REVEALED: The Most Popular Bucket List Destinations by Generation

• Research by Planet Cruise reveals Brits’ most popular bucket list destinations for each generation, from baby boomers to Gen Z
• Key generational differences reveal Gen Z are the biggest partygoers, Millennials are seeking adventure, Gen X want to relax in nature whilst Baby Boomers immerse themselves in culture and history

The summer season is finally here and with many Brits looking to get away for a well-needed break, there’s no better time to get things ticked off your bucket list.

Over the last month searches for ‘summer bucket list ideas’ have increased by 400% alone¹. So, Planet Cruise has conducted a new study to discover the most popular bucket list destinations by generation to help Brits find inspiration when booking their holidays.

The study revealed some key generational differences between the types of experiences different ages want to tick off their list. From Gen Z partygoers and thrill-seeking Millennials to Gen X nature lovers and sightseeing Baby Boomers, here’s what the study found…

The Top Three Bucket List Destinations by Generation

18-24 Year Olds
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef	35%
Driving Route 66	33%
Husky Sleigh Ride	33%
Go to Disneyland	31%
25-34 Year Olds
Go to Disneyland	35%
Going on a hot air balloon	31%
Visit each continent in the world	30%
35-44 Year Olds
Seeing the Northern Lights	31%
Go to Disneyland	29%
Visit each continent in the world	23%
45-54% Year Olds
Seeing the Northern Lights	45%
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef	26%
Seeing the Pyramids	25%
55-64 Year Olds
Seeing the Northern Lights	54%
Visit Niagara Falls	29%
Going on a hot air balloon	25%
65+ Year Olds
Seeing the Northern Lights	58%
Visit Niagara Falls	34%
Going on a hot air balloon	26%

Gen Z’s bucket list reveals they are the biggest partygoers

The Great Barrier Reef has been crowned the most popular bucket list destination for the eco-conscious Gen Z (18-24 years olds) followed by driving Route 66 and a husky sleigh ride in joint second and visiting Disneyland in third. 

However, it probably comes as no surprise that festivals dominated this generation’s bucket lists, showing that this generation are some of the biggest partygoers around. Festivals which made the list included Coachella in California, Burning Man festival in Nevada, the Full Moon party in Thailand and 10% even want to get into the notorious X-rated Berghain nightclub in Germany. How about that for a social life!?

Gen Z however weren’t that interested in climbing Everest, with only 4% of people choosing it. Perhaps the intense coldness and physical exhaustion wasn’t on par with their festival vibes.

From heels to hiking boots; Millennials are in search of adventure

Everyone loves a little Disney magic but no one more so than Millennials. Over a third of 25–34-year-olds have Disneyland on their bucket list, making it the most popular destination for this generation. Following in second place is going on a hot air balloon, then visiting every continent in the world in third.

The results show that Millennials are the biggest thrill-seeking generation. Interestingly, the most popular bucket list activities for Gen Z ranked the lowest for Millennials, including going to Coachella and getting into Berghain.

Instead, Millennials have opted for a more adventurous bucket list including activities such as hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, visiting Chernobyl and Petra, seeing Easter Island, and even climbing Everest!

Their bucket lists also included many extreme sports from para hang gliding and scuba diving to even driving an F1 car.

Gen X want to explore the natural wonders of world

Disneyland might not be making it on the bucket lists for older generations, appearing on less than one in six of 55–64-year-olds lists.

The most popular bucket list activity for Gen X is seeing the Northern lights, making it onto over half of their lists. Seeing the Great Barrier Reef is the second most popular, followed by seeing the Pyramids. 

These natural wonders located all over the globe create for a more calming list in comparison to Gen Z and Millennials. The study also revealed that Gen X want to experience bathing in the Dead Sea and embrace all sides of nature, including its wild side, with almost one in five having a Safari trip on their bucket lists.

Baby Boomers are keeping their bucket lists classic and cultural

Perhaps the desire for festivals and clubbing for this generation is over as 0% of Baby Boomers included festivals such as Coachella or Burning Man onto their list. However, just like Gen X, this generation are taking it slower and enjoying more of what history and cultures have to offer.

Almost three in five had seeing the Northern Lights on their bucket list making it the most popular destination, followed by seeing Niagara Falls and going in a hot air balloon.

Instead of adrenaline-packed activities, the rest of their lists consisted of visiting other national landmarks and treasures, such as seeing Stonehenge, The Great Wall of China and the Ancient Pyramids, and experiencing the Rocky Mountaineer train ride in Canada.

The 3 Most Popular Bucket List Destinations Overall

Whilst there are some big generational differences in bucket-list activities, these are some of the destinations popular amongst all ages.

The most popular bucket-list activity, appearing on two fifths of Brits’ bucket lists, is seeing the Northern Lights. This is followed by going to Disneyland and seeing the Pyramids which both made it onto a quarter of Brits’ bucket lists.

Spokesperson from Planet Cruises comments: “Being able to travel the world whilst ticking off a bucket list destination is a truly exciting experience. More so when they are those rare uncontrollable occurrences like seeing the Northern lights.

“What’s interesting to take away from the study however is the shift in desires as you grow up. More importantly to note, is the shelf life of some of these activities, like taking part in extreme sports.

“That’s why creating a bucket list can be a great way to ensure that you strive towards ticking off an experience whilst you still can. Likewise, cruising holidays are a fantastic way to tick off multiple bucket list countries in one hit.

 “Life is made to be lived. And whilst work and life can sometimes get in the way, everyone deserves a break and the opportunity to tick off just one more destination.”

To find out more information about Brits’ most popular bucket list locations and to discover how you can tick all the items off your list on one trip, visit the blog post here.