The Ultimate Bucket List Using Your Car

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have been confined to our houses. Over time, staying at home can be difficult and you might want to look for more things you can do to keep yourself sane. Luckily for you, your car is the perfect tool to get out of the house while staying safe from the coronavirus.

Here at Wrench, we have compiled a list of car-related ideas to add to your bucket list!

1. Go To A Drive-In Movie
   We are huge fans of drive-in movies and if you haven't gone to one yet, this is definitely not something you will want to skip. No matter what kind of movies you prefer to watch from thrillers to romcoms, drive-in theaters have it all! This is even a great date option for those that are dating or want to spice up their married life. For more romantic date ideas using your car, click here and read this year's Valentine's Day blog post!

2. Take A Road Trip
   Road trips are always a great idea! There are so many places you can go whether you are looking to hit a bunch of major cities, scenic byways, or even state parks! Take a week or two to map out your route and pack up clothes and snacks and you can get out for a weekend or longer! For short, scenic trips, read our blog posts about the best drives in Washington, Oregon, and California!

3. Experience Gravity Hill In Prosser, Washington (or any other locations)
   Have you heard of a gravity hill? There are gravity hills all over the world, including Prosser, Washington! Drivers can experience a very strange phenomenon where the traditional laws of gravity don't seem to apply. All you need to do is drive up to what appears to be the bottom of the slope and put your car in neutral and somehow your car will begin to slowly move up the hill. Some say that this is due to the supernatural, what do you think?

4. Learn To Drift
   If you are an adrenaline junkie, learning how to drift would be right up your alley. Although you can't drift legally in public streets, there are plenty of businesses that can teach you how to drift on a designated track. This is a great way to get out and experience something new while picking up a new skill. Who knows, maybe this skill will come in handy someday!

5. Go On A Spontaneous Road Trip
   There are so many different kinds of road trips, we couldn't pick just one! If you aren't normally a spontaneous person, getting out of your comfort zone might be a good thing to add to your own personal bucket list. One good way to be more spontaneous is to go on a road trip with minimal planning. Obviously, you will want to pack your car with the essentials, but if your car has been properly maintained then embarking on an adventure with no plans on where you are going or how long you will be gone, might be a fun idea! Click here for our tips and tricks on how to have the best road trip ever!

6. Do A Track Day
   So many people have a track day on their bucket list, and for good reason! You will definitely get an adrenaline rush with this, so book an appointment with a racing school or other raceway near you. If you would like to see other people's experiences on their track days, just go to YouTube and watch a couple of vlogs. In no time, you will be itching to put on your helmet and buckle your seatbelt for the ride of a lifetime. You will come out feeling refreshed and excited to take on the world!

7. Go To A Barrett-Jackson Car Auction
   Most car enthusiasts have heard of the Barrett-Jackson car auction and if you haven't experienced one in person, you have to put this on your list! You will be able to see hundreds of unique, valuable collector cars right in front of you. Of course, this is a televised event, so you could watch it from your couch if you wanted, but there is something so much more exciting about going in person! Get a ticket and turn this event into a little vacation!

8. Take An Extended Road Trip
   Another road trip idea! The beauty of road trips is that you can do whatever you want, or have time for! If you have a week or two, or even a month off, you should plan an extended road trip. Plan out your route, destinations, and prepare your car for the trip! Take your time and take in the sights. We love long road trips, so we hope you do too! If you ever get stuck on the side of the road and you are in an area that Wrench provides services, book an appointment with our mobile mechanics and you will be able to get back on the road quickly!

9. Sleep In A Car Tent
   We googled, "Car Tents" and got excited instantly! Some outdoor-lovers already own a tent that can be placed on top of their cars and they love being able to get away easily. Whether you are going camping for a weekend or a whole week, sleeping in a car tent will be a fun, new experience to add a little more adventure into your life.

10. Drive On A Beach
    If you haven't driven on a beach before, this is a must-add item! Some of us are fortunate enough to live near a beach, others aren't so lucky. Driving on a beach, or off-roading in general is a very fun experience. If you are in Washington State, take a trip to Ocean Shores and enjoy a cruise on the beach! There are also plenty of places you can drive on the beach in other states, so do a quick google search and find one near you!

11. Buy Your Dream Car
    This one might take some time, but don't get discouraged. If you have been keeping your eye on a certain car for some time, save up your money and buy it! Depending on a variety of factors, this might take many years, or you might be able to do it right away. After you buy your dream car, you will feel very proud of yourself! If you are looking for a specific car and are interested in buying a used car or an older vehicle, then you should book an appointment with our Lemon Squad inspectors! Our inspectors will take a look at your potential purchase, even if you live hundreds of miles away! We provide high-quality, detailed reports of the vehicle's condition and even have photos with zoom features.

12. Build A Car
    Similar to the idea listed above, a fun project to work on would be to build your own car. You can find scrap pieces and build a car from almost nothing, or you can repair a car that isn't drivable. This will allow you to learn a ton of new skills and knowing how your car works can be really helpful in maintaining its health. This is a very difficult task, so it isn't for anyone. But if you are up for the challenge, do some research and give it a shot!

13. Drive Onto A Ferry
    As Wrench's headquarters is based in Seattle, Washington, many of our employees live close to ferries and have taken this experience for granted. Ferries are essentially large boats that can take people across the ocean or other large bodies of water to another island or piece of land. People can walk, ride bikes, or even drive a car onto a ferry. If you haven't driven a car onto a ferry, this is definitely an experience worth having!

14. Buy A Classic Car
    If you are a known car-fan, you are probably well versed in classic cars. Odds are, you probably have a favorite or two! If you have been dreaming of a specific classic car, buying it for yourself might be something worth investing in. Again, if you have a car in mind but you can't visit it in person due to COVID-19 concerns or distance, then you should get one of our Lemon Squad inspectors to take a look!

15. Drive In A Foreign Country
    For those in the US, drive up to the Canadian or Mexican border and experience what it's like to drive in a foreign country. Both Canada and Mexico recognize US licenses as valid. However, in most other countries, it will be illegal to drive with a US license. Depending on which country you are going to, you might need an International Drivers Permit. No matter where you decide to go, driving in a new country is always an interesting experience. If possible, visit the UK or another country where you drive on the opposite side of the road!

16. Have A Coastal Road Trip
    Living along the coast, or visiting the coast has a lot of perks! Whether you are on the East or West coast, a road trip along the coast is a very fun idea! You will get some breath-taking views of the ocean as well as visiting some historical landmarks along the way. Be sure to add a coastal road trip to your personal bucket list!

17. Experience A Self-Driving Car
    Self-driving cars. While self-driving cars are still fairly new, it is possible to ride in one! Since this is a new invention, this bucket list item will certainly set you apart from others. In the future, self-driving cars might become the new norm. If this happens, you will be able to say that you were one of the first people to test it out. How cool is that!

18. Do A Drive Through Safari
    If you are a fan of America's Funniest Home Videos or humorous mash-up videos on YouTube, you have probably seen a few funny clips of people feeding animals from inside their cars. We couldn't help adding these drive-through safari's onto our bucket list because they look like so much fun! If you go to a drive-through safari, the employees will sell you food that you can feed the animals. Not only would this be a fun experience for adults, but children would love it too! So hop in your car and head to a drive-through safari. Don't forget to take plenty of pictures!

19. Drive Through A Giant Tree
    California is home to some of the largest and oldest trees in the country. One fun thing to add to your bucket list is to drive through one of California's famous redwood trees. Although some say it is an underwhelming experience, not many people can say that they have driven through a tree! Have you?

20. Experience A Drive Through Haunted House...If You Dare
    Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many industries had to change their services to keep people safe, including the haunted house industry! Instead of walking through a haunted house with monsters jumping out at every corner, you are now able to drive through a designated path that gives you a similar haunted house experience. If you didn't get the chance to experience a drive-through haunted house last fall, you need to put this down on your bucket list so you remember to try it out when Halloween season kicks back into gear.

21. Tour An Auto Factory
    One of the first things on every car lover’s bucket list is touring an auto factory. Maybe you have a specific one in mind like Ford’s assembly plant in Kansas City, General Motors in Arlington, Kia in West Point. There are many car factories and assembly plants all over the country and even all over the world. This is, for sure, a must-have item on your bucket list because watching the process of car production is a very interesting sight to see!

22. Visit A Car Museum
    Similarly, visiting a car museum is another fun car-related bucket list idea. You could visit the famous Peterson Museum in Los Angeles, California. This museum has beautiful architecture and, by far, is one of the most well-known museums in the country. If you are interested in going to more car museums, there is also the American Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, or Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida. You can even do a quick google search to find even more car museums. Get out of your house and find one near you!

23. Ride In A Police Car
    Now, we aren’t telling you to go out and get yourself arrested, but not everyone can say that they have ridden in a police car. There are certain programs available in which you can ride in a police car for a whole day. These programs are very selective and you do have to show a desire to become a police officer in order to ride in the police car, but if this is something that really interests you, go for it!

24. Drive Through All 50 States
    If you are looking for the ultimate road trip plan, this one’s for you! Driving through all 50 states will definitely take a long time, but it is possible! You can drive across the country and knock out plenty of states, or you can keep a running list of the states you have and haven’t driven in. This will allow you to travel all over the US and get out of your comfort zone. Feel free to plan your own route or look up a route that will hit most, if not all, of the states in one trip.

25. Let Loose In A Tunnel
    As kids, many of us had “rules” when we were in the car. Some kids would punch each other in the arm whenever they saw a Volkswagen Bug or some would try to find as many different states on license plates as possible. One popular thing to do when you go under a tunnel is to hold your breath until you reach the other side. As long as you aren’t driving, you will be able to do whatever you want. Some of us roll the windows down and scream at the top of our lungs while others blast music and honk the horn.

26. Drive On The Lombard Street In San Francisco, California
    This famous street in San Francisco, California is known for its steepness and sharp turns. It covers one block and its known for being the “crookedest street in the world!” It attracts millions of visitors every year and is a must-add item onto your bucket list.

27. Get A Truck Driver To Honk At You
    If you are already planning a road trip, you can check two items off your bucket list by trying to get a truck driver to honk at you. All you need to do is roll down your car window, stick your arm outside, and make a train horn motion. Most of the time, the truck driver will understand what that means and honk their horn. This works especially well with young kids as they seem to enjoy it the most. Regardless of your age, hearing a giant truck honk its horn is a fun and exciting experience.

28. Drive Over A Famous Bridge
    There are hundreds of famous bridges all over the US. You can visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Mackinac Bridge, Royal Gorge Bridge, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, or more! The Golden Gate Bridge is located in San Francisco, California. That is arguably one of the most famous bridges in the country. However, the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, New York is not far behind. No matter which bridge you choose to visit, we are sure that you will enjoy your experience. The views you will see are definitely Instagram-worthy, so make sure you have a passenger with you to take pictures!

29. Rent A Car
    In your lifetime, you will probably need to rent a car to help you get around. Sometimes you will be able to pick a specific make and model, other times you might be looking for the car with the most room possible. Renting a car is a unique experience because it allows you to learn how to drive a car that is less familiar than the one you might have at home.

30. Get A Drive Through Covid-19 Test Or Vaccine
    Although this may seem like a less fun option, getting a COVID-19 test or vaccine in your car will be quick and easy. Nowadays, you don’t even need to get out of your car to protect yourself from COVID-19. Here at Wrench, we encourage everyone to do their part to stay home and stay safe. If you are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms, get a drive-through test! If the vaccine is available and you are interested in taking it, you can get that in a drive-through as well. All it takes is a quick google search and you will be able to get yourself protected.

31. Ride In A Convertible
    If you have the opportunity to hop in a friend’s convertible or rent one while you are on a vacation, you need to experience driving on a scenic highway with the top off. It is an exhilarating experience that will surely put a smile on your face. If you are looking for the best scenic drives in California, Oregon, and Washington, check out our past blogs!

32. Live In A Van
    This is one of the most difficult items on our bucket list. Living in a van for months or even years can be a really great experience. You will learn a lot of useful life skills as well as learning about yourself. If you build your van from scratch, it could take you a very long time to get it the way you want it. However, it can be very rewarding to put a lot of effort into one thing. Even if you struggle to find the time to learn new skills, you should put this on your bucket list!

33. Test Drive A Car
    Whether you are looking for a new car, or just want to drive the newest model to see what it’s like, test driving a car can be really exciting. Plus you don’t have to worry about repairing or maintaining that car in a few months unless you end up purchasing it.

34. Drive Through A Car Wash
    Most of us got to drive through a car was when we were kids, but it might have been a long time. If you have never driven through a car wash or it’s been years, treat yourself to the relaxing experience of letting others wash your car for you.

35. Book An Appointment With Wrench's Mobile Mechanics
    Lastly but not least, you can book an appointment with our ASE-certified mobile mechanics! Our mobile mechanics will take the hassle out of car ownership by bringing the shop right to your home or office. Once you try our our convenient and affordible auto repair solutions, you will become a Wrench customer for life!

To book an appointment with Wrench's mobile mechanics go to the homepage of our website or download our mobile app. Then fill out a short service request. You should expect to provide information on the make and model of your vehicle as well as its needs. Then we will send you an honest auto repair quote for your service appointment. At that point, you will be able to accept the quote and choose a date, time, and location for your appointment. After all that, you will be able to relax with the peace of mind that Wrench will get you back on the road very soon.