Because I am studying international studies, traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I've traveled abroad and seen places throughout the United States, but I've only scratched the surface of what's out there. Here are 50 places that either I have visited or want to visit. You should visit these places, too.
1. Washington, DC
Aidan, Audrey, Kaitlynne, and I in front of the White House in 2012.
Emma Adams
As an 8th grader, I loved Washington, and I would love it even more if I got to go now. It's especially fun to see around the time of presidential elections, like our school did in 2012.
2. Key West, FL
My parents went to Key West for their 10th anniversary back in 2008, and I've wanted to go ever since!
3. Kiawah Island, SC
Me, my Aunt Val and my cousin Henry on the shores of Kiawah Island
Emma Adams
My aunt invited me to come stay with her in Kiawah last summer as a graduation gift. I was only there for 3 days, but it was fantastic. Beautiful weather and beaches without the crazy crowds that Myrtle Beach gets. You can rent bikes and ride around the island and the beaches. There's also a bunch of cute little shops worth looking at. One con: this island is pretty pricey.
4. Nashville, TN
I don't like country music, but I'd love to go to Nashville and see a show.
5. New Orleans, LA
The closest I was to the city was the airport, back in 2013 to see my grandparents who were in Louisiana at the time.
6. London, UK
I've always dreamed of London, and I'm sure it's on everyone's list.
7. Madrid, Spain
The Puerta del Sol.
Emma Adams
Madrid is my favorite city in Europe. I'll be going there again for a semester abroad, and there is so much worth seeing. Not only do they have two great soccer teams, but there's the Puerta del Sol (Spain's geographic center), Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and lots of shops and restaurants!
8. Aruba
9. Costa Rica
10. Barcelona, Spain
Park Guell in Barcelona.
Emma Adams
PLEASE GO TO BARCELONA. It is absolutely amazing, despite what's going on with Catalonia right now. Go see the Sagrada Familia cathedral and Gaudi's Park Guell. Barcelona is full of amazing architecture and food, as well as the best soccer team in the world.
11. Dubai, UAE
I was supposed to go on a school trip to Dubai in 2016, but it was canceled due to security reasons. While the laws are strict there, especially during Ramadan, Dubai has pretty much everything, including the tallest building in the world, and luxury cars that deliver McDonald's to you.
12. Rome, Italy/Vatican City
As a Catholic, I've always wanted to go to the Vatican (the smallest country in the world) and see the Pope! Rome looks like an amazing city full of history, sports and food!
13. Paris (and Versailles), France
The Paris skyline.
Emma Adams
Paris is always a good idea. Their metro is pretty dirty and prone to pickpocketing, but I would accept the risk knowing I could see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre-Dame cathedral again. Versailles is also fantastically extravagant and extra.
14. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the largest city in the world with around 40 million people. That doesn't mean you shouldn't go. I would love to see all of the crazy stuff the Japanese have come up with.
15. Hong Kong
16. Beijing, China
17. Sydney, Australia
18. New York, NY
Shocking news: I have never been to NYC. But I feel like it's one of those places you just can't not visit.
19. Sevilla, Spain
20. Berlin, Germany
21. Athens, Greece
So much history, so little time.
22. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
23. Montréal, Québec, Canada
If you can't afford Paris but want a French experience, our neighbor to the north has a whole region of French speakers! I've never been to Canada, so I wonder if the people of Quebec follow the stereotype that Canadians are overly polite or if they fit more closely to the one of "French people are so rude."
24. Stockholm, Sweden
I wonder what the IKEAs are like in Sweden...
25. Reykjavík, Iceland
Iceland looks like such a beautiful place, and everyone is so friendly from what I've heard.
26. Amsterdam, Netherlands
27. Portugal
If I'm going to be in Spain for 4 months, I might as well pop over to Portugal for a few days!
28. Dublin, Ireland
The closest I've been to it is Dublin, Ohio. A 15 minute drive from my house. Where everyone thinks they're Irish.
29. The Bahamas
It just seems like paradise, no lie.
30. Chicago, IL
Surprisingly, I haven't been to Chicago yet. It's been on my list forever, but I'll get to go soon because I have to visit the Spanish consulate before I can do my semester abroad.
31. New Zealand
New Zealand just has so much natural beauty that it can't not be on your bucket list. I've heard the people are extremely friendly.
32. Copenhagen, Denmark
33. Moscow, Russia
Russia may seem dangerous, but I would love to be in Moscow this summer, especially with the World Cup going on. There's also so much history to look at there.
34. Prague, Czech Republic
35. Buenos Aires, Argentina
36. Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta airport and I have become really good friends - it's my gateway from Columbus to the world. But the city itself has a lot of fun stuff to do, or at least that's how I remember it being when I visited in 2008. The Georgia Aquarium is definitely worth a visit.
37. Milan, Italy
One of the fashion capitals of the world, but you should also go for the food! Personally, I'd want to go to see the Milan Derby, a big Italian soccer rivalry.
38. Singapore
While Singapore has strict punishments for bringing chewing gum into the country and littering, it's for a good reason. Everything is very modern and clean. Plus, this tiny city-state has so many attractions!
39. Seoul, South Korea
The Korean version of Tokyo!
40. Jerusalem, Israel
Or Palestine, depends on who you ask. But as a Christian, it would be amazing to go and see the Holy Land.
41. Hawaii
Who doesn´t dream of going to Hawaii (well, not right now, with the volcano erupting)? You can sit on the beach all day and eat all of the fresh fish, pineapple and coconut you want!
42. Switzerland
One word: chocolate. The UN headquarters in Geneva is also worth a visit.
43. Cape Town, South Africa
44. Charleston, SC
I flew into Charleston to get to Kiawah, but I've never actually been to the city. It seems like a cute little town with some Southern charm. I just love South Carolina.
45. Manchester, UK
I mainly just want to see Manchester United play in their home stadium. Manchester is RED!
46. Marseille, France
Paris is nice, but overrated. This city is the namesake for France's national anthem and right on the Mediterranean Sea.
47. Fiji
I just want to go to a tropical island and lounge on the beach all day. Is that too much to ask?
48. Istanbul, Turkey
Full of culture and history!
49. Munich, Germany
50. Columbus, OH
The United States vs. Mexico World Cup qualifier in Columbus, OH on November 11, 2016.
Emma Adams
I had to include my hometown in this list. Ohio may be a boring state with all of its cornfields and "Hell is Real" signs next to the highways, but Columbus has so much to offer. We have the Ohio State Buckeyes, Blue Jackets hockey, and Crew soccer if you like sports. There are so many good restaurants and bars here, especially in the Short North. We have one of the best universities in the country!
- The Top 50 Cities To See In Your Lifetime | HuffPost ›
- See Travel + Leisure's Best Places to Travel in 2018 | Time ›
- 50 Obscure and Amazing Places to Visit in 2017 - Atlas Obscura Lists ›
- 52 Places to Go in 2018 - The New York Times ›
- The Best Places to Travel in 2017 | Travel + Leisure ›
- The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018 | Travel + Leisure ›
