What’s your USA travel bucket list?
Since we have been stuck at home, I found myself daydreaming about where I would want to travel once this is all over. I realized that there is a long list of places I have not been to yet. Traveling and taking vacations play a huge part in our physical and emotional health. Therefore, being able to escape from everyday life is a great way to recharge and rest your mind and body so you can manage stress. In addition, traveling helps you to experience different cultures and explore places and traditions you wouldn’t normally be exposed to. This is good for your soul! If you are fortunate to have the means to travel, it can be one of the best things you can do for your health.
Lately, I have been reminiscing and looking through old photos of the trips I have been on. I have always loved capturing moments wherever I go. Photos have a way of taking you right back to that moment in time and can bring a lot of joy. Either way, it is a fun activity to immerse yourself in anything that doesn’t involve watching TV. Although, I do love passing the time watching the Travel Channel!
My USA Travel Journey
As a kid, my family did not travel far but we did explore many local destinations in the Tri-State area. We took many trips down to the Jersey Shore from Pt. Pleasant to Long Beach Island, one of my favorites! Being a family of four did not always allow us to travel to far and exotic places but that’s ok. We spent a lot of time on the amazing Jersey beaches and amusement parks. In addition, we visited upstate NY and the Poconos mountains which are filled with lots of activities and beautiful landscapes.
We got the opportunity to visit Disney World a few times when I was younger so that was a real treat! There were lots of road trips and so many interesting stops along the way. Besides Florida, I didn’t travel on a plane again until I was a senior in college to go on spring break in Cancun, Mexico. Now that would be a great post but let’s leave that for another time. It may take a while to even remember what happened on that trip… but I can tell you that the pictures were amazing!
Disney Cruise & Castaway Cay
Travel Memories with Family & Friends
My sister and I were travel partners for a while and we had lots of adventures. We vacationed in Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Captiva Island, Sedona, Nashville, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas. We always talked about doing a cross country RV trip but never got around to it. However, it is definitely still on my list!
Red Rock Canyon in Sedona
My friends and I also shared a lot of adventures down the Jersey shore, California, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Caribbean cruise to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, and southern Florida. I always wanted to travel more with my friends but that got harder once they settled down and had kids. My college friends are planning a trip to Aruba to celebrate all of us turning 50 in a few years so that will be epic!
Love & Travel
In the last several years, I have been able to travel with my fiance and his kids which is always an adventure! What sticks out the most is the Disney cruise that went to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Bahamas, and Cozumel. To be honest, the cruise was so great I would go back even without the kids! The unforgettable memory from that trip was climbing Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica. That was a terrifying but incredibly beautiful climb!
Our family went to Disney World last year and Universal Studios a few years ago. Fun times! My favorite vacation so far with another couple to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We stayed at an adult-only resort, Melia Caribe Tropicale, and it was the most relaxing trip to date. I remember not wanting to come back home! My fiance and I plan to go to Italy at some point in the next 5 years which is still my #1 bucket list destination and always will be!
USA Travel
Looking back at pictures got me thinking about where I have been and also where I haven’t been yet. There are so many places I want to see right here in the good ole USA. Since I have made connections with several travel bloggers, I realize how many places I have yet to go. I spent some time writing a new travel bucket list for the USA. Of course, I would love to see every state eventually- maybe on that RV road trip!
My Top 25 USA Bucket List
- Outer Banks- North Carolina
- Yosemite National Park- California
- Yellowstone National Park- Wyoming
- Glacier Caves- Alaska
- Niagra Falls- New York
- Lake Tahoe- California
- Great Smokey Mountains- Tennessee
- Acadia National Park- Maine
- Napa Valley-California
- Historic Savannah- Georgia
- Key West, Florida
- Northern Lights- Alaska
- Hawaii- beaches and volcanoes
- Georgia Aquarium- Atlanta
- Alcatraz- San Francisco
- Glacier National Park- Montana
- Natural Bridge Caverns- Texas
- University of Michigan Football Stadium
- Zion National Park- Utah
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame- Ohio
- Jack Daniels Distillery- Tennessee
- Smithsonian National Museum- Washington, DC
- Graceland- Tennessee
- Dude Ranch- anywhere in the West!
- Basilica of the National Shrine- Washington, DC
Below is a list of the US states and how many I have been to. My count is currently at 21….what’s your number?
√ Arizona
Arkansas
√ California
Colorado
√ Connecticut
√ Delaware
√ Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
√ Illinois
√ Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
√ Maryland
√ Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
√ Nevada
√ New Hampshire
√ New Jersey
New Mexico
√ New York
√ North Carolina
North Dakota
√ Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
√ Pennsylvania
√ Rhode Island
√ South Carolina
South Dakota
√ Tennessee
Texas
Utah
√ Vermont
√ Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
How many US States have you been to and what are your favorites? Stay tuned for my next list of where I would love to travel outside of the USA. In conclusion, work on your bucket list and keep dreaming of your favorite destinations. We will get back out there sooner or later!
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.