Top 10 Retirement Travel Destinations with the RLC Travel Program
Most people would agree that travel is one of life's greatest joys. However, it can also be stressful, especially as changing needs make traditional travel arrangements more challenging.
Few understand this better than those of us who work with seniors every day. That's why we created a travel program designed to make travel easier, more comfortable, and more accessible for older adults. Through the program, our residents can stay at any of our communities across the country for up to five days in a guest suite, with meals and other amenities included at no additional cost beyond their regular monthly rent.
For clear reasons, this program has been very popular and allowed our residents to travel the country with much greater ease and cost efficiency. This has led to some of our communities becoming especially popular vacation destinations! This list highlights communities guests frequently visit for stunning geography, unique travel experiences, or culturally rich cities nearby. Some of these places might already be on everyone’s radar, while others are just waiting to be added. Happy travels!
There's nothing quite like stepping outside and being greeted by the sight of Colorado's towering Rocky Mountains. Located where the picturesque range lands on the high plains of Denver, Sky Pointe sits at the perfect location for those looking to explore the mountains or just take in their beauty from a distance.
Situated just a minute’s drive away from Highway 470, guests to our Rocky Mountain community are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor activities. With routes to the nearby South Valley Park, Mount Falcon, and Mount Lindo, as well as the more distant Maxwell Falls and Genesee Park, guests looking for picturesque trails are in for a treat. Spend a morning exploring Colorado’s natural beauty, come back to Sky Pointe for lunch and a quick rest, and then head into Denver for an evening of brewery hopping. For beer lovers, there are few better cities to visit.
The location of Sky Pointe is gorgeous, but for something a little closer to the airport, while still keeping the benefits that come with a Denver destination, check out Parkside Village!
Nestled in the highlands of North Carolina sits Julian Woods. Besides being surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, our community is also located within close distance to Asheville, NC, home to the Biltmore Estate, an iconic Gilded Age manor built by the Vanderbilt family. Learn about our country's most extravagant historical period by walking through its architectural zenith.
While the palatial country house of the Vanderbilt family is the main draw to the area, the mountainous terrain also means an abundance of breath-taking hiking trails surround our community. As with all Appalachian states, it would be best to visit in fall, when the peaks are colored in vibrant red and amber.
The city of Asheville itself is also worth a visit. With its quaint, historic downtown, it's the perfect place to unwind, visit a bookstore, and sit for a while in a café. Julian Woods is the perfect destination for those looking to be surrounded by both man-made and natural beauty while also enjoying the peace and quiet of life removed from the hustle of the city.
Nothing evokes the image of a vacation quite like sun-kissed sand, palms swaying in the warm breeze, and gently rolling turquoise waters. There's something immediately calming about a trip to the beach, and the southeast coast of Florida perfectly encapsulates all that iconic ambiance while also providing the excitement of world-class dining, luxury shopping, and ocean-view golfing. There’s a reason this destination is so popular!
Located in Wellington, FL, Palomino Gardens is conveniently situated allowing easy access to the nearby West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, as well as Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and even Miami — after a bit of driving. Head out for the day and sip a daiquiri by the beach, go golfing at the Palm Beach Par-3, visit the designer shops on Worth Avenue, enjoy seafood at the Palm Beach Grill, and then wind down the day within the familiar comforts and security of our community.
Enjoy the convenience, ease, and relaxation of a beach vacation without the hassles of a traditional hotel.
While the Midwest may lack the palm-lined beaches, dramatic mountains, or painted deserts that other states can advertise, it makes up for this with its abundance of culturally rich cities, many of which fly under the radar. Lucky for us, our Deerfield Springs community is located in perhaps the most underrated city in America, Cincinnati, and it's absolutely worth the visit.
With a thriving local food scene, more than a few impressive art museums, and several scenic venues for live music and theater, Cincinnati features everything needed for a more refined, urban trip without the fast pace and overwhelming scale of New York City.
Use Deerfield Springs as a home base to explore the surroundings; take a stroll through downtown or visit the Over-the-Rhine district, a vibrant neighborhood made up of beautifully preserved Victorian row houses, boutique shops, and some of the city's best cafés and restaurants. It's the perfect city to go shopping in the morning, museum hopping during the day, and then cap off the night with an upscale dinner and a live show — and it's all within a short distance of our community.
Few places showcase the beauty of autumn quite like New England. The idyllic image of old colonial towns peeking over a sea of red, yellow, and orange trees is so deeply engrained into the cultural perception of the region that it’s hard to imagine the area in any other season. New England is fall, and to experience the season at its best, book a visit to Evergreen Crossings.
Located in South Windsor, CT, Evergreen Crossings is located right outside Hartford. As with other entries on this list, our community is positioned conveniently near highways leading to the city, letting visitors explore its many historic attractions, including the Mark Twain House & Museum.
Obviously, fall foliage will be abundant anywhere around the city, adding a cozy ambiance to any sightseeing tours, but to get the most breathtaking glimpse of New England in fall, take a quick drive over to the Hollister Preserve which overlooks the entirety of Hartford. There, a grand expanse of trees stretches across the horizon in every direction, all glowing in their autumn best. It’s a view worth a trip in itself.
In many ways, Las Vegas is a mirage. In the middle of the desert sits a dream-like city of opulence and color, an oasis of glitz and glamor shaded by palms and surrounded by nothing but the quiet of Nevada’s desert. However, this place is no mirage — it’s Vegas! Lucky for our travelers, we have three communities in the area, each offering their own benefits. However, Red Rock Pointe’s location makes it the perfect home base to explore the city’s most exciting features!
The best part about Vegas is exploring the strip, playing games at the casinos, shopping, and seeing the live shows. However, the worst part is actually staying on the strip. Avoid the traffic, well-over-priced rooms, and the inescapable smell of smoke and stay at Red Rock Pointe. Enjoy familiar comforts while using a transportation service to navigate to the Vegas Strip or Fremont Street.
Explore Vegas like never before, enjoying only the best parts of the city while minimizing the parts that tend to dampen the experience. See the shows, spin the roulette wheels, and soak in the lights of the city, but then retreat to more comfortable surroundings to wind down the night.
The coast of New England is like an image from a storybook. It’s a place of lighthouses on rocky shores battered by inky waves. Here, city centers are made of old brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and wrought iron lamp posts. Fishermen bring in their catches, and restaurants serve them within hours. It’s a romantic way of life that’s become unfortunately rare in the modern world. Few places better exemplify this idyllic image of old New England than Portland, ME, and for those wishing to experience it for themselves, there’s a community waiting for them.
Sable Lodge is located in South Portland, just off the I-95 and I-295, allowing visitors to easily access the historic Old Port district and wharf. Take a stroll through the old city center, visiting its many shops and boutiques. Then get lunch at Luke’s Lobster Portland Pier and order the classic roll — there’s no way to visit Maine and not get a lobster roll! Finally, take to the sea on a boat tour exploring the area’s historic lighthouses. After the day on the town, return to Sable Lodge to settle in. Travel tip: ask the residents where to go the next day to get the best seafood. Chances are, the locals are going to know better!
Book a visit to Sable Lodge and explore coastal New England by boat and by fork!
While true time travel is still limited to works of science fiction, we do have something fairly close in Virginia. Sitting to the southeast of Richmond on the Chesapeake Bay is Colonial Williamsburg, one of the most famous historical attractions in the United States. Luckily for history lovers, our Virginia Greens community is only separated from the excitement of Williamsburg by a golf course, letting guests hop over to the town with ease.
Take a walk through time and see our country in its earliest days and colonial era, exploring in and around antique buildings and watching reenactors portray the daily lives of people back in the late 18th century. Besides looking at history, visitors can also taste history at eateries like Shields Tavern, Raleigh Tavern Bakery, and Chowning’s Garden Bar, where historical dishes are served.
With a constant calendar of special events, battle reenactments, and immersive experiences, there’s no better place in the 13 Colonies — or rather, in America — to learn about history.
Out of all the communities in our portfolio, Daniel Pointe is our Southern belle. Sitting on Daniel Island, this gorgeous Charleston community offers a little bit of everything: class, sophistication, and hospitality.
With convenient access to the city center through the nearby I-526, guests to Daniel Pointe can easily explore the historic city of Charleston, learn about its rich past, and appreciate the city’s formidable culinary scene. The city is also home to several acclaimed restaurants, including Michelin-starred dining experiences!
The ideal itinerary for a Daniel Pointe adventure would be as follows: go out for a morning walk at the Isle of Palms beach (depending on the season), take the Old Town Trolley tour to learn about the city’s history, and book a meal at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Vern’s. Just be sure to book well in advance!
For those looking for a taste of Southern charm, look no further than Daniel Pointe.
