4 Ways to Make 2026 More Exciting. Simple Ways to Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet. Ways to Reset Your Life and Make 2026 More Exciting.
2026 is the year to get new experiences, try new things, go to new places, and generally just inject some fun into your life. It’s not an official “year of new experiences” or celebration of any sort, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it one.
For those who love to travel, the thing is, you don’t always need to venture too far from home or sit on cramped planes for hours on end to have amazing experiences. Many times, you can get exactly what you need in your local area or just a short drive or trip from home.
If 2026 is the year you want to branch out, give your life something different, something fun. We have exactly what you need.
Seasonal Experiences
The thing with seasonal experiences is, they only live in a short window of time. There’s nothing to drag out; it exists within the sea, and it’s designed for, and it’s likely to be something different, unique, and most of all fun.
The US has some amazing seasonal experiences from outdoor music festivals that come and go within days or weeks to scenic drives that only work when the days are longer, to county fairs, heritage weekends, and food festivals that depend on local harvest or weather patterns.
If fairs and gatherings aren’t your cup of tea, look for different seasonal experiences that only make sense for certain times in the year. The Kettle Valley Steam Railway Scenic Run aligns with both the late spring and early summer and autumn seasons, and these are the perfect times of the year to hop on board, take in the scenery, and enjoy a trip down memory lane for all the history buffs. It’s a win-win.
Retro Experiences
Take it back in time and escape the modern world for some vintage fun. We’re not talking going right back to the founding fathers, but back far enough to experience drive-in theatres, vintage train rides, historic town festivals, and diners that still operate as you remember from your childhood.
Events like Route 66 in the Midwest, classic car weekends, or heritage railways days are popular because people want to experience something classic; there’s no rush, you just sit back and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Nature Focused Mini Adventures
Not every outdoor adventure needs to be a big hike. Or something extreme.
Short, nature-focused outings are definitely something to focus on in 2026. Things like wildflower walks, half-day river floats, or evening wildlife tours in coastal marshes or desert parks can often be just as enriching as those safari tours that cost the big bucks. You still get the experience, but without the cost, and you get to experience nature as nature intended.
Unique Local Experiences : 4 Ways to Make 2026 More Exciting
The US isn’t short of unique local experiences, and what suits you depends on what you want from the experience or what you enjoy. And it even needs to be your local town. Travel to another small town; think of it like your hallmark Christmas moment, but at any time in the year.
Local food festivals, small town heritage days, seasonal markets, and community events. Or maybe a cherry festival in the Northwest is more your thing? Or how about regional music weekends in the south, and let’s not forget Mardi Gras — not exactly small but most definitely an experience to have at least once in your life.
