Plan a trip with your parents using our list of wonderful places to visit in Texas.
Senior travel can be a great way to reconnect with your parents, especially if they live a considerable distance away. Whether you’re planning a trip with your mom, both parents, or want to know what to expect, here are tips for ensuring your family travels go as smoothly as possible. If you wish to go now or wait until the holidays are over, here are popular senior travel ideas in Texas.
Senior Travel Ideas In Texas
We can’t forget our aging parents or grandparents. If I know one thing, our elderly parents don’t need any more trinkets, blankets, or pictures on the wall, unless they’re of their children or grandchildren. They need somewhere to travel to—and somewhere fun. I’ve come up with several places to take elderly parents, as well as some activities you can do together.
It’s never too late to take those trips you’ve always wanted.
My Mom
My mom is 84 (86, now), and I take her on trips whenever possible. Sometimes, I take her on my partnering trips in Texas, and sometimes, we get up and go, like when we headed northeast to Broken Bow, OK.
We have participated in various activities together on our trips, such as creating a wooden project, painting on canvas (which is particularly popular among seniors), and crafting with clay. We also love antiquing wherever we are. She loves looking for dishes that match those her sister left for her, and I love looking for antique containers and old door knobs.
My mom, bless her heart, has so much “stuff” that I’m beginning to think she might be a hoarder. We are going through everything to determine what she needs and wants, and what we can donate to Goodwill. So, the gift I can give her is to take her on trips.
Some of the ideas below can be taken any time of year, so grab your girlfriend, mom, spouse, grandmother, or whoever is dear to your heart and start planning some fun!
Senior Travel Ideas To Take In Texas
I came across an article discussing trending activities seniors will likely travel to do, and all of them can be found in Texas. Of course, some of these ideas I’ve listed below will be offered close to home, but what’s the fun in that? Traveling is the key to enjoying time away from home, especially in a place you’ve never been.
Here are a few fun ideas and where to find them in Texas. It’s hard to believe that I also fall into the category of “senior travel,” however, my mom and I are young at heart, and we love doing all things possible. Of course, more for me than her.
• Take Pickleball Lessons
Pickleball moves your whole body. I recently took a short lesson during my visit to Dripping Springs. Yep, this is me – all 62 years. I had no idea how fun and popular this sport was. And it’s for everyone – young and old. It’s easy to learn and play, and you get a ton of exercise.
Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors. I don’t know of any other place that offers it, except for the one I visited last year. Dreamland is an indoor-outdoor sporting facility on 86 acres in beautiful Dripping Springs. Not only do they have an outstanding pickleball outdoor court, but they also offer live music, art, games, and food, and an adult-only bar that has beer, wine, and spirits. Dripping Springs is located near Austin in the scenic Texas Hill Country.
Be sure to look up pickleball wherever you go.
• Go To Festivals
2025 is full of festivals in Texas; whether it’s antique, live music, film, or any other kind of festival, it is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.
- Antique Festivals In Texas
- Music Festivals In Texas
- Family Festivals & Events In Texas
- Texas Wine Festivals
• Sign Up For A Canvas Painting Class
Painting on canvas is fun, and yes, it will test your skills, but the instructions are straightforward, and the instructor usually has plenty of patience. The picture above is of my mom and me, showcasing our fantastic art, right? I do remember helping my mom, but for the most part, she was able to follow directions, and as you can see, her painting turned out just as good as mine!
• Go On Wine-Tasting Adventures
We enjoy traveling to the Texas Hill Country for wine tasting. Don’t worry if wine isn’t your thing. All you need is at least one person who likes it; the others can enjoy the outdoors and the friendships that come with it. Several wineries are pet-friendly and family-friendly, making them an excellent option for bringing the grandkids along. Although the Hill Country is a great area to visit, other wineries exist in Texas. But wine tasting, to me, is a treat, and maybe it can be for you, too. Look for wineries that offer food. That way, the ones that don’t drink wine can fill their tummies!
• Pick Berries
Whether you have to go out of town or down the road, pick berries together – there are plenty of pick-your-own berry farms in Texas that you can travel to. It’s fun, and you’ll have something to bring home. Next, bake a pie with your gatherings.
• Service Volunteering
Of course, this can be done where you live, and it’s needed worldwide, more than ever. Senior volunteering is in the article I ran across. You don’t have to travel to volunteer, as there’s likely a need for volunteers somewhere near you. But wouldn’t it be cool if you and your senior mom traveled somewhere to volunteer at a festival?
• Book Longer Stays
My first thought upon booking longer stays (more than just a weekend) was at Camp Lucy or Madrone Springs Ranch, both located in the Hill Country. These two places are spectacular places to enjoy the outdoors and nature at its finest. If it’s within your budget, a weeklong stay is possible here. So much – you may never want to leave.
However, why not stay longer, wherever you go?
Ideas for longer stays with seniors:
- beach vacation
- Camping in a cabin full of amenities (that’s me)
- Visit one of our National Parks
- small towns in East Texas
- visit family (longer)
- Travel by RV
- and more!
• Choose Soft Adventures
Outdoor adventures continue to be popular, and National Parks seem to be returning to pre-pandemic levels. However, entry-level hiking, walking through a National Park, or along the River Walk in San Antonio are considered “soft adventures” that almost anyone can do. Even camping in a cabin is what we were doing in the above photo. And she got to bring her Lilly!
Set your sights on these popular senior travel ideas in Texas and make this year the year of travel!
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