Ultimate 100+ Best Bucket List Ideas for Retirement

Welcome to my curated collection of bucket list ideas for retirement filled with exciting travel adventures, enriching creative pursuits, and memorable experiences that will make your golden years truly remarkable.

Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery, fulfillment, and joy as you explore the incredible possibilities in this special phase of life.

Whether you’re an avid traveler, a budding artist, a curious learner, or an adventure seeker, there is something for everyone!

 So let’s dive in and discover the extraordinary adventures that await you in retirement!

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Retirement Years: The Happiest Time in Your Life!

It’s true! Research from Age Wave and Merrill Lynch found that, of all periods in life, we are happiest and most content between the ages of 65 and 74.

This is exciting news! The best is yet to come!

Retirement can be a time of new beginnings and the best time in life to have all those life experiences you’ve always dreamed of!

The Best Laid Plans: Goal Setting for Retirement!

The best way to ensure you will make the most out of your golden years is to set smart goals about how you want to spend time.

Different Categories for Your Retirement Bucket List:

• Self-Care: Mental, emotional, and physical health goals.
• Social Activities: Time with friends and family members.
• Travel adventures both near and far.
• Day-to-day maintenance on your home, car, etc.
• Special events such as holidays or family reunions.
• Volunteering time, talent, and resources.
• Hobbies and Learning new things.
• Legacy planning for the future.

A retirement plan can give you something to look forward to and help you stay motivated.

So if you’re looking for ways to stay healthy, happy, and motivated in your golden years, consider adding some (or all!) of these bucket list items to your retirement plan.

Without further ado, here are my bucket list ideas for retirement:

100+ Bucket List Ideas for Retirement

1. Take up Painting or Drawing

Taking up art is a great way to spend newfound free time Many famous artists didn’t start until they were well past 50!

Learning new things and pushing yourself past your comfort zone is not only fun, but it’s also good for mental health!

2. Join a Book Club

Joining a book club will get you out there and encourage you to read books you may not usually choose.

3. Start writing your memoir

Write your life story! Even if it’s never published, it will become a treasure for generations to come!

4. Learn to Make Lasagna

Making lasagna is a bit of an art. If you haven’t ever made homemade lasagna, then it’s high time you did!

This is the world’s best lasagna recipe to get you on the right track.

5. Learn a new language

Learning a new language is a considerable undertaking but a fantastic accomplishment! Are you thinking about going to Italy? Italian it is!

6. Try your hand at gardening

Gardening is a worthwhile way to spend your time, and there’s nothing quite like having a salad that comes straight from farm to table.

And gardening is great exercise too!

7. Buy an RV and GO!

RV’ing has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Many retirees and families alike are hitting the road, opting for more experiences over things. RVing may be a perfect option if you’ve always dreamed of getting out of dodge and seeing the world.

To learn more about RVing, visit: GORVing.com

8. See the Seven Wonders of the World

This bucket item for retirement will take some time but will be well worth it.

Visit the seven wonders of the world:

-Great Wall of China, near Beijing, China
-Petra, Jordan
-The Colosseum in Rome, Italy
-Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico
-Machu Picchu, Cuzco Region, Peru
-Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
-Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Related article: Ultimate Guide to Travel Essentials for Women

9. Get Involved in Local Theater

Have you always wanted to act or sing? It’s never too late!

Retirement is a great time to get involved in the local theater. Now is your chance. If not now, when?!

10. Learn how to play a musical instrument.

Learning a new skill, like playing an instrument, is fun and challenging and will keep you young!

What Instrument do you love the most? What about the guitar or piano?

11. Take a Cooking Class (Or Two)

Take a cooking class with your best friend or significant other. My husband and I took a course that was so fun!

12. Go Wine Tasting

There is much to learn about wine tasting and bonus!- you get to drink the wine while learning about wine tasting! Sounds like a perfect plan!

13. Visit all 50 States in the US!

We want to do this one! What about you? How many states have you visited?

14. Take a Spin Class

Cycling or spinning is a great way to get in much-needed cardio exercise without impact on the joints.

15. Go Cruise!

What about one of those world cruises? Or Many you can travel on a cruise ship around the Mediterranean Sea?

There are cruises to almost any destination you can think of! And now is the perfect opportunity to take a cruise! Just check out these deals!

16. Start a New Business

Retirement can be the perfect time to start a new business! Many older adults are opting to start new businesses after retiring from their careers.

In addition, many new retirees don’t have a retirement fund and find living on a fixed income from a pension and social security isn’t enough money to live out the golden years the way they would like and are looking for a way to supplement income.

The great news is that it’s never been easier to start a new business or side hustle.

Why not open an Etsy shop or a Poshmark Closet?

I wrote an article called: The best side hustles for women that you may find helpful if you are interested in starting a new venture.

17. Become a Grill Master

If you love to BBQ, then why not become a grill master?

Check out: 5 Steps to becoming a grill master to learn more about the art of grilling and how you can become an expert BBQ GURU.

18. Host a Progressive Dinner Party

Have you ever gone to a progressive dinner? No!? They are so much fun!

Progressive dinners are a great way to hang with a large group without doing all the work. Appetizers at one house, Entree at another, dessert, and a third. So much fun!

19. Get Your Affairs in Order

Nobody wants to deal with this stuff, but we all know we need to. So hire an attorney and draw up a living will. And make sure your loved ones know your wishes.

20. Spend a Month in Europe

This sounds like a dream. I would love to spend two weeks in France, two weeks in Italy and two weeks-maybe I need longer than a month!

21. Start a Five-Year Journal

I started a five-year journal on my 59th birthday. It will be so fun to look back on, and I hope it will become a treasure for my children and grandchildren for years to come.

22. Write a Letter to Someone You Love

Write a letter to someone you love- This might seem strange to add to your bucket list for retirement, but I don’t think so.

23. Take a Trip Around The World!

While working on destinations for your travel bucket list, why not plan a trip around the world? Taking a trip around the world is a literal dream of many retirees! How about you?

24. Attend A Music Festival

Music festivals are so much fun! My husband and I hope to go to the Country Thunder music festival soon!

Suppose you are interested in checking out a music festival. In that case, you will want to hop over to this amazing resource-The Music Festival wizard is a database where you can find music festivals worldwide!

25. Learn to Make Homemade Salsa

If you haven’t made homemade salsa before; This salsa recipe makes the best salsa in just minutes! It’s restaurant-style, full of fresh flavor, and easy to make.

26. Write a Book

It’s been said that everyone has at least one book inside them. What about you?

Retirement is a great time to write that book you’ve always thought about writing. Don’t know where to start?

Check out this amazing resource: How to write a book in 13 easy steps.

27. Golf!

Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime! And is one of the most popular hobbies for retirement, and a good reason!

Golfing is a wonderful sport for retirement because it’s a great source of exercise, and fresh air and is a very social game as well. All good things!

Another advantage to playing golf after you’ve retired is playing on off-peak hours when the courses are less crowded and sometimes offer discounts.

28. Cultivate a Green Thumb

If you want to cultivate a green thumb, it’s easy!

Start with plants that are easy to grow, and take a little time to learn some essential houseplant tips & tricks. 

It takes a bit of trial and error, but with a little patience, you can fill your home with beautiful green houseplants in no time!

29. Visit Alaska!

Nicknamed that last frontier, Alaska is top ten on my bucket list!

You can go on an Alaska travel adventure by land, sea, or air.

Check out this resource if you are interested in traveling to Alaska.

30. Get Involved in Local Politics

Many retirees are getting involved in campaigns and issues they didn’t have time to support while managing a career.

If you are passionate about social issues, there are many ways to get involved.

Resource: How to get involved in politics

31. Learn Self-Defense

It’s always a good idea to know how to defend yourself, especially as you get older.

Self-defense and Martial arts classes are widely available in many communities and online.

Learning self-defense can improve your self-esteem, self-confidence, and awareness of dangers.

Knowing self-defense reduces your chances of becoming a victim of a crime.

32. Study Your Family’s Ancestry

At some point, we all become curious about where we’ve come from.

Learning about your genealogy be as simple as taking a 23andme test or going online and taking out a subscription to an ancestry website.

Consider creating a family book that tells your story and the stories of the generations past.

33. Play the Stock Market: Stock Market Trading

Learning how to trade stocks is a great and potentially lucrative hobby for retirees.

Stock market trading will keep your mind sharp, keep you involved in your finances, and perhaps increase your bottom line.

34. Become a Mentor

Consider becoming a mentor if you want a rewarding activity that makes you happy in retirement.

Mentorship is gratifying to pass on knowledge and life lessons you’ve learned through years of experience.

In addition, mentorship keeps you socially engaged, provides an avenue to use your expertise, and allows you to give back to your community.

35. Go Dog Sledding

I have always been intrigued by dog sledding and think it’s more than worthy of a spot on a bucket list for retirement.

That said I did a little research and it turns out that Montana has dog sledding adventures!

And since I’ve always wanted to travel to Montana, this seems like a win-win.

Check out this resource to book your dog sledding adventure today!

36. Adopt a Pet

Retirement is the perfect time to adopt a new pet. With more time on your hands, it’s an excellent opportunity to add a furry friend to the family.

37. What about Skydiving?!

For those adrenaline junkies out there, skydiving is a great way to kick off retirement or celebrate a milestone birthday.

If you really love jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, there are skydiving clubs that you can join so you can make jumps often!

38. Go on Safari

Retirement is the ideal opportunity to start planning an African safari!

An African safari is the ultimate retirement bucket list adventure! Read the article: The beginner’s guide to planning your first safari to learn more.

Don’t want to travel to Africa? Check out this resource: The best wildlife safaris in the USA.

39. Visit The Pacific Northwest and Watch the Salmon Run!

The Ballard fish ladder is a very accessible location in the city where you can see many salmon migrating to their spawning beds.

Three species of Pacific Salmon pass through the Locks during the summer months and travel 40-50 miles upriver to spawn.

Visit The Ballard Locks to learn more.

40. Join a Wine Club

If you’re as passionate about wine, you may be interested in joining a wine club.

As a wine club member, you can experience flavors from regions worldwide at your leisure. 

This article: The best wine clubs will help you to decide which wine club would be the best for you!

41. Go Whale Watching

Whale-watching has been on my bucket list for a long time! If you want to go whale watching, here is a great resource to point you in the right direction.

42. Attend a Concert

Concerts are the best! And how fun to get dressed up and go to a concert with some girlfriends! Or..what about a double date with your favorite person and another couple?

Whether you want to catch a show featuring one of your favorite classic rock bands or a newer artist, attending a concert will be a memory you will never forget!

Browse Ticketmaster.com for tickets!

43. Dye Your Hair Pink!

Dye your hair pink– In October, Breast Cancer Awareness month is in full swing, and many people love supporting the research and funding by dying their hair pink to promote donations to help fund breast cancer research!

44. Learn to Sail

Retirement is the perfect time to consider sailing as a fun and venturesome pastime!

Even if you’ve never skippered a vessel before, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how straightforward it can be.

Check out this article: 6 reasons retirement is the perfect time to start sailing.

45. Take up Metal Detecting

Metal detecting might be a perfect hobby if you live near the beach.

Walking up and down the shoreline is great exercise, and who knows the treasure you may find!

They have a wide assortment of metal detectors available on Amazon if you want to check them out.

46. Take a Trip to Antarctica

Covered mostly in ice, Antarctica is one of the most remote destinations on earth and is considered “the trip of a lifetime” for many travelers.

From kayaking with whales to swimming in the caldera of an active volcano, here are 17 awesome things to do in Antarctica.

It’s also easier to travel to Antarctica than one might think!

Check out this article: How to visit Antarctica to learn more.

47. Learn to Surf

It’s never too late! If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, then do it!

This is a great resource about the best places to learn to surf to help get you started.

48. Take an Art Class

Retirement frees up the extra time needed to try new things and maybe get outside your comfort zone.

Taking an art class is fun to try different art mediums such as oil painting, pottery, stained glass, and more.

And as a bonus, research shows that art is good for aging!

Creative activities can improve older adults’ quality of life and well-being, from better cognitive function, memory, and self-esteem to reduced stress and increased social interaction. (source)

49. Visit The Grand Canyon

If you’re looking for an awe-inspiring adventure as a couple, add the Grand Canyon to your bucket list.

Visitors can choose various activities, including hiking, rafting, and horseback riding. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy the incredible views.

So whether you’re looking for an active vacation or a relaxing getaway, the Grand Canyon is sure to impress!

50. Make Your Own Pickles

I know this may seem silly to add to a bucket list for retirement, but I don’t think so! Making pickles is so much fun, and it’s rewarding too!

What about making pickles with the grandkids? Now that’s a good idea!

Don’t know it until you’ve tried it!

Here’s a yummy pickle recipe to get you started!

51. Go on a WhiteWater Rafting Trip

Now, this is a great bucket list idea for retirement! There’s a rafting trip for every skill level, from high-energy rapids to laid-back river floats.

52. Host a Weekly Game Night

It’s important to stay social during retirement; getting together with friends for a weekly game night is a great way to do it!

Click here to learn how to host the perfect game night with friends.

53. Make a Scrapbook

Scrapbooking is the perfect hobby for retirement and for people who like to be creative and record their memories with photos. 

It is easy to get started scrapbooking with the many accessories and decorative tools available. The possibilities are endless!

Check out this great resource: Scrapbooking for beginners.

54. Travel by Train Across Europe

Traveling Europe by train is a great bucket list item for retirement!
I know it’s on my list!

I’ve heard that taking a train through Europe is a magical experience, not to mention a great way to travel!

Check out this complete guide to train travel in Europe to learn more!

55. Bake an Apple Pie

Baking is a wonderful hobby, and the reward is always yummy! If you’ve never baked a homemade apple pie, then now is the time to check it off your bucket list!

Here’s the best recipe for apple pie! And don’t forget the vanilla ice cream!

56. Visit New Restaurants

If you’re a foodie or just love to dine out, a fun activity is to plan to visit a new restaurant once a week or once a month.

That way, you won’t get into a rut and will be sure to discover new and exciting restaurants in your area. And guess what?

There are apps for that!

Visit: The 6 Best Restaurant Picker Apps

57. Start Composting

Now is a great time to start if you haven’t started composting yet! Composting takes a little extra time and effort but is well worth it.

Not sure what composting is exactly?

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can in gardens and landscaping.

I have a cute composting container in our kitchen to collect food scraps for our compost bin outside.

The compost matter makes great fertilizer for my raised garden beds, and I feel good about recycling whatever I can.

58. Cook Your Way Through a Cookbook!

Have you seen the movie, Julia? If you haven’t, put it on your movie bucket list!

It’s a great story about a woman who cooks her way through Julia Child’s Joy of Cooking cookbook and blogs about it. It’s such a great movie!

Anyway, Cooking your way through a cookbook is a wonderful hobby for retirement and worth considering if you are a foodie and love to cook.

59. Set New Fitness Goals

With more free time, retirement is perfect for setting new fitness goals. Maybe you want to lose a few extra pounds or start a weightlifting program.

Maybe your goals are loftier, like training to run a marathon or hike the grand canyon.

Whatever your fitness goals, retirement is a great time to focus on your health and well-being.

Related Article: Healthy Habits for the New Year

60. Visit a Local Brewery

If you’re a beer lover like me, you will love checking out a local brewery.

It’s a fun and unique way to spend a night with friends; there is beer! :). Be sure to try a beer flight to taste several different kinds of beer in one sitting.

Each brewery has its unique vibe; many have awesome food menus, music, and games. Some Breweries have outdoor areas with fire-pits and are dog friendly too!

Related: 100 Bucket List Ideas for Couples

61. Go on a Food Tour

If you are a foodie and have never been on a food tour, you should a food tour to your bucket list.

A Food Tour, also known as Culinary Tour, is a guided tour designed to introduce you to the history and traditions of a people through their food culture, along with food tasting, of course!

Check out this article: The best food tours in the US to learn more!

62. Plant a Rose Garden

Who doesn’t love roses?

Planting a rose garden has been on my bucket list for a while now. A rose garden will bring years and years of joy and roses!

Check out this awesome guide: How to start a rose garden at home to learn more.

63. Update Your Style

There is no time like the present! Retirement is the perfect time to reinvent yourself and update your style!

Get inspired by following blogs and influencers who cater to the 50 and older crowd.

I follow some amazing over 50 bloggers that are rocking midlife that are sure to inspire!

64. Visit All Seven Continents

For the Wanderlust at heart, visiting all seven continents (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia) is the perfect long-term goal for retirement.

When looking at the map, I’ve already crossed off three!

Here is a wonderful article: How to travel to every continent to help you get started.

65. Go to the Superbowl!

The Super Bowl has been a tradition since 1967!

The Super Bowl is played in various host cities on the first Sunday of February, featuring the NFC and AFC champions.

Attending the Superbowl is at the top of every football fan’s bucket list, and for a good reason.

Want to go to the Superbowl? Click here to learn more.

66. Play Games to Keep Your Mind Sharp!

Brain-boosting games like crossword puzzles, Sudoku or Wordle, can help ward off memory loss and age-related diseases.

67. See the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

The northern lights are a magical phenomenon regarded as the Holy Grail of skywatching and should, without a doubt, be on everyone’s bucket list!

The northern lights most commonly occur within the area beneath the auroral oval.

And can be seen in Iceland, northern parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, southern Greenland, Canada, and Alaska.

If you live in the US, Fairbanks, Alaska, is one of the best places to view the Northern lights.

Check out this article: 5 Best Northern Lights tours from Fairbanks, Alaska to learn more.

68. Attend the Olympics

Attending the Olympic games is a bucket list trip for sports fans worldwide!

Seeing the world’s greatest athletes in multiple events in one city can only happen every four years at the Olympic games! 

Visit: The Olympics Website to learn more about how to attend the Olympic games.

69. Travel to the Hawaiin Islands

The Hawaiian islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, Lanai, and Molokai) each offer beautiful beaches, breathtaking natural beauty, and more.

If you don’t know which island to visit first, this great resource breaks down each island and what it offers.

If you want to visit them all in one trip, you may want to consider island hopping or a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.

70. Learn to Make Pottery

Learn to make pottery– Making pottery is a way to express your creativity and a stress reliever!

If you are interested in learning pottery, I found an excellent article about how to start pottery as a hobby that I think will be helpful.

71. Practice Yoga

If you haven’t tried yoga, please consider giving it a try!

Yoga is wonderful to help improve your physical and mental health. Our bodies are naturally less flexible and more susceptible to injury as we age.

Yoga helps us become more flexible and strong and super calming. 

You can practice yoga at home online, at a big box gym, or at a smaller, more intimate yoga studio.

72. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

If you plan on visiting Tanzania, Africa, and you love to hike, then hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro should 100% be on your bucket list for retirement.

Located in Tanzania, Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the entire continent.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience along with breathtaking views.

The high-altitude hike takes approximately three days and is best done with a tour guide.

To learn more about climbing mount Kilimanjaro, check out this article: The beginner’s guide to hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

73. Make Some Beer

Home brewing is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in the United States!

As Home brewing has become more and more popular, there are a ton of resources available to those who may be interested in brewing beer as a hobby.

There are even home brewing kits available online!

74. Hunt for Truffles

I recently watched, The Truffle hunters, a 2020 documentary about, you guessed it, truffle hunting! And to my surprise, it was fascinating! You can watch the trailer here.

Turns out, most truffles can be found in Italy, France, and the Pacific Northwest.

Guided truffle-hunting adventures are available for the truffle lover and the adventure lover alike.

Check out this Truffle Hunting Adventure located in Oregon and Washington state.

75. Go to the Kentucky Derby

Whether you’re a horse racing fan or not, The Run for the Roses must be on your bucket list!

Located at Churchill Downs in Lousiville, Kentucky, The Kentucky Derby has been a crowd-pleaser since the 1800s.

Visit kentuckyderby.com to learn more.

76. Reconnect with Old Friends

With life’s twists and turns, it’s easy to lose touch with important people in our lives.

Think about the people who have made an impact on your life. Maybe it’s a neighbor or a teacher?

With social media, tracking down old friends’s never been easier.

Life is short, so why not look up an old high school friend and reconnect?

Related article: How to Make New Friends in Your 50s

77. Take up Hiking

Hiking is a great hobby for retirees! It’s a great way to get in exercise, vitamin D, and fresh air!

Hiking can also be social and is a great way to spend time with family and friends.

78. Become a Tutor

Tutoring can be gratifying work.

You can either volunteer your time as a tutor, or tutoring could be a nice side hustle to bring in some extra cash after retirement.

79. Learn Calligraphy

I have always admired calligraphy and would love to learn it one day.

It doesn’t take much to get started. All you need is paper and a calligraphy pen.

There are some great books on Amazon and online calligraphy courses you can take from the comfort of your home.

If you stick with it and are looking for a side hustle, there is good money in addressing wedding invitations.

Skillshare has a lot of calligraphy courses available online.

Related Article: Need Extra Cash? Great Side Hustles for Women

80. Go Glamping

Glamping is one of our favorite things to do!

Glamping is where camping meets luxury. Glamping is a way to experience nature without sacrificing comfort.

Whether you go glamping in an RV, a luxury tent, or a log cabin-glamping is a perfect way to enjoy the world without bugs, leaky tents, outdoor toilets, and such.

To learn more about glamping and the many glamping destinations available, visit glamping.com.

Related Article: 100 Fun Things to do this fall!

81. Go Apple Picking

Take a day trip to a local apple orchard and go apple picking! Apple picking is a fun, wholesome activity that more or less defines the fall season.

Apple picking is the perfect opportunity to spend time with family and grandkids!

This article covers 18 of the best places to go apple picking in the US.

82. Get More Sleep

Good, quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself!

And the great thing about retirement is you can re-design your sleep schedule and improve your overall sleep hygiene.

83. Go Fishing!

When I think of retirement, I think of the picture of the older gentleman in fishing gear, hanging up a “gone fishing” sign on his front door.

Fishing is one of the most popular hobbies for retirees, and for a good reason!

To learn more about fishing as a hobby for retirement, click here.

84. Visit New York City

Traveling to NYC should be on everyone’s bucket list!

You’ve got to see it to believe it! Whatever you’re into-there is never enough time for all the New Your City has to offer.

Here are a few sights to check off your bucket list while in NYC:

• Empire State Building
• Rockefeller Center
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Central Park (zoo, carousel, lakes, ice rink, and more)
• Chinatown
• Little Italy
• Fifth Avenue (Shopping!)
• The Statue of Liberty
• Chelsea Market
• One World Observatory (a must-see!)
• Broadway
• Time Square
  

85. Learn to Knit

A favorite retirement hobby is knitting, and crocheting is a beautiful hobby to add to your bucket list.

Crafting cozy hats, scarves, and such can be very rewarding and can be done anywhere! On the subway, waiting for an appointment, or while binging shows on Netflix!

86. Go to the Rodeo

Rodeos are so much fun and worthy of a spot on your bucket list.

There’s nothing better than throwing on a good pair of boots and heading to the rodeo!

At the rodeo, you’ll watch competitions such as bull riding, bronco busting, roping, barrel racing, pole racing, bulldogging, and more.

In addition to competitions, there is usually fair like food, live country music, line dancing and more!

87. Volunteer Your Time

Do you want to make a positive impact on the world? Then, consider volunteering your time.

There is a need everywhere! The opportunities to volunteer are limitless.

If you are interested in volunteering, click here to find the perfect volunteering opportunities in your area.

88. Learn Photography

Photography is a wonderful hobby at any age.

Learning Photography is a great creative outlet and the best way to document life!

While you might eventually want to upgrade your camera, you don’t need a fancy one.

You will be surprised at the amazing photos you can snap using your cellphone!

89. Go Birdwatching

Birdwatching or Birding is a wonderful hobby for the nature lover.

According to Birda, birdwatching has become one of the fast-growing hobbies in North America and Canada and is now a multi-million-dollar industry!

Who Knew?!

For more information on birdwatching and how you can get started, check out this guide: How to get started birdwatching.

90. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

This is a holy grail bucket list item for many!

Riding in a hot air balloon is an amazing experience. My husband surprised me with a hot air balloon ride years ago, and I will never forget it.

Most hot air balloon rides are scheduled early in the morning or before sunset. With amazing views and the feeling of weightlessness, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

91. Start an Herb Garden

You don’t need a lot of space to start an herb garden, and it’s so nice to have fresh herbs on hand for cooking.

Related: How to Plant Basil in Arizona

92. Become a Stargazer

One of the best things to do is gaze at the stars. It’s a great way to learn about different constellations and planets. Plus, it’s completely free!

All you need is a clear night sky and some patience.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you start your star-gazing adventure:

• First, find a dark spot away from city lights. The darker the sky, the better.
• Bring a blanket or some chairs so you can get comfortable.
• If you have binoculars or a telescope, bring them along! If not, don’t worry – you can still see many stars with the naked eye.
• Take your time. There’s no rush. Lay back and enjoy the view. See if you can find any familiar constellations or see if you can spot any shooting stars.

Anyone can be a stargazer. So why not give it a try?

93. Visit Las Vegas, Nevada

There’s no place like Las Vegas!

Many retirees travel to Las Vegas for casinos, buffets, shows, and nightlife. But there’s more to Nevada than meets the eye!

Check out: Travel Nevada for more information!

94. Clean Out the Clutter

Retirement is the perfect time to downsize, simplify and declutter your life!

Clean out those closets, drawers, and garage! Maybe consider having a garage sale to make extra cash for a vacation!?

You will be surprised by how much money you can make from your discarded items.

Related article: How to have a successful Garage Sale

95. Start a Self-care Routine

Now that you are retired and have extra time, there is no better time than the present to take better care of yourself.

I am very passionate about self-care. I’ve written several articles about self-care to inspire you!

96. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset Every Chance You Get

Life is short. Remember to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the simple things in life.,

Make it a habit to watch the sunrise and the sunset every chance you get.

97. Start Journaling

Journaling is a wonderful way to process emotions and document life. There are many kinds of journaling.

I love morning pages journaling and gratitude journaling and have recently started a five-year journal.

98. Visit San Francisco

If you’re looking for unforgettable adventures and world-class culture, San Francisco is the perfect destination!

Famous for its grand-dame Victorians, cable cars, waterfront, the golden gate bridge, and much more, San Francisco ranks as one of the greatest cities in the world.

This city truly has it all and is a must-see for your travel bucket list!

99. Take a Kickboxing Class

Kickboxing is a great way to get in that cardio while getting out pent-up emotions and learning how to kick some serious butt. 🙂

100. Start a Blog

I couldn’t forget this one! 🙂

I started this blog shortly after I turned 59 years old, and I love it! You can blog about anything under the sun, as a hobby, or turn it into a full-time business.

Check out my article: How to start a blog to learn more about how to get started.

Related Article: 50+ Date Night Ideas for Married Couples

FAQ: Bucket List Ideas for Retirement

What are some fun bucket list ideas for retirement?

Retirement is a great time to pursue new adventures and hobbies.

Some popular ideas include traveling to dream destinations, learning a new language, taking up a new sport or hobby, volunteering, spending more time with family and friends and much, much more!

How can I travel more during retirement?

Traveling during retirement can be more feasible with proper planning.

Consider joining travel clubs for seniors, taking advantage of off-peak travel deals, and possibly even becoming a house-sitter to save on accommodation costs.

What are some hobbies I can start in retirement?

Engaging in creative and physical activities can keep you active and fulfilled.

There are countless hobbies you can start in retirement, such as gardening, painting, writing, bird watching, or even starting a small business.

Related: Best Hobbies for Older Women + Best Hobbies for Older Men + Best Empty Nester Hobbies

How can I stay active and healthy in retirement?

Staying active and healthy in retirement involves regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and staying socially connected.

Joining fitness classes, walking groups, or sports clubs can help keep you physically and socially active.

Related: How to do a Prayer Walk

How can I volunteer during retirement?

There are many ways to volunteer during retirement. You can contribute your time to local charities, hospitals, schools, or community centers.

Websites like Volunteer Match can help you find opportunities that match your interests and skills.

100 Bucket List Ideas for Retirement

With this list of 100 retirement bucket list ideas, you’re sure to find something that interests you and keeps you happy and healthy for years to come!

Whether you embark on extravagant bucket list adventures or budget-friendly memory-making activities, each experience will contribute to a fulfilling and enriching retirement journey. 

The most important thing is that you enjoy your golden years!

What’s on the top of your bucket list? These years can be some of the best of your life – make them count!

Thanks for reading, and happy retirement planning!

XO, Christine