Life Lists

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What Is on Your Life List?

Now that you've seen our list, tell us the places that you think everyone should visit at least once in their lifetimes

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Lose Yourself in the White Sands

The New Mexico national monument is a barren and desolate place with an otherworldly appeal

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Ride a Stage of the Tour de France

You may not be wearing the yellow jersey, but taking a bicycle on the world’s most famous race is still thrilling

Table Mountain is a flat-topped granite and sandstone massif that rises 3,562 feet above Cape Town, South Africa.

Take in South Africa From Table Mountain National Park

High above Cape Town, this craggy wildlife preserve provides sprawling views and thrilling hikes

Santorini’s villages cling to red-and-black cliffs, looking out on a nearly enclosed 400-foot-deep lagoon; this deep harbor was formed when a catastrophic volcanic eruption occurred some 3,600 years, creating a massive crater.

Archaeology and Relaxation in Santorini

The Greek isle, a remnant of a long ago volcanic eruption, has most everything a traveler would want: great food and awe-inspiring scenery

A sperm whale dives deep in Trinity Bay off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada

Canada

Whale Watching in Newfoundland

Once a home base for commercial whalers, the Canadian province is now a popular locale for spotting the massive creatures

Ceiling of Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia

Catalonia

Explore Antoni Gaudi’s Barcelona

The capital’s cityscape bears the unmistakable Modernist mark of the Spanish architect in its churches, buildings and parks

The earth is splitting apart in the middle of Iceland along a ridge that runs north to south through the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Iceland’s Volcanoes

Set atop a tectonic hotspot, the small island is home to breathtaking eruptions and other geologic sites

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The Serenity of the Outer Hebrides

Breathtaking views and millennia of history charm guests of these islands off the coast of Scotland

This monumental complex embraces a palace, courtyards, gardens, gazebos, ceremonial gates, an artificial lake and the Jama Masjid, a mosque big enough for 10,000 worshipers.

The Ancient Architecture of Fatehpur Sikri

Abandoned for centuries, the Indian site attracts tourists from around the world for its majestic buildings

Perhaps the weirdest and most intimidating creature in this spectacularly otherworldly place is the American alligator.

Alligators in the Everglades

The swampy nature preserve is home to many of southern Florida’s infamous reptile natives

Some tourists may travel to Costa Rica to enjoy the tropical climate and Arenal volcano, but the real attraction is the country's wildlife.

Costa Rica: Turtles and Birds

Close government watch on wildlife has made the Central American country a must-see for animal lovers

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Berlin, Alive Again

After withstanding world and cold wars, the German city is a thriving metropolis, filled with nightclubs and cultural treats

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Hike the Appalachian Trail

For decades, the backbone of the Eastern United States has given much needed respite for thousands of nature enthusiasts

Completed in 1345, this Roman Catholic cathedral named “Our Lady” is an example of Gothic architecture.

What would you add to the Smithsonian Life List?

Add your own itinerary to the Smithsonian's list of places to visit in your lifetime

Mount Kilimanjaro

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

A trek up the world’s tallest freestanding mountain takes you through five different ecosystems and offers a stunning 19,340-foot view

Antarctica

The Wild Extremes of Antarctica

The coldest and windiest place on Earth is still largely undiscovered

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon in All Its Glory

No matter how many times you’ve seen it, visiting the canyon never fails to take your breath away

Galápagos Islands

The Beautiful and Bizarre Galapagos Islands

Evolution disciples and the merely curious can experience conspicuously adapted wildlife off the coast of Ecuador

Parthenon

The Parthenon’s Old World Order

After a recent restoration, the center of the Athenian Acropolis and symbol of Western democracy still inspires

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