(NAPSI)—American travelers today are looking to get more out of their vacation. No longer content just hitting the regular tourist hot spots, they want to explore a destination’s local culture and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In an American Express survey, over 72 percent of respondents said they would rather spend money on experiences than things and nearly nine in 10 said travel is the No. 1 item on their life’s bucket list.

Here are some unique travel experiences you can enjoy on your next vacation:

On-site entertainment experiences. Consider an entertainment vacation experience for your next trip. Not only will you be surrounded with like-minded travelers, but you can “geek out” together, too. Vidanta Riviera Maya in Mexico is an amazing resort option for Cirque du Soleil lovers, playing “JOYÀ” in a dinner theater right next to the resort. Cirque performers also embed themselves among visitors, interacting and surprising them at every step.

Get in touch with nature. Many vacation resorts offer experiences that help you get one step closer to nature through excursions to nature preserves or scuba diving a coral reef. The Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa in Malaysia turned part of its property into a nature reserve to conserve native flora and fauna. The resort’s nature ambassador leads educational and adventure hikes, including nocturnal night-vision treks and day trips to see orangutans in the wild.

Something for the kids. Do you plan your vacation around what your kids love? At the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, you’ll get a five-star resort designed to provide guests of all ages a beachfront resort themed around Nickelodeon’s most beloved cartoon characters. While the little ones are entertained all day in the Just Kiddin’ kids club, the older family members can relax on the white-sand tropical beach. Young families can also get their pirate on at Exploria Resorts’ Buccaneer Bay Adventure Park in Orlando, Florida. The five-acre park features seven kid-friendly “challenges,” including a skull-topped rock-climbing wall, bumper boats, the Pirate’s Plunge zip line and the Jolly Roger bungee experience, among other attractions.

Food tourism. Base your next vacation around your favorite tastes. According to Mandala Research, 77 percent of leisure travelers participate in culinary activities on vacation. From cooking classes and on-site farmers’ markets to farm-to-table dining and homemade local cuisine, get the best eats around the world by choosing destinations where you know you’ll be in food heaven.

Learn More

For further information about experiential vacations, head over to www.EndlessVacation.com. Be inspired to cross the globe, or scroll through a detailed itinerary for a fun and convenient weekend escape. Whatever your vacation style, you’ll find insider tips and travel inspiration, as well as ideas on what to bring on your next getaway.