50 Simple Travel Goals to Add to Your Bucket List (that you can actually achieve)

A young child stands near the edge of a wide pebble beach looking toward the sea. The child wears a green jacket, dark trousers, and trainers, with short hair slightly tousled by the breeze. Smooth round stones cover the entire beach, forming a textured foreground that stretches toward the water. The sea lies calm in the distance under a sky filled with layered clouds. Soft sunlight breaks through the clouds, illuminating the beach and creating a gentle glow on the water’s surface. The child stands slightly sideways, appearing thoughtful while looking toward the horizon. The scene feels quiet and reflective, capturing a peaceful moment beside the ocean on a cloudy day.

Do you want to start a bucket list but don’t have the budget or time to seek out the remote islands, luxury resorts or a long haul plane ride on most bucket lists you see? 

You don’t need to go for the most expensive, far flung or luxury destinations, there are tons of simple travel goals you can add to your bucket list making it easier for you to plan and achieve your travel dreams. 

These far flung and adventurous destinations can seem especially out of reach when you have kids but you can find simple goals to add to your bucket that don’t compromise on comfort, adventure or cost. 

Despite what you might see on Instagram, not every travel goal needs to involve a passport, a three week sabbatical, or a massive savings account. 

While Instagram may highlight hot air balloon rides over Türkiye or scuba diving in the Galápagos, the truth is that memorable travel doesn’t have to be expensive, exotic, or exhausting.

The most achievable bucket list ideas are ones that don’t refer to a specific destination. They’re things you can do anywhere so that you don’t need to spend hours on a flight before you can start achieving your bucket list. 

 What’s in this post

In this post you’ll find inspiration for 50 simple travel goals that you can add to your travel bucket list. All of these simple travel goals are beginner friendly, easy to do locally and don’t take up a load of time or money to complete making them perfect for your first bucket list! 

From watching a sunrise to glamping or even taking a scenic road trip, these simple travel goals take less time, effort and money to achieve meaning you can start ticking some things off your bucket list now. 

If there’s a goal on this list you’re particularly interested in you can skip straight there by clicking on that section in the contents below. If not, then scroll down to start reading about the simple travel goals you can plan for today. 

Table Of Contents
  1.  What’s in this post
  2. 1. Take a day trip somewhere new
  3. 2. Watch a sunrise or sunset from a scenic viewpoint
  4. 3. Spend a weekend in a cabin or tiny house
  5. 4. Visit a Farmers Market
  6. 5. Take a train ride through the countryside
  7. 6. Try a traditional local dish
  8. 7. Camp or glamp under the stars (Camping or Glamping)
  9. 8. Stay in a Unique Airbnb or Boutique Hotel
  10. 9. Attend a Cultural Festival or Event
  11. 10. Visit a New Country
  12. 11. Explore a Historical Site Close to Home
  13. 12. Travel Without an Itinerary for a Day
  14. 13. Take a Road Trip
  15. 14. Learn a Few Words in a New Language and Use Them Abroad
  16. 15. Take a Walking Tour in a New City
  17. 16. Send Yourself a Postcard from Every New Place You Visit
  18. 17. Visit a Local Market
  19. 18. Visit a National Park
  20. 19. Visit a Famous Landmark in Your Country
  21. 20. Take a Short Hike
  22. 21. Attend a Local Workshop or Class
  23. 22. Watch Wildlife in a Park or Reserve
  24. 23. Visit a Library or Bookstore
  25. 24. Take Part in a Photography Tour
  26. 25. Visit a Small Town or Village 
  27. 26. Take a City Bus or Tram Tour
  28. 27. Attend a Local Sports Game
  29. 28. Attend a Local Festival
  30. 29. Take a Food Tasting Tour
  31. 30. Visit a Historic Church, Temple or Mosque
  32. 31. Visit a Local Craft Workshop
  33. 32. Take a Short Kayaking or Canoeing Trip
  34. 33. Take a Leisurely Bike Ride
  35. 34. Visit a Local Coffee Shop
  36. 35. Visit a Museum
  37. 36. Take a Short Guided Nature Walk
  38. 37. Visit a Local Bakery or Pastry Shop
  39. 38. Try a Local Dessert
  40. 39. Explore a Local Park
  41. 40. Take a ferry to an island
  42. 41. Watch Street Performers or Buskers
  43. 42. Take a Nature Walk in a Forest 
  44. 43. Take a Scenic Drive
  45. 44. Try Street Food
  46. 45. Visit a Theatre or See a Show
  47. 46. Take a Boat Ride
  48. 47. Watch an Outdoor Movie
  49. 48. Stay with a Local Family in a Homestay
  50. 49. Volunteer on a Conservation or Community Project
  51. 50. Visit a Public Art Installation or Mural
  52. FAQs : simple travel goals
  53. Summary : simple travel goals 
  54. Read these next …

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Several traditional wooden rowing boats are moored along the muddy edge of a calm river. The boats are arranged side by side and each has a painted name on its side, including Laura, Natalia, Christy, and Holly. Fallen leaves and small twigs are scattered across the riverbank and inside the boats, suggesting autumn. Across the river, a grassy park area is visible with a large willow tree whose long green branches drape toward the water. A small dock and blue floating platform sit along the opposite bank, where people gather near the water. Buildings and trees line the far side of the river, adding to the peaceful park setting. The water is still with gentle ripples, reflecting the greenery and muted daylight.

1. Take a day trip somewhere new

A day trip can be a mini adventure with enough of a change of scenery to make you feel like you’re doing something different and there’s no pressure to fit everything in because you can always go back. 

There are so many ways to customise this to fit you and your budget – you can visit the next town over, take a road trip for an hour or two, or jump on a plane for an hour to day trip in another country (also ticking off simple goal number 10)

2. Watch a sunrise or sunset from a scenic viewpoint

Hiking up to a scenic viewpoint to watch the sunrise or sunset will give you a breathtaking experience with minimal effort required, and the best thing is that you can do it anywhere and on any day.

Add to the magic by taking a blanket and a picnic breakfast or dinner to enjoy the sunrise or sunset in style!

3. Spend a weekend in a cabin or tiny house

Escaping for a weekend to a cabin or tiny house feels cosy and closer to nature but also has some of the home comforts we all love!

You can find tiny houses everywhere for a pretty good price, and as there are so many options you’ll find something that suits you from the countryside, to the beach, or even in a city centre. 

4. Visit a Farmers Market

Farmers markets feel quaint, cute and wholesome all at once! You can connect with the vendors by engaging with them to learn more about where your food or item comes from.  

The best bit about a farmers market is that you get to try locally grown or handmade produce on a whole range of different things from fruit and veg to baked goods, cheeses, or even handmade decor.

5. Take a train ride through the countryside

A train ride is a great way to travel because there’s nothing for you to do. You can just sit back, relax and enjoy the view. 

There are trains everywhere so you’ll be able to tick this one off no matter what country you’re based in, and can pair your train journey with a stopover in a small town for extra exploration.

A close-up view shows the front section of a historic black steam locomotive standing on railway tracks. The large cylindrical boiler dominates the image, with rivets and metal fittings clearly visible along its surface. At the front sits a round smokebox door bearing a circular metal plate marked with the number “2.” Above it, a large lantern-style headlamp with the number “2” displayed in white is mounted on a metal bracket. A tall black smokestack rises vertically from the top of the engine. Water droplets cover the metal surfaces, indicating recent rain. Behind the locomotive, green shrubs and grassy hills stretch into the distance under a cloudy sky. The scene captures the powerful, industrial design of early railway technology and the preserved condition of the historic engine.

6. Try a traditional local dish

Trying a local dish is an immediate way for you to connect with a new place and maybe even try some new food. You can do this anywhere you travel, from Thai street food to an American diner or a freshly baked baguette in France.

It’s relatively inexpensive as even if you’re staying nearby and visiting another city in your home country, most places have at least one food item that’s specific to that region.

7. Camp or glamp under the stars (Camping or Glamping)

Sleeping under the stars will connect you to nature without having to go hiking for hours, and instead gives you a rustic and laid back retreat … once you’ve built the tent 🏕️ at least!

The biggest tip I can give you if you decide to give camping a try is to learn how to be a minimalist camper – trust me you’ll be grateful when it comes time to pack up

Once you’ve bought all the camping gear you need, it’s easy to travel around having new experiences, plus camping is usually cheaper than booking hotels so you can explore camping in different countries on a budget.

Glamping is slightly more expensive but lets you get back to nature with some home comforts like a bed, toilet and sometimes even a hot tub. 

8. Stay in a Unique Airbnb or Boutique Hotel

Staying in a unique air bnb or boutique hotel over a large chain means more personal touches: homemade breakfasts, local tips from the host, or decor crafted by regional artisans.

There are a huge range of options to fit your level of adventure and quirkiness, from an airplane to a treehouse, an eco lodge, or even a castle!

9. Attend a Cultural Festival or Event

Cultural festivals are an explosion of identity, music, dancing, and food – a true sensory overload!

You’re bound to find something that fits with your interests, whether it’s a festival centred around food, performance or history. They can be popular so make sure to research dates and book your travel and hotel well in advance.

10. Visit a New Country

Visiting a new country can open you up to different cultures – learn how to say hello in a different language or try some different food. It doesn’t have to be some faraway and exotic destination, it could be just travelling a couple of hours to the closest country. 

There’s flexibility in this goal in how long you travel for, if you do a day trip, are you camping or going to an all inclusive resort, and is it short flight or can you mix it up with a road trip?

The interior of a grand railway station stretches out beneath a high arched glass and steel roof. Multiple train platforms run parallel across the station floor, each marked with numbered signs. Several trains sit alongside the platforms, including sleek high-speed trains and regional trains in different colours. Passengers walk through the station carrying luggage, standing in small groups while waiting for departures. Sunlight filters through the glass roof, casting bright patches of light across the polished floor. Tall iron columns support the structure, giving the station a historic industrial style. Information boards, ticket machines, and platform signs are scattered throughout the space. The scene conveys the busy atmosphere of a major transport hub connecting different destinations.

11. Explore a Historical Site Close to Home

People often overlook the places closest to them because they’re so focussed on getting away to take a break but exploring a historical site near your home town is a simple travel goal that can be a full day trip or combined with a nearby cafe or park. 

Before you visit, check out guided tours or special exhibits and events you can book on to to make the most of your visit.

12. Travel Without an Itinerary for a Day

Spending a day travelling without an itinerary is a fun way to embrace spontaneity and view your journey with completely fresh eyes. 

You just start exploring with no expectations to try and meet and can ask locals for recommendations either when you arrive or in facebook or reddit groups before you travel. 

We did this when we went to Boston. We had nothing planned or booked for the day, we just knew we wanted to walk the freedom trail. On the way to our hotel that evening we asked our taxi driver for dinner recommendations and he told us to go this Mexican restaurant opposite our hotel. It turned out to be a great recommendation – the food was delicious and the decor was quirky and cool! 

13. Take a Road Trip

Nothing feels like freedom the same as a long road trip with some great music blasting! Explore at your own pace, enjoy the scenery, and spend quality time with the people road tripping with you. 

Add additional stops or mini detours along the way to experience more than you would be able to if you were just flying to a destination.

14. Learn a Few Words in a New Language and Use Them Abroad

Learning a new language allows you to engage with locals in a way that’s respectful and fun. The whole family can get involved and it boosts confidence and curiosity in kids. 

We have some handy guides to help you start learning some simple phrases in different languages including please, thank you, hello, goodbye, yes and no, and counting 1-10. 

15. Take a Walking Tour in a New City

Whether you’re led by a guide or self-guided, joining a walking tour in a new city lets you experience somewhere different on a more personal level. If you think a walking tour would take too long or be too difficult with kids you can combine it with public transport to have some opportunities for rest. 

It’s a great way to experience a new city and find places for further exploration later. You can even research quirky or ‘off the beaten path’ ideas and create your own walking tour rather than following a guided tour. 

Two children are walking away from the camera through a wide outdoor shopping area lined with modern storefronts. The older child, wearing a black padded vest, dark trousers, and orange trainers, walks beside a younger child dressed in a green jacket and matching trousers. They appear to be holding hands as they walk along a grey stone-paved pedestrian walkway. Glass canopies extend from the buildings on both sides, creating a sheltered corridor. Several shop signs are visible, including Schuh and Superdry. Other shoppers walk casually in the background, some entering and leaving stores. The buildings combine glass, brick, and metal architecture, and a curved glass roof structure spans the centre of the walkway further ahead. The sky above is overcast with dark grey clouds, suggesting cool or rainy weather.

16. Send Yourself a Postcard from Every New Place You Visit

Sending yourself a postcard from every place you visit is so fun! Not only is it a snapshot of your travels but because you’ve sent it from that location it has the stamps from being posted too adding an extra layer of nostalgia. 

Write about what you’ve done on the trip, talk about what you’ve learnt along the way, or even add in some of the funniest or best moments of your trip.

The best bit? You don’t need tons of room in your suitcase for this souvenir (even though I end up buying loads of souvenirs I do need room for anyway) 

17. Visit a Local Market

When you visit a local market you can interact with locals, sample fresh produce, taste street foods, and buy handmade souvenirs.

Just keep an open mind and trying at least one new thing, this may be a new food you’ve never eaten before or buying a souvenir you’ve never seen before.

18. Visit a National Park

National parks provide an accessible way to experience the beauty of nature and wildlife. There are normally guides or rangers to help you with advice or directions, as well as maps and planned trails making it easy to find your way around on a trail that suits you. 

Make a day of it with a picnic or scavenger hunt, and focus on the type of trails that suit you – whether that’s kid friendly trails, educational focussed or one more suited to bird or wildlife photography. 

19. Visit a Famous Landmark in Your Country

Visiting a famous landmark in your own country can be a simple and meaningful travel goal as most landmarks hold some kind of historical, cultural or architectural significance. 

Book a guided tour to get access to all of the historical insights and hidden stories of the landmarks. 

20. Take a Short Hike

Even a one hour hike can provide fresh air, exercise, and scenic views of forests, rivers or mountains. Choose an easier trail if youre travelling with kids or a guided hike to learn about the best (and safe) routes. 

We did this on a brief stop at Dovedale in the Peak District as part of a longer road trip. We found a kid friendly trail with stepping stones and plenty of space to run. 

Two children are carefully crossing a shallow stream using large stepping stones placed across the water. The older child stands ahead, reaching back with one hand to help the younger child step onto the next stone. Both are wearing warm jackets, suggesting cool weather. The stream flows gently around the stones, creating small ripples and splashes. On the opposite bank, several adults and children stand watching or taking photos. A dog on a leash stands beside one of the adults. Behind them, rocky slopes and patches of grass form a natural landscape. The scene captures a moment of teamwork and outdoor adventure as the children balance across the stones while exploring the natural surroundings.

21. Attend a Local Workshop or Class

From cooking classes to craft workshops, or photography classes. Taking part in a workshop or class is a hands on and beginner friendly way to explore the place you’re visiting.

They’re normally short in duration so they don’t take too much time away from your trip and the kids don’t have enough time to get bored!

22. Watch Wildlife in a Park or Reserve

There’s something so peaceful about just sitting and watching all the different wildlife around you. Combine this with a short hike to tick off two simple travel goals in one trip.  

Make this activity a bit more fun for kids by creating your own bingo card or scavenger hunt before you head out. 

23. Visit a Library or Bookstore

Visiting a library or bookstore is a calm experience, offering a quiet alternative to more crowded tourist attractions. 

Many of them also have small cafes or space for you to sit and read, and many have cheap or free activities for kids. 

24. Take Part in a Photography Tour

You can find a photography tour in almost every town or area and it’s a great way to have a guide to explore the area you’re visiting while getting some awesome pictures! This is even one you can do in your local area and see it through a whole new lens (pun intended 😏)

Customise this to align to your travel interests – you could do a street art photography tour in a big city, a wildlife photography tour if you’re visiting the countryside, or even photography tours focussed on landscapes and architecture. 

25. Visit a Small Town or Village 

Visiting a small town or village means exploring unique shops, learning about the history and taking part in some community based activities like craft workshops or local festivals. 

One of our favourite things to do when we’re exploring somewhere smaller is to visit a local cafe for lunch, have a wander up the main street, and learn something about the place we’ve stopped in. 

A quiet street lined with traditional stone houses stretches downhill through a historic village. The buildings are constructed from warm yellow stone and feature tall windows, small doorways, and pitched roofs. Black wrought-iron railings run along the sidewalk in front of the houses. Small plants and shrubs grow in front gardens, including a bush with bright red flowers. The road gently slopes downward toward open countryside visible in the distance. Overhead, thick grey clouds cover the sky, creating a moody atmosphere. A few people walk further down the street near the bend in the road. The scene conveys the charm of an old English village, with preserved stone architecture and peaceful residential surroundings.

26. Take a City Bus or Tram Tour

Taking a city bus or tram tour is a very beginner and family friendly way to see a city’s highlights quickly. They often follow scenic routes or go past key landmarks with commentary from knowledgeable guides along your journey.  

When we spent a day in Philadelphia we knew we had to quickly get the lay of the land if we had any hope of seeing a few of its many tourist attractions so we bought tickets to a city bus and did a whole loop of its route to get our bearings and plan where we were going to get off. 

27. Attend a Local Sports Game

Attending a local sports game is a must do when you visit a new place as there’s nothing that introduces you to the culture of a place quite like a sports game! 

Make sure you choose a sport that offers affordable tickets and remember, you don’t have to visit one of the absolute top teams to have a great experience. 

When we visited New York we wanted to watch a basketball game and chose to see a Brooklyn Nets game over New York Knicks because the ticket price difference wasn’t worth it to us. We ended up having an amazing time and it was so much fun for a fraction of the price.

28. Attend a Local Festival

Street fairs and festivals are a fun and engaging way to experience the local culture as they often involve music, handmade crafts, and performances. 

Most places have various events that focus on different interests like a music festival or food festival. This goal does take some pre-planning and research to get the timing right but is so worth it when you’re trying local food and browsing through handmade souvenirs to take home!

29. Take a Food Tasting Tour

What could be a better way to introduce yourself to a place’s culture than through food! You can spend time trying local dishes, learning about the area and maybe even learn how to make some of the food you try at home. 

This is one that may involve quite a bit of walking so if you’re travelling with young children either look for a family friendly food tour or do a bit of research and make your own one before you travel. 

30. Visit a Historic Church, Temple or Mosque

Visit a historic church, temple or mosque to get an insight into local traditions and architecture as they often feature unique design, art, and spiritual practices that reflect regional culture.

Most cities in the UK have a cathedral you can enter for a fee like Bath Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral and the York Minster. In other countries you’ll find different types of religious sites like the Wat Chalong temple in Phuket, the Vatican in Rome, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, or the Blue Mosque in Turkey. 

A narrow historic street leads toward the towering facade of York Minster cathedral glowing in warm golden light. The Gothic cathedral rises dramatically at the end of the street, with tall pointed arches and an intricate circular rose window dominating the upper facade. The sunlight illuminates the stone, creating a strong contrast against the deep blue evening sky. On both sides of the street, small historic buildings house shops and cafes with hanging signs and display windows. Several pedestrians walk along the street, some pausing to look toward the cathedral. The tight alleyway frames the massive structure, emphasizing its height and detailed architecture. The scene captures a striking moment when the low sun casts golden light across the historic cathedral.

31. Visit a Local Craft Workshop

Exploring craft workshops or artisan studios allows you to observe pottery, weaving, glassblowing, painting, or other crafts, gaining insight into local culture and artistry.

Get more out of your visit by bringing a notebook or camera for documentation, asking about hands-on participation, and booking during quieter hours so you can ask the instructor plenty of questions. 

32. Take a Short Kayaking or Canoeing Trip

Kayaking or canoeing offers a beginner-friendly way to explore rivers, lakes, or coastal areas – those kinds of places you’d never be able to explore on foot. 

Even on short trips that are more suited to families you’ll get to see different wildlife, take some photos and spend some time relaxing and taking it all in. When you book, select routes suitable for your skill and energy level and always consider guided tours for safety and local insights. 

33. Take a Leisurely Bike Ride

After all the food you’ve eaten in numbers 4, 6, 9 and 29 a leisurely bike ride is perfect to continue exploring while burning off some of those calories!

Choose a route tailored to a pace and durations you’re comfortable with, with planned hidden spots to explore and plenty of stops for photo opportunities. You could even head to a bakery to grab something for lunch and find a picnic spot along your route. 

34. Visit a Local Coffee Shop

Local coffee shops provide a relaxed and low cost way to experience a community’s daily life. Grab a coffee and cake, park yourself up in a comfy chair and spend some time people watching. 

In some places the local coffee shops are the hub of the community and you’ll often find that they host community events or workshops – combine this with number 32 to cross a couple of simple travel goals off your list. 

35. Visit a Museum

Museums offer insight into history, art, science and local heritage to help you understand the place you’re visiting. They’re so family friendly and many museums offer free admission and have interactive exhibitions for the whole family. 

Some great free museums we loved are the Science Museum in London and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC.

A large, modern building with sweeping curved architecture dominates the image. The structure is made of pale stone with layered, rounded balconies and cylindrical columns that support the upper levels. Large vertical windows with dark glass panels wrap around the middle floors, reflecting the bright blue sky above. The building’s flowing curves create an organic, sculptural appearance. At ground level, a small group of visitors, including adults and children, walk toward the entrance doors, providing a sense of scale compared to the massive structure. Trees and greenery frame the sides of the scene, and the bright sunlight casts soft shadows across the stone facade. The building appears to be a museum or cultural centre, designed with modern architectural style and sweeping lines.

36. Take a Short Guided Nature Walk

During a guided nature walk your guide will highlight plants, wildlife, and ecosystems, offering insight that may be missed if you were just going for a wander on your own. . 

You can book walks based on difficulty, interest, and duration. As well as pairing walks with nearby picnic spots, viewpoints, or other interesting sites. 

37. Visit a Local Bakery or Pastry Shop

A bakery is our FAVOURITE thing to do when we’re visiting a new place, even better if it’s a small town or village – they always have the best bakeries! 

Combine visits with markets, parks, or nearby walking tours to make the most out of your visit. 

38. Try a Local Dessert

A bit like trying local food, a dessert from specific to that area is always a fun yet simple thing to do. 

Either research ahead of time to find out what their local dessert is and the best place to find it, or just head to a bakery and cafe and enjoy some desserts that were freshly made that morning. 

39. Explore a Local Park

Local parks often feature walking trails, playgrounds, gardens, or ponds so there’s plenty of options to choose something that fits with your interests. Many also have covered picnic areas you can use at no extra cost so if the weather is good pack a picnic and make the most of your time there. 

Plan your visit during off-peak hours or during school term time if you want to avoid the crowds.

40. Take a ferry to an island

While this isn’t one you can do anywhere it offers a low stress and scenic adventure in those locations where this is possible. If there’s not a nearby island you can take a ferry to, you could do a short boat trip instead. 

In some cases, like when we went to Ibiza there were loads of options to tick this one off as you could jump on a ferry that travelled to various stops around the island, do a boat trip to see an underwater shipwreck, or get a ferry to nearby Formentera. 

A waterfront view shows a coastal town built along the edge of a calm harbour. White buildings with flat roofs and balconies line the shoreline, reflecting traditional Mediterranean architecture. Higher up the hill behind the town sits an old stone fortress or historic structure overlooking the harbour. The water in the foreground ripples gently and reflects sunlight from the bright sky above. A long stone pier extends out along the right side of the image. Palm trees and waterfront walkways are visible among the buildings. The sky appears hazy with the sun shining through thin clouds, creating a soft glow over the town. The scene presents a peaceful seaside setting with historic architecture rising above the harbour.

41. Watch Street Performers or Buskers

You’ll find buskers or street performers in most big cities and even some small towns, performing music, magic, dance, or comedy in busy public spaces. Combine this with dinner in a local restaurant, visit markets, or sightseeing for the full experience.

Seek out busy streets, squares, or markets to find the performances – you can usually find this information online or social media with a little research. 

One of the most popular and best known areas for street performers in the UK is London’s Covent Garden 

42. Take a Nature Walk in a Forest 

These walks provide a bit of exercise, it lets the kids burn off some energy, and you can look for local flora and bird life. 

Tailor your walk to a pace and route you’re comfortable with and remember, even a short walk can make you feel great. To make a full day of it you can combine your walk with a picnic or nearby attraction.

43. Take a Scenic Drive

When you take a scenic drive you can enjoy views, wildlife, and local landmarks while tailoring the journey to you and stopping at points of interest along the way.

Combine this goal with number xx and xx to take a road trip to a nearby small town but go the scenic route!

44. Try Street Food

Tasting street food or local snacks is low-cost, accessible and delicious way to explore the local cuisine, flavours and culture. 

Often the best place to taste local street food is at markets, festivals or food stalls. 

45. Visit a Theatre or See a Show

Every town has a theatre or some kind of performance area where you can see a show. There’s usually so much choice with this one too, from musicals, to a play, a dance performance or traditional local productions. 

We did this in Salem, it wasn’t planned, it wasn’t expensive but it was one of the most memorable parts of the trip because it was just so unique! The performance told the story of the Salem witch trials and then you could even go downstairs afterwards for a tour of an interactive museum area – if you’re in Salem I highly recommend the Witch Dungeon Museum

The image shows the interior of an old courtroom designed with dark wooden paneling and traditional architecture. Rows of wooden benches fill the foreground where visitors sit facing the front of the room. At the far end, a raised wooden platform holds a judge’s bench and witness stand. Several life-sized mannequins dressed in historical clothing sit behind the bench, representing judges and court officials from earlier centuries. One figure stands near the witness stand wearing period attire including a hat and cloak. The ceiling features exposed wooden beams and two hanging lantern-style chandeliers that illuminate the room with warm light. Red curtains frame the stage-like courtroom area. The space resembles a preserved historical exhibit demonstrating what court proceedings may have looked like in the past.

46. Take a Boat Ride

Enjoy some sightseeing in a short but scenic boat ride. You can do a self guided boat tour but I’d absolutely recommend a guided boat ride for the relaxation of not having to steer the boat yourself, plus you can get some great insight into the local area from the guides. 

When we visited Cambridge we did this punting boat ride and I couldn’t recommend it enough! What started out with them providing bird feed for the kids and extra cushions for my 83 year old Grandma to sit more comfortably continued with our guide giving us an in depth yet funny tour along the River Cam. The kids’ favourite part was the ducks who are so used to tourists feeding them that they even hopped in the boat a couple of times!

47. Watch an Outdoor Movie

Cinemas and outdoor screenings are a fun travel activity, especially if you’re travelling with kids. You can find popular films, independent productions, or regionally significant movies, and they sometimes have food stalls and other family friendly activities.

For the best experience bring snacks or a picnic, cushions, and blankets for when the temperature drops if it’s an evening showing.

This is one of the goals on our 2026 family bingo card as although we’ve travelled all over the world we haven’t done some more simple things like watching a movie at an outdoor cinema.

48. Stay with a Local Family in a Homestay

Living with a local family offers an authentic view into the culture, daily life, and routines of locals unlike what you would ever get from staying in a hotel.

Make sure you do your research to find hosts with positive reviews and recommendations, and during your visit be respectful, flexible and open to learning – you may even gain a few language skills!

49. Volunteer on a Conservation or Community Project

Volunteering on a conservation or community project is a meaningful way to make a positive impact while you travel. The volunteer projects can range from planting trees, cleaning beaches, and protecting wildlife, to assisting in schools or local community programs.

With programmes differing in duration from days to weeks it’s important to do your research ahead of time to make sure you’re picking the right one for you and your family. This is one we haven’t done so I can’t advise you from my personal experience. However, there’s loads of information online as well as groups on social media dedicated to providing information and advice to families considering a conservation volunteer project. 

50. Visit a Public Art Installation or Mural

Some of the art we’ve seen on our travels has just been amazing and most of it hasn’t been in a museum or art gallery where we’ve had to keep the kids quiet and pay a small fortune to get it – it’s been street art that we’ve seen while exploring the places we’ve travelled to. 

You can research in advance and map out your own walking tour or book onto a guided tour. 

A picturesque seaside village stretches along the top of a rocky coastline overlooking the ocean. Rows of small houses painted in pastel colours—blue, yellow, pink, and white—line the cliff edge, creating a vibrant strip of colour against the grey sky. Below the houses, steep rocky slopes lead down to a narrow beach and a small curved bay where waves gently roll onto the shore. A stone path and coastal walkway wind along the cliffside. The sea appears calm with soft ripples reflecting the cloudy sky. Low green vegetation grows along the cliff edge in the foreground. The overall scene shows a charming coastal settlement perched above the water, combining dramatic natural scenery with colourful architecture.

FAQs : simple travel goals

Why do you need simple travel goals? 

While a bucket list is great for capturing your travel dreams, if you’re not careful it can turn into a list of goals that you’re never going to be able to achieve. 

Having simple travel goals you can add to your bucket list means you’ll have a good mixture of destinations and experiences that are more aspirational and easier to achieve. 

The purpose of a simple travel goal is to be something you can make happen regardless of budget or time constraints.

How to create your own simple travel bucket list? 

Ultimately, to create a travel bucket list you just need to write your travel goals down in a list. Make sure it’s somewhere you can refer back to and record your travel against. If you’re not sure where you want to travel to, there are tons of places to find inspiration like inspirational destination lists, travel Youtube channels, or travel bucket list books. 

You can add destinations, experiences or food but for a simple travel bucket list it’s best to think about what you can achieve locally or things you can bulk together (like trying the local cuisine and trying out a cooking class). 

Another way to add simple goals is to add simple destinations. It can seem like your travel goals need to be incredible exotic places with white sandy beaches and happy children smiling and calmly playing with each other (eyes) we know how often that happens! 

Your simple travel goals don’t need to be overwhelming, there are plenty of simple family friendly places you can travel to, you just probably won’t find them trending on instagram!  

Summary : simple travel goals 

Despite what you might see on Instagram, not every travel goal needs to involve a passport, a three week sabbatical, or a massive savings account. 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking travel has to be elaborate to be worthwhile but by choosing things to do closer to home or more easily accessible you don’t need to wait for the right time or a perfect budget to start your travel journey. 

To help get you started here are my 5 favourite simple travel goals, 

  • I love shopping so visiting a local market is always on my holiday list. It’s the little trinket-y stalls and handmade pieces that are the best places to find some gems in the market.
  • We always find the tastiest food when we try street food, whether it’s at a stall at the market, a food truck, or the small inconspicuous hole in the wall type place. 
  • I think it’s such a fun thing to do to send yourself a postcard from every destination you visit, it’s a nice memento of the trip and way better than buying a random souvenir. 
  • You can find the coolest stuff if you take a short hike somewhere new. That’s how we found Dovedale and the stepping stones, just a short hike on the way to a weekend trip. 
  • I’m going to do what I’ve been telling you to do throughout this entire post and combine two together – try a traditional local dish and attend a local workshop or class to take part in a cooking class. You get to learn something new and try some good food, what could be better? 

Remember – sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest impact. 

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