Senior Bucket List and Trip Ideas

With graduation approaching fast, many of us will go our separate ways, leaving behind a mountain of memories, but more importantly, a part of our lives. It seemed like just yesterday we were freshmen trying to figure out where all our classes were. As this chapter comes to an end, we start to realize that those small conversations, shared lunches, and all the other tiny things are things that we’ll never get back. For our graduating seniors, these next couple months post graduation  will act as one last triumph before saying goodbye to these golden years. 

To truly honor your friendships and high school journey, there are definitely some must-do’s in terms of bucket list ideas and group trips. 

Outdoors:

For our outdoorsy people, we recommend going on a road trip to one, if not many of California’s stunning nine national parks. There are a lot of options to choose from such as Yosemite, with its soaring waterfalls; Sequoia National Park, home to the largest trees on the planet; or Channel Islands National Park, offering five islands to explore. At these reserves, there are countless things to do such as hike, take photos, camp, or just connect with nature. Upon entering each national park, the entry fee is only around $25 for a single vehicle, or the $80 “America the Beautiful” ticket which allows you to enter all of the national parks. The cost to camp at the parks are often relatively cheap, ranging from only $15 to $30 a night. 

Amusement Parks:

Although many seniors will make the trip out to Universal Studios for the Hart District’s annual Grad Night, that doesn’t mean amusement parks are off the table. Theme parks such as Six Flags, Universal Studios, and “The Happiest Place on Earth,” aka Disneyland, are all perfect places to create long-lasting memories with friends and have a great time! The idea of immersing yourself in the world of Harry Potter, Star Wars, or DC with your best friends, not to mention riding some of the best rollercoasters in the world, is something graduates shouldn’t just ignore. Although the tickets and lodging for these types of trips may lean towards the pricier side, sharing the cost of things such as food, hotel rooms, and other amenities would greatly relieve the financial toll. Overall, going to an amusement park with friends for a couple days is one of the best ways to make this summer a memorable one. 

At Home/Bucketlist:

Of course, not all seniors and their parents will feel comfortable going along with these trip ideas, which is totally understandable, in fact, there are still many things your friend group can do over the summer. Creating a senior bucket list to complete over the summer, with challenges such as making a time capsule, scrapbook, or even trying a new hobby or food with friends is a great place to start. Additionally, as we lean towards a more virtual world, movie and gaming nights can be just as special as a vacation. 

Everybody wants the perfect ending. We all wish that we could just have one more year with our friends and classmates, and hold on to these people for as long as we want. But it doesn’t always roll that way. So it is crucial that we make the most of these last few months as kids.