Weekend Trips for Seniors Over 60: Best Destinations & Travel Tips
For many seniors, life priorities shift as they enter the retirement phase. Whether it’s a shift in mindset, routine, or both, retirement can lead to many important questions, including: how should I spend my time?
Travel offers a welcome opportunity to relax, socialize, and explore the world. Many seniors look forward to spending more time traveling once they retire. But you don’t need to spend weeks away from home to reap the biggest benefits.
Weekend trips allow for more frequent, more affordable, and often more accessible forms of travel in retirement.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the best weekend trips for seniors over 60, their main attractions, and how to select the weekend vacation based on location.
Key takeaways
Weekend trips are a great way for seniors over 60 to rest, relax, and explore a new region.
Popular weekend destinations include beach and coastal getaways, mountain trips, and spa and wellness resorts.
Selecting the right weekend trip for you will vary depending on your interests, location, and mobility.
Best types of weekend destinations for seniors
Want to plan a weekend getaway but not sure where to go? Below are some of our top ideas of weekend destinations for senior travelers.
Beach and coastal getaways
Beach and coastal getaways are a popular destination for seniors looking to kick back, relax, and reduce stress. Example locations include Florida beaches, the California coast, and Charleston, South Carolina.
Walking on the beach also offers an opportunity for gentle exercise with a stunning backdrop.
If you love swimming in the open water or lounging on a beach chair in the sand, it’s best to plan your beach getaway during the summer months. But if you’re there for the scenery, travelling during the off-season and in the colder months will mean fewer crowds and more affordable prices. Plus, you can enjoy the coastal views, fresh seafood, and seaside cuisine any time of the year.
Keep in mind that if you have accessibility needs, plan ahead in terms of what special equipment you may need, like a beach wheelchair.
Mountain town
If mountain scenery, fresh air, and hiking is more your speed, consider a weekend getaway in a beloved mountain town. Think Smoky Mountains, the Colorado Rockies, or the Adirondacks.
Examples of mountain town activities include:
Hiking trails of varying difficulty
Wildlife viewing
Nature centers
When planning your mountain getaway, remember that temperatures will be cooler than other parts of the country, due to the altitude.
And if accessibility is an issue, research whether or not there are trails or nature centers with accessibility options or resources.
Historic cities and cultural destinations
Planning a historic or cultural trip is a great way to learn something new about a beloved or previously unvisited part of the country, like Boston, Philadelphia, or Santa Fe.
You can base your trip around a museum or historical site, which often have walking tours and guided experiences to better enrich your educational experience.
These urban destinations also tend to have great theater, music, arts, and restaurants to explore.
Many senior-tailored travel clubs also offer historically centered travel experiences.
Before traveling to one of these cities, be sure to research the availability of public transportation to discern whether or not you’ll need to book a rental car.
National and state parks
National and state parks like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Yosemite are awe-inspiring destinations for nature lovers who enjoy scenic drives, wildlife photography, and ranger-led programs.
The U.S. Parks Department offers Senior Passes for citizens or permanent residents aged 62 and over to all national and state parks. You can purchase a discounted pass for $20 a year or $80 for lifetime entry.
Spa and wellness resorts
Destination spas, wellness retreats, and hot springs resorts are great options for a weekend getaway focused on pampering and relaxation.
Book a therapeutic treatment or massage, soak in a hot tub, and nourish yourself with on-site dining for a low-effort, high-leisure vacation.
However, keep in mind that these types of resorts tend to offer services that are on the expensive side.
Small towns and villages
Looking for a destination with a slower pace and friendly atmosphere? Consider visiting a small town like Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, Stowe, Vermont, or Ephraim, WI.
Spend your day browsing the local bookstores and antique shops and discovering seasonal festivals. Many of these destinations offer quaint bed and breakfasts, walkable streets, and peaceful settings.
Wine country and culinary destinations
Wine enthusiasts and foodies will savor the flavors of Sonoma, CA, Napa, CA, Finger Lakes, NY, and Willamette Valley, OR.
Build an itinerary of farm-to-table dining, cooking classes and food tours, and tasting rooms to set a leisurely pace for your wine weekend getaway.
Top weekend trip destinations by US region
Location can be an important factor when planning senior-friendly weekend vacations. Here are some of our top picks based on region:
Northeast destinations
Beach and coastal charm: Newport, Rhode Island
Nature: Berkshires, Massachusetts
Mountains: Lake Placid, New York
Wine country and farm-to-table dining: Hudson Valley, NY
Southeast destinations
Mountains: Asheville, North Carolina
Beach and coastal charm: St. Augustine, Florida
Small town charm: Savannah, Georgia
Southwest destinations
Historic and cultural city: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Spa and wellness resorts: Sedona, Arizona
Wine country: Fredericksburg, Texas
West coast destinations
Beach and coastal charm: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Wine country and farm-to-table dining: Napa Valley, California
Nature: San Juan Islands, Washington
Spa and wellness resorts: Paso Robles, California
Bottom line
Weekend getaways are a great way for seniors to incorporate regular travel into their retirement routine without spending a significant time away from home.
Whether you prefer beach vacations, visiting national parks, or walking around historic city centers, there are many types of destinations to choose from.
Before planning your weekend trip, consider how you and your loved ones enjoy spending your time, how much you want to spend on your travel experience, and whether or not you have any mobility or accessibility concerns.