Creating a Bucket List: Top Adventures for Retirees

Now that you are retired, you have all the time in the world to pursue your hobbies, relax, and travel! But, you are also older now too, meaning ziplining in the Costa Rican forest might not be the best choice for your body. So what are some adventures you can enjoy in your later years?

Just because you are older doesn’t mean you can go on some fun trips! Keep reading to learn all about some of the top adventures to add to your bucket list!

1. Go on an African Safari

Despite common belief, African safaris don’t require much in terms of physical fitness. In reality, you will spend most of your time sitting in a jeep while a guide shuttles you around to see different animals in their natural habitat.

Of course, you do need to take some other health aspects into consideration–such as getting a vaccination for Yellow Fever before you go and taking Malaria Pills–but if you are okay sitting in a Jeep over some rough terrain, this is definitely something you can do in your 60s! Just be sure you look into a travel company which specifically caters to those in their later years and read all the details before booking so you can ensure you pick the right trip for you!

2. Try to Visit a Large Number of National Parks

Many adults choose to spend their later years diving into hiking adventures! Hiking is amazing because you can do it at almost any age, and there are so many national parks within the United States you can explore.

Before you dive into your new hiking life, ensure you have the proper equipment for hiking, and always research specific trails before you go. Only pick trails that fit your physical fitness levels and have an emergency plan in case something goes wrong. 

For those who aren’t physically fit enough to handle inclines, committing to visiting a large number of botanical gardens can also be a fun bucket list addition. 

3. Travel to Europe

One of the great things about traveling to Europe is the fact that it is accessible at any age! While the cobblestones can be tough on wheelchairs in some cities, many have also been redone to make it easy to traverse them even with limited availability.

While the cost of specific countries can vary, you can generally travel safely to any European country as long as you are prepared to watch for pickpockets, or commit to not carrying cash. We recommend looking into the following cities for your European adventure!

• Edinburg, Scotland
• London, England
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Krakow, Poland
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Madrid, Spain
• Alicante, Spain
• Berlin, Germany
• Zagreb, Croatia
• Vienna, Austria
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Dublin, Ireland
• Ljubljana, Slovenia

As you may note, there are several famous cities missing from this list, such as Rome, Paris, and Barcelona. Many of these cities are extremely crowded and present unique barriers for those with reduced mobility, such as cobblestone streets, lack of sidewalks, and difficulty navigating the public transport with a wheelchair. 

4. Take Wine Courses

Just because you can’t travel to Europe doesn’t mean you should give up on your goal to become a wine connoisseur. Consider travel to California, Oregon, or Washington–all of which play a part in US wine production. You can also consider visiting Mexico which also produces a large amount of North American wine. 

For those who prefer beer–making a game of traveling around to local breweries can also be a lot of fun! Thanks to an app called UnTappd, you can track the beers you try on your phone and even invite your friends to follow your journey. 

5. Learn a New Language

Even if you can’t travel, it can be a lot of fun to learn a new language. Start out by using a language learning app or taking classes at a local community center. Once you get your confidence up, consider joining a local group that speaks that language or perhaps volunteering. You never know the people you might meet!

Even if you are American, you might be surprised by the languages spoken in your cities. In the west and south of the US for example, there are large Spanish speaking populations in nearly every city. You can also typically find Chinese and Japanese speaking groups. Minneapolis has the largest number of African immigrants, meaning there are chat groups for most African languages there. In New York, you typically have the option of almost every language you have ever heard of! 

Even if you can’t find a group for your language in your city, you can now watch movies in that language and even try your hand at reading books as well!

6. Consider Running a Marathon

Now, I know what you’re thinking–how can you possibly run 26.2 miles? Well, let me tell you a little secret; you can walk a marathon too! Walking a marathon is still a challenge of course, and most offer options for those who are unable to finish the course.

Of course, you will need to take some time to train. You can’t just sign up to walk 26.2 miles. But, with a few months (or years) of practice, you can build your stamina to make it possible. Plus, even if you don’t finish, it is still a lot of fun!

There might already be a group in your neighborhood that trains walking for marathons, or it is as good of time as any to start your own! 

7. Write a Book

Maybe you are homebound, and that’s okay, as there are so many bucket list items that don’t require travel or even leaving the house. A major one is writing a book, which is something many aspire to do and not many actually complete.

You can write about your life, or perhaps a story you have always wanted to tell. You can look into publishing when you finish, or perhaps just keep it for posterity, your choice.

Overall, retirement is an exciting time and we hope you’ll consider adding at least one of these things to your bucket list in your later years!