 Roll Around Pet Carrier  or the  SportPet Rolling Plastic Kennel , but keep in mind that most wheeled pet carriers are too large to fit under the seat on most airlines, even with detachable wheels. Wheeled options can make your furry friend easier for you to transport, but they also tend to make for a bumpy ride for your pet, so consider carefully whether a carrier on wheels is right for your cat or dog, especially if they're easily frightened.

Most major airlines in the U.S. do not allow pets to travel in cargo; some, like American Airlines, only offer this service for active military or diplomatic personnel. Of the major U.S. airlines, only Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines currently accept animals in the cargo hold, so keep that in mind if you have a medium or large dog – or if your intended destination does not welcome in-cabin pets.

Most animals who fly in the cargo hold are fine, but there's still a risk of your pet being killed, injured or lost, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The most common dangers are excessively hot or cold temperatures, poorly ventilated crates, and rough handling. Be sure to follow all IATA guidelines for cargo crates to ensure your pet's safety. Before you book a flight, you may also want to research the airline's history with companion animals in the cargo hold.

The kennel you choose for cargo travel must allow your pet enough room to stand, sit upright, turn around while standing and lie in a natural position, according to the IATA. Carriers must made of rigid materials and include a solid roof, a leakproof base, a door with well-maintained hardware, working handles and ventilation on all four sides. Labels that say "Live Animal" and "This Way Up" are also required by the IATA.

A water dish must be securely affixed to the inside of the carrier, with open access for your pet to drink and for someone to refill it from the outside without opening the crate. A food container can either be inside the carrier if it's sealed or attached to the outside.

A pet carrier usually counts as either a personal item or a carry-on. Depending on the airline policy, you may be able to bring either a personal item or a carry-on bag (not both) in addition to your carrier. Check your airline's carry-on luggage allowance and pet policy to see what you can bring.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires puppies and kittens to be at least 8 weeks old to travel, but airlines may impose their own age restrictions on top of that. On Delta, for example, companion animals must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic flights. United Airlines says your pet should be at least 4 months old for international travel to comply with rabies vaccine requirements.

Your furry friend will incur certain fees for flying, but the cost will vary by airline. American Airlines, as an example, charges a $125 service fee for a carry-on pet, while Allegiant's fee is $50. Cargo fees may depend on trip details: Hawaiian Airlines charges $60 in fees for domestic flights and $225 for flights between Hawaii and North America, while the cargo fee on Alaska Airlines is $100. Service animals typically fly at no charge as long as they meet the airline's requirements.

It depends on your pet, according to Hogan. "If they're quite anxious you may want to offer food with a bit more advanced time prior to the flight to avoid vomiting in the carrier or on themselves, however, not too much time where they'll be hungry throughout the travel day," she advises. "Water is important to offer as often as possible in any setting. Access to using the bathroom more than once prior to travel is also advised so as not to miss an opportunity for output!"

Conveniently, some airports may have pet relief areas your dog can use either before or after you go through security, but that's something you'll have to research beforehand.

No. Unless your pet is a service animal of a certain size, airlines typically require pets in the cabin to be secured in their carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Catriona Kendall is a frequent traveler and longtime cat owner who knows the importance of a sturdy and secure pet carrier. Her cats haven't managed to damage or escape from the Henkelion and Petmate carriers she's owned for years (despite their best efforts). She also recommends this pop-up Pet Fit for Life carrier for road trips. Kendall compiled this list of airline-compliant carriers using her experience as a pet owner, advice from animal experts and extensive research.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Carry-on Luggage Pieces
• The Top Luggage Trackers
• What Is Allowed in a Carry-on Bag?
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seat Belt Extender?

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best east coast beaches.

April 19, 2024

The Best Hard-sided Luggage Picks

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

The Best Luggage Brands

Rachael Hood April 17, 2024

The Best Carry-on Luggage

The Best Yellowstone National Park Tours

John Rodwan April 17, 2024

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

Best Alaska Tours

Lyn Mettler April 16, 2024

The Best Fredericksburg Wine Tours

The Best Personal Item Bags

Rachael Hood April 16, 2024

The 17 Best Costa Rica Tours

Lyn Mettler April 12, 2024

• Acts of Kindness
• Viral Stories
• New Food Flavors
• Cleaning & Organization
• Kitchen Gadgets
• DIY & Improvement

What is the best day to book flights?

Fares can change as many as 49 times between the first published price and the departure date!

• Jennifer Graham Kizer
• April 16, 2024

Let’s just say it: Buying airline tickets can be maddening. The same seat on the same flight often costs a different price on Tuesday than it does on Wednesday. Both prices will change depending on the month or season. And if you add in a few other factors (like how many stops and what class you’re flying), the prices change yet again.

Most frustrating of all? The cost varies based on when you buy the ticket. It’s not unusual for fares to seesaw up and down from the moment a price is first published until your departure date, changing as many as 49 times . How can you know which day the airline will offer the lowest price?

You can’t know for sure. But you can keep up with the latest airfare studies — in which travel experts crunch the numbers from past flights, looking for trends and patterns. Read on for some tips on when to purchase tickets this year.

Best day to book domestic flights

About 10 years ago, when online flight booking was still new, airlines would post their latest fares and special deals at the end of the day on Tuesday. In many cases, airlines would match one another’s discount fares. Travel experts passed this information on to consumers, and people came to think of late Tuesday and early Wednesday as the best times to buy tickets.

These days, airlines update their fares all the time, and price matching is less prevalent. So the traditional advice to purchase tickets midweek no longer applies .

Research from Expedia shows that nowadays, Sunday is the best day to book a flight, while fares are most expensive on Friday. The data suggests that if you book on Sunday instead of Friday, you can save around 5% on an economy class ticket and 7% on a business class ticket.

Best day to book international flights

Sunday is also the best day to book international flights. If you choose to buy tickets on Sunday instead of Friday, you can save around 5% on an economy class ticket and 24% for a business class ticket. While the amount of savings has varied, Expedia found that Sunday has been the low price winner for the last three years running .

Cheapest days to fly domestically

In a study by CheapAir.com , travel experts found that Wednesday is the least expensive day to fly domestically, and Sunday is the most expensive. Choosing Wednesday to travel will save you an average of $102 versus traveling on Sunday. The next cheapest option is Tuesday, which will save you an average of $99 versus traveling on Sunday.

MORE: Train vs. plane: Which is the better way to travel?

Cheapest days to fly internationally

If you’re flying overseas, aim to travel mid-week. “For international trips, depart on a Thursday to save as much as 6%, or $60, per round trip ticket,” Hayley Berg, lead economist for travel deals app Hopper, told “Reader’s Digest. ”

Meanwhile, CheapAir.com found that the best days to travel internationally were Tuesday or Wednesday , depending on the continent.

Best months to fly

Lots of people take vacations in the summer, which drives the prices up in May, June and July. And the fall and winter holidays lead to higher prices in November and December. So, if you have a bit of flexibility in your travel dates, you can save money by flying in January, February, September or October.

Berg told “Reader’s Digest” that air passengers can get a discount of over $100 off domestic airfare by traveling during less popular months.

Best time of day to fly

Because fewer people want to take early morning flights, they tend to be a bit cheaper. According to Trip.com , if you opt for a flight that leaves before 9 a.m., the price could be as much as 15% less expensive. You’ll also get a cleaner, possibly less-crowded plane.

MORE: This easy iPhone trick lets you track flight info without an app

How far in advance to book flights

Buying your airline tickets as early as possible doesn’t mean you’ll get the best deal. “Booking more than six months ahead can cost you, since airlines set their initial prices conservatively,” Hopper’s Chief Data Scientist Patrick Surry told Travel & Leisure . But if you wait too long, you might end up paying an inflated price.

According to CheapAir.com, the best day to buy a plane ticket this year is 42 days before your departure. The prime booking window to buy a cheap flight is 74 to 21 days in advance. Outside of that window, the rates will probably be higher. But seasonal changes and holidays can alter the pricing, and where you’re flying comes into play, too.

To be better informed about your specific pricing window, you can use CheapAir’s tool to find the best time to buy flights, based on data compiled from over 8,000 markets and over 1.3 billion airfares. You can plug in departure and arrival cities, hit “Get Info,” and this tool will tell you the prime booking window for your flight. For example, if you’re flying from Atlanta to San Diego this year, CheapAir.com suggests you book between 29 and 72 days in advance.

Buying plane tickets would be a lot less stressful if the prices didn’t change so frequently. But the task is easier when you have these basic tips in your back pocket!

MORE: These are the 20 cheapest places to travel in 2024

Related posts

How to prevent lost luggage and avoid all that arrival stress

Pilot chartered a plane to take 112 friends to Hawaii for his retirement

This easy iPhone trick lets you track flight info without an app

You could win a trip to see the solar eclipse from an airplane

About the author.

From our partners

• Starting a Business
• Growing a Business
• Small Business Guide
• Business News
• Science & Technology
• Money & Finance
• For Subscribers
• Write for Entrepreneur
• Entrepreneur Store
• United States
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East
• South Africa

Copyright © 2024 Entrepreneur Media, LLC All rights reserved. Entrepreneur® and its related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media LLC

He Took His Side Hustle Full-Time After Being Laid Off From Meta in 2023 — Now He Earns About $200,000 a Year: 'Sweet, Sweet Irony' When Scott Goodfriend moved from Los Angeles to New York City, he became "obsessed" with the city's culinary offerings — and saw a business opportunity.

By Amanda Breen • Apr 19, 2024

Key Takeaways

• Goodfriend turned his passion for food tours into a business with some encouragement from his friends.
• The business made about $30,000 a year before Goodfriend was laid off from Meta and went full-time with the venture.
• Goodfriend appreciates being able to "pursue something I love and earn a salary from it."

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Scott Goodfriend, who was working as an executive producer in New York City when he launched Ultimate Food Tours . Goodfriend coordinates food tours all over New York City, "allowing the participants to experience the city's culinary scene in a whole new light."

When did you start your side hustle , and where did you find the inspiration for it? I moved to New York from Los Angeles in 2011. I always loved traveling and getting lost walking through different cities. When I moved to New York , I was fascinated by the ability to visit anywhere in the world by subway, even neighborhoods that were far away. I researched different restaurants and then started thinking, well, maybe I can eat at a few different places , so I started planning walking routes to different eateries on Google Maps. My friends found out I was doing this and wanted to join.

Eventually, the word spread . My friends and family from out of town started calling me when they came to visit New York. They would tell me about a neighborhood they wanted to explore and ask if I could plan a food tour. I enjoyed the challenge and was happy to do this, and I probably ended up planning 50-100 tours over seven or so years.

Related: Her College Side Hustle Led to an Immediately Profitable Product That Sells for Up to $450 — and She Didn't Even Consider Herself 'a Business Person'

During this entire time, I was a broke freelance TV producer living in the East Village who lived off a fair amount of $1 pizza. I lived close to Chinatown and figured I could probably take a short walk and find something better. I not only found delicious food but also discovered the variety, depth and complexity of Chinese food, which I became obsessed with. I started doing tons of research into the regions, cuisines and history and the Chinese experience on the Lower East Side. I started taking people to Chinatown, and they fell in love with the tour. They told me to do this as a business, and I always poo-pooed the idea, saying I didn't want to build a website or do the marketing (sweet, sweet irony — but more on that later). My friend encouraged me to put my tour on something called Airbnb Experiences. I posted the Chinatown tour on Airbnb in 2019; it got to the top of Airbnb in a short timeframe. Then, Covid-19 hit, which shut my operations down for over a year.

In 2021, I reworked the tour and put it back on Airbnb , and it got to the top of the "Activities to do in NYC" list. People started asking me what other tours I had, so I wrote more. Eventually, I had to hire people to help run the tours and help with the marketing. It got overwhelming because I was also working my dream job as an augmented reality producer at Meta , but then….

I was part of the Meta layoffs in 2023! I had a decision to make: Go work for another company I really loved and respected, or pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. I decided to pursue Ultimate Food Tours full-time. It's been great, and I've learned so much doing it. I am really glad I made the jump.

Related: This Dad Started a Side Hustle to Save for His Daughter's College Fund — Then It Earned $1 Million and Caught Apple's Attention

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your side hustle , and how did you navigate them? The biggest challenge while building my business was deciding where to focus and invest my time. You need to be strategic about what parts of the business you invest in and focus on. Since entrepreneurship doesn't have a playbook, the answer is often to go for it, analyze the results, learn from it and do better next time.

How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn? Ultimate Food Tours evolved tremendously over the last few years, and I'm lucky enough for it to be my full-time job now. Before switching to this as a full-time role, I was making around $30,000 a year. I probably saw consistent revenue between the second and third years. At this time, I was only pursuing Ultimate Food Tours on the weekends, so I was making around several thousand dollars a month.

What does total annual revenue look like now? Currently, I generate around $200,000 a year and have seen the brand grow by about three times year-over-year.

Related: This Insurance Agent Started a Side Hustle Inspired By Nostalgia for His Home State — Now It Earns Nearly $40,000 a Month

What do you enjoy most about this side hustle? I love being able to leverage my passions and turn them into business strategies. A great example of this is our content marketing . I come from a family of foodies, and I have always loved history and making videos, so I created a social series called Origin Stories , which tells the history behind New York's famous foods and the best places to eat them. We have three seasons and plan to begin long-form content soon. I am so proud of this because we get to use our platform to drive traffic to local restaurants while simultaneously building our own brand. It's conceptualizing and executing these win-win strategies that really got me excited about running a business.

Being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle! When I first started, I was putting in around 20 hours a week. Since making my side gig my full-time job, I probably work between 50-60 hours a week. Combining my passion with my livelihood allows me the flexibility to pursue something I love and earn a salary from it. I also utilize outside technology that helps streamline my finances and save me time to focus on my business and personal life. What's your advice for others hoping to start successful side hustles of their own? Stay organized ! It's easy to get overwhelmed with various spreadsheets and different numbers flying around. Using an accounting sofware helps free up time on my schedule, allowing me to turn my attention to other areas of the business like marketing and developing additional tours.

Whatever idea you have, whatever your big dream is, take that first step now! Buy that domain name, make that social media post , whatever it is. Just do one small thing a day, and the rest will fall into place. Make it part of your routine, and you'll see a return.

Related: I've Had a Secret Side Hustle for Decades. It Keeps Tens of Thousands of Dollars in My Pocket — and Gets Me Into Places I Wouldn't Go Otherwise.

If you're working a full-time job, try to bite off what you can chew and plan your side hustle schedule around your current commitments. You'll be able to see if it has room to grow, and if you do think you want to make it your full-time thing, start putting things in place that prepare you to make the jump when you feel ready.

Network and talk to other entrepreneurs! The most valuable thing I found was talking to other people who started businesses and food tour companies of their own. They knew what needed to be done and were able to fill in a lot of the gaps in managing my time and gave me the insights needed to successfully launch my own business.

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick Red Arrow

• Bantam Bagels' Founder Fell Into a Mindset Trap 'People Don't Talk About' After Selling the Now-Defunct Business for $34 Million — Here's What Happened
• Lock This Startup Wants to Grow Your Side Hustle for You , While Cutting You a Monthly Check
• I Designed My Dream Home for Free With an AI Architect — Here's How It Works
• Renowned Psychologist Adam Grant Says This 3-Step Leadership Method Will Help Fight Employee Burnout
• Lock Most Americans Don't Think Higher Education Is Worth the Cost — But This State-By-State Breakdown of College Graduates' Salaries Tells a Different Story
• Lock Watch Now: Tapping into Your Unconventional Thinking and Using It to Create a Million-Dollar Business

Most Popular Red Arrow

94% of customers say a bad review made them avoid buying from a brand. try these 4 techniques to protect your brand reputation..

Maintaining a good reputation is key for any business today. With so many people's lives and shopping happening online, what is said about a company on the internet can greatly influence its success.

Build a Better Resume with This $35 Subscription

AI Resume Builder promises to help you apply to jobs twice as fast.

You Won't Have a Strong Leadership Presence Until You Master These 5 Attributes

If you are a poor leader internally, you will be a poor leader externally.

Samsung Makes 6 Day Workweeks Mandatory for Executives as the Company Enters 'Emergency Mode'

Samsung said its performance "fell short of expectations" last year. Now executives are required to work weekends.

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

I Tried Airchat, the Hottest New Social Media App in Silicon Valley — Here's How It Works

Airchat is still invite-only and prioritizes voices with no option to upload photos or write text, making it feel more human than Facebook or Reddit.

Successfully copied link