There’s a big world out there: cities that offer adventures and sights you’ve only seen in daydreams. And it’s worth checking out—even if you’re solo. Once you make the choice to see the world as a solo traveler, you’ll love it! In fact, 40% of Baby Boomers[1] went on a solo trip in the past year, so you’ll be in good company.
Ready to engage with the world, and meet some new friends along the way? Here are our tips for senior solo travel to engage with your surroundings and have a successful trip. Ready, set, go!
1. Make a To-Do List
You’re going to have a ton of options when you travel solo, which can feel overwhelming at first. Create a to-do list of the top things you want to do in the city. It might even be easier to break it up by what you want to see each day, or which activities are close to each other. That said, one of the best parts of being solo is that you can break your agenda. If you see something interesting along the way, go check it out! A list is just to give you some structure, but you’re totally free to be spontaneous once you have your bearings.
2. Take a Tour
You can find a ton of tours in most major cities, and some of them target retirees in particular. Love food? Look for a delicious culinary or dessert tour to taste your way through a city. Love history? You can often find several historical walking tours. Love museums and popular attractions? Yup, there are a lot of those as well. Plus, solo travel tours for seniors are often filled with other single travelers, so you can meet new people while learning something new.
3. Find a Good Hotel
Wondering how to plan a solo vacation? One of the biggest considerations is your accommodations. Since you’re traveling solo, look out for hotel deals to keep costs down. Keep in mind, AARP members get an extra 10% off at select hotels. Also, pick a spot close to the major attractions, so you don’t have to rent a car or walk alone at the end of the day.
4. Ask for Discounts
Don’t be afraid to ask for a senior discount! There are so many senior travel deals out there. Check online to see if you can get money off show tickets, restaurant meals, and even public transportation. You might be surprised how many discounts there are if you simply ask around. The more you save, the more you can explore during your solo trip.
5. Take Your Time
Want to know the best part about traveling solo? You can do everything on your own time. If you want to spend the entire day at one museum and go back again the next day, you can. If you stop into a famous attraction and decide it’s not for you, walk out. You don’t have to please anyone’s interest but your own. It’s so freeing! You truly are in charge of your own travel schedule. Take your time doing what makes you happy.
6. Try Something New
When you don’t have anyone watching, why not try something you’ve never attempted before? If you’ve always been curious about zip lining or snorkeling, now’s the time to do it. Better yet, find a tour or activity so you can join other solo travelers and seniors. There’s nothing like bonding when you’re all pushing your limits. Age ain’t nothing but a number when it comes to adventures!
7. Take a Cruise
Here’s the thing about traveling: Sometimes it’s wonderful to have everything planned out for you. When you board a cruise for single seniors over 60, you can expect a fantastic, easy time. You’ll have gorgeous views from the deck, towering plates of gourmet food, and more activities than you know what to do with. Meet new friends on board and toast to the good life. Bonus tip: If you book your senior cruise through AARP, you can enjoy perks like $300 extra onboard credit.
Trust us, once you see how easy it is to go on a solo trip, you’ll never look back. There are simply too many wonderful places to explore than to put it off any longer. Make this the year you embrace your sense of adventure.
Top Destinations for a Solo Senior Trip
Las Vegas
Orlando
New York
San Antonio
San Diego
New Orleans
Chicago
Portland
Houston
Denver
[1] https://solotravelerworld.com/about/solo-travel-statistics-data/
Header image via Marina Andrejchenko/Shutterstock.com