Travel Winter Bucket List: 110+ Ideas to Warm Your Wanderlust This Winter (with Printable!)

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Winter is more than just snow—it’s about cozy moments, thrilling adventures, and celebrating traditions from around the globe.

From magical snowy escapes to tropical warm-ups, this winter bucket list is packed with diverse experiences for every type of traveler.

But this winter bucket list is going to be a little different!

Instead of giving you a traditional list, this is going to focus on specific bucket list ideas from around the world that are perfect to do in winter ❄️

Note that to simplify everything, this list is based off of bucket list things to do in November to February. In some destinations in the southern hemisphere, it might be summer.

Magical Winter Destinations

These breathtaking spots embody winter’s magic.

1. Spend a night at the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.
2. Witness the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway.
3. Wander through the festive streets of Hallstatt, Austria.
4. Bask in the winter glow of Banff National Park, Canada.
5. Explore the Blue Pond in Hokkaido, Japan, a dreamy frozen landscape.
6. Experience a winter safari in Yellowstone National Park, USA.
7. Visit the Château Frontenac in Quebec City, a true winter fairy tale.
8. Discover the volcanic and icy beauty of Kamchatka, Russia.
9. Take a scenic train ride on the Glacier Express in Switzerland.
10. Visit the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, transformed by frost.

Winter Sports & Outdoor Adventures

Get your adrenaline pumping with these frosty activities on your winter bucket list.

11. Ski the French Alps in Chamonix.
12. Try heli-skiing in Alaska.
13. Snowboard in the Rocky Mountains.
14. Go ice skating on Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake.
15. Experience snowkiting.
16. Test your skills with ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado.
17. Embark on a snowmobile tour in Iceland.
18. Ice dive under frozen lakes in Siberia, Russia.
19. Hike to a frozen waterfall in Canada’s Johnston Canyon.
20. Conquer the Aiguille du Midi via cable car in France.

Cozy Foodie Experiences

Warm up with these culinary delights and food-themed adventures.

21. Sip mulled wine at the Strasbourg Christmas Market.
22. Try chimney cakes at Budapest’s Christmas Fair.
23. Enjoy a hot pot dinner in Chengdu, China.
24. Taste authentic Swiss fondue in a tuk tuk.
25. Try Julebrus (Christmas soda) in Norway.
26. Sample fresh truffles during winter truffle hunting in Italy.
27. Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea at London’s Claridge’s.
28. Feast on holiday tamales in Mexico City.
29. Have a steaming bowl of ramen in Tokyo, Japan.
30. Visit a chocolaterie in Belgium for hot cocoa made from scratch.

Romantic Winter Escapes for couples

Ideal for couples looking to snuggle up or enjoy a unique retreat.

31. Stay in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland.
32. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Leavenworth, Washington.
33. Explore Bled Castle overlooking frozen Lake Bled, Slovenia.
34. Warm up by a fire in a luxury cabin in Vail, Colorado.
35. Watch the sunrise over Mount Fuji in Japan from a snowy hot spring.
36. Go stargazing in Chile’s Atacama Desert, where it’s summer.
37. Stay in an igloo village in Iglu-dorf in Austria.
38. Stay in a cozy treehouse in Georgia surrounded by snowy forests.
39. Explore the romantic canals of Venice without the summer crowds.
40. Share a love lock in snowy Paris on Pont des Arts.
41. Celebrate New Year’s Eve on a yacht in the Maldives.

Holiday-Themed Adventures

Celebrate the season with these unforgettable activities.

41. Attend the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China.
42. Walk among the lights at Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York.
43. See the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in NYC.
44. Visit a Krampus parade in Austria, a spooky twist on Christmas.
45. Watch the Christmas boat parade in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
46. Celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh, Scotland.
47. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
48. Build a snowman at Rovaniemi, Finland—Santa’s hometown.
49. See the festive gingerbread displays in Germany’s Christmas Markets.
50. Spend Christmas at Disneyland Paris.

Wildlife & Nature Adventures

Experience nature at its frosty best.

51. Track mountain gorillas in Uganda—the dry season extends into winter.
52. Witness the migration of monarch butterflies in Mexico.
53. Spot polar bears in Churchill, Canada.
54. Photograph wild reindeer in Norway’s tundra.
55. Go whale-watching in Hawaii.
56. Hike to the fox-filled trails of Zao Fox Village in Japan.
57. See penguins in their natural habitat in Antarctica.
58. Spot bison in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley.
59. Visit the bioluminescent bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
60. Go to an elk refuge in Grand Tetons.

Indoor Winter Fun

Warm up indoors while enjoying these unique experiences.

61. Take a cozy cooking class in Florence, Italy.
62. Create your own perfume in Paris.
63. Learn the art of Kintsugi (or pottery repair) in a cozy studio in Japan.
64. Marvel at the winter exhibits of the Louvre in France.
65. Attend a flamenco show in Seville, Spain—a warm break from the cold.

Warm Escapes: Beat the Winter Chill

66. Bask on the beaches of Bora Bora for a luxurious winter retreat.
67. Snorkel with turtles in Hawaii.
68. Find some sloths in Costa Rica during their dry season.
69. Take a camel ride in the Sahara Desert, Morocco.
70. Cruise along in an airboat in the Everglades.
71. Go parasailing in St. Thomas.
72. Relax in the thermal baths of Rotorua, New Zealand.
73. Spend the holidays island-hopping in the Philippines.
74. Enjoy the vibrant city life of Cape Town, South Africa, in summer weather.
75. Take a jungle safari in Sri Lanka to see elephants and leopards.

Unique Winter Experiences

76. Sleep in a yurt under the stars in Mongolia.
77. Float in a hot air balloon over snowy Cappadocia, Turkey.
78. Try winter caving in the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin.
79. See frozen bubbles at Abraham Lake in Canada.
80. Swim in the thermal pools of Pamukkale, Turkey, surrounded by snow.
81. Drink hot chocolate in a ski resort.
82. Build your own igloo.
83. Go on a winter photography tour of Iceland’s ice caves.
84. Ride a vintage tram through snowy Lisbon, Portugal.
85. Visit the geothermal champagne pools in Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand.

Family-Friendly Winter Activities

86. Build a snow fort and have a snowball fight with the family.
87. Go tubing at a snow park in Park City, Utah.
88. Take the kids on a Polar Express train ride on the Grand Railway & Hotel in the Grand Canyon.
89. Create homemade holiday ornaments in your local city.
90. Go sledding down the dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park when they’re covered in snow.
91. Attend Disney on Ice for a magical winter show.
92. Ice fish on a frozen lake in Minnesota.
93. Roast marshmallows at an outdoor fire pit in a snowy setting.
94. Visit SeaWorld Orlando during its holiday celebration.
95. Watch reindeer racing in Norway, a quirky winter event.

Winter Shopping & Cultural Experiences

96. Buy handmade wool scarves at Edinburgh’s Winter Market.
97. Visit Prague and shop for Bohemian glass at Christmas markets.
98. Explore traditional crafts in the Andean markets of Peru.
99. Pick up vintage holiday decorations in Berlin.
100. Try traditional mochi pounding (Mochitsuki) during New Year’s celebrations in Japan.
101. Browse the winter flea markets in Amsterdam for unique finds.
102. Shop for luxury ski gear in Aspen’s designer boutiques.
103. Attend a winter craft fair in Vermont for handmade goods.
104. Discover the artsy holiday stalls in Portland, Oregon.
105. Visit Hong Kong’s WinterFest for a mix of shopping and festivities.

Night Sky Adventures

106. See the Aurora Australis in Tasmania, Australia.
107. Camp under the Milky Way in a desert bubble hotel in Jordan.
108. Photograph the starry skies over Death Valley National Park.
109. Watch the Quadrantid meteor shower in January.
110. Witness the polar night phenomenon in Svalbard, Norway.

Wintertime Self-Care and Wellness Retreats

111. Unwind at a snow-covered spa in Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Canada.
112. Join a winter yoga retreat in Sedona, Arizona.
113. Treat yourself to a vinotherapy session in Bordeaux, France.
114. Recharge in the natural saunas of Estonia’s bogs.
115. Take a silent retreat at a monastery in the Italian Alps.

Final Word on This Epic Winter Bucket List

Winter is a season of wonder, where adventures range from snow-dusted landscapes to sun-soaked escapes.

No matter what you decide to check off of your bucket list, there’s magic waiting around every frosty corner.

With over 100 ideas on this bucket list, you’re equipped to make this winter your most adventurous yet.

So, grab your mittens, pack your sense of wonder, and start checking off those dreams—you’ve got a season to remember ahead!

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