*This post was originally published March 2017 and has since but updated to reflect a more comprehensive list of senior activities.
More than a quarter of households in Dacula, Georgia, have at least one person older than 60 living there. The community’s close proximity to Atlanta, affordable tax rates, below-average cost of living, and position at the center of Georgia's Innovation Crescent multicounty research coalition has made Dacula an ever-popular retirement location for seniors. What's more, Northwest Georgia’s beautiful geography and vibrant senior community offer plenty of activities that keep seniors active and engaged.
The Great Outdoors
Dacula's beautiful geography is often the first thing that visitors notice. Situated about 40 miles from Atlanta, it has abundant parks and nature preserves that provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
Little Mulberry Park has plenty of trails with scenic vistas perfect for leisurely nature hikes. The park’s Hog Mountain Road entrance also offers water access and can provide a perfect place for grandparents to teach visiting grandchildren how to fish. Open spaces, pavilions, and playgrounds mean additional opportunities for fun senior activities in Dacula.
Meanwhile, Rabbit Hill Park and Harbins Park boast miles of paved trails that make perfect walking surfaces for seniors, along with playgrounds, athletic fields, and picnic areas. Starting a walking group to explore the local trails and wildlife is a great way for seniors to be active and engaged.
Hamilton Mill Golf Club provides another great way to enjoy the outdoors and to get some exercise while enjoying some friendly competition on the links. Château Élan Winery & Resort, meanwhile, offers wine, spa treatment, dining, and golf.
Life on the Water
For nature lovers, there’s perhaps no better way to spend a day than at the lake. Lake Lanier is just a few exits up the road. Spend an afternoon at the water park with the grandkids, or plan a weekend at the resort. You can also camp along the lake, boat, fish, or rent jet skis.
The Chattahoochee is Georgia’s largest river, and “tubing the ‘hooch” is a favorite state pasttime. For exceptional tubing, drive North to Helen, then spend a day lazily floating down the river.
If waterfront camping sounds like the perfect way to spend a weekend, then Lake Allatoona is your best bet. You can rent a houseboat or waterfront cabin, or pitch a tent at one of the lake’s many gorgeous campsites. Featuring many of the best fishing sites in Georgia, verdant woods, and numerous hiking trails, Lake Allatoona is a naturalist’s paradise.
College and Amateur Sports
Dacula is a short drive from Athens, the home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Check out a football game, or head to Atlanta to watch the team play its arch-nemesis, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. High school sports are big in Dacula, and the games are often more intimate than major sporting events--not to mention free. Try taking in a Dacula Falcons football game in the crisp autumn air. If you love baseball, avoid the crowds for the Braves and attend a game for the Minor League Gwinnett Stripers instead.
Day Trips to Atlanta
Dacula is a suburb of Atlanta, located about 45 minutes up 85 from the South’s busiest city. You can enjoy all that Atlanta has to offer, but without all the traffic and noise, with a quick day trip to this charming city. While you’re there, check out one of these attractions:
- The Woodruff Arts Center, which is the home of the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and The Alliance Theater.
- One of Atlanta’s many sports teams. Check out the Atlanta Braves for baseball, Atlanta United FC for soccer, Atlanta Hawks for baseball, and the Atlanta Falcons for football. Atlanta also frequently hosts bowl games and major sporting tournaments, so check the schedule of your favorite team.
- Atlanta’s rich civil rights history. As a cradle of the Civil Rights Movement and the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta is imbued with a rich sense of history and a deep commitment to justice. Check out the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Carter Center, or the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
- Attend a festival. Atlanta has a festival for virtually everything. DragonCon is the premier conference for fantasy and comic lovers. Or head to the Decatur Book Festival to buy new books and listen to literary experts. In the spring, enjoy the Inman Park Festival or Decatur Arts Festival, then stroll the Yellow Daisy Festival in the fall.
- Head to Ponce City Market, Atlanta’s newly renovated immersive shopping experience. Featuring both chains and independent retailers, this innovative shopping center also boasts a wide range of restaurants. In the summer, enjoy carnival-style games on the roof of the market.
Shop Till You Drop
You can save a pretty penny if you’re willing to peruse factory outlets. North Georgia Premium Outlets offers incredible savings on all your favorite brands, and is just a quick drive from Dacula. Or check out Sugarloaf Mills, a traditional mall that features an assortment of great outlets. For those most devoted to shopping, the Mall of Georgia is a must. Featuring a seemingly infinite array of stores, this huge mall also offers a wide range of restaurants, as well as seasonal activities.
Learning at the Library
Dacula offers a lot of resources for seniors. The Gwinnett County Public Library system has 14 branches with calendars full of activities and events that allow seniors to explore new topics and master computer skills so that they can stay connected to friends and family members.
More specifically, the county library offers free “Tech Tutors” sessions that enable seniors to learn how to log on to and use the internet, scan and print documents, and download ebooks and electronic magazines. Its free adult computer classes also cover more basic topics like using Microsoft Word and other software programs.
In addition to staying connected to family and friends, many seniors have enjoyed using social media to connect with old acquaintances and build up their online community. Besides these positives, adopting new forms of technology has been shown to boost quality of life for seniors and to stave off some forms of mental decline. Activities that promote computer literacy pay off in more than one way for seniors.
Turn to the Pros
The Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Department runs a network of senior centers to provide a welcoming atmosphere for activities. Check them out for socialization, fun, and learning among 50-and-older residents of Dacula and surrounding communities.
Senior centers offer a range of classes, programs, and games that help seniors meet new people, learn new skills, and explore the community around them. From card tournaments to interesting speakers to computer literacy courses, they provide senior activities that speak to all kinds of interests. And senior centers provide opportunities to meet new friends with whom to enjoy day trips to local attractions like the Mall of Georgia.
The Wrap-Up
Dacula’s rural charm and close proximity to Atlanta have made it a popular retirement location. Exploring the natural beauty of Northwest Georgia is a great activity for residents of all ages. Local resources and programming offered for seniors through community centers and the Gwinnett County Public Library system provide endless opportunities to have fun, learn new skills, and socialize.
