Marietta, Georgia, is warm for most of the year, with temperate winters and a planting season that extends into November. Retirement offers the chance to finally enjoy the outdoor activities that long days at the office or late nights taking care of your young children prevented you from enjoying.
But figuring out what to do can be difficult, especially if you’re reluctant to bake in the summer heat, or have mobility limitations. No matter your health status or interests, you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities for senior citizens in Marietta, Ga. Here are our picks:
1. Pool Time
Forget planning complicated family outings. Grab a float or a pool noodle and relax in the water. Swimming is a great exercise option for seniors, especially those with arthritis, because it allows you to get an intense workout without irritating your joints. You’ll also soak up some vitamin D. Vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis, but many seniors are deficient in this important ingredient for sound health. Just make sure you stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is more intense and burns are more likely.
Want something a bit more adventurous? Take the grandkids to Six Flags White Water. This beloved water park offers something for everyone, from a lazy river where you can spend hours floating and relaxing, to daring slides and a wave pool.
2. Marietta Square Farmers Market and Craft Fair
The Marietta Square Farmers Market, which operates Saturdays year-round, and Sundays from May through October, consistently tops lists of Atlanta’s best farmers markets. For even more hometown fun, head down to the square on the first and third Saturdays of the month, when the farmers market merges with a craft fair, offering more booths, more local goodness, and plenty to eat.
3. Gardening
With such a long growing season, you can spend most of the year tending a garden. Plant dahlia tubers in June for a lush display of fall color that people living in the North can only dream of. Spend the summer tending peppers, tomatoes, and beans. And don’t forget to plant cool-hardy veggies like broccoli in January or February, for an early and delicious harvest.
4. Family Picnics and Walks
Cobb County operates more than 80 parks that feature long hiking trails, covered picnic areas, campgrounds, streams, and more. Plan a family picnic for a hazy summer afternoon, then enjoy a sunset walk through one of Marietta’s stunning parks.
5. Fishing
The fish bite year-round in Marietta. Check out the Dugout, which offers boat rentals and exceptional fishing. Or check out the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area of West Palisades, where you can fish, hike, sit by a stream, and even camp overnight.
6. Cobb County Senior Games
Want to show everyone that aging isn’t what it used to be, and that you can still do incredible feats? Join the Cobb County Senior Games. This Olympic-style tournament features the best senior athletes in Georgia, and might just inspire you to get in the best shape of your life.
Retirement presents many challenges. Sometimes your body doesn’t cooperate with your heart’s desires. Or perhaps you no longer drive, and don’t want to rely on loved ones or public transit. If you’re struggling to enjoy the great outdoors in Marietta, the right senior living community can help. Senior living offers a vast array of activities, as well as transportation to local events. The Solana East Cobb is Marietta’s premier senior living community, offering gourmet cuisine, luxury living, and enough activities to fill your calendar for years to come. Contact us to learn more!