In this article, we will list the 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers. If you want to skip our discussion about the travel industry and adventure travel, go to 5 US Bucket List Trips In 2024 For Adventure Lovers.
The global tourism industry is rebounding. It already reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and is expected to surpass it this year, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The United States has been leading this comeback of the global tourism industry, with the travel and tourism sector contributing $2.6 trillion to the economic footprint of the country in the year 2022. The US Travel Association also reports that the United States had reached 84% of 2019 visitation levels by December 2023.
In our piece about the best cheap summer vacation destinations in the US, we saw how an increasing number of Americans expressed a desire to travel in the summer months. Most travelers prefer domestic travel due to rising international travel costs. Summer travels often entail adventure vacations, which we are going to look at later in this article.
The United States offers diverse vacation experiences, including those for adventure lovers. The country has a plethora of hiking trails, national parks, waterfalls, and mountains for those who love to seek adventure. Adventure tourism is a large segment of the overall tourism market. The people in this segment seek outdoor activities and natural experiences. According to Allied Market Research, the global adventure tourism market size was estimated to be valued at $324 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2032, growing at a compounding annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5%. Adventure travel in the United States alone is quite significant. It contributes $887 billion annually to the US economy, with millions of Americans participating in outdoor activities each year.
The United States, although one of the most adventurous places in the world, does not top the list of adventurous countries. Many experts and adventure enthusiasts agree that New Zealand is the most adventurous place in the world. According to a survey conducted by Booking.com, New Zealand consistently ranks as the top destination for adventure tourism. Adventure tourism also contributes significantly to the economy of the country, with activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and extreme sports.
While the US is not the most adventurous place in the world, it ranks pretty high on the list. The variety of travel experiences within the United States combined with the rising cost of travel makes domestic vacation an attractive option for American travelers. This is one of the reasons why, despite the rising costs of everyday lives, Americans are spending a substantial amount on travel. In 2022, the total travel spending in the country reached $1.2 trillion as travelers started looking to travel smarter, exploring hidden gems, and opting for cheaper alternatives.
While the global travel and tourism industry is rebounding, the pace has been slower than expected amid inflation and rising travel costs. Companies, such as Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), which are associated with the travel and tourism industry suffered slightly because of inflation. Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) is a leading short-term rental company that faced significant shifts in the year 2023. People were starting to wonder whether the company was on its way to dying out after a report published in Bloomberg reported available revenue per room in areas of Orlando and California dropped by 6.4% and 17%, respectively, in the first half of 2023. However, the company recently reported a positive revenue surprise for the fourth quarter of 2023, which depicts that Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) and the travel industry are on the rise. The company reported a revenue of $2.22 billion and outperformed market expectations by $53.47 million.
With that backdrop, let's look at the 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers.
15 US Bucket List Trips In 2024 For Adventure Lovers
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Methodology
To curate our list of the 15 best bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers, we looked at 5 (1,2,3,4,5) sources on the internet. We used a consensus methodology in which we gave the highest priority to the number of times each adventure destination appeared on our sources (frequency). However, we also wanted to account for the ranking of each destination in our sources while giving each an equal weightage. So, we used our previously devised ranking factor and added it to the frequency to arrive at the Insider Monkey Score. The higher this score, the higher the destination ranks on our list. We used the following calculation for our ranking factor: (15/sum of rankings*100). The ranking factor is devised in a way that it is always greater than zero but less than one. So, if source A has an Insider Monkey Score of 3.25, 3 is its frequency and 0.25 is the ranking factor.
By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.
15 - Everglades, Florida
Insider Monkey Score - 1.050
Everglades is one of the most unique destinations in the world with a diverse ecosystem and exciting opportunities for outdoor activities. Rangers-led tours give adventurous travelers a chance to experience swamp lands up close. You can also zip through the lily-covered water in an airboat and immerse yourself in nature.
14 - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Insider Monkey Score - 1.074
Located in the southeastern corner of Massachusetts, Cape Cod is an arm-shaped peninsula that extends to the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy such as whale watching and water activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing. Cape Cod is also renowned for its bike paths and hiking trails.
13 - Juneau, Alaska
Insider Monkey Score - 1.075
The capital city of Alaska is 13th on our list of 15 US bucket list trips for 2024 adventure lovers. The city offers a host of activities for visitors, including a whale-watching experience, exploring glaciers, hiking on over 250 miles of trails, and sea kayaking. Another popular activity in the city is fishing which is planned around the salmon migration.
12 - Niagra Falls, New York
Insider Monkey Score - 1.150
No list of adventure trips for adults in the USA is complete without mentioning Niagra Falls, which consists of the following three waterfalls: The Horseshoe Falls, The American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. It is a renowned natural wonder located at the southern end of Niagra George. It spans the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York State. Some of the adventure activities in Niagra Falls include the Maid of the Mist boat tour and standing at the cave of the winds behind the Bridal Veil Falls.
11 - Adirondacks, New York
Insider Monkey Score - 2.004
Adirondacks, New York is 10th on our list of 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers. It offers a stunning natural landscape with a plethora of activities for visitors to enjoy. Some of the adventure activities that you can do in Adrionacks include Aerial Adventure courses such as ziplines, white water rafting, Rock climbing, Canoeing, and Kayaking.
10 - Telluride, Colorado
Insider Monkey Score - 2.006
Telluride, Colorado, is among the top 10 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers. It is a picturesque town nested in San Huan mountain that offers visitors a unique mix of history, culture, and adventure. Telluride is a hub for outdoors enthusiasts with activities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and kayaking.
9 - Moab, Utah
Insider Monkey Score - 2.008
Moab, Utah is one of the best places for family adventure vacations in the USA. It is a city located in the Western United States and is known for its dramatic scenery. Moab offers a host of outdoor recreational opportunities, such as hiking, mountain biking, offroading, rafting, and rock climbing.
8 - Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Insider Monkey Score - 2.010
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is 8th on our list of 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers. The location is known for its stunning natural beauty and offers a wide array of adventure activities, including paragliding, White water rafting, horseback riding, and white water rafting.
7 - Vail, Colorado
Insider Monkey Score - 2.021
Nestled in the Eagles Count, Vail, Colorado is known for its stunning natural beauty and is the home of the Vail Ski Resort. The city offers a host of adventure activities for visitors throughout the year. In winter, visitors enjoy thrilling ski experiences. However, in summer, the town transforms into a serene European-style village where adventure seekers can go on mountain trails along rugged paths and enjoy scenic horseback rides.
6 - Yellow Stone National Park, Wyoming
Insider Monkey Score - 2.038
Yellow Stone National Park is sixth on our list of 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers. It was established in 1872 as America's first national park. It is primarily located in Wyoming but extends to Montana and Idaho. The park is on top of a dormant volcano and is known for tourist attractions like Yellowstone Grand Canyon. The park also offers a host of adventure activities such as hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, fishing, Water activities, and rafting.
