30 Places to Visit Before You're 30

There's no better time to start that global education than when you're young (when else will you be able to take off for a month to hike Southeast Asia?). We asked our editors and Facebook fans to tell us the ONE place they would tell their younger selves to visit before age 30. How many have you already crossed off your list?
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    Florence, Italy

    "At the Uffizi, you’ll actually have the energy to spend the whole day enjoying the world’s best collection of Renaissance art." —Paul Brady

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    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    "One of my favorite spots that I visited in my twenties was Buenos Aires. Although the flight was a bit pricey, Buenos Aires itself is fairly easy to get around and has a conversion rate that favors U.S. dollars. There are good, inexpensive empanadas on almost every corner, and even the cheapest Argentine red wine is still delicious. The weekly San Telmo flea market is the perfect spot for unexpected jewelry, art, and clothing finds." —Lilit Marcus

  • The "Banana Pancake Trail" in Southeast Asia

    "The backpacker trail through Southeast Asia (or the 'Banana Pancake Trail' as it’s sometimes known, named for the delicious banana pancakes that are a ubiquitous breakfast/snack in all the cheap boarding houses) is probably the single best trip one can do before the big 3-0 hits. At 30 baht to 1 USD in Thailand, you get a lot of bang for your buck, and a delicious meal from any street cart will not run you more than 100 baht." —Calder Quinn

  • Nashville, Tennessee

    "Dive bar crawls and karaoke are best enjoyed in the earlier decades, and Nashville is a great place to do it. Plus, the town’s own twentysomethings are cultivating a scene that far exceeds that honkey-tonk haunts of yesteryear—head to East Nashville for cafés, speakeasies, and, of course, great music." —Laura Carroll

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  • India (Yes, All Of It)

    "When it comes to India, start young. Because once you go you'll want to return again and again. This beautiful subcontinent is so vast and diverse that each region is like visiting a different country." —Stephen Orr

  • Costa Rica

    "Hikes, dives, and sizable swells are the stuff Costa Rica is made of. While the Caribbean-Pacific paradise can be enjoyed at any pace—from resort stays to road trips—the spunk (and scrappiness) of your twenties make it a memorable adventure." —Laura Carroll

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    Antelope Canyon, Arizona

    "If a road trip across the USA is your thing, you can’t pass through the Southwest without making a stop at Antelope Canyon, this stunning slot canyon in Arizona." —Hadley Keller

    Read more: 15 Places You Won't Believe Exist

  • The Middle East

    "The radical difference in culture and society is a great way to help younger American folks learn to check their privilege....and show them that we are merely a part of the world's neighborhood, not the center of it." —Nicole Kolbe

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    Paris, France

    "Paris is always a good idea (especially when you're young). And even though you'll probably never be able to avoid the crowds at the Eiffel Tower, the view from the top is unlike anything you'll ever see." —Rachel Coleman

    Read more: 18 Beautiful Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Paris

  • Machu Picchu, Peru

    "Walking the road to the ancient Inca city is physically and spiritually the most magical experience you will never forget." —Jenny van Tiggelhoven-Hu

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    Rome, Italy

    "Like many of the great world capitals, Rome is one of those cities where you can't see everything in one trip—all the more reason to visit it when you’re young." —Rachel Coleman

    Read more: Top 10 Cities in Europe

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    The Taj Mahal, India

    "Everyone should stand in awe of the Taj Mahal at least once in their life (just remember to be on-site by daybreak before the huge crowds arrive)." — Hanya Yanagihara

    Read more: 50 Things to Do in Asia Before You Die

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    Barcelona, Spain

    "In Barcelona, you don’t feel like a degenerate for being out until 8 a.m., and eating breakfast at 2 p.m. It’s just normal." —Maeve Nicholson

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    The World Cup

    "I had such a great experience (at South Africa's FIFA World Cup in 2010) that I made a promise to myself to attend the next FIFA World Cup—and again I was fortunate enough to attend the FIFA World Cup in Brazil this past summer at the age of 30." —Kelly Ponce

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  • Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

    "In the Galápagos Islands, there's so much wildlife and purity—and a lot of activities available that become more difficult with age." —Angie Cole

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    Salzburg, Austria

    "Besides the mountain views and Baroque splendor, Salzburg is also home to one of the best breweries in the world, the Augustiner Bräu." —Calder Quinn

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  • New Zealand

    "It's just so breathtakingly beautiful and untouched. I'd love to visit and do some extreme trekking while there as well. It's the adventure capital of the world for a reason!" —Bailey Wallace

  • Iceland

    "The Northern Lights plus whales plus limitless nature...anything more to say?" —Maria Chiara

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  • Palenque, Mexico

    "It has these awesome jungle hostels and a funky backpacker vibe. Plus climbing around the ruins is hard work." —Maeve Nicholson

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    South Africa

    "South Africa is an incredibly diverse country worthy of a visit in your youth so you can see endangered rhinos, elephants, etc. before they disappear from this planet forever." —Jaime Steffen Lutz

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  • Black Rock City, Nevada

    "The inspiring pop-up city houses over 60,000 open-minded humans for one week (for the annual Burning Man event) in a surreal, desert terrain, then is returned to its lifeless state in a matter of months. Like magic." —Brooke Johnson

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    Great Wall of China

    "Make yourself wake up early to walk the Great Wall —without all the tourists." —Rachel Coleman

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  • Whistler Mountain, Canada

    "Because you need to still be young and dumb enough to not worry about skiing or snowboarding as fast as you possibly can." —Maeve Nicholson

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    Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

    "Victoria Falls is the adrenaline capital of the world! I have been there twice and loved every moment of it." —Mick Pletcher

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  • Alaska

    "Many people see Alaska as a place to visit after they are retired, but it's worth going when you are a little more active so you can enjoy the many activities available. And it's an awesome place." —Jesus Andujar

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    Singapore’s Hawker Centers

    "When you're young and on a budget—i.e. you have $5 for dinner—there's nothing better than a Singapore hawker center. These open-air food courts have served up some of the best cheap meals of my life. I still think about the katsu curry, the clay pot chicken, the pad see ew, the murtabak, the roti prata... maybe I should just go back."—Laura Dannen Redman

    Read more: How to Navigate a Singapore Hawker Center our guide.

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    The Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

    "Varanasi is the Hindu holy city, and to bathe in the Ganges here, even just ceremonially, is to purify yourself." —Hanya Yanagihara

    Read more: 50 Things to Do in Asia Before You Die

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    New York, New York

    "I may be biased, but I don't think there's a better place in the world to spend your twenties than New York City. There truly is no other place so full of life, excitement, and delicious food. If you haven't visited before age 30, you're missing out." —Rachel Coleman