If you’re a mother looking to do something more exciting for Mother’s Day, or you just need to do some female bonding, read on fellow travelers. Those of us who have experienced traveling with children can confirm that no matter how your plans work out, you will never regret it. Sure, we know that traveling with your kids isn’t always all that easy.  

But trips like these are not about the ease. They’re about making memories and bonding in a unique environment. These trips are about discovering how you all experience life out of your usual comfort zone. So, without further ado, here are the 25 best mother-daughter trips in the world.

The 25 Best Mother and Daughter Trips in the World

1. Monteverde & Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Do you like adventure in a beautiful environment? Then this is where you want to be! Monteverde is found in the Puntarenas province nestled in the striking Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range. It’s one of the nation’s biggest ecotourism travel destinations.

Playa Tamarindo is the popular beach in the tiny town of Tamarindo. After hitting the beach, go ziplining in the cloud forest. For 5,000 feet you’ll fairly fly through the clouds unable to even see the other side but hoping you will reach it. Tour the wildlife refuge too!

2. Sedona, USA

Experience the ruddy red rock peaks of the great American Southwest in Sedona, Arizona. Famous for its vortexes, this is also where you can reportedly pick up on the planet’s vibrations. Take some easy vortex hikes to Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon. In order to reach the trailheads you can either drive in from town or spend the night at Enchantment Resort within the canyon. If your daughter is at least 16, you can wind down at the Mii Amo spa thus adding a bit of self-care to your trip.

3. Puerto Rico, USA 

Travel to the US Territory of Puerto Rico and enjoy the ambiance of this Caribbean island. On this Mother and Daughter trip, you can take tropical strolls in El Yunque National Forest, complete with wild animals, verdant vegetation, and waterfalls. You can even take a cool dip in a swimming hole, or spike your adrenaline by taking a zip-line tour through the lush forest canopy. Visit one of the three fun bioluminescent bays– Fajardo, Lajas, or Vieques. Here you can experience an “illuminating” kayak trip thanks to glowing dinoflagellates. Don’t miss Old San Juan either!

4. Lake Tahoe, USA 

How about a mother and daughter trip in California? Visit Lake Tahoe. Discover the noteworthy namesake alpine lake, and shores that feature casinos, forests, hiking trails, and ski slopes.  

You can ski, snowboard, and ice skate here in the winter. After a couple of hours on the mountain, enjoy an après-ski drink as well–be it an adult beverage or hot chocolate. If you visit in the summer you can go tubing down the nearby Truckee River.

Go for nature walks in the woods. Visit Emerald Bay State Park. Picnic and play at popular Pope Beach or Kings Beach. You can slo go kayaking and paddleboarding.

5. Mendocino County, USA

Check out California’s incredible redwood trees, and take in the rugged beauty of the state’s coastline. Search for sea glass at Glass Beach, take in stunning views of the ocean and colorful wildflowers too in Mendocino Headlands State Park, and head to Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve where you can hike a great three-mile loop trail. Finally, rest your feet as you ride the historic Skunk Train through the woods here. Pay attention to the scenery as many movies have been filmed in and around this place as well!

6. The North Shore, USA 

Travel to your roving writer’s birthplace: Oahu, Hawaii. More specifically, spend some time on Oahu’s noteworthy North Shore, the section of coast between Kahuku and Ka’ena Point. Much of this area is protected and therefore features no modern complexes or ultra-modern shopping malls.  

Nestled near the pristine sands of Kawela Bay, the Turtle Bay Resort is the only large commercial hotel here. It is a mecca for surfers due to the magnificent waves here. There are other things to do here too. Optional activities include hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.            

7. The Mighty Five, USA 

Take a Mother and daughter road trip in the state of Utah. Take a great road trip and visit these five, favored national parks — Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Lace up your hiking boots and take the Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch hikes in Arches. See the hoodoo formations along the Queen’s Garden trail in Bryce. Visit the massive Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Seek out the petroglyphs and see the sun set in Capitol Reef and take the Emerald Pools or Watchman Trail in Zion as well.

8. Banff, Canada

If you prefer Canada, Banff comes complete with accessible glaciers, blue-green alpine lakes, and welcoming geothermal springs. Some veteran visitors suggest booking your room at the nigh-majestic, castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs. They praise both the beds and the on-site eateries.

Here you can enjoy the scenic hike to the old Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse and sample their biscuits and soup. Then enjoy a soothing soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Go kayaking on Emerald or Moraine Lake and browse the numerous boutiques in Banff and Lake Louise Village too.

9. Machu Picchu, Peru

Yes, hiking the trail to the famous Incan ruins of Machu Picchu is a real adventure. Nevertheless, if you want to make it a mother and daughter trip, you’d best be prepared. You will have to hike 26 miles and the trail can be steep in places.

(Yes, some of us can and have done 20 miles in a day, but it’s challenging!) Spend a few days on the hike and cover less ground. If you’re in shape and experienced, it’s still a good idea to sign up for an expedition with a professional outfitter.

10. Mayakoba, Mexico

Mayakoba is a well-known tropical eco-resort destination. It is highlighted by clear blue water, lush jungle, mangroves, pristine lagoons, and wonderful white-sand beaches. When it comes to accommodations, you can choose between four different luxury resorts.

You can go bird-watching, take a boat ride to one of the neighboring hotels, or even have your concierge book you on a trip to see a cenote. Need more? Set aside a day to go to Tulum to explore the well-known ancient Mayan ruins.

11. Sun Valley, USA

The state of Idaho might not immediately come to mind when you think of mother and daughter trips, but Sun Valley is actually a mountain resort that is known for its wonderful winter activities. The fresh powder here draws all levels of snowboarders and ski bums. You can also go cross-country skiing and even take a fun horse-drawn sleigh ride. 

If you prefer the summer, you can go biking, hiking, rafting, and even fishing at nearby Redfish Lake. Visit in August and enjoy a free outdoor symphony. Grab a burger at Grumpy’s too!

12. Nairobi, Kenya

One of the most popular draws in all of Nairobi is arguably the famous Giraffe Manor. For those not yet in the know, Giraffe Manor is a 12-room boutique hotel and a Rothschild giraffe sanctuary as well. It is nestled in a Nairobi suburb where giraffes are famous for poking their heads into the windows of your room seeking a snack. Another recommended activity is the multi-day safari experience deep within the popular Masai Mara National Reserve. Here the various game drives often include sightings of buffalo, elephants, and wildebeest too.

13. Cruise East to West, Ireland

You begin this mother and daughter driving tour in Dublin. See a genuine Irish dance and music show, then take the Ha’penny Bridge across the River Liffey, and head into the striking Irish countryside. Check out the Rock of Cashel, buy souvenirs in Kilkenny, stop at popular Dromoland Castle located in County Clare, and stroll along the well-known Cliffs of Moher and look for puffins. Make biscuits from scratch at Rathbaun Farm, feed baby sheep, and enjoy a real home-cooked Irish dinner and enjoy live music while you dine.

14. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara, Japan

Japan has an exceptional rail system. Use it as often as possible. Kids enjoy train rides and you don’t have to deal with traffic.

Visit Tokyo and experience Shibuya Crossing. Grab a bite to eat in the underground food halls and if you’re fans of the artists Hayao Miyazaki and Yayoi Kusama definitely visit both the Ghibli Museum and the Yayoi Kusama Museum. In Kyoto, you can shop at “Teapot Lane” a.k.a. Chawan-zaka, and see the historic Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji temples. Visit Nara Park and feed the sacred deer too.

15. Portland, Oregon

Fuel up at Pine State Biscuits then browse Powell’s City of Books. After seeing enough of the city, go back to nature by hiking the 2.6-mile-out-and-back Multnomah Falls trail to the eponymous attraction.

How about a 4+-mile hike to Dry Creek Falls in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area? If you need to rest, cruise the popular 35-mile Hood River Fruit Loop. It’ll take you past vineyards, and various farm stands and includes super views of Mount Hood. If everyone is of age, try a wine tasting in Willamette Valley.

16. London, United Kingdom

See all the iconic tourist sites! Walk on Tower Bridge, hear Big Ben chime, check out Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and ride the London Eye. Take the London Underground too. Into theatre?

Catch a play at Shakespeare’s Globe, and stroll along the famous Thames. Catch your breath at the teahouse known as Sketch and visit its egg-shaped restroom pods. Is anyone into Harry Potter? Take some pictures at the now-famous Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station. If you like the Beatles, head out to legendary Liverpool, the band’s birthplace, before heading home too!

17. Paris, France

Veteran visitors confirm that you simply must see the iconic Eiffel Tower, the world-famous Louvre, and Musée d’Orsay, so you can appreciate the art of Van Gogh, Renoir, and Monet. Feeling peckish? Take a food tour in Montmartre and sample cheeses, chocolates, pastries, and, age allowing, even wine as you stroll the cobbled streets here.  

Take a boat cruise on the Seine. You’ll see Paris from another point of view. Interested in day trips? Stroll around the palace in Versailles. Enjoy Monet’s garden in Giverny, and explore the castles in the Loire Valley. 

18. Beijing, China

Yes, despite what you might have heard, China is open for business again. If you and your daughter are foodies, you will undoubtedly enjoy just watching the cooks doing their thing through windows and glass walls. After enjoying some dumplings, Between your meals, be sure to take in some history here by visiting the famous Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the prerequisite Great Wall. Mind you, the best place to explore the Great Wall is a good hour from the city of Mutianyu.

19. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City offers visitors an interesting urban landscape and is perfect for art lovers too. You can tour Frida Kahlo’s home, see Diego Rivera’s impressive murals in the National Palace, and see additional exhibits in the Palace of Fine Arts. Additional artistic attractions include Museo Jumex and the Museum of Modern Art. 

Ah but don’t forget the tacos! Enjoy a tasty taco tour by Club Tengo Hambre and churros at the well-known Churreria El Moro. Take a trip to the ancient city of Teotihuacan to see the Aztec ruins too.

20. New York City, USA

There’s no better place in the US to see a show than in New York City, New York. Stretch your legs and enjoy some nature in the High Line and world-famous Central Park. Ride on the Staten Island Ferry, climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty, people-watch in Washington Square Park, and see Times Square and the Empire State Building. Explore the Strand Book Store, take a yummy pizza tour, and be sure to grab a giant cookie at the Levain Bakery before leaving.

21. Vancouver, Canada

Mix with both the locals and other travelers at beautiful Stanley Park. Here you will find much to do with your kids. Younger kids will like riding the popular miniature train at Stanley Park Railway.

You can also visit the Vancouver Aquarium, let your kids go wild in the numerous splash areas and playgrounds, and go swimming in the big public pool. It comes complete with waterslides. Stretch your legs by crossing the suspension bridges at Lynn Canyon and Capilano Suspension Bridge Parks and take the ferry to Granville Island’s food hall.

22. Venice, Italy

Who doesn’t love gelato, pasta, and pizza? Board a gondola and see the city from its famous canals. Explore the narrow, colorful roads in Burano. Study the impressive architecture of Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Teatro La Fenice (a.k.a. Theatre of the Phoenix).  

Tour the Jewish Ghetto and Academy Gallery and Correr Civic Museum as well. You can even take a genuine family-friendly Italian cooking class here as well! Pay attention and soon every night at your house will be like a foodie tour of Italy.

23. Copenhagen, Denmark

The best way to explore this cool coastal city is via pedal power. Bicycling is a favorite form of conveyance here. Tour the entire harbor on an 11+-kilometer bike hike. Visit the noteworthy Nyhavn canal district. 

If you’re still not tired, consider completing the almost 31-kilometer Six Forgotten Giants route. Here you search for unmistakable wooden sculptures by Copenhagen’s own sculptor Thomas Dambo. Set aside a day to have fun at the unique amusement park called Tivoli Gardens. It’s beautiful, fun for, and even has historic value too since it’s been open since 1843.  

24. Seattle and Whidbey Island, USA 

This Pacific Northwest pair in Washington State offers mothers and daughters both natural attractions and urban action. See Seattle from the Space Needle’s observation deck, and snack your way through the popular Pike Place Market. Those in the know suggest sampling handheld pies at Piroshky Piroshky, cheese at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, and Greek yogurt at Ellenos.

Visit in the summer and you can get wet and wild in Jefferson Park’s splash area or perhaps in the popular Seattle Center International Fountain. Spend a weekend on Whidbey Island, where you hike, pick berries, watch whales, hit the beach, and enjoy super seafood too.

25. Austin, USA 

Take a trip to the state of Texas. See the pink granite state capitol building. Plan your visit right and you can attend the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Metropolitan Park.  

Cool off in Barton Springs Pool, ride the little electric train, and wander around the attractive Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. Visit Mayfield Park and search for peacocks. Stop at lovely Lady Bird Lake where you can go canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or even take a little river cruise. Dine on Tex-Mex cuisine too!

[WARNING: Contains some disturbing images.] Usually, when you visit the zoo, you just see animals lying around trying to avoid the heat. If you’re lucky, you might get to see a large cat eat something that the trainers gave to him or her.

See Also: 10 Facts About History’s Shameful And Horrible Human Zoos

Every so often, trainers and handlers will get maimed or killed, but those are the hazards of a job like that.

Then, very rarely, things can go seriously wrong for people expecting to have a leisurely visit to the zoo.

10 Maqsood

A 20-year-old man living in Delhi, India, who was only identified by the name of Maqsood, had been obsessed with tigers ever since he visited the Delhi Zoo in June 2014.

After Maqsood lost his job as a porter in mid-2014, he would visit the zoo during the afternoon, telling his mother and pregnant wife that he was out looking for a job.

On September 24, 2014, Maqsood was visiting one of his favorite exhibits at the Delhi Zoo—the white tiger exhibit. Maqsood was seen leaning over the wall of the enclosure and warned by a guard not to do that.

When the guard wasn’t looking, Maqsood fell into the tiger enclosure and landed 15 feet below in a moat. A few minutes later, Vijay, a 7-year-old, six-foot-long, 450-pound white tiger approached him. As Maqsood crouched, either pleading or praying, the tiger bit his neck and dragged him to the other end of the enclosure.

Fifteen minutes after dragging the young man away, zoo officials were able to lure Vijay to another area of the enclosure with some meat.

Sadly, it was too late for Maqsood; he died as a result of his injuries.

After the death, attendance at the zoo went up, and the tiger exhibit became especially popular. Vijay is still at the zoo, and the staff says he isn’t a man-eater. But they always keep an eye on him, just in case.^[1]

9 Roger Dean Adams

On July 5, 1970, 19-year-old Roger Dean Adams and two of his friends were drinking beer. At some point, they decided that it would be an excellent time to visit the Oregon Zoo. But, when they arrived, they were surprised to find that the zoo was closed.

Undeterred, the three friends broke into the zoo and started roaming around. First, they visited the penguin exhibit where they jumped the rail. Once inside the enclosure, Adams picked up one of the smaller penguins and threw it in the pool.

Feeling a bit braver, Adams and his friends moved on to the bear enclosure. Adams climbed the wall, then lowered himself down and kicked a bear a couple of times in the head. He then managed to scramble out of the enclosure uninjured.

Having survived that encounter, the three young men moved on to the lion enclosure, where Adams climbed the wall and lowered himself into the cage. While hanging onto the wall of the enclosure, Adams kicked an 11-year-old lioness named Sis in the head. Sis jumped up and pulled Adams into the cage as he tried to climb out.

Adams’ friends tried to scare her away by throwing rocks and bottles, but eventually, they had to call for help.

The police arrived, and they had to shoot Sis and a 15-year-old male lion named Caesar.

Roger Dean Adams was dead by the time the police killed the lions.

When the president of the zoo was asked by a newspaper reporter what he thought of the incident, he said that his quote would be unprintable. He pointed out that the lions were exactly where they should have been.^[2]

8 Prakesh Tiwari

It was New Year’s Day, 1996, and Prakesh Tiwari and Suresh Rai, both in their 20s, had spent part of the day drinking in Calcutta, India. For some unknown reason, they thought that the celebration called for a visit to the tiger exhibit at the Calcutta Zoo.

With a gold garland in hand, they climbed into the tiger exhibit, and crossed the exhibit’s moat. That’s when they came face to face with a 13-year-old Bengal tiger named Shiva. Rai threw the garland around Shiva’s neck. Shiva did not take kindly to this, and she pounced on Rai. To save his friend, Tiwari kicked the tiger in the face, so Shiva turned her attention to him.

People at the zoo noticed the commotion and got help. Officials were able to rescue Rai, but Tiwari died as a result of the attack.^[3]

7Jayaprakash Bezbaruah

On December 19, 2007, 50-year-old Jayaprakash Bezbaruah was visiting the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati, India, with his wife and two children.

To get a picture of two Bengal tigers, Bezbaruah went against the warnings from guards and climbed over one of the barriers. Once he was close to the enclosure, he stuck his arm in between the bars. Suddenly, two tigers grabbed his arm, and then tore his arm off in front of his horrified family and dozens of other witnesses.

Bezbaruah was taken to the hospital, but he died from blood loss.^[4]

6 Carlos Eduardo Sousa Jr.

It was shortly after closing time at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas Day, 2007. 17-year-old Carlos Eduardo Sousa Jr. and his two friends who were brothers, 19-year-old Paul Dhaliwal and 23-year-old Kulbir Dhaliwal, had spent the afternoon at the zoo.

As they were walking out, they passed by the tiger grotto.

It is believed that the three young men taunted a 4-year-old Siberian tiger named Tatiana. The 450-pound tiger jumped out of the grotto and caught the top of the 12-and-a-half-foot wall, which was below federal regulations. She was able to pull herself up and out of the enclosure. The tiger landed on the asphalt and attacked Paul. Carlos and Kulbir tried to get the animal’s attention, and when they did, the tiger pounced on Carlos. The Dhaliwal brothers ran to a nearby zoo café and started yelling for help.

After killing Carlos, the tiger followed the trail of blood left by Paul. She tracked him from about 300 yards. When Tatiana found Paul, he was with Kulbir, and Tatiana started mauling Kulbir. The police arrived on the scene shortly afterward, and they were forced to kill Tatiana.

Both Paul and Kulbir Dhaliwal survived the attack.^[5]

5 David Mark Wasson

On September 3, 1977, 6-year-old David Mark Wasson and his father were visiting the Miami Serpentarium. David and his father stopped off at the crocodile pit. David was placed on top of the wall of the enclosure, so that he and his father could throw sea grapes to the crocodiles.

When his father turned around to get more sea grapes, David fell into the pit. A guard who witnessed the accident said that Cookie, a 12-foot African crocodile, reacted instantly. From 10 feet away, he lunged at David and clasped his jaws around the boy’s chest. Cookie started shaking David and banged his head against the wall.

Another man jumped into the pit to save David. The man managed to grab David, but Cookie still had a hold on David. The man was dragged towards the crocodile-filled water as Cookie carried David into the water, so he had to let go.

Once in the water, the crocodile held the boy’s body underwater for five or six minutes. He only let go of the body after he was poked in the eye.

David was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital.

The owner of the serpentarium was visibly shaken by the tragedy. He shot Cookie seven times, and it took an hour for the crocodile to die.^[6]

4 Juan Perez

On May 19, 1987, 11-year-old Juan Perez and two of his friends were visiting the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, New York, after the zoo had closed for the day.

At about 7:00 p.m., the friends started daring each other to go swimming in some of the animals’ enclosures.

First, they took a swim in the moat in the seal exhibit. But when that wasn’t daring enough, the three boys decided to take a swim in the polar bear cage.

The three boys disrobed, but two of them started to back out. Trying to force his friends into the cage, Juan threw their clothes into the moat. This noise roused the two polar bears, a male and a female, that were both over eight feet tall and weighed over 900 pounds.

When Juan slipped into the water, the polar bears approached him. But instead of climbing out, Perez provoked the female bear. This led to the male biting him on his shoulder and dragging him away. As Juan was being dragged away, he screamed to his friends, “Go get help! They’re biting me hard!” Juan’s two friends screamed for help and then hid.

The police arrived several minutes later, but it took 20 minutes for them to get the zoo unlocked. When they arrived at the polar bear enclosure, they saw the two bears fighting over Juan’s remains.

The police were told that there were more children in the enclosure with the bears, and they could see children’s clothes floating in the moat.

The police felt that they had no choice but to shoot the bears 20 times with a 12-gauge shotgun and six times with a revolver. Both bears died as a result of their wounds.

It was only after the bears were shot that the police found out that the other two boys did not go into the enclosure.^[7]

3 Ruth Ellen Freedman

On June 28, 1966, three-year-old Ruth Ellen Freedman and her parents were visiting the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. They stopped to see the zoo’s only elephant, a three-ton 23-year-old Asian elephant named Winkie. Winkie had been at the zoo for 20 years and was considered docile. He was a favorite amongst the children because they could feed him peanuts and popcorn.

Wanting to feed him on that fateful day, Ruth ducked under a guard rail and got close to the cage. Then Winkie did something unusual; he reached out and wrapped his trunk around Ruth. Ruth’s mother screamed, and Winkie smashed the little girl against the bars, knocking her unconscious. Winkie picked Ruth up again and dropped her. Then Winkie brought Ruth’s body into the cage and stomped on her repeatedly.

Both of Ruth’s parents tried to get into the cage to save her, but they were unable to. When the caretaker stepped into the cage, Winkie stopped his attack, and the caretaker pulled the three-year-old’s body out of the cage.

After the death, Winkie was sent to a breeding farm. One of his offspring, also named Winkie, has been labeled a dangerous animal because he killed a female handler, and injured several other handlers and zoo visitors.^[8]

2Julia Ann Vogt

In May 1958, the mother of 2½-year-old Julia Ann Vogt, brought her and her sister from their home in Chilliwack, British Columbia, to Washington D.C. to visit her parents.

May 16 was a beautiful day, so the family decided to visit the National Zoo. Grandfather Harry Jackson took Julia Ann to see the lions. Somehow, she got away from him and slipped past the guardrail. A full-grown male African lion named Passion approached her and grabbed her leg. Jackson jumped into action and tried to grab his granddaughter, but the lion was too strong. Passion pulled her body into the cage and walked around with her body in his mouth. When he dropped her, a lioness named Princess mauled the child, and she ended up decapitating her.

At the sight of his granddaughter being mauled, Jackson suffered a minor heart attack.

Julia Ann’s body was recovered after zookeepers chased the lions away with fire extinguishers. The tragic death sent ripples through the zoo industry, and new safety measures were enacted because of it.

Julia Ann’s grandfather, Harry Jackson, survived his heart attack.^[9]

1 Maddox Derkosh

On November 4, 2012, two-year-old Maddox Derkosh and his parents were visiting the painted dog exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Maddox was placed on the railing by his mother, and he accidentally fell in. There were safety nets in place, but witnesses said Maddox bounced twice and fell into the enclosure.

The eleven painted dogs, which are very territorial, immediately pounced on the young boy. Even though there were zookeepers in the immediate area, there was nothing they could do because, by the time they responded, it was evident that Maddox was dead.

One of the dogs had to be shot because he would not leave the body alone.

After the tragedy, the zoo gave the painted dogs away. The Derkoshs sued the Pittsburgh Zoo, and the zoo’s lawyers said that Maddox’s mother was at fault for her son’s death. Ultimately, the Derkoshs and the Pittsburgh Zoo settled in June 2014.^[10]

About The Author: Robert Grimminck is the creator of the true crime YouTube channel Criminally Listed.

Space isn’t just the final frontier, it’s a logistical nightmare. Movies about space gloss over a lot of little details that people in the real world need to think about for real astronauts. Things like what happens when you’re sick, or you need to go to the bathroom, or how a lack of gravity and low temperatures affect human waste and its disposal. It’s a gross universe out there. 

10. There are 96 Bags of Human Waste on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, a human set foot on the moon for the very first time. It’s arguably one of the biggest moments in the history of our species. The astronauts who reached the moon planted the American flag and then even hit some golf balls around. Cool, right? They also left 96 bags of sewage up there, part of the 400,000 pounds of garbage we’ve already dumped on the moon. 

The moon is scattered with lunar landers from more than one country, cameras, lunar vehicles, and human waste. Fecal matter, urine and vomit, 96 bags worth, are scattered across the lunar surface awaiting the day someone decides to stick around long enough to clean the place. And there are apparently plans to one day inspect the aged space poop to see if any genetic mutations have occurred, so there’s that to look forward to. 

9. Apollo 10 was Haunted by a Mystery Floating Poop 

Hey, speaking of space poop, did you hear that Apollo 10 was haunted by a phantom poop? Because it was. If you know anything about the fundamentals of going to the bathroom in space, you know it’s an even more sensitive matter than it is on earth thanks to the lack of gravity. Astronauts need to use a specially designed apparatus to ensure waste is collected and removed efficiently.  Something went wrong during the Apollo 10 mission that can best be summed up by this line, recorded in NASA’s official transcript of the mission.

“Give me a napkin, quick, there’s a turd floating through the air.”

That line was uttered by Commander Tom Stafford when he and the rest of the crew discovered a floating turd in the cabin. No one took credit for the mishap and officially no one has ever acknowledged which of the astronauts failed to use the facilities in the proper manner. Of course, at the time, going to the bathroom just meant taping a bag to your backside and hoping for the best, so it’s not hard to see how something could have gone awry. 

8. Astronauts Have to Practice With a Toilet Cam

Now that we know the threat of escaped waste material in space is all too real, you might be wondering what NASA has done to solve the problem. The answer is toilet training. Astronauts have to use a practice toilet to learn how to go to the bathroom in space and it involves a four-inch hole with a camera inside. 

Earthbound toilets have holes between 12 and 18 inches. Lots of space to get the job done. But because a space toilet is so small, aim needs to be precise. Astronauts can see the camera feed from inside the toilet on a monitor in front of them to practice their alignment. The astronauts have to memorize their position on the seat so they know how to use it for real once they’re in space. 

7. NASA Engineers Planned a Toilet Glove

In the early days of working out the kinks of zero gravity toilet usage, one idea was for a special glove, sometimes called the Defecation Glove or something else that ended in “mitt” and rhymed. This glove, which resembled ones used by large animal veterinarians, would extend up past the elbow. Astronauts would wear it and then do their business in their own gloved hand. 

Once finished, the glove could be unrolled with the astronaut’s free hand and then pulled inside out over the waste, creating its own bag. If you’ve ever cleaned up after a dog, it works much the same way. That said, the idea was proposed, but it doesn’t seem to have ever been employed in a real test. This is likely for the best for any number of reasons that you can imagine while you cringe. 

6. Alan Shepard Peed Himself on the Launch Pad 

In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space. The day of his launch was no doubt as stressful as it was busy. He started with breakfast at 1:30 in the morning and by 7:00 he was scheduled for launch. Amidst various physical tests and getting his suit on and other preparations, he neglected to do one very important thing – go to the bathroom.

Shepard’s trip to space was scheduled to last just 15 minutes, so no one expected he’d need to go to the bathroom. As such, no accommodations were made for it. The 7:00 a.m. launch was delayed due to technical issues and it would be another 86 minutes of waiting. Somewhere during that time, Shepard uttered the fateful words, “Man, I gotta pee.”

It was too late to extricate him, and it was too hard to hold it. He peed in his space suit and ended up shorting out some electronic sensors as a result. 

5. Cosmonauts Pee on the Bus that Drives Them 

Pre-launch urine isn’t just an American thing, of course. The Russian space program is slightly older than the American one and they two have had some messy adventures. 

Before Shepard went into space, Yuri Gagarin was the first human ever in space. Like Shepard, he had to pee also, but Gagarin got the urge earlier. He was being driven to the launch pad on a bus when he told the driver to pull over. Gagarin got out and peed right on the bus’s tire, because there was nowhere else to go. His flight was a success, and a tradition was born.

Ever since his flight, Russian cosmonauts made a ritual of peeing on the vehicle that takes them to their shuttle. It’s basically a good luck ritual, but in 2019, the Russian space agency introduced new spacesuits devoid of zippers, potentially putting the kibosh on the ritual. That said, they left the possibility open to add zippers if someone asked. 

4. A Pee Icicle Had to be Removed from Discovery in 1984

We’ve covered some of the interior issues related to waste in space, but the exterior issues can be just as harrowing. Liquid waste is generally jettisoned. It freezes instantly and over time, the ice crystals break apart and essentially vanish. But in 1984, the crew of the Discovery was faced with a problem. Urine had been collecting around the dump port and formed a two-foot long urine icicle.

The icicle was getting precariously close to the open payload bay doors. That could have damaged the doors, so the crew needed to rotate the orbiter towards the sun. The heat broke it down some, and they were able to use the robotic arm to knock it the rest of the way off. 

3. Some Shooting Stars Are Just Shuttle Waste

If you fancy yourself a stargazer, then you probably delight in those occasions when you see a shooting star. Comets, asteroids and other celestial bits and bobs are not all that rare and every year 40,000 metric tons of debris hits our planet. So sure, if you see a glimmery, misty trail in the night sky maybe it is a comet. But maybe not.

There have been occasions when people on the ground have seen what they thought was a comet, only to discover that it was a waste from a passing space shuttle. When urine and other wastewater is dumped into space, especially a large dump, the cascade of ice crystals can put on a real show. The end result looks like a solid object with a long tail and it’s still quite impressive, even if it isn’t all that glamorous. 

These dumps are pretty common, it’s just they aren’t always noticeable. They have to be done at the right time and the right place so that the sub can hit the ice crystals at the right angle. But any time there’s a shuttle in space, you can guarantee these are being formed. 

2. Carbonated Beverages in Space Cause “Wet Burping” 

Before things become waste, they have to be ingested and digested and that has presented its own set of problems for astronauts. This is especially true for liquids, because a liquid in zero gravity can be tricky. And with that in mind, try to imagine the logistics of drinking a carbonated beverage. 

The problem with a fizzy drink isn’t so much getting it down, it’s keeping it down there. Too much beer or soda can make the best of us burp, but gravity makes it work in a relatively simple way. Gas comes up, liquid stays down. 

In zero gravity, you’re subjected to what they call “wet burps.” The gas and liquid contents of your stomach can’t separate. So if you’re prompted to burp, the gas, solids and the liquid travel back out of your stomach together. So basically every burp is vomit. 

Astronaut Chris Hadfield confirmed that this is true and also pointed out that, as a result, gas tends to head out the back door more frequently as a result. And he also confirmed that, despite what you may think, you can’t use a space fart as a form of jet propulsion 

1. Astronauts Wear Sweaty Underwear for Days

Before any mission into space, a lot of precise calculations need to be made to ensure a safe journey. That includes things like managing the weight of every single piece of equipment, supplies, and crew that go for the trip. Things have to be lean and there’s little room for waste and excess. That means an astronaut can’t bring a lot of amenities, including space clothing.

Clothes weigh a lot, and a year-long mission requires 150 pounds of clothing per astronaut. There’s little storage space and the cost of launching things into space can be up to $10,000 per pound. As a result, astronauts are asked to wear clothing for an extended period. And this has become a serious issue because astronauts have to work out for two hours per day to keep their muscles working. That means they work up a lot of sweat and, in turn, a lot of stink. 

Clothes can’t be washed in space for obvious reasons and that means most astronauts wear dirty underwear for days. Days and days and days. Tide, the detergent, has been working on a space-friendly way to clean clothes, but that’s a very new development. 

For now, underwear gets worn until it becomes an affront to the senses. Sometimes it gets so bad they have to shoot it into space. One astronaut used a pair of old underwear as makeshift soil to grow some tomatoes and basil in space as well.