Top 10 Bucket List Adventures for Women Over 50 (You Can Start This Year)
Dream Big: Exciting, Life-Changing Experiences for Your Next Chapter
The Adventure Begins Now
If you’ve ever searched for bucket list adventures for women over 50, you’re in the right place — because this is where inspiration meets real life.
For years, my bucket list looked more like a grocery list: drive to rehearsal, pack lunches, don’t forget the pointe shoes. As a mom to daughters in a pre-professional ballet company, travel and adventure took a graceful backseat to dance seasons, leotards, and backstage snacks.
But now? My daughters have graduated. My schedule has space. Our finances are a little more forgiving. And after my mother recently suffered a stroke, it hit me hard: Life is short. The time is now.
I’ve always been a bit of a scaredy cat (I admit it), but turning 50 lit a fire in me. A big part of that shift came from a few mindset changes that helped me embrace this new season of life. So I created this list — part inspiration, part confession — of 10 bucket list adventures I’m either dreaming about, planning, or have already survived (barely).
So if you’re a woman over 50 looking to break free, stretch your comfort zone, or just do something wildly joyful — this list is for you.
These are more than just trips. These are bucket list adventures for women over 50 — bold, tender, brave, and deeply personal.
Bucket List Adventures for Women Over 50
1. Kayaking in Calm Waters
I recently went kayaking with my family. Confession: I was scared. I imagined flipping over, getting stuck, or somehow paddling into Canada. But sharing a kayak with my husband helped ease the anxiety.
It reminded me that you don’t have to be fearless — just willing. A calm lake, a slow pace, and a supportive partner can turn fear into freedom.
If you’re thinking about kayaking but feel a little unsure like I did, a beginner tandem kayak like this one might be worth checking out. It gets great reviews for stability and ease.
Adventure doesn’t have to be adrenaline-fueled. Sometimes it’s just about showing up in the boat.
2. Do Something That Scares the Crap Out of You (Like Performing on Stage)
A few years ago, I played Vivian in the play Wit — a role that’s basically one big monologue. I didn’t think I could do it. But I did. And after that, a zipline doesn’t seem quite as terrifying. (Okay, it still does.)
Sometimes the scariest adventures aren’t physical. They’re emotional, spiritual, or deeply vulnerable. And that counts.
3. Solo Journey to Somewhere That Heals You
I travel solo to visit my parents in Wyoming. There’s something powerful about getting on a plane alone and visiting without an agenda. No schedules. No expectations. Just me and spending quality time with my mom and dad.
A solo trip — whether to a national park, a quiet beach, or a visit with family — can be deeply restorative. It’s less about the destination and more about remembering who you are when no one’s watching.
Solo travel might be one of the most transformative bucket list adventures for women over 50.
For solo trips, many women enjoy using a guided compact journal to process the experience.
I also rely on a few wellness tips that help ground me when I travel, especially when solo.
4. Take That “Someday” Trip
We all have that trip we’ve whispered about for years: Italy. Iceland. Maybe Banff. Maybe a quiet weekend at a B&B with someone you love.
For me, it’s time to stop saving ideas in Pinterest folders and start booking flights. What’s your someday destination? Pick one. Put it on the calendar.
Reminder: Someday isn’t a date on the calendar. Make it real.
Not sure where to go next? This list of ideal retirement travel ideas & best trips for women over 50 from Travel + Leisure is a great place to start.
If you’re planning a trip you’ve always dreamed about, you might want to explore what GetYourGuide has to offer. It’s a trusted travel platform that helps you find and book guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, and unique experiences in destinations around the world.
It’s perfect if you want to add something special to your trip without doing hours of research. Everything’s organized in one place — I’ve got a few activities saved for my next adventure!
Don’t wait for permission — this is your time for bucket list adventures for women over 50 that change everything.
5. Try a Gentle Adventure (Even If You’re a Self-Proclaimed Scaredy Cat)
Let’s talk ziplining. I thought, “Be brave! You’ve got this!” I was harnessed up, heart pounding, ready to conquer the treetops.
Halfway through, my glove got stuck on the line. Mid-air. Dangling. Suspended between platforms. I had to be rescued — like a kitten stuck in a tree, only sweatier and more embarrassed.
Turns out, this wasn’t your average tourist zipline. It was an extreme, no-mercy zipline course. I survived, but I’ll pass next time.
Lesson? Know your version of adventure. Paddleboarding might be more your speed. Or hiking. Or not ziplining. And that’s perfectly okay.
Not every adventure requires a harness — sometimes, small shifts in your morning routine can be an adventure too.
If ziplining sounds like too much (you’re not alone!), something gentler like this paddleboard starter kit might be more your speed — it’s top-rated for beginners.
6. Travel With the People Who Matter Most
I’ve mostly traveled with family — and soon, I’ll be adventuring more with just my husband. There’s something beautiful about sharing new experiences with the people who’ve known you through all your chapters.
Whether it’s a road trip, a cruise, or a weekend camping trip, shared memories build connection. Even if someone gets sunburned. Or loses their sunglasses. Again.
7. Go on a “Brave & Budget-Friendly” Retreat
I like to travel on a budget, but I’ll splurge if it really matters. Wellness retreats, spiritual getaways, or Airbnb escapes can be accessible and deeply fulfilling.
Even just renting a cozy cabin for a weekend of quiet, journaling, and wine counts as adventure — especially if you’re used to the noise of everyone else’s needs.
I’m keeping my eye on this women’s retreat — it’s affordable and includes yoga, nature, and community.
8. Design Your Own “Mini Bucket List Challenge”
If a big trip feels overwhelming, start small. Pick 3 things in 3 months. Go to a new coffee shop. Try a yoga class. Sign up for a local tour.
Momentum builds confidence. And confidence leads to bolder dreams. Plus, checking things off a list just feels really satisfying.
Even small acts of courage count as bucket list adventures for women over 50.
9. Visit a Place That Changes Your Perspective
Some places shake something loose in your soul. For you, maybe it’s a historic city. A quiet mountain. An art museum that makes you cry.
Plan for at least one trip that stirs your spirit — not just your camera roll. Let it stretch you emotionally, even if it’s uncomfortable. That’s where the growth lives.
These journeys often become the most meaningful bucket list adventures for women over 50.
10. Share the Adventure
Tell someone what you’re doing. Post it. Journal it. Text a friend. Sharing the story makes it real — and might inspire someone else to take that first step.
Your courage gives others permission.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Earned This Life
If you’re over 50 and reading this, I want you to hear this loud and clear:
You’ve worked hard. You’ve shown up. You’ve raised people, managed chaos, survived heartbreak, and handled more than you give yourself credit for.
It’s your time.
You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to go.
“She was never quite ready. But she was brave. And the universe listens to brave.” – Rebecca Ray
