Retirees often participate in a multitude of activities to facilitate health and wellbeing once they leave the workforce. You might take up a few hobbies or volunteer in your community. You may decide to mentor others or work part time to stay socially active and engaged. So, it’s no surprise that you may find yourself committed to a busy schedule in retirement. And your responsibilities may prevent you from enjoying long vacations. But this article contains a few ideas for quick vacation destinations for busy seniors so you can enjoy travel and downtime in retirement, too.
Quick Vacations for Busy Seniors
If you love to travel but you’re short on time, these quick vacations for busy seniors present great alternatives to longer trips. Depending on where you live and where you want to go, you might be minutes or just a few hours away from some of these locales.
History Buffs
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is quiet and quaint, featuring gorgeous architecture from times past. History buffs enjoy colonial reenactments, art galleries, and museums including the Colonial Williamsburg—the largest outdoor museum in America. This is a great place to immerse yourself in a bit of colonial culture and enjoy plenty of golf and shopping, too.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is all about hustle and bustle and party life, especially during their Mardi Gras season. But it’s also known for fantastic food with a Creole flair as well as quaint little southern streets throughout a historic district known as the French Quarter. Here you’ll find famous eateries such as the Café du Monde (known for their excellent beignets) and some of the best jazz bars featuring up-and-coming and well-known musicians. Entertainment on the city streets is not uncommon, either. You might encounter a lone saxophonist on one corner and a small jazz band on the next.
Music Lovers
Nashville, Tennessee
If you’re a country music fan, Nashville (aka Music City) delivers. The Grand Ole Opry is a must-see. You might even bump shoulders with legendary CMA artists or be the first to listen to this genre’s next big star singing in a local bar. You can attend whiskey tastings at Jack Daniel’s Distillery, tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, or simply enjoy some down-home Southern food. Nashville has a bit more of a laid-back atmosphere with a big-city feel than its Memphis neighbor.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is steeped in musical history and not just because the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, lived here. Some feel his home, Graceland, is a must-see destination, and we agree. But if you like the blues and a little bit of soul with your rock and roll, you must visit Beale Street in Memphis. Known as Home of the Blues, this iconic street is also recognized as the birthplace of rock and roll. Beale Street features a lively night life, which must include a trip to the revered B.B.King’s Blues Club. Restaurants that boast some of the “best fried chicken ever” don’t lie, and the shopping in and around downtown Memphis is quite exciting.
City Slickers
New York City, New York
New York City, The Big Apple, is one of the most famous cities in the world. The city and its surroundings are comprised of a fascinating melting-pot of worldwide cultures, exclusive and posh boutiques and shops, decadent food, and exciting Broadway shows. The city proper features many iconic sightseeing opportunities: Radio City Music Hall, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, and Times Square. If you want to discover what living in the fast-pace of a big city feels like—and what it costs—this is the perfect destination.
Hollywood, California
Also known as Tinseltown, Hollywood, California near Los Angeles is home to some of the most famous celebrities in the world. And the Hollywood and Los Angeles areas hold some of the most intriguing sights. Hollywood Boulevard is the area’s most famous street and where you’ll find restaurants, shops, and many other attractions such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and the Hollywood Wax Museum. Visit Beverly Hills for some of the most exclusive and glamourous shopping (and maybe a celebrity sighting or two!). A cruse up Mulholland Drive is where you’ll find celebrities’ homes by day and breathtaking city-light views by night. If you want a quick vacation with plenty of sight-seeing destinations—Hollywood provides memories that will last a lifetime.
Beach Bums
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
If you love the beach, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina must be on your bucket list, as it’s one of the major beach vacation destinations in the U.S. Locals simply call it The Beach, but it’s also known as the Grand Strand, consisting of about 60 miles of sand along the gorgeous blue Atlantic Ocean. This area is known for its oceanfront condos and resorts, a popular boardwalk with shops, restaurants, entertainment, and other sights. You can spend an entire day shopping or attending local amusement parks. Wildlife tours are popular for those who want to explore the Waccamaw River, creeks, and swamp lands. Myrtle Beach has several challenging courses for golf lovers and a surprising number of mini-golf courses if you aren’t that serious on the green. In fact, Myrtle Beach is the mini-golf capital of the world. (Who knew?) This area is considered fun for all ages and is relatively less expensive than other popular beach destinations.
Key Largo, Florida
Key Largo is a great vacation destination for beach lovers who love to dive. As the first in the string of the Florida Keys, Largo gives that tropical vibe of being on island time, even though it’s not too far from the mainland cities. It’s home of the first undersea park in the U.S. (John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park) and it’s also home of the world’s largest artificial reef. You can spend your time diving the reef, exploring the park, fishing, or dining on freshly caught seafood at restaurants throughout the key.
Oh, Oh the Places You Can Go!
This is a short list of many potential quick vacations for busy seniors. In fact, every state in America has more than a few cities that can satisfy your desire to travel for short periods of time. Spend some time researching places that have attractions and other sights you’d like to see and add them to your vacation destination bucket list. Planning trips is almost as exciting as going and gives you something to look forward to.