30 Epic Graduation Trip Ideas [USA & International] - We3Travel

Looking for graduation trip ideas to celebrate this year? Here are the best places to go for graduation in the United States and overseas. Skiptocontent Ourseniorshavehadtomissanumberofmilestonesandspecialoccasionsthatwerecanceledoralteredinsomeway.Likemanyofyou,Ihavebeensearchingforwaystomakehappymemoriesastimeslipsthroughmyfingersandmarkmilestonesinwaysthatarestillcelebratoryandsignificant.Astheschoolyearbeginsitsrapidrolltowardtheinevitableendofanera,wearestartingtothinkaboutgraduationtripideas. Withsomanycanceledtripsandcelebrationsinthelastyear,weallwantsomethingspecialtolookforwardto.Agradtripservesthedoublepurposeofcelebratingthecompletionofthisphaseofschoolingandthe(hopeful)jubilantgoodbyetothestrugglesofthelastyear.Soinsteadof(ormaybeinadditionto)agraduationparty,thinkaboutaspecialtripinstead. Weputtogetheralistofoptionsformyhighschoolsenior,focusingprimarilyontheUSAandEuropesincetherearestillsomanyunknownswhenitcomestothestatusofinternationaltravelandhealthrequirementsandsituations.Ofthe10sampleitinerariesIputtogether,shedecidedtodoParis,Venice,andFlorenceforatwo-weektrip(sincePariswasoneofourcanceled2020trips.)Fingerscrossedwecanmakethishappen!Butforthoseofyougoingthroughasimilarprocess—boydoIhavesomeideas. ThethingtoconsiderthoughwhenplanningahighschoolorcollegegraduationtripisthatwhileyoumaywantittobeabucketlistexperienceoratripofalifetimeifyoureallywanttotakeatriprightaftergraduationinMayorJune,youneedtokeeptheseasoninmind. Summeristhehighseasonforfamilytravel,whichmeanscrowds,peakpricing,andaneedforadvanceplanning.Ifyoucantravelinearlytomid-June,youcanavoidthehighpeakthatstartsinearlyJulyasEuropeanschoolsletoutforthesummer. ItisalsoanidealtimetovisitdestinationsintheNorthernHemisphere,butSouthernHemispheredestinationsvaryinattractivenessfromJune-Augustastheyexperiencetheirwintermonths.SoforgettheideaofseeingpenguinsinAntarcticaanditmaynotbeidealforhikinginPatagoniaorNewZealandeither. GraduationTripIdeas Sincewedon’tknowwhatinternationaltravelwilllooklikethisyear,I’mstartingwithsomesuggestionsforepictripsintheUnitedStates,butalsoincludingprimeinternationaldestinationsjustincase. U.S.GraduationTripIdeas EvenifyouhavetraveledextensivelyintheUnitedStates,therearestillsomanydestinationsandexperiencesthatcanmakeagraduationtriptrulyspecial.HereareafewthatparticularlyshineinJune. Hawaiiansunset Hawaii TheexoticallureoftheAlohaStatemaybetheperfectbalmafterastressfulsenioryear.TheBigIslandofHawaiiistheonlyplaceintheUnitedStatestoseealivevolcano,whileMauiistheperfectplaceforadventureactivitieslikesunrisecyclingdownavolcaniccraterordrivingtheroadtoHana. JustkeepinmindthatJunethroughNovemberistechnicallyhurricaneseason,althoughbigstormsarerare.WevisitedinlateJuneandhadprettygreatweather,withjustsomerainstormsthatdeliveredbeautifulrainbows.FindouthowmuchafamilytriptoHawaiicosts. Alaska SummeristhebesttimetovisitAlaska.AnAlaskancruiseisdefinitelyagreatwaytostart,buttogetarealsenseofthisvastandruggedstate,youneedtospendsometimeonlandtoo(andnotjustexcursions.)IfplanningatriptoAlaskafeelstoodaunting,youcanjoinoneofAustinAdventures’groupfamilytrips,liketheonetoKenaiFjordsandPeninsula. Youcanexperiencecalvingglaciers,searchforwildlife,andexperiencethebrillianceoftheMidnightSunintheLastFrontier. YosemiteNationalPark,California YosemiteNationalPark YosemiteNationalParkcangetcrazilycrowdedinthesummer,butifyougoearlyenoughinJune,youcangettherebeforetheworstofthecrowdsandwhenthewaterisstillstrong,resultinginbeautiful,powerfulwaterfalls. ListentoourpodcastepisodeonYosemiteNationalParkforideasonthebestplacestostay,hikes,andotherthingstodoinYosemite. GlacierNationalPark,Montana GlacierNationalParkisoneofthemostpopularintheU.S.NationalParkssystemandgettingareservationinthesummercanbechallenging.ButheadtoGlacierCountryinearlysummertobeatthecrowdsandgetbetterrates.Justkeepinmindthattherewillstillbesnowontheground,anditislikelythatpartsoftheGoing-to-the-Sunroadthatconnectthepartsoftheparkwillstillbecloseduntillaterinthesummer. Butthereisstillplentyofhikingandwildlifeviewingtoenjoy(plusachancetoseeglaciers!).Afterafewdaysinthepark,youcanrelaxandenjoytheplentifulactivitiesatFlatheadLakeLodge,anall-inclusiveduderanch. WaltDisneyWorld,Florida WaltDisneyWorld Fromweddingstobirthdays,thereisn’taspecialoccasionthatisn’tagoodfitforatriptoDisneyforloversofthemagicandthemouse.ItmightbetheperfecttimetosplurgeonaVIPtouroroneoftheVIPexperiencestomakethetripextraspecial. WhilethereareplentyofridesatDisneythatteenslove,thrill-seekerswillalsolikeaddingonafewdaysatUniversalorsomeofthewaterparks,especiallyforthosehotJunedays.Andwhenitrains,trysomeofthesenearbyOrlandoattractions. GrandCanyon,Arizona ImagecourtesyofCanva TherearetwohugedownsidestovisitingtheGrandCanyoninthesummer—thecrowdsandtheheat.But,ifyougoinJuneitisalittlemoremanageable,especiallyifyougototheless-visitedNorthRim,whichdoesn’tevenopenuntilmid-May. Tomakethetripextraspecial,andthrilling,youcanarrangeforhelicopterflightsoverthecanyon,muleridesorhikesintothecanyonormulti-dayfloattripsalongtheColoradoRiver. NewYork,NewYork LowerManhattanfromtheEmpireStateBuilding Brightlights,bigcity—ifyourgraduatehasnevervisitedtheBigApple,avisittoNewYorkCitycanmakeagreatgraduationtrip.Getticketsforthemust-seeBroadwayshow(mightIrecommendDearEvanHansen,Hamilton,orHarryPotterandtheCursedChild).Visitmuseums.Takeafoodtour.Goshopping.WalkacrosstheBrooklynBridge.Thepossibilitiesareendlessinthecitythatneversleeps. MakesureyoufitinsomeofthenewerattractionslikeHudsonYards,SummitatOneVanderbilt,LittleIsland@Pier55,the9/11Memorial,theHighline,oreventrythenewEdgeNYCSkydeck.TeensalsolovetheInstagramablefoodstopslikerainbowbagels,taiyakis,specialtycupcakes,crazymilkshakes,andmore. LasVegas,Nevada ImagecourtesyofCanva CollegegradsmayenjoyexercisingsomeoftheirnewlibertiesinLasVegas,butevenhighschoolgraduatescanenjoyunder-21attractions.ThehotelsalongVegas’famousStripareaspectacleinandofitself.Addtothatone-of-a-kindentertainment,celebritychef-ownedrestaurants,andthrillsliketheX-ScreamrideattheStratosphereHotelortheSkyJumpofftheStratosphereTower. OfcourseoutsideofLasVegas,youcanalsogohikinginRedRockCanyon,visitHooverDam,ordrivealuxurysportscarorracecar. CaliforniaCoast BigSurontheCaliforniaCoast RentaconvertibleandtakeyourgradonaclassicU.S.roadtripdowntheCaliforniacoast.StartoffwithafewdaysinSanFrancisco,thenheaddowntoMontereyandCarmel-by-the-Sea.Next,takeyourtimeexploringthebeautifulcoastlinealongHighway1downtoBigSur. Onthecentralcoast,youcanrideonthesanddunes,ziplinethroughawinery,andenjoyallthesmallbeachtownsonyourwaytoLosAngeles.FinishoffwithsurflessonsinHuntingtonBeach,atourofUniversalStudios,oradayatDisneyland. PuertoRico Cravinganislandvacation?Youdon’tneedapassporttovisitPuertoRico.Thereyoucanenjoygorgeousbeaches,theElYunquerainforest,outdooradventures,andsoakupthehistoryinOldSanJuan. InViequesandelsewhereontheisland,youcanevenexperiencethemagicofbioluminescencewithanighttimekayakingexcursion.Ifyouaretravelingin2022,makesureyouresearchalltravelrestrictionsandtesting/vaccinerequirementsbeforebookingyourtrip. Utah’sMighty5NationalParks ArchesNationalPark ThingsarestartingtoheatupinthesouthwestinJune,butyoucanstillfitinanepictriptoallfiveofUtah’smightynationalparks—Arches,Zion,Bryce,Canyonlands,andCapitolReefNationalParks.Or,ifyoureallyenjoyhikingandgettingoffthebeatenpath,focusonjustacoupleoftheparks. StartoffinSaltLakeCityandthenheadtoMoabtoexploreArchesandCanyonlands.Next,headovertoCapitolReefandBryce.FinishupinSt.GeorgeandZionNationalPark.YoucanthenflyoutofLasVegasorloopbackuptoSaltLakeCity.Besuretolistentothispodcastforsomegreattipsonoff-the-beaten-pathstopsonaSouthwestGrandCircleroadtriporreadmyfriendLesli’sUtahNationalParksroadtripitinerary. MaineWindjammerCruise Largeshipcruisingmaynotbeanoptionrightnow,buttherearestillsmallshippossibilitiesavailable.Ifyourstudentlovessailing,thenatripaboardoneoftheMaineWindjammercruiseswillberightuptheiralley.ExploretheruggedcoastlineandsmallseasidetownsoftheMainecoast.Enjoygourmetmealsandlobsterbakesonthebeach.Assistthecrewandenjoywatchingthesceniccoastlineglideby. Forarealsplurge,bookupthecabinswithyourfriendsandfamilyfora“bubble”vacationonthesea.PairitupwithaCoastalMaineroadtriporafunglampingstaynearBarHarborandAcadiaNationalPark. KeyWest,Florida OverseasHighwayintheFloridaKeys OneofmyfavoriteeastcoastroadtripsisalongtheOverseasHighwayintheFloridaKeys.Thisscenictripisgreatforgraduatesthatlovewatersports—likewindsurfing,snorkeling,kayaking,andscubadiving.Itisalsoaperfectspotforfuturemarinebiologiststovisitaseaturtlehospital,exploremarinepreserves,studydolphins,andenjoynatureupclose.Ofcourse,allthekeylimepieisalsoagreatperk! NewOrleans,Louisiana YourfoodieteenwillenjoyatriptotheBigEasyforafoodandmusicextravaganza.Enjoyfoodtours,cookingclasses,andeverythingfromcelebrity-chefrestaurantstothebestofdiners,drive-ins,anddives.Thensoakintheculturewithhistorytours(orghosttours),avisittoMardiGrasWorld,andplentyoflivejazzmusic.Ifyouhavetimetogetoutoftown,besuretotryanairboattour! BlackHills,SouthDakota MountRushmoreinSouthDakota TherearetonsofwaysforteensandyoungadultstoseekadventureintheBlackHills.YoucanbikealongtheMickelsonTrail,oneoftheoldrailtrailsthatrunsfor108.8milesfromEdgemonttoDeadwood.Don’tworry,youdon’tneedtobikethewholething.Instead,youcanrentbikesandarrangeforshuttlepick-upsanddrop-offstoonlybikeasfarasyouchoose.Thereisalsorockclimbing,horsebackriding,andamazingwildlifeviewinginCusterStatePark. BesuretoleaveextradaysforsideventurestoDevil’sTowerinWyomingandthestunningBadlandsNationalPark.Andeveniftheyhavehadenoughoflearningforawhile,makesuretovisitMountRushmore,CrazyHorseMemorial,andtheMinutemanMissileSiloHistoricSite. InternationalGraduationTripIdeas TherearesomanybucketlistdestinationsthataregreatplacestovisitinJune.Hereareafewoptionsforadventureseekers,outdoorlovers,culturalexplorers,andwildlifelovers. Iceland KirkjufellandKirkjufellsness JuneismyabsolutefavoritetimetovisitIceland,especiallyifyoucanbetherefortheSummerSolstice.JustbeawarethatmanybusinessesandattractionsareclosedonJune17thforIcelandIndependenceDay.Theweatherisstartingtowarmupandyouhavefulldaysofsunlighttoexplore. Icelandistheperfectspotforoutdooradventurers.SpendafewdaysonthegorgeousSouthCoastchasingwaterfalls,visitingblacksandbeaches,hikingonglaciers,andsailingbetweentheicebergs.Togetawayfromthecrowds,spendafewdaysupintheruggedandremoteWestFjords.FindouthowmuchatriptoIcelandcostsandreadmyIcelandtraveltips. FaroeIslands Foryourgradthatwantstogetawayfromitallandexperiencenaturalbeautyandculturethathasn’tbeenruinedbyovertourism(yet),theFaroeIslandsareagreatmatch.Butbecausetheseislandsarenotbuiltupfortourism,itiscriticaltoplanthistripearly.Prettymuchoncethecollegeapplicationsaresubmitted,youbetterstartplanningyourgraduationtrip,ifnotsooner. TheFaroeIslandsarelocatedoffScotland,betweenIcelandandNorway. AvisittotheFaroeIslandsisreallyaboutexploringandenjoyingthenaturalbeauty,whichissimilartoIcelandbutwithoutallthetouristactivities.Plantospenddayshiking,driving,andtakingpicturesofunforgettablelandscapes. Ireland Giant’sCausewayinNorthernIreland Withadrinkingageof18,graduatesmightenjoysomenewfoundfreedomsinthepubsofIreland—afterall,whatbetterplacetosoakintheIrishculture?StartoffinDublin,andthenheadofftoNorthernIrelandandtheCoastalCauseway. IntheRepublicofIreland,don’tmisstheCliffsofMoherandadrivealongtheWildAtlanticWay.ThetownofKillarneyandtheDinglePeninsulaaresomeofmyfavoritespotsinIreland.FindouthowmuchatriptoIrelandcostsandtipsfortravelingtoIreland. Azores,Portugal NaturalbeautyaboundsintheAzores,thearchipelagoofPortugueseislandsintheAtlantic.InJune,big hydrangeabloomsdecoratetheislandinamixofpinks,purples,andblues. Thisisaperfectsettingforoutdoorlovers,particularlyontheislandofPico,hometotheMountPicovolcano.Foradventureseekers,youcangocoasteering,canyoning,hiking,surfing,andmoreonthelargestislandofSãoMiguel. FinishupwithafewdaysonthemainlandenjoyingthecolorfulfestivalstakingplaceinLisbonorPorto. Greece NaxosTownonNaxos AweekortwospentislandhoppingintheCycladesisaperfectwaytochilloutaftertheexhaustionoffinalexams.Mid-Junethroughmid-Julyistheperfecttimetovisit.Theislandsarecomingbackafteralongwinterbreak,buttheyarenotyetcrowded.Theweatheriswarmbutnotscorchinghot,andthedaytimewindsarenotasstrongaslaterinthesummer. StartoffinMykonosorSantoriniforanintroductiontotheGreekIslands’partyscene,andthenspendsometimeatsomeofthequieterislands,likeNaxos,Paros,Crete,orsomeoftheoff-the-beatentrackislands.FindouthowmuchafamilytriptoGreececostsorcheckoutour10-dayGreeceitinerary. Italy ThehillsofTuscanyoutsideofPienza LikemuchofEurope,ItalyisbeautifulinJune,beforetheheatandtouristsdescend.YouwillwanttohitthehighlightsinRomeandFlorence,butthentakesometimetorelaxandenjoytheTuscancountrysidewhereyoucanbikethroughvineyardsandswiminthermalpools. YoumayevenbeabletoarrangetotestdriveaFerrariorsampletheculinarydelightsinBolognaonyourwaytoVenice.FinishupwithsomehikingintheItalianDolomites.InJuneyouareguaranteedsunnydaysandwarmeveningsinthemountains,withnottoomuchhumidity.Afteradayofhikingorbiking,enjoythelocalculinarydelicaciesoverlunchatamountainrifugiooraslopesidepicnic. Ifyourgradpreferslazingonthebeach,skipthegondolasandmountainsandheaddowntotheAmalfiCoastorthegorgeousislandofCapri.Justmakeyourreservationsearlyanddon’tbesurprisedtoberubbingelbowswithnewlywedsandretirees. Croatia Historybuffs(andGameofThronesfans)willlovethemedievalcityofDubrovnikontheDalmatianCoast.JuneistheperfecttimetoexplorebeforethepeaksummercrowdsandcruiseshipsarriveinJulyandAugust.  Toescapethecrowds,thebestwaytoexploreCroatiaisbyboat.CharterasailboatandheadoutontheAdriaticSeatonearbyLokrumIslandorfurthertoKorcula,oneofthemorecharmingislandsinCroatia.Therearealsoadventureactivitiesforactiveteenssuchasbikingtrips,hiking,andwatersports. Switzerland YouryoungadventurermayenjoyhikingintheSwissAlpsaftergraduation.ItcanstillberainyinMayandearlyJune,orsnowyathigheraltitudes,soshootforlateJuneorevenearlyJuly.Therearemanyroutesforhut-to-hut(orhotel-to-hotel)hiking.OryoucansettleinnearInterlakenandsoakinthesceneryandoutdooradventures. Interlakenishometomanyextremesports,includingmountaineering,bungeejumping,zorbing,skiing,snowboarding,paragliding,helicopterskydiving,whitewaterrafting,canyoning,iceclimbing,rockclimbing,trekking,andsomuchmore.ArtloverswillalsowanttocheckouttheinternationalartshowatArtBaselinBasel,Switzerland,whichdrawstopartistsfromaroundtheworld.InBasel,youcanalsobiketothreecountriesinoneday!BiketoFranceandhaveacroissant,haveabeerandlunchinGermany,andreturntoSwitzerlandandafloatdowntheriverbeforedinner. Paris Parisiancafe TheweatherinParisinJuneisperfect,thecherryblossomsareinbloom,andtherearelongdaysofsunshinetoexplorethecityatitsmostromantic.Ofcourse,summerisalsowhenthetouristsdescendsoitiscriticaltogoinJune(theearlierthebetter)beforeschoolletsoutforsummerinFranceandtheUnitedKingdom.Evenso,itisimportanttobookearlyforprimelocations(seemyguideforrentinganapartmentinParis)andattractions(reservationsand/ortimedentryticketsareneededformanyattractions,includingtheLouvreandtheEiffelTower.) Itisalsoacitywhereyoucangiveyourteenalittleindependencetopracticelanguageskillsandpreparetogooutontheirown.Indulgeyourgraduate’sinterestsinart,history,orfoodwithprivatetoursandcookingclasses.FindouthowmuchatriptoPariscostsanddownloadourParistripplanningchecklist. SouthAfrica SerengetiNationalPark JunetoAugustiswinterinSouthAfrica,butitisalsotheidealtimetobookasafariinKrugerorotherparks.Thegameviewingisidealbecausethebushislessdense,butthebeautifulgoldengrassescapturethelightandprovideexcellentphotoopportunities.Plus,thedryweathertypicallymeansfewtonomosquitos! WhileJuneistypicallytherainyseasoninCapeTown,ithasalittlebitofeverything,whichmakesittheperfectdestinationforagraduationtrip.Thecityissurroundedbybeachesandmountains,withplentyofopportunitiesforadventurefromcage-divingwithsharkstozipliningthroughmountainsandforests.Yourgraduatecanalsosnorkelwithsealsorgoseakayakingwithpenguins.ThereisalsothepotentialtoseewhalesalongSouthAfrica’sWhaleCoastbetweenJuneandNovember. SerengetiNationalPark,Tanzania WatchingTheGreatMigrationinSerengetiNationalParkisanunforgettableexperience,andJuneisagreattimetoseeit.IntheWesternCorridorarea,youcanfindherdsofwildebeest,gazelles,andzebrasastheymaketheirwaynorthinsearchoffood,water,andbreedinggrounds. BecauseJunefallswithinSerengeti’sdryseason,you’llfindlessfoliage,makinganimalseasiertospot,aswellasfewermosquitos.Thetemperatureismoderateandpleasantduringtheday,butchillyforearlymorningsafarisornightsinthesafaritents.Thisistrulyabucketlistexperienceforfamilies. GreatBarrierReef,Australia FijianIsland Whiletechnicallywinter,theweatherisnevertooterriblycoldinAustraliaandyouwillfindgooddealsonflightsandhotels.ItisalsoaperfecttimetoseetheGreatBarrierReef.Thereisverylittlerainsodivingconditionsareattheirpeak—perfectforcheckingscubadivingoffabucketlist. BeyondtheReef,northernQueensland,theNorthernTerritory,andnorthernWesternAustraliaareattheirbestinJune.Remember,thefurthersouthyougo,thecolderitwillbe. Fiji Ifatropicalescapeiswhatyourstudentneedstorelax,setyoursightsabitfurtherthantheCaribbeanallthewaytotheSouthPacific.ItisalsotechnicallywinterinFijiinJune,butthetempsnevergettoocoldandyoucanjustmissthesummerrushthatstartsinJuly.JuneisoneofthebestmonthstovisitFiji,withidealweather,countlessactivityoptions,cheaperhotelrates,andsmallercrowds. FromtherichFijianculturetotheincrediblebeaches,therearecountlessreasonswhyFiji’s333islandsaretheperfectvacationdestinationforagraduationtrip. Peru Doesyourstudentlovetolearnaboutancientcivilizationsorarcheology?SummerisagreattimetovisittheancientIncancityofMachuPicchu. StartyourjourneyinLima,Peru’svibrantcapitalcity,orCusco,ascenicthree-hourtrainridefromMachuPicchu.Justbesuretogiveyourselftimetoadjusttothealtitude,especiallyifyouareconsideringhikingintheSacredValley.Reservationsarealsoneededatthispopulartouristdestination. TheAmazon’sdryseasonstartsinJune,soyoucanpairavisittoMachuPicchuwithtimespentexploringtherainforestortravelingtheAmazonbyboat. Aruba Sittingbelowthehurricanebelt,Aruba,alongwithitsneighboringislandsofBonaireandCuraçao,enjoysadryseasoninthesummer.YetsincesummerintheCaribbeanisn’thighonmanypeople’slists,youcanalsoenjoylowerratesandfewercrowds. Off-roadonthisdesertisland,gohorsebackridingonthebeach,enjoysunsetcatamaransails,andspendsometimewithflamingoesonthisDutchisland. Needmoreideas?Tryoneofthese: BestvacationstotakewithteensServicetripsforteens SavethistoPinterest Findthisuseful?Shareit! 153 shares Pin153 Share Tweet Email PublishDate:December13,2021 LoadComments AboutWe3Travel Hi!WearetheGrubers–Tamara,Glenn,andHannah. Webelievethatyoushouldn’tjusttakeavacation,youshouldexperienceit.WhetherwearetravelingtheworldorexploringnearbyNewEngland,wewanttolearnaboutlocalcultureandshareinadventuresandactivitiesthatwewillrememberalways. Youmayfindusstargazinginnationalparks,takingacookingclassinMarrakech,learningabouthistoryinEurope,orsometimesevenrelaxingataluxuryhotel.Ouritinerarieshelptakethepainoutofplanningyournextfamilyvacationsoyoucanspendmoretimecreatinghappymemories. SIGNUPFOROURNEWSLETTER&RECEIVEAFAMILYVACATIONPLANNINGKIT! We3Travel.comwillusetheinformationyouprovideonthisformtosendyounewsletters.Youcanunsubscribeatanytimebyclickingthelinkinthefooterofanyemailyoureceivefromus,orbycontacting[email protected]Byclickingbelow,youagreethatwemayprocessyourinformationinaccordancewiththeseterms. Pleaseenteravalidemailaddress. Subscribe Somethingwentwrong.Pleasecheckyourentriesandtryagain. DestinationsMenuToggle UnitedStates Europe Canada Caribbean RestoftheWorld TravelTypesMenuToggle FamilyTrips LuxuryTravel RoadTrips TeenTravel TravelAdviceMenuToggle Hotels Gear Packing AboutMenuToggle StartHere WorkwithMe Podcast Contact Blog Searchfor: Starttypingandpressentertosearch Search… ScrolltoTop