Having a bucket list just feels natural, doesn’t it? You write down all the things you dream of doing. These include the big adventures and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It’s like saying, “Okay, this has to happen someday.” But here’s the thing about bucket lists: They’re only valuable if you make time to actually cross things off. Otherwise, they just become a list of “what could have been.”
That hit me hard a few years ago. I had all these things I wanted to do, but somehow, life kept getting in the way. Or at least that’s what I told myself. But let’s be honest—when something matters, you find a way. And my bucket list? Oh, it mattered.
Growing Up Without Travel
Growing up, travel wasn’t a big thing in my family. My parents did take a trip to California once—but guess who wasn’t invited? Me! As a kid, I didn’t know where I wanted to go. I hadn’t experienced much outside of my small world.
High school gave me my first taste of adventure. I got to travel to Florida for a band trip. I also visited other cities and places in my home state of Louisiana, specifically Monroe and Nichols. It was exciting back then, but let’s be real—it didn’t exactly scream “bucket list.” Then, in college, I flew for the very first time on a trip to Indianapolis, and that was it. The travel bug bit me, and I started dreaming bigger.
Building My Bucket List
As an adult, I managed to visit some amazing places:
- Arkansas
- Arizona (the dry heat was unbearable)
- Californian
- Colorado (breathtaking views for days)
- Florida
- North Carolina
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington, DC
But even with all these trips, something felt unfinished. There was one place that had been sitting at the very top of my list for years: New York City.
Thanks to every TV show and movie I’ve ever watched, NYC had this magical pull on me. It felt larger than life, a place where dreams happened. But money, time, and all those other classic excuses kept it out of reach. Then my daughter got the chance to visit NYC with her school.
Cue the mom radar. There was no way my baby was traveling that far without me. When the opportunity came to chaperon her trip, I jumped on it immediately. It happened faster than you can say “Empire State of Mind.”
The Moment It Became Real
We started the trip in Washington, DC. We stayed there from Sunday to Wednesday and visited several iconic landmarks — The Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian, the reflection pool and many more! But by Wednesday morning, I couldn’t contain myself. This was the day. The day I’d finally step foot in the Big Apple.
The bus ride to NYC took four hours. The moment we crossed into the city, Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” started playing. I felt like I was in my own movie. I could hardly believe I was finally there.
Living the New York City Magic
The city didn’t disappoint. Times Square was bright, just like I’d imagined. Fifth Avenue screamed ‘life of the rich and famous’, and the iconic landmarks made me feel like I was walking through a dream. But the real magic happened when one of the other chaperons decided to take me on a little side adventure.
We hopped on the subway and took a short walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was drizzling, but I didn’t care. I had on a poncho. That moment, standing on the bridge with the city stretching out before me, felt surreal.
We explored more than I expected that day. I saw the Waldorf Astoria, a fire station, and even caught a glimpse of a near-presidential motorcade. It felt like I was living inside one of those movies.
My NYC Advice
If NYC is on your bucket list, don’t wait—go! Here are a few things I learned that might help:
1. Comfy sneakers are a must. Trust me, your feet will thank you.
2. Stay aware of your surroundings. The city moves at lightning speed, and you’ll need to keep up.
3. Don’t stop for photos in Times Square. Seriously, it’s like hitting pause in the middle of rush hour traffic.
There’s still so much of New York I haven’t seen. Harlem, Dumbo, Central Park, and a Broadway show are all waiting for me. But until I can go back, I’ll keep flipping through my photos, reliving every magical moment.
What’s On Your Bucket List?
Your turn—what’s at the top of your bucket list?
Whether it’s a trip, an experience, or a big goal, I hope you make it happen. Life’s too short to wait for “someday.”
Tell me about your bucket list dreams in the comments below. Or share how you’re working to cross one off.
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