Summer Activities for Jacksonville Seniors
Florida boasts a gloriously warm, sunny climate, and how better to make the most of it than by enjoying time outside? The Atlantic Beach area contains some of the country's most beautiful beaches and extraordinary salt marshes, making it a great location for outdoor pursuits. However, it's also worth knowing the best indoor hangouts to escape the heat on the hottest days. Let's explore the best Jacksonville area activities for seniors for every summer day.
1. Head Out on a Kayak Adventure
Renting a kayak is the ideal way to explore the beautiful beaches, marshes, and creeks in Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Kayak Amelia offers options to suit paddlers of all abilities, from guided kayak and paddleboard tours to independent rentals. The knowledgeable tour guides plan excursions around the currents, allowing beginners and experienced kayakers alike to learn more about the unique salt marsh environment with a stop-off at a local sandbar for snacks and swimming. There's also a monthly Marsh Music event — perfect for enjoying a live music performance with drinks and good food.
2. Enjoy a Day on the Sands at Atlantic Beach
Boasting miles of picture-perfect sandy beaches, Atlantic Beach is home to Fleet Landing retirement community. Whatever your ideal beach day looks like, you'll find it here — whether that means taking a cooling swim, heading out on a fishing trip, or renting a street-legal golf cart to see the sights in style.
Hanna Park is a particular highlight, offering plenty of exciting outdoor activities for adventurous seniors and their families. The park features more than 20 miles of hiking and walking trails alongside 1.5 miles of white sands, and there's a difficulty level to suit most ages and abilities. It also welcomes pets and has a kid-friendly splash park, making it ideal for a day out with visiting grandchildren.
3. Beat the Heat at a Local Museum
On days when it's simply too hot to be outside, visiting a local museum is a great way to learn more about Jacksonville and the surrounding area while getting out and about. Once the riverside residence of Ninah Cummer, the Cummer Museum is now home to her famous art collection and over 5,000 additional artworks. It hosts a range of events and adult classes, allowing creatively inclined seniors to learn new crafts and techniques from expert artists.
Want to discover the rich and diverse history of Jacksonville Beach? Head to the Beaches Museum to explore the permanent and temporary exhibits or enjoy live music events and history talks. Groups of 10 or more can also book a guided tour of the museum and attached History Park for a more detailed dive into the area's heritage.
4. Catch a Show at Alhambra Theatre and Dining
Enjoying dinner and a show at Alhambra Theatre and Dining is one of the most iconic Jacksonville activities for seniors. This renowned venue is one of America's oldest theaters and provides a unique dining experience. Audiences can enjoy a delicious three-course meal while taking in a live performance, and there's also a gorgeous mountain lodge-style Library Lounge for cozy pre-dinner drinks. The theater team makes all the elaborately detailed sets and costumes in-house and puts on plenty of child-friendly shows suitable for whole-family outings.
5. Enjoy a Round of Golf
When it comes to healthy seniors' activities in Jacksonville, golf is hard to beat. Research shows that playing golf regularly can help older adults live longer, and the city is home to plenty of stunning locations to enjoy a round or two. The Atlantic Beach Country Club sits nestled in idyllic coastal surroundings and boasts a beautifully landscaped, 18-hole golf course with multiple tees to suit all experience and skill levels.
Alternatively, The Yards is a unique multisport center with tennis courts, a pickleball garden, and several golf options. These include a driving range, the par-3 "Beer Loop" course, and a traditional nine-hole course.
6. Spend Time in the Great Outdoors at the Dutton Island Preserve
The Atlantic Beach area is home to a wealth of parks and outdoor areas, and the Dutton Island Preserve is the largest. It's home to around 9,000 feet of hiking and biking trails and is the ideal spot to launch your kayak or canoe. Fishing enthusiasts can also reel in a catch from the dishing and viewing pier while enjoying unparalleled views of the salt marsh ecosystem. Don't forget your binoculars, as the preserve is also one of the best places to spot various native wildlife species.
Book a Tour Today
At Fleet Landing, we believe that all-around wellness is key to successful aging. Offering a varied schedule of on-campus and out-and-about activities to help our Residents enjoy active, vibrant lifestyles. Residents of our community have easy access to and enjoy many of these opportunities from their home base at Fleet Landing! Schedule an appointment to learn more about our unique WELLInspiredTM program and discover our community.
