2026 Travel Bucket List

New year, new adventures await… at least in spirit.

In just a few short months, Matt and I will be welcoming baby number two, and then we’ll officially enter the very full, very busy season of raising two boys under two. While that probably means travel will be limited this year, there’s no rule against daydreaming. So for now, I’m rounding up all the trips I wish we were taking this year… if only logistics, naps, and car seats weren’t a thing.

Tropical/Beach Vacay

It’s the dead of winter and there’s nothing I long for more than a warm, sandy beach and nowhere to be. I’m picturing slow mornings, ocean breezes, and long afternoons spent lounging without a schedule. Stick an umbrella in my mocktail (or a cocktail once baby arrives), let me dig my toes into the sand, inhale the salty air and I’m instantly relaxed. Bonus points for crystal-clear water and lush scenery. St. Lucia or Hawaii sound like a dream.

European Getaway

To be fair, a European Getaway would be on my travel bucket list every single year. A girl can dream, right? There are just too many places to explore, too much incredible food to eat, and too much history and culture packed into one continent. I love the idea of wandering cobblestone streets, lingering over long meals, and hopping between cities without a strict plan. Someday… hopefully soon.

Ski Trip!

When I was growing up, we took a ski trip every winter. For some reason, at some point, we stopped going. Now that I’m older and have a family of my own, I’d love to bring that tradition back. No more black diamonds for me, I’ll happily stay parked on the bunny slopes, but there’s something about snowy mountains, cozy lodges, and crisp alpine air that I long to get back to. Plus, après-ski vibes count just as much as the skiing itself, right?

New England Adventures

For years now, friends and I have talked about road-tripping through New England, all the way up to Maine. The plan? Eat all the lobster rolls and clam chowder, spend time in charming cities, relax at the beach, and hike through Acadia National Park. I picture quaint coastal towns, salty air, and those long summer days that seem to stretch on forever. This trip feels equal parts adventure and nostalgia.

Canada Calling

Our neighbor to the north didn’t even register on my travel radar until a few years ago, but now it’s near the top of my list. Canada has such an incredible mix of vibrant cities and jaw-dropping nature. Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec City, Banff, honestly, I’d take any of it. Whether it’s mountain views, charming old towns, or amazing food scenes, Canada checks all the boxes.

Explore National Parks

I’ve officially added visit all the national parks to my life goals. While I’ve been lucky enough to see a few, the vast majority are still unexplored for me. From deserts and canyons to forests and coastlines, each park feels like its own little world. There’s something grounding about being surrounded by nature and reminded just how small we are and how big and beautiful this country really is.

Take a Mother/Daughter Trip

For a while there, we did this every year. But in the last few years, life has gotten busy and this is one thing that has gotten away from us. There’s something incredibly refreshing for the soul about spending uninterrupted time together. I’ve never been, and never will be, too old to hang out with my mom. She’s one of my favorite people, and trips like these are so special because they don’t happen nearly often enough.

And that's it for my 2026 travel bucket list! Where are you dying to go this year? Let me know in the comments below!