As we slowly creep into the 55 Plus club (yikes), we look forward to being able to take some time to travel and see more of this beautiful country. While we aren’t ready to retire yet, I am always looking for fun things to do and places to visit once we do officially “retire”. Since it is fall (yay!), I started thinking about some of the best senior winter destinations in the U.S. We have actually been to a few of these, but there are a couple pf them we haven’t checked out yet. They are on our list, lol. In case you haven’t been, here are some ideas for those looking for places to visit this winter and stay warm.
Jump To:
- Pensacola, Florida
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Palm Springs, California
- Maui, Hawaii
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Pensacola, Florida
Not surprisingly, one of the first senior winter destinations is in Florida. While there are a lot of places to visit in Florida, one of the more senior friendly places is Pensacola, Florida. No matter your age, or capability, there are plenty of activities available. If you like the outdoors, you can golf, fish, kayak, zip line, or just stroll miles of beach. If you like history, check out the Naval Aviation Museum, Veterans Memorial Park, and Pensacola’s historic buildings. Gene is still disappointed that we weren’t able to visit the Aviation Museum. We will make sure to visit this the next time we are in the area. You can also take in a musical at one of the many theaters in the area. But make sure to also talk a short walk around Historic Pensacola Village. It is really a beautiful city and I hope to visit again soon.
Corpus Christi, Texas
I have to admit I never thought of Corpus Christi as one of the top senior winter destinations. However, after doing some research I found that their temperature rarely dips below 70 degrees in the winter. Plus it is located right on the Gulf Coast with breathtaking beaches and cliffs for miles. If the beach is not your thing, you can check out the Texas State Aquarium and Dolphin Bay. If you like history, check out the U.S.S. Lexington. It is one of the most famous aircraft carriers and can be toured with an appointment. While in Texas you can’t skip some of their amazing seafood and Tex-Mex. Sign me up, lol. While in the city itself there are shuttles and trolleys that run throughout the town. However, renting (hiring) a car may be a good idea if you are going to explore the area outside of the city.
Palm Springs, California
Another place that might not be a surprise is Palm Springs. Located in the Sonoran Desert it is best known for its hot springs, architecture, spas, golf resorts, and shopping districts. If you like to hike, there are many trails in the area. However, I believe one of the main reasons it is one of the best senior winter destinations is because of all the resorts and spas. You can do as much as you want, or get pampered and do nothing at all. That is the beauty of Palm Springs. I could go for a little of that right now, lol. They do have a good public transportation system there with buses getting you to most places easily, and cheaply, within the city. As you can see Palm Springs is a great destination to get some warm weather, relaxation, and pampering in at to escape these cold months
Maui, Hawaii
With its perfect warm weather, Maui is at the top of my senior winter destinations. It would be the highest if it weren’t for the cost of living. We would love to spend some quality time there one day. The ocean is of course the biggest lure to Hawaii, but Maui also has some amazing things to see and do. You can visit Haleakalā National Park at sunrise or sunset for a beautiful experience. We did it once at sunrise and it was beautiful. You can’t miss the Road to Hana either. We did the helicopter ride to Hana then did the ride back into town. I have to suggest doing it the other way. It was a beautiful drive, but after a long day of running around, I was getting sleepy on the way back. No matter what you do, you will be surrounded by beauty.
Williamsburg, Virginia
We visited Williamsburg once and I was enthralled with Colonial Williamsburg. It is a great place to visit if you are into history. The whole town is full of actors recreating the feel and vibe of the city from the 1600s. Historic Jamestown and the Jamestown settlements are close and are also a must-see. You would need a car to see some of these sights, but if you stay in town, they have a trolley system. The trolley visits many of the popular tourist destinations near Merchants Square and connects to the College of William of Mary. What’s nice about the Williamsburg area is that it has relatively pleasant weather in the winter, usually in the ’60s, They have fantastic golf courses, shopping districts, and of course, is in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a popular desert resort community that’s been designed with seniors in mind. The dry, warm climate is also home to mountains and lakes, which attracts older adults who love the outdoors. The area is accessible for seniors with mobility limitations and also offers golf, shopping, and dining options. We have been through Scottsdale but never stayed there. Will have to check it out more the next time we are in the area and I will report back.
While there are a lot of places to visit during the winter, these are some of the top Senior Winter Destinations I found while doing my research. I may like some of them because I have been there, but they all are wonderful. The only place we haven’t been to is Corpus Christi, but we will make it there one day. Seems like a lot to do and a fun place to visit. Happy travels whatever your age! If you have a favorite place, I would love to share it in a future post. Please send me a message and I will get back to you right away.