A few weeks ago, I shared my Ultimate Bucket List. A list of mostly international destinations that I would like to visit. While most of these locations I won’t be visiting in the next year or so, it is a pretty realistic list of countries and experiences that I’d like to explore. Today I put together a list of locations in the US that I’d like to visit.

Washington DC
Like most middle school students on the east coast, I took an amazing trip to Washington DC when I was in 8^th grade. We saw all the memorials, a lot of the museums and even got a tour of the Capital building. But we didn’t see the Cherry Blossoms. Also, I was in 8^th grade, meaning I didn’t appreciate everything DC had to offer. I want to take a boat ride down the Potomac, walk around the Tidal Basin and take in the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms and explore the Mall wandering in and out of museums.

Niagara Falls, NY
Being seven hours away from the Connecticut coastline, Niagara Falls is just too far for a weekend trip. I’ve never taken the trek up to the New York, Canadian border but it sure is on my to-do list in the foreseeable future. I look forward to seeing these amazing falls from land; and also, taking one of the stupid little touristy boat rides to see them from the water also.

Key West, FL
I grew up going to Florida to visit my grandparents. When I was a kid we took the drive from Fort Lauderdale to the Keys… and I remember none of it. Okay that’s a lie, I got sick on a glass bottom boat and that is stuck in my head forever. But otherwise I remember nothing. I want to drive on the Overseas Highway, visit Mallory Square, go snorkeling and maybe even try another glass bottom boat.

New Orleans, LA
Who doesn’t want to go to NOLA? I don’t care if it’s Mardi Gras or not, I cannot wait to explore this city, its history and its Creole culture. Visiting the French Quarter, walking on Bourbon Street, taking a swamp tour, learning about Voodoo, walking into a Jazz club, trying a real beignet, real jambalaya, and gumbo and maybe even checking out a New Orleans Saints game. I want to do it all.

Texas
We skimmed the panhandle of Texas during our road trip this past summer, but besides Cadillac Ranch, I experienced none of the State of Texas. I want to do a road trip starting in Dallas and heading down stopping in Waco, Austin, San Antonio, heading east to Houston and back up to Dallas. I want to watch a Texas football game. High school or college, I won’t be picking when it comes to Texas football. I want to eat BBQ in Austin, check out Magnolia Market and the Silos in Waco, walk along the Riverwalk in San Antonio and visit the Alamo Mission.

Denver and Vail, CO
I’ve never been skiing but I feel like I need to go big or go home. Or at least I need to walk around those cute little ski town, going in and out of all the shops with a cup of hot coco while I wait for my friends to get off of the ski slopes. Either way, I need to explore these cities.