According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida has one of the largest retirement populations in the country. The state offers a wealth of senior activities and hobbies for retirees who want to stay active, social and engaged. These are some of the most popular.
With year-round sunny skies, golf remains the most popular hobby among retirees. Florida is home to more than 1,400 public golf courses, in addition to private courses, country clubs and tournaments, making it a golfers paradise for those who love the sport.
Tennis and pickleball are also widely popular in retirement communities, along with classics like bocce ball and shuffleboard, and these sports promote physical fitness and social engagement.
If you prefer to attend sporting events, your options range from local high school and league teams to college sports to professional franchises. Cheering on your favorite team can give you events to look forward to and provide fun times with fellow fans.
Trying to avoid the hot sun and long walks to and from a parking garage? Consider hosting a watch party in your senior community center or your home with snacks and decorations.
Florida’s abundant lakes, rivers and coastline provide ample freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities. Fishing clubs and tournaments are common senior activities and provide ways to foster community and competition. Options range from quiet days on a creek bank to floating down the river to sport fishing in the deep.
The proximity to the coast and numerous waterways makes boating and sailing favored pastimes. Many retirees own boats, join boating clubs and enjoy attending boat shows to see the latest updates. Sailing lessons and regattas offer structured activities for enthusiasts.
Owning and operating a boat allows endless ways for retirees who love to tinker with improvements, maintenance and upgrade projects. If you want to get your feet wet without the financial burden of boat ownership, consider renting a canoe or kayak for the afternoon.
Sometimes it feels good to get your hands dirty and connect with the natural rhythm of nature. Florida’s climate supports year-round gardening, and many retirees appreciate the peace and simplicity of tending to a garden, a hobby that can adjust as your physical abilities, space, interests and needs change.
Gardening clubs and community gardens provide social interaction and the opportunity to learn from others and share your knowledge. Gardening can also change from large plots to backyard vegetable gardens to raised beds to container gardening to small indoor plants, which makes it the perfect hobby for retirees. There are also a lot of health benefits to gardening.
Consider joining a local community garden or gardening club. You’ll enjoy the fun and health benefits of gardening without the full responsibility – plus make a few friends while you’re at it.
Florida’s diverse ecosystems attract a wide variety of bird species, making bird watching clubs and guided tours popular pastimes.
Many retirees enjoy the tranquility and connection to nature that bird watching provides. You can appreciate the sounds of birds in the wild, track and monitor flying friends, build bird houses for outdoor spaces and travel throughout the state to search for a variety of species.
Start small! Pick up a birding book from your local library or use a basic notebook as a birding journal. Invite a friend to meet you at a local park or trail to see what you can find.
Floridians are fortunate to have a wide variety of art museums, artist series, art festivals, live musical performances and theater. Whether you enjoy art, music or theater, look for opportunities to attend local events with a friend.
Check your local newspaper or community newsletter to see what performances are happening nearby. Many of these activities for seniors are even free and open to the public.
If you love to create, Florida is home to many crafting shops and pottery studios to spark your creativity. From painting, pottery, woodworking, sewing, quilting, crocheting, scrapbooking and photography, these senior activities that help you grow in creative expression and skill development.
Whether you are creating crafts for your own enjoyment, to earn a little extra money or to create handmade gifts for loved ones, arts and crafts offer a calm and productive way to spend time and connect with others.
Find a local workshop for beginners or join a club to enjoy the company of other seniors who share your interests. Many retirement communities offer classes, workshops and clubs to make it easy.
Many retirees find purpose and satisfaction in volunteer work within their communities. Opportunities can include mentoring, charity work and community service, allowing retirees to make a difference and make friends.
In addition to the 11 national parks found across the state, Florida’s Division of Recreation and Parks has been honored as the first four-time winner of the Gold Medal for the nation’s best state park system.
Altogether, there are 175 state parks, trails and historic sites covering more than 813,000 acres to explore. Florida is also home to more than 100 miles of beaches. There are additional county and city parks as well as nature reserves that offer scenic trails.
Not used to taking long hikes? Take it at your own place. Local trails near your retirement community are a great way to stay active and chat with a friend.
Most senior communities have a variety of social clubs. You can find the perfect niche to fill your extra time with activities such as book clubs, travel clubs and dinner groups.
Retiring in Florida offers countless opportunities to embrace new hobbies and interests, so you can stay active, engaged and fulfilled in your retirement years. Whether you’re drawn to outdoor adventures, creative pursuits or social activities, Advent Christian Village invites you to tour our campus in beautiful Suwannee County, Florida, to learn more about what we offer, from our popular LIVE! at Dowling Park Artist Series to fall festivals and volunteer opportunities.
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