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No matter your age, travel brings enriching life experiences that broaden our scope of the world. If you have more free time to explore and prioritize travel, picking a new place to go is the next step! We know a variety of our 55+ residents are thrill-seekers and enjoy trips filled with adventure, so we’ve compiled a list of accessible and inclusive ones that prioritize unique activities for the most unforgettable memories at all activity levels. Even better, they’re not too far away. Keep reading to find your next travel adventure!
Flying High in a Hot Air Balloon
It’s one of the most wondrous ways to enjoy a sunrise and sunset, and you’re almost guaranteed to find a balloon ride in your state. In Michigan, Sky Adventures has taken over 40,000 people into the sky since 1975 and celebrates with champagne at the end of each one-hour flight. For our North Carolinians, Carolina BalloonFest is also a great way to ride a hot air balloon or simply experience looking at one. This year, the event runs from October 14th-16th in Statesville and features live music, food, drinks, and balloon launches.
Hike the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is one of the most famous in the country, and it runs almost 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine through 14 states. A shorter trek along the trail makes for a fantastic hiking experience, and you can even opt to stay at a campsite in a state or national park. Other places to stay include full-service lodges, cabins, and local inns. Here’s a shoutout to 83-year-old M.J. “Sunny” Eberhart, an avid hiker who completed the full Appalachian Trail in addition to the 348-mile Pinhoti Trail and the 72-mile Benton MacKaye Trail. That’s a whopping 2,620 miles!
The Longest Cave System in the World: Mammoth Cave
Located in Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park offers access to the longest cave system in the world! Only 420 miles of it have been explored, and you can experience a portion of it, too. The park has a variety of guided tours to choose from based on duration and difficulty level. Apart from the cave, the park also features camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and more.
SNUBA Is Even Easier Than Snorkeling
Going scuba diving is a unique opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and explore underwater ecosystems. Learn how to dive in a more tropical setting in Florida with Pura Vida Divers–you can even take the steps to get certified! And if you think scuba diving is limited to tropical reefs, think again. With Olympus Dive Center, more experienced divers can check out the wreck of the tanker Papoose, sunk by the Germans in 1942 in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
If scuba diving isn’t for you, try SNUBA. With a simple-to-use breathing regulator, you can explore more comfortable depths similar to snorkeling with no certification or heavy air tanks involved. Enjoy up to 4 hours of SNUBA fun in Key West, FL with a professional team guiding you the whole way!
Take a Grand Canyon Mule Ride
The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s greatest wonders and worth seeing if you haven’t already. To make the trip even more spectacular, experience the canyon from within by taking a famous mule ride, a common practice since the late 1800s. You can stay overnight at Phantom Ranch and ride through the canyon for the ultimate adventure, or opt for a 2-hour Canyon Vistas Rim Ride to see it from above if you’re short on time.
Ride the Railroad
Taking a relaxing railroad trip is an incredible adventure in itself, and you can witness all the scenic beauty that our country has to offer. Those over 65 years old get a 10% discount on Amtrak, and they have a variety of vacation packages to choose from. Take your pick: Glacier National Park, Boston to Maine, or even a cross-country journey.
See the Epic Sea Caves in Wisconsin
On the shores of Wisconsin, explore the wondrous sea caves of the Apostle Islands with Trek & Trail. They offer kayak tours for multiple ability levels, with tours ranging from 3 to 7 hours. Have a fun time paddling through tunnels and watching the sunset from the water!
If you’re keen on taking trips like these but not too sure about organizing the journeys, don’t worry. There’s a variety of travel groups you can join that offer comprehensive tours and travel experiences, like Intrepid Travel with customizable and ready-made itineraries for trips all around the world. All you have to do is show up!
Encouraging our residents to live their best active lifestyles is part of what Arden embodies. Have fun exploring your limits on your next travel adventure, and check out how else you can live an active lifestyle at home with our community amenities.