Top 5 Bucket List Items for Retirement: A Guide to Help Check Them Off

Featuring local tips for retirees in Ormond Beach, Florida

Retirement is your chance to design the life you’ve always dreamed of—filled with travel, new experiences, meaningful connections, and pure joy. If you’re lucky enough to live in or around Ormond Beach, Florida, you already have a head start! From oceanfront views to vibrant local culture, this area offers plenty of ways to start checking off your retirement bucket list.

Here are the top five must-do items for retirees—plus how to bring them to life right here on the Sunshine State’s beautiful coast.

1. Travel to Your Dream Destination

Whether your dream is to see the Eiffel Tower or take an Alaskan cruise, retirement gives you the freedom to go. Ormond Beach is the perfect home base—with easy access to travel hubs and beautiful spots right in your backyard.

Local Tips to Make It Happen:

• Fly Out Easily: Daytona Beach International Airport is just 20 minutes away and connects to major hubs for international travel.

• Cruise Close to Home: Port Canaveral (just over an hour south) is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. Book a Caribbean cruise and be sipping a cocktail at sea in no time.

• Weekend Getaways: Take scenic drives to St. Augustine, Savannah, or even the Florida Keys for memorable road trips.

  
  

2. Try a New Hobby or Learn Something New

With more free time, it’s the perfect chance to pick up a skill or dive into something you've always loved. Whether you want to paint, garden, or dance—Ormond Beach has a lot to offer.

Local Tips to Make It Happen:

• Art and Crafts: Check out workshops at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, which offers art classes specifically for adults.

• Lifelong Learning: Daytona State College offers continuing education and senior programs with no-pressure learning.

• Community Clubs: Plantation Oaks of Ormond Beach and other 55+ communities host resident clubs—from photography to pickleball.

3. Take an Epic Road Trip

Florida has some of the most scenic drives in the country—and Ormond Beach is perfectly positioned for all kinds of road adventures.

Local Tips to Make It Happen:

• The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail: A local favorite! This 30+ mile loop takes you through lush canopies, riverside views, and coastal stretches—perfect for an afternoon drive or a bike ride.

• Day Trips Galore: Head to Mount Dora for antique shopping, explore Blue Spring State Park to spot manatees or visit Cape Canaveral to see a rocket launch.

• RV-Friendly: If you’re thinking of splitting your time and trying out the "snowbird" lifestyle, Plantation Oaks has RV-friendly storage options.

4. Volunteer for a Cause You Care About

Giving back can bring tremendous joy and purpose in retirement—and there are plenty of ways to get involved in Volusia County.

Local Tips to Make It Happen:

• Halifax Humane Society: Love animals? Volunteer to walk dogs, help with adoptions, or support their events.

• Council on Aging of Volusia County: Help local seniors by delivering meals, leading activities, or offering companionship.

• Environmental Volunteering: Join beach cleanups or conservation programs through Volusia County Environmental Management.

5. Reconnect With Nature

Ormond Beach is a nature lover’s dream. From peaceful parks to oceanfront sunrises, you don’t have to go far to feel refreshed and recharged.

Local Tips to Make It Happen:

• Tomoka State Park: Hike under ancient oak trees, kayak on the river, or simply picnic with a view.

• Bulow Creek State Park: Home to the giant Fairchild Oak, this is one of the best places for birdwatching and tranquil walks.

• Ormond Beach Itself: Take morning beach walks, collect shells, or try sunrise yoga right on the sand and the sound of the waves.

Final Thought: Your Retirement Bucket List, Your Way

No matter where your dreams take you, retirement is your time to live them fully—and if you’re in Ormond Beach, you’re already surrounded by beauty, adventure, and community. Start small or go big, but most of all—start now.

Ready to make memories? Let’s get checking!