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City breaks and cultural landmarks are great, but Americans have something far more celestial in their sights for 2026. A new survey asks about the bucket-list experiences people want to do most and a spectacular show tops the list, and it’s one that can only be found in nature … seeing the Northern Lights.
- Icelandair, the flagship airline of Iceland, polled 3-thousand Americans ages 16 and older about their travel wish list for the year ahead.
- It finds that 43% are planning to cross one dream destination off their list next year.
- As for the top place on the planet people want to see, the Northern Lights win with 34.5%.
- The colorful display even has cross-generational appeal, as it’s the number one destination for multiple age groups, those ages 16 to 24, 25 to 34 and 55-plus.
- While the Northern Lights can be seen from different places around the U.S., the most awe-inspiring places to take in the display are high-latitude locations near the Earth’s poles. Iceland is one of the best spots in the world for them, and Finland, Sweden, and Canada are popular spots for seeing them, too.
- More than half (58%) of all respondents say their ideal trip involves a natural wonder, showing that travelers value awe-inspiring experiences more than city adventures.
- Seeing the Grand Canyon is number two on the list (26.25%), followed closely by the Roman Colosseum (24.98%).
America’s Top Travel Bucket List Experiences for 2026
- See the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
- Visit the Grand Canyon
- Visit the Roman Colosseum
- Go on a safari
- Swim in natural hot springs
- Go whale watching
- Visit Victoria Falls
- Visit the Great Wall of China
- Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef
- Visit Machu Picchu
Source: Travel and Leisure