Massachusetts, one of the original 13 colonies, is often associated with the American Revolution, but the state offers more than just a long history. It features a variety of indoor and outdoor places for people who are 65 years and older, where they can be active during different seasons of the year. The state has parks and lakes where senior citizens can go during warmer months of the year. When the weather turns colder, seniors can venture to indoor centers or recreational facilities to exercise, dance or participate in sports activities.
Senior Center Activities
Throughout Massachusetts, in cities such as Boston, Newton, New Bedford, Belmont, Wilmington, and Chelmsford, older people can find senior centers that offer recreational activities that will engage their minds and bodies. Activities can include dance lessons or classes, exercise or aerobics classes, martial arts lessons, yoga classes or meditation sessions. Many senior centers offer educational programs that teach seniors about nutritional food. In New Bedford, people can find senior centers that have strength and conditioning, aerobics or Chi Kung meditation classes. At the Newton Senior Center, senior citizens can participate in Tai Chi, Tong Ren, yogi, aerobics, line dancing or muscle-building classes. South Boston Neighborhood House has water aerobics, senior strut and yoga programs for seniors.
Water Sport Activities
During the summer, senior citizens can spend the day at Massachusetts' lakes, rivers or other waterways, relaxing on the beach, swimming, fishing or boating. Major bodies of water in Massachusetts include Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays, lakes Chaubunagungamaug and Quannapowitt and the Merrimack and Charles rivers. State parks in cities such as Westport, Concord, Rockport, Northampton, Sturbridge and Clarksburg have open beaches, lakes or rivers for senior citizens who are interested in water sports.
A Day at the Park
Senior citizens who want to take a relaxing walk or participate in more strenuous activities can venture to parks and forests in different parts of Massachusetts. Many of Massachusetts' state parks have hiking, skiing, four wheeling or snowmobiling trails. City parks offer sports facilities, such as tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoe pits or golf courses. Franklin Park in Dorchester features the William J. Devine Golf Course, an 18-hole public golf course. Georgetown-Rowley State Forest in Georgetown offers nature trails for senior citizens and others who want to go hiking, mountain biking or cross-country skiing.
Campgrounds
At different campgrounds in Massachusetts, seniors can stay in tents or recreational vehicles. Many of these camping facilities offer senior-friendly recreational amenities such as horseshoe pits, fitness centers, volleyball or shuffleboard courts, game rooms with pool tables, miniature golf courses, golf courses or tennis courts. Some campgrounds sit on rivers or lakes or have onsite ponds, on which guests can go fishing, swimming, paddle boating or boating. Certain campgrounds offer separate swimming pools for adults. The Circle CG Farm Campground in Bellingham, has a heated outdoor swimming pool for seniors, a fishing pond, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard and bocce ball courts, a miniature golf course and a fitness center.
Museum Outings
During the winter, seniors can venture to science, art or history museums to walk around and learn more about different areas and notable historic figures. Massachusetts features railroad, American art, natural history, international art, regional or local history, shipbuilding, crafts, Civil War, John F. Kennedy, tavern, maritime, printing, Russian history and whaling museums. Located in Hancock, Hancock Shaker Village is a living museum where seniors can learn about Shaker traditions from costumed people, see restored farming and commercial buildings from the 1800s, go for a hike of on site nature trails or explore farms or gardens.
