Skydiving, learning a second language, going on safari, seeing the aurora borealis. These are all pretty common activities and goals on an ordinary bucket list. But here at Travel The Unexpected, we encourage our travel community to think outside the box and experience the extraordinary activities the world has to offer. Need some inspiration? We present to you our ultimate bucket list of unique activities for adults.
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20 Unique Activities for Adults
These are our top 20 unique activities for adults that you’ll immediately want to add to your bucket list. Keep reading to see how you can get our full list of the 100 greatest travel experiences in the world for free.
These adventures are wild, thrilling, and sometimes risky. Do your research, check local rules, and know your limits.
Adventure Activities
When was the last time you did something so crazy that you thought your heart might leap out of your chest? As any adrenaline junkie will tell you, there’s no better feeling than finishing something that once brought you crazy amounts of fear. Conquering those fears and doing something death-defying reminds you that you’re alive. These are our favorite adventure activities that will get your blood pumping.
Canyon Swing – Switzerland is one of the premier adventure tourism destinations in the world, and for good reason. Outdoor Interlaken is a company that specializes in unique travel adventures, from rafting to skydiving to bungee jumping to canyoning. But for the ultimate thrill, sign up for their canyon swing and jump from nearly 300ft in the air, before soaring through a canyon. This is what adrenaline lovers’ dreams are made of.
Skywheel, Skycycle, & Skyswing – This is a MUST for any adventure lover. Venture to Davao City in the Philippines to experience the Skywheel, Skycycle, and Skyswing at Eden Nature Park & Resort. These activities take the idea of ziplining to new heights (pun intended)! Our personal favorite, The Skywheel, is essentially a hamster wheel 60 feet up that uses the force of the person inside it to move through the air. The Skycycle is a bike, also suspended on a cable 60 feet in the air. The Skyswing is exactly what it sounds like… except way higher than you’d imagine. You’ll catch some serious air while swinging 95 feet above the ground.
Animal Encounters
If you’re looking for a thrill that doesn’t involve being suspended in the air, we recommend these animal encounters that will bring you directly into the intimate space of some of the world’s most majestic and terrifying creatures.
Crocosaurus Cage of Death – Some people cage dive with sharks… but have you considered cage diving with crocodiles? Get up close and personal with these reptilian creatures in Darwin City, Australia. Though it may feel death-defying, the glass enclosure keeps you perfectly safe while experiencing this terrifying creature up close.
Gorilla Trek – This is one of those unique adventure activities that is not for the faint of heart. With the help of experienced guides, you’ll trek through the jungle to get up close and personal with gorillas. Unlike any zoo experience you’ve ever had, here you’ll be truly immersed in the gorillas’ natural habitat. There are no enclosures in this experience, but the guides will walk you through exactly what to do in the event the gorillas charge at you.
Cheetah’s Rock – Have you ever wanted to pet a cheetah? Or swim with otters? Or maybe feed a lion? At Cheetah’s Rock in Tanzania, you can do all of these things. This conservation center has rescued countless animals and has ethically rehabilitated them. You’ll have an incredibly rewarding and educational visit here, and leave with memories and photos of these beautiful animals that will last a lifetime.
Nature Activities
Some of the most unique travel activities are those that leverage the natural beauty and wonders of the Earth. You’ll feel an even greater appreciation for nature and your connection to it after participating in any of these activities.
Chiang Mai Jungle Trek – Spend two days exploring the jungles of Chiang Mai, Thailand. On this journey, you will walk through jungles, visit a local market, go on a bamboo raft ride, and visit an elephant sanctuary. Our favorite part is the overnight stay at the Karen Hill Tribe Village, where you will get to experience local traditions, homemade dinner, and a campfire party.
Snorkel Between Tectonic Plates – Iceland is the only place in the entire world where you can stand or snorkel between two tectonic plates. In the Silfra Fissure, you’ll get suited up to insulate yourself from the frigid water and then snorkel between the North American and European tectonic plates.
Underwater Walking – Want to feel what it’s like to walk on the ocean floor? Us too! This one’s definitely on our bucket list. You can do this in many tropical destinations, but we recommend doing it in Curaçao, especially if you plan to stop there on a cruise.
Cliff Camping – Want to level up your camping game? What about camping on the side of a cliff? You can do this in a few places around the world, but the most breathtaking spot is above the fjord in Norway. Here you’ll be suspended 1,300ft in the air, feeling equal parts terrified and mesmerized.
Sandboarding in Peru – Love the idea of snowboarding but hate the cold? We can relate. Sandboarding in Huacachina Oasis, Peru, is on our bucket list, but there are tons of other locations to sandboard, like Namibia, Colorado, California, and Chile, just to name a few.
Thrihnukagigur Volcano – Go inside (yes, inside!) of this volcano in Iceland. You’ll be lowered into the lava chamber, the only one in the world that you can enter. It may sound scary, but this volcano has been dormant for more than 4,000 years. For an even more one-of-a-kind and luxurious experience, you can opt to dine inside the volcano. But be prepared… this meal, unlike the entrance fee, will set you back thousands of dollars.
Ice Floating – Imagine feeling completely weightless and warm even though you are literally floating in ice. Ice floating involves getting in a massive insulated suit that buoys you and keeps the ice-cold water out. You then lie back in the ice water, one with nature, for a peaceful yet wacky experience.
100 Unique Activities for Adults
Get all 100 unique activities with our downloadable bucket list!
Wellness Activities
If wild and dangerous isn’t your style, or you’re looking to decompress after some of the more death-defying activities on this list, you’ll love these relaxing and rejuvenating experiences.
Hell’s Gate – Hell’s Gate in Rotorua, New Zealand, is similar to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon’s wellness-forward experience, but without as big of a tourist scene. It’s a geothermal reserve with a sulphur spa and mud bath, believed to have healing properties.
Melukat Ceremony – This is a Balinese Hindu ritual that focuses on mind, body, and spirit cleansing. At Tirta Empul Temple, you’re bound to have a deeply spiritual experience as you step under the holy water. We recommend booking through Tri Desna Healing, a wellness center where you can also book a reading session to heal from past traumas and seek answers to your soul’s deepest questions.
Tourism with a Twist
These activities are aimed at people hoping to hit the typical sites while visiting, but who want to do it in a more fun and original way.
Versailles Masked Ball – Name something more iconic than attending a real-life masked ball at the Palace of Versailles in France. We’ll wait… Our only gripe about this event is that despite the baroque costumes and elegance of the setting, it’s more of a rave than a traditional ball.
Karaoke Gondola – What better way to experience the breathtaking beauty of Switzerland than from up above while belting out your favorite tunes? We truly can’t think of a better alternative!
The Great Wall Toboggan – Plenty of people have the Great Wall of China on their bucket list, but few know that you can actually toboggan down it! You do a lot of climbing to reach the top, so a toboggan ride to the bottom will provide both entertainment and relief!
Mario Kart Tokyo Tour – Explore the sites of Tokyo while playing real-life Mario Kart. You can even pick out a costume to wear during the tour. We hope you’re not camera-shy! Lots of onlookers will be taking your photo as you navigate Shibuya Crossing. Imagine doing this with your best friends and travel buddies. It’s truly one of the most fun group activities for adults.
Hobbiton Half Marathon – We’re not big runners, but the idea of doing a half marathon through the Hobbiton movie set might be enough to get us training. Imagine running through Hobbiton and Gandalf’s Cutting before stopping for a quick drink at The Green Dragon Inn. It’s the best marathon scenery you could ask for!
Tug of War Festival – Return to your gym class days by partaking in a massive game of Tug of War in Japan. When the game is over, you can receive a piece of the rope as a souvenir. This festival takes place in October each year, so plan accordingly!
We hope you found some truly out-of-the-box activities that bring out the adventurer in you. Want even more bucket list-worthy activities? Get our free list of the top 100 adventures in the world below. Which activities are at the top of your list? Let us know in the comments!
