The Top Senior-Friendly Activities in Central Florida

The secret to healthy aging is taking good care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Fortunately for seniors living in Central Florida, there are so many ways to stay active during your retirement years.

Here are a few of our favorite senior-friendly activities in Central Florida.

Theme Parks

Orlando, Florida’s fourth-largest city, is the state’s top tourist destination. It’s home to some of the world’s most famous theme parks, including SeaWorld, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal’s Islands of Adventures.

But there’s more to these parks than roller coasters and costumed princesses. Many of these parks offer entertainment, art and dining options that appeal to adults of all ages. For example, Walt Disney World Resort’s fireworks display is always a crowd-pleaser. And Epcot is a must-visit for seniors who love to travel.

Nature Parks

In addition to the theme parks, you can also find some of the state’s top nature attractions in Central Florida.

Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka offers 25 miles of hiking trails and cool spring waters perfect for swimming and kayaking. Surrounded by dense tropical forest, the Wekiva is one of the state’s only rivers designated as “Wild and Scenic” by the US Department of the Interior. The Wekiva Island center offers canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals. You’ll usually find a food truck here, as well as vendors serving beer and wine.

Museums

Orlando and surrounding cities like Winter Garden offer a wide variety of museums, ranging from rocket tours at Kennedy Space Center to the famous wax figures at Madame Tussauds.

The Morse Museum in Winter Park contains the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany. Here you’ll find leaded-glass lamps and windows as well as personal items collected from Laurelton Hall, Tiffany’s Long Island country estate. The museum also contains a wealth of 19th- and 20th-century American art and pottery.

Other top attractions include the Harry P. Leu Garden botanical oasis just outside Downtown Orlando. Five miles away in Eatonville, the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts specializes in work by individuals of African descent.

Boat Tours

Winter Park’s chain of lakes is a popular destination for water skiers, canoers and kayakers. You can also explore the waterways by boat with Scenic Boat Tours. Their hour-long tours take you through the palm- and cypress tree–lined waters of three of the chain’s seven lakes. You’ll also cruise through two manmade canals. As you soak up the tranquil scenery, keep an eye out for cranes and alligators along the waterline.

Antiquing in Mount Dora

Located just 40 minutes from Orlando, the town of Mount Dora is so quaint, many call it “Mount Dorable.” Its historic downtown district is a must-see any time of year. But if you love antiquing, you can’t miss one of Mount Dora’s Antique Extravaganzas. Held three times per year, the event features booths from nearly 800 of the country’s top antique vendors.

Golf

Orlando is home to some of the region’s top golf courses, including Sorrento’s Eagle Dunes Golf Club, which locals say has the best greens in Central Florida. Don’t just take their word for it. This 18-hole, par-72 course was named one of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play.”

In Kissimmee, the Remington Golf Club is another favorite among locals and professionals alike. When it was built in 1996, the Remington’s undulating fairways, lush greens and lake views earned it top honors from Golf Digest magazine.

Finally, older adults in Central Florida won’t want to miss the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club in Orlando. This 18-hole course winds through some of the area’s prettiest scenery, including wetlands, mangrove stands and pine forests.

Festivals

Every winter and spring, retirees in Central Florida have a wealth of festivals to choose from. Plant City’s Strawberry Festival is an 11-day celebration of everyone’s favorite fruit, featuring live music, rides and tons of strawberry shortcake.

Other popular events among older adults include the Mount Dora Art Festival, ranked one of the top art shows in the nation, the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland and the Florida Film Festival in Orlando.

Not only do these attractions and events offer a great time. Many also offer reduced admission for seniors. Check out each attraction’s site to learn more.

What to Love About Retirement in Central Florida

Want to stay in Florida longer than just a quick visit and enjoy year-round warm weather and tax benefits? For affordable retirement living, head just northwest of Orlando to a city called Winter Garden in north Central Florida. Here, Sonata West offers independent living with the assurance of assisted living and memory care on site.

Contact us today to learn more about active senior living in Central Florida.