This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more
Birthdays can quickly become ‘another day,’ especially after your teens, 21st, or 30th. But your birthday is your special day, no matter what age you’re turning. You deserve to celebrate!
Instead of the pressure of planning a party, why not just book an activity or go somewhere fun for it? That was my inspiration for putting this list together. Hopefully, you’ll get excited about going somewhere for your birthday you’ll love.
Really Fun Places
Cat Cafe
Fancy feline fun on your special day? Why not visit a cat cafe? These are a great place to cuddle up with your favorite cat species and raise money for charity at the same time.
Castle Stay
Beloved by history geeks and nature lovers alike, a castle stay or experience is the perfect place for those looking to take a step back in time and enjoy a birthday celebration with a difference.
Petting and Feeding Zoo
Popular zoos often host petting and feeding experiences so you can get up close and personal with your favorite zoo animals.
Axe Throwing
Give axe throwing a try if you fancy something a little more hands-on for your birthday? You can invite a group of people or just one partner.
Scuba Diving
If you’re certified, head to the coast or take a flight to Central America and the Caribbean where the crystal waters lap the white sand beaches. See what magnificent ocean creatures you can observe and photograph.
Weekend in Las Vegas
One of those birthday trip ideas from countless movies, Vegas has everything you need for a weekend of partying, late-night dancing, and urban adventures to celebrate with your best friends.
International Cooking Class
Whether it’s Thai, Brazilian, or Italian, a cooking class is one of those birthday ideas that strikes the perfect balance between having fun and doing a worthwhile activity. Plus, you get to enjoy the delicious food at the end of it all.
Cool Places
Cave Exploration
Places that offer underground cave tours often come with opportunities to abseil or climb within the caves, so there’s plenty to do there whilst you celebrate.
Glamping
You can find many glamping sites to celebrate your birthday through apps such as Airbnb. Long gone are the days of sitting in a soggy tent while waiting for your food to cook over a dull flame.
Extreme Sports Centres
Extreme sports centers include experiences such as abseiling, rock climbing, and zip wire. Extreme sports can be fun for the whole party leading to many first times and making for some unforgettable experiences.
Aquarium
Local aquariums across the U.S. and worldwide provide guests with the most amazing dining experiences whilst surrounded by various sea creatures.
Karaoke Bar
Is there a more enjoyable way to see on your birthday than belting out some classic songs with your nearest and dearest at a karaoke bar? We didn’t think so either!
Horseback Riding Ranch
Enjoy riding one of Earth’s most majestic animals at a nearby ranch or park, and take in the spectacular scenery as you go.
For a Romantic Birthday
Spa Weekend
Spa getaways provide the most relaxing atmosphere for you and your partner with treats such as massages that relieve those everyday stresses. Try a local spa, or go further afield to a capital city or luxury hotel for a spa day or weekend to celebrate.
Rural Log Cabin Stay
Fancy a rustic getaway where no one can disturb you? Why not opt for a log cabin? If you fancy popping open a bottle of champagne surrounded by the outdoors and bubbles, this might be the ultimate birthday present.
World Heritage Site
Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks are just three of a huge selection of fabulous destinations in the US alone you can enjoy a happy birthday at.
Wine Vineyard
Wine vineyards are ideal for couples looking to inject some fine dining and romance into their birthday celebrations and enjoy a wine-tasting tour while you’re there.
European City Break
Whether it’s sharing a kiss in front of an illuminated Eiffel Tower in Paris, or going full ‘Lady and the Trump’ with the spaghetti in front of the Pantheon in Rome, a European city break has all the ingredients for a wonderfully romantic birthday getaway.
For a Birthday with Friends
Escape Room
In a nutshell, an escape room is a room in which players are locked and have to solve puzzles and clues to escape. Usually, there’s a race against time, which requires players to find the key before the time runs out.
Wine and Paint Night
With this activity, you are bound to unleash your inner Van Gogh or Picasso! For your birthday, visit an arts center, studio, or event space that hosts wine and paint evenings for you and your friends to reveal your inner artistic talents.
Live Music Festival
Especially in the summer, there’s no better place to celebrate your birthday than at a music festival with friends. There’s plenty of choice.
Whiskey Distillery Tasting
Visiting a Whiskey Distillery and trying out new varieties of whiskey is a perfect activity for groups looking to indulge in something more sophisticated.
New York City
Enjoy delicious food, walk through Central Park, and visit the classic attractions that the Big Apple is renowned for, such as the Empire State Building.
West Coast Road Trip
Hire an RV or convertible, pick up your closest friends, and enjoy the beauty, energy, and magic of the US West Coast. Stay in inexpensive hostels, motels, or AirBnBs, and enjoy the gorgeous coastline and beautiful parks.
You could also visit:
- Water Park
Great to Go with Kids or Family
Go-Karting
Race against family members to see who can go past the finish line first, and celebrate with your family in a fun way.
Musical at the Threatre/Broadway
With various performances to choose from, including Shakesperian classics and Hamilton, a birthday trip to the theatre eliminates any chances of boredom.
Amusement/Theme Park
Popular tourist attractions such as Disney World, Disneyland, and Six Flags serve as great locations for birthday celebrations and have rides suitable for all types of adrenaline junkies.
Paintballing or Laser Tag
This activity is great for large families and groups. If your kids are a little too young for paintball, you could also swap it for laser tag.
Trampoline Centre
With trampoline centers, kids and adults can be entertained for hours, both on their own or with an instructor.
Here’s a few more ideas:
- Aquarium
- Science Museum
- Pool Hire Party
Luxury Ideas
Greek Island Getaway
If you are a fan of delicious food, rustic scenery, and blue lagoons, a Greek getaway should be right up your street. The island of Skiathos, for example, is famous for being the filming location for the Mamma Mia films.
Italy Birthday Vacation
Whether you decide to tour the Italian countryside on a Vespa or sip authentic Italian ground coffee at a local cafe, Italy holds many an opportunity for you to indulge in a bit of luxury at your own pace.
Mexican Beach Vacation
For so many Americans, a white sandy beach complete with cocktails and dancing is only a few hours of flying and a hotel booking away.
Caribbean Island Escape
Nothing quite says luxury quite like the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. Book one of those dreamy luxury resorts in Barbados or the Bahamas you’ve seen on countless bucket lists or Instagram reels.
Ideas on a Budget
National Park Camping Trip
Take advantage of the campsites and enjoy the beauty of one of the country’s countless National Parks to celebrate in the great outdoors.
And here’s some more budget ideas:
- Beach Day Trip
- Picnic in the Park
- Kayaking at a River or Lake
- Farmer’s Market
- Board Game Cafe
- Street Festival
- Arcade
Free Ideas
Birthday “Freebies” Hunt
Ever received those marketing emails from Starbucks or McDonald’s claiming you are entitled to a free drink because it’s your birthday? Then, make the most of it: head into your local city center, and go on a birthday freebies hunt.
Virtual Zoom Party
With an array of activities to choose from, such as virtual pub quizzes and presentations, zoom parties are an excellent format for reuniting friends who are hard to keep up with.
Backyard Festival
If you have fairy lights, a speaker, and ask people to bring their own food and drink, potluck-style, you’ve got everything you need to host a tremendous back garden birthday festival.
You could also try:
- At-Home Games Night
- Instagrammable Outdoor Viewpoint
When it comes to your birthday, feel free to spread your wings a little more than usual and treat yourself to new and exciting experiences.
Be it exotic island escapes, or magical outdoor adventures, there are so many places you can go to celebrate your birthday in fun, unique, and memorable ways.
Here’s some more birthday ideas you might like:
Looking for cool places to go for an upcoming birthday? Keep this article for safekeeping by saving it to one of your Pinterest boards.
