You’ve finally reached it—retirement. Congratulations. It’s time to kick back and relax. You’ve earned it. But once you start to get a little stir crazy, what will you do with your freed-up schedule? That’s where we come in. Below, find 8 of the best retirement activities for any newly-minted retiree in Nevada. You’ll think you have a new job—having fun.
Look, you’re in Nevada—why not live a little? We don’t recommend putting your entire retirement savings on the line or anything, but if you’ve got a little extra cash, why not play the slots? Who knows? You might hit a jack pot. You can’t go far in Vegas without seeing a slot machine or card table, but if you’re in need of a few places, try Caesars Palace for sports betting, the Bellagio for poker, and ARIA for slots.
Many colleges offer free or discounted courses to retired seniors. You can take just about anything, ranging from an art class to a course on history or literature. Keep the mind strong, meet new people, and indulge in an old passion with school. The University of Nevada, for example, has a life-long learner’s program that would be excellent for any new retiree looking to fill the extra time.
Nevada is home to the McCarran International Airport, one of the best in the United States with international flights to just about anywhere in the world. It’s a wonderful base of operations to fly out of for the frequent traveler. Retirees looking for a fun activity should consider planning that dream vacation they’ve always put off. There’s no time like the present.
Symphonies. Breweries. Museums. Concerts. Nevada has a little bit of everything and a whole lot of incredible history to explore. Why not become a denizen of the culture, spending your free time taking in the hottest and new while catching up on the best from the past? You won’t regret it. For opera, consider the Smith Center for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. The CraftHaus Brewery and Bad Beat Brewing in Henderson are fantastic spots. And you could spend an entire lifetime exploring the many museums of Nevada, including the National Atomic Testing Museum, the Mob Museum , and more.
Nevada’s hiking trails are diverse, beautiful, and plentiful. No matter where you are in the state, you’re not far from a picturesque view. Consider hiking the historic railroad trail, in the Lake Tahoe State Park, the Fire Wave, or any of the hundreds of other options.
Across Nevada’s nine wildlife refuges and three national parks are wonderful birding spots. The Nevada Audubon Society cites the Desert National Wildlife Refuge as being a “bird magnet” throughout its 1.6 million-acre tract. But no matter where you are located in the state, you’re not far away from a birding adventure.
Ask any speedway enthusiast about Nevada and you’re sure to hear about the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The speedway hosts several NASCAR races a year. In addition, you can take the wheel during one of their Exotics Racing events and try your hand at racing yourself.
We touched on going to museums above in the culture section, but there are so many worthy museums in Nevada, you could go to one every day of the year and see something different. Just think: Nevadans have access to the Nevada Museum of Art, Nevada State Museum, the Atomic Testing Museum, the Hoover Dam Museum, the Burlesque Hall of Fame… the list goes on.
