Retirement provides the freedom and time to explore bucket-list destinations that have been on your mind throughout your career. Luckily, Arizona is home to a wealth of travel spots tailored for retirees, thanks to a mix of scenic beauty, a relaxed atmosphere, and cultural splendor. With its mild winters and array of natural and artificial attractions, the Grand Canyon State invites extended visits throughout the year.
Numerous destinations across its diverse landscapes offer opportunities to explore red rock trails, art galleries, and outdoor adventures amidst a calm environment. Whether you are searching for gentle trails to stretch your legs, tranquil open spaces to soak in the sun, or welcoming communities to interact with friendly locals, here are some of the best Arizona travel destinations for retirees.
Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
This quaint boutique resort in Paradise Valley blends beautiful nature and luxurious accommodations to grant retirees a relaxing weekend retreat. It is set against the backdrop of the imposing Camelback Mountain, away from the chaotic scene in downtown Scottsdale. Guests access various fun activities to enjoy the splendor of Mother Nature enveloping them, starting with a low-impact, guided hike along the Cholla Trail for exquisite vistas of the Sonoran Desert.
Additionally, they can have easygoing golfing fun at the beginner-friendly par-3, 18-hole golf course on site. Meanwhile, the Citizens Club provides a fitness center with yoga instructors and 75-foot pools, among other health and wellness facilities, to ensure complete healing for patrons after their time outdoors.
Sedona
Sedona has a serene setting known for its dramatic red rock formations, deep canyons, and pine forests that retirees can feast their eyes on while enjoying a laid-back getaway. Its mild climate encourages visitors to explore the various trailheads in the town’s outskirt leading into Red Rock State Park, where they can find birding, nature photography, and picnicking opportunities.
Uptown Sedona comes alive with a vibrant art scene, comprising multiple galleries and New Age shops. Strolling through the cobblestone pathways of Tlaquepaque Village, you will discover a bustling outdoor market with art galleries, craft shops, and locally-owned eateries. Sedona is also one of the world’s few “dark sky communities,” where clear dark skies with minimal light pollution make it an exceptional spot for gazing at meteor showers.
Oro Valley
Oro Valley’s year-round warm temperatures, suburban atmosphere, and outdoor activities are perfect for a senior-friendly Arizona travel destination. This small town houses several park spaces, including Canal del Oro Riverfront Park, which sits in the shadow of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Delightful walkways around the 30-acre outdoor space cultivate lazy strolls, with access to a picnic space under a shaded ramada. Linda Vista Trail offers a moderate hiking challenge from which pensioners can take in picturesque views of the natural landscapes.
Another worthwhile pastime for retirees in Oro Valley awaits at The Views Golf Club, whose pristine greens on an 18-hole course promise a stress-free tee time punctuated by breathtaking desert surroundings.
OdySea Aquarium
The largest aquarium in the southwest United States is an excellent escape for retirees, promising once-in-a-lifetime marine wildlife exposures. It holds 2 million gallons of water, a habitat for a diverse range of species across a 200,000-square-foot world-class facility. The Penguin Encounter section is a great starting point where guests can get up close with an African penguin. Its Penguin Point Center offers an enlightening learning experience chronicling their behavior, feeding habits, and community life.
Elsewhere, guests can slow things down at the Sloth Encounter while meeting Squidney, a two-toed sloth and a fan favorite. The aquarium’s SeaTrek Helmet Diving is a must-have experience that enables tourists to venture under the surface in a wetsuit and interact with cute species, from sting rays to fish and sharks.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Boyce Thompson Arboretum invites retirees for a nature-themed expedition in Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Spanning 350+ acres in the foothills of the majestic Picketpost Mountain, it is home to numerous garden trails weaving through unique Sonoran Desert flora and fauna. The Main Trail is a lovely option, posing an easy challenge for those who fancy a walk. It stretches 1.5 miles and has spacious, well-packed tracks, passing the delightful greenhouse.
Tourists can also wander around rock mazes and walk bridges to discover historic structures like the Clevenger House, a unique pioneer structure. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is also home to Ayer Lake, a scenic reservoir with a dreamy setting and fantastic landscaping where vacationers escape the crowds to unwind.
Reid Park Zoo
With its clean environment, wide walking paths, and exotic animal residents, Reid Park Zoo is a 24-acre sanctuary where guests can meet various species. Among the rare encounters to look forward to are jaguars, lions, elephants, and bears. Retirees with feeble legs can ride the Reid Park Zoo Railway, which takes them on a behind-the-scenes tour with a resourceful guide telling them about the animals.
The Giraffe Center is among the most popular sections and delights pensioners with up-close feeding sessions with the gentle giants. Meanwhile, the Cox Wildlife Carousel encourages visitors to channel their inner child for a fun ride on an American-made carousel themed with different animals around the globe.
Sun City
Billing itself as the “Original Fun City,” Sun City is a long-recognized retirement community designed for citizens aged 55 and above. It is a haven for graying baby boomers, promising them tailored accommodation and other old-age conveniences. It has stunning outdoor spaces where seniors can stroll to savor the fresh air, including while playing golf on the quiet grounds of Palmbrook Golf Club. Meanwhile, Duffeeland Dog Park allows them to spend quality time with their furry friends in a laidback setting. The off-leash park is also a great place to socialize with other dog lovers.
Sun City promises easygoing opportunities at Lakeview Recreation Center, which lies on the scenic shores of Viewpoint Lake. It has a variety of interesting exercises for retirees in a lovely atmosphere, from playing tennis and plunging in the pool to walking around the lake.
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden provides retirees with a tranquil escape where they can discover interesting desert vegetation across a 140-acre nature space. Visiting the facility features tours to different sections with unique exhibits shedding light on plant species from the Sonoran Desert and beyond. The wildflower season brings a dazzling display of colors to the garden, and retirees can stroll delightful trails to admire the flowers on cacti, ocotillo, and yucca. The Butterfly Pavilion is another soothing stop with a peaceful environment housing the immaculate bugs.
The garden also harbors five easy loop trails ideal for seniors, with each spanning less than a mile. An excellent option would be the quarter-mile Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, which leads to a vantage point with gorgeous mountain vistas.
Whether soaking in the artistic vibrancy and comfortable climate of Sedona, lounging along the shores of tranquil Viewpoint Lake in Sun City, or strolling through the serene garden trails of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, the highlighted Arizona travel destinations celebrate both the natural and cultural richness of the Grand Canyon State. Their exploration rewards retirees with novelty, rejuvenation, and memories to last beyond travels’ end. Each destination holds promise for adventurous rediscovery at a snail’s pace tailored for senior travelers.
