Tyson Mayr is one of us. He wore a suit and tie everyday and lived the 9 to 5 life. You could say his life was semi-predictable back then. But in 2009, everything changed as he stepped onto a plane for the very first time. In 2014, he went on to win the 'Best Job in the World' competition, taking home $100,000 and the opportunity to travel to over 50 destinations as part of a travel series.
Fast forward to 2016 and he now runs a successful travel blog, The Naked Traveller. He believes that "No matter how much you plan a trip, you don’t know who you are going to meet, what you are going to see, what you might learn or what you might do that could change your life completely! Never let society tell you how you are supposed to live your life, go out & find what makes you happy & do that! For me, that's what it means to travel."
Take it from a full-time adventurer, here are 10 bucket-list experiences in Middle America...
Helicopter rides over the Grand canyon
This natural wonder takes my breath away every time I see it. It’s just you and nature in this big hole, in complete isolation. That’s pretty special. With two days to explore, we went off-track exploring, mountain biking, travelled through the Canyon in helicopters & to finish it off each night? Picnics on the edge of the cliffside.
Watch Tyson’s USA road trip with Contiki below.
Hummer limo rides in Las vegas
First thing’s first, nobody should go to Vegas alone. Prepare to experience some of the world’s best casinos, hotels and party hot spots. See the world famous Cirque du Soleil show with your crew and jump on the party bus – in a hummer limo, of course.
Feel the vibe at the french quarter in New Orleans
From the French Architecture to Cajun/Creole influence, you walk through Nola & feel as though you are in a different country at times. The nightlife on Bourbon street comes alive with impromptu street performances, live jazz bars and interesting clubs left, right and centre. Get amongst the vibrant nightlife, you won’t regret it.

Get up close and personal with alligators
Cruise down through the Louisiana Swamps on a Fan Powered Boat! #winning

Whitewater rafting in Colorado
Watch the video below to get a taste of Middle America..
See a baseball game in Nashville

Ride on a hot air balloon at sunrise in Albuquerque
SEE ALSO: Why you need to see Albuquerque from a hot air balloon
Witness the Monument valley tribal park
Imagine a vast, earthy and untouched desert offering panoramic views that have stood the test of time. To think that this part of Utah still looks like it did 3000 years ago is unbelievable.

Recreate the Run, Forest, Run moment

Pay homage to Memphis, the birthplace of Blues, Rock N' Roll and southern music
Consider yourself a bit of a music fiend? Yes? Good, Memphis is the ‘musical mecca’ for all. Pay homage to ‘The King’ himself or party it up on world-famous Beale street.
Check out more of Tyson’s travels on Instagram or if you’re ready to take on bigger horizons and cross off USA from your bucket list, trips to USA and Canada for 16/18 available now.
