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Destination Vacation: 2018 Goals

If you’ve seen my post, Reclaiming My Everything in 2018, then you’ve seen that I made a goal. For 2018, I hope to have a vacation every month. Whether that destination vacation is a staycation, a weekend, or a week (Spring Break/Summer), I look forward to achieving my goal.

I know… some of you think that I have lost my mind. Some think that I am being unrealistic. That’s okay. I know how to make the most of my vacations, even with the strictest of budgets. Additionally, I’d rather use my money to buy experiences and travel over materialistic things. That is exactly what I plan to do throughout 2018, so here are my 2018 travel goals.

Destination Vacation: Texas Staycation

Houston (My Home)

I plan to have two staycations in 2018. The first one will be done from the comfort of my home. What makes that a staycation? To me, planned relaxation and activities (at home) are a staycation. The second staycation will include me getting a room for myself here in the city. I might make it a night on the town with a couple of friends. Either way, I have time to determine how I will spend my staycation. The best part is the convenience of waiting until the last minute to decide.

Galveston

Galveston houses several beaches. They have been building along the seawall with beautiful restaurants, hotels, and Pleasure Pier (I’ve still never been).Though I am not a fan of getting in the water, I love to listen to the waves, feel the sea breeze, and watch the water move. Additionally, they hold one of my favorite places, Moody Gardens. AND I’ve never spent the weekend (or a night) in Galveston. They have a lot of nice ocean-front hotels, so I am looking forward to a nice weekend in Galveston.

Dallas/Arlington or Austin

Dallas…home of the Cowboys… I will keep all negative comments about them to myself. Arlington (the neighbor of Dallas) houses Six Flags Over Texas. I’ve only been to this Six Flags location once or twice, but it has been YEARS. Theme parks are my thing. I would love to go back to Six Flags, so Dallas is definitely on my list of cities to visit. On the other hand, Austin, the state’s capital is the home of Sixth Street. Despite the strong desire to follow the crowds and bar-hopping, Austin still offers so much to offer. Plus, let’s be honest, I love to go outside of Houston, and both offer a perfect alternative to my home.

Destination Vacation: The States Vacation

Indianapolis, Indiana

By most standards, this is a pretty random destination. My friend will be moving here in January. A lot of people think that there is nothing much in Indianapolis, but I beg to differ. There is always something to do in a major city. So, we will be trying new restaurants (I will be relying on the blog, Into Indy for this), going to the zoo (because I love to go to zoos), and explore the city. We will make new memories in her new home in the new year.

Nashville, Tennessee

Music City! I’ve only driven through Nashville, and even from the freeway, I could see the beauty of Nashville. I am actually looking at a couple of grad schools here, so this is the perfect excuse. During this trip, I can visit the campuses and explore the city. Win, win!

Orlando, Florida

I have been to Orlando several times, and it gets more exciting every time I visit. This time, I will be returning back to Disney World for a vacation with my Mommy and my niece. It will be Kaylin’s (my niece) first Disney experience. I went to Disney for the first time in May, and have been obsessed since I found out last year (2016) that I would be going. I’m so excited to share this experience with the two most important girls in my life.

Washington, D.C.

For another 2017 first, I visited Washington, D.C. for the first time in November. It was a short weekend, and I quickly fell in love with the city. So much so, that my mother and I want to visit for Spring Break. During the time, we hope to visit several of the Smithsonian Museums, especially the new African American Museum.

Las Vegas, Nevada

My friend and I are planning on taking a girls’ trip in late February/Early March. I have never been to Vegas before, and it has always been on my to-do list. Though I am not fond of the concept of wasting my money gambling, I still want to experience the casino and all that is Vegas.

Los Angeles, California

I hope to make it to Cali for my twenty-fourth birthday in August. This is beyond seeing the Hollywood signs and the Walk of Fame.  I want to visit Judge Judy’s court. Don’t judge me (no pun intended), I love Judge Judy! Plus, I want to experience the LA nightlife. Who knows… I might even run into a star while shopping on Rodeo Drive.

Destination Vacation: A New Country

A Canadian Destination Vacation

I have seen amazing pictures of Canada. I have come across amazing travel guides of things to do in the various parts of Canada. For my first trip and experience, I want to visit Toronto. There is plenty to do, and it is one of the most well-known Canadian destinations. Plus, I want to visit the home of Drake *smirks*.

A Caribbean Destination Vacation

I left this portion vague because I am not sure which Caribbean island I will land on. All of the islands offer their own unique cultures, history, and scenery. This will probably be a summer/fall trip, so I have time to look into which island and city I would want to visit. (Yes, I am aware of hurricane season, too. I just got caught in it, but I can’t let fear stop me.)

What are your destination vacation goals in 2018?

Let me know where you plan/hope to travel to in 2018 in the comments below. Or, if you live in, have been to, or are familiar with great places/things/restaurants for me to check out in these particular cities, let me know. Furthermore, if you haven’t already, you should check out ways to save money on your next vacation.

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Comments

  1. definitely come back to DC! It’s a great place to visit (although spring break crowds are no joke). Great list – with some important places I still need to visit.

    Reply

    • I will. We didn’t even consider the crowding for Spring Break, but we’re willing to endure. Thanks for that heads up.

      Reply

  3. I plan 1 staycation a year, where I explore and enjoy my own city, I can honestly say I look forward to those as much as my “travel” vacations. Hope you make it to Canada, it’s an amazing country to visit!

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    • Thank you so much! My stepdad works in Canada, and I have heard nothing but amazing things about it. It is the trip that I am most looking forward to.

      Reply

    • Gosh! I wouldn’t know what to do with the weather that cold. Houston only gets “warm” winters for about 6 weeks of the year. I’m thankful for that, but the Caribbean is always a great idea.

      Reply

  5. DC is always so gorgeous! The people are very friendly and there’s always something to do. I grew up in the DC, MD, VA area – better knowns as DMV. There’s never a dull moment. I would love to visit Houston and Vegas in 2018. Enjoy your upcoming travels.

    Reply

  6. Wow, that’s ambitious! My goal is every 2 months. I haven’t planned it all out yet, but I am starting with a weekend in New Orleans next weekend!

    I love Vegas, but I barely gamble because I’m horrible at it 🙂 It’s such a fun city though.

    Warning about DC around spring break…there will be TONS of school group trips at the museums. We took my friend’s sons a couple of years ago, and it was miserable by early afternoon. So make sure to go early in the mornings, before the crowds.

    Reply

    • I’m seeing that a lot of people warn against going during Spring Break, so we may have to go somewhere else and schedule another time for DC. We’re just going to go with the flow.

      Reply

  8. I have heard great things about Toronto. We even have friend who travel there for the snow season, so don’t miss out on that!
    I think you will like Indy as well – have fun!

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  9. Love this! I am headed to Austin in the Spring, Orlando in the summer and Santa Barbara in the summer. Hoping on our trip to Santa Barbara to start in Washington to Oregon and Drive down the coast! I also hope to go somewhere after Christmas next year because I am so jealous of all the people traveling right now!

    Reply

    • I tried to talk my mom into doing that… driving down the coast from Washington, and she is not down for it. (She hates road trips, she’d rather fly.) I’ll have to find someone else willing to do it with me. Good luck to you! 🙂

      Reply

  10. There are several of these I have visited and serval more that I want to go to. I have never gone to Galveston but I think I might have to add that to my list. I really want to go on another beach vacation outside of the country, I want to see NYC at Christmas, and I want to take a long weekend trip to Nashville!

    Reply

    • I love Galveston, but it still feels like it’s a part of my home (it’s less than an hour from my house). NYC at Christmas sounds like a wonderful plan. Best of luck! 🙂

      Reply

  11. Love this goal! Changing the pace, seeing new things even getting out of the house revitalizes you. My partner and I love taking mini getaways it keeps our stresses away. We’re planning two international trips this year so we’re super excited about that! As a Torontonian, I think you’ll love our beautiful city!

    Reply

    • I love it! I’d love to find out more information about Toronto before I visit. That’s the trip that I am most looking forward to.

      Reply

  13. These are all such fun places to visit. I went to Nashville at the begging of the month and fell in love. I am from Dallas originally and recommend it. Vegas is always a blast too. I am hoping to visit in February. I am hoping to do a ton of traveling this year too. Happy almost 2018..

    Reply

  14. I love your vacation goals! All of the destinations seem lovely! There are so many fun things to do in all of them. D.C has amazing restaurants! I’m looking forward to seeing more posts on your trips!

    Reply

  19. I love the idea of some sort of vacation–even a staycation–every month! I don’t know what all my travel plans for the year are, yet, but I have a trip to NYC coming up next month that I’m excited about!

    Reply

    • I love NYC, and thankfully, you still have time to figure out those travel plans. Safe travels and best of luck!

      Reply

  20. Your travel plans sound like so much fun! I’d love to visit Orlando again someday! I think in this next year our best chance for a vacation will be in October, but I haven’t picked a for-sure destination yet!

    Reply

  21. Such a great list of places to visit! My husband and I are hoping to get to Iceland this year at some point! We’ve always wanted to go and haven’t really had a trip/vacation since our honeymoon over two years ago so we’re reading to get somewhere new! 🙂

    Reply

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