Retirement is the perfect time to travel — here are the top places in 2018 to visit
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- Unencumbered by work and kids, retirees are the best age group to travel — and many are in fact active travelers.
- An analysis of millions of bookings across all age groups, spanning thousands of destinations, hotels and flight routes from 2017 to 2018 revealed the preferred travel destinations for retirees.
- Below are the most common travel destinations for adults 60 and over with pricing information and suggested activities.
Unencumbered by work and kids, many retirees are upping their travel game.
An analysis by Priceline found that boomers book the longest average length of stay on their vacations, relative to other age groups, and spend significantly more on flights and hotels than younger travelers.
"Baby boomers are active travelers," says Kevin O'Leary, senior analyst at Priceline, via email.
So where are seniors headed? To find out, MONEY teamed up with Priceline to get information on travelers aged 60 and over; the company analyzed millions of bookings across all age groups, spanning thousands of destinations, hotels and flight routes from 2017 to 2018.
The resulting list, below, identifies the most common travel destinations for adults 60 and older. We've also plugged in pricing info from MONEY's Best in Travel database, and found a couple of activities at each location to fill your time.
1. Chicago
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Average hotel night: $174
Average 2017 airfare: $249
Cost for a 5-day trip (for two): $1,979
Chicago hits a traveler trifecta: cultural attractions, world-class food and plenty of natural beauty.
Learn about the city's iconic buildings aboard the Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruise. The 90-minute ride costs $47 during the day, and $52 to see the buildings light up at twilight (with a 7:30 p.m. departure).
The city is also home to 25 Michelin-starred restaurants, plus a plethora of no-frills diners and joints that serve authentic (and delicious) fare. On the upscale side, book a reservation at Acadia for an eight-course tasting menu. For family style cuisine, try Mexican bites like tacos and mole at Mi Tocaya.
At Navy Pier, the 200-foot Centennial Wheel on Chicago's skyline offers views of Lake Michigan. If you'd rather stay at ground level, walk along the 18-mile Chicago Lakefront Trail, which passes Lincoln Park Zoo, Grant Park, and the South Shore Cultural Center.
2. Orlando
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Average hotel night: $123
Average 2017 airfare: $254
Cost for a 5-day trip (for two): $1,509
Orlando is home to child-friendly favorites like Disney World, so some seniors may well be visiting with their grandkids. But the tourism hub can be just as enjoyable — if not more so — for retirees.
For one thing, Disney World itself has plenty of adult-friendly entertainment right on site. Eat a bratwurst, drink sake, shop for Moroccan textiles, and watch Chinese acrobats all in the same day at the World Showcase exhibit at Disney’s Epcot park. Or eat an authentic French feast at the Beauty and the Beast-inspired restaurant, Be Our Guest. (Tickets don’t come cheap: two-day tickets cost $209 per person ages 10 and up, with no senior discounts.)
Orlando is also a great jumping-off point for nearby attractions. Drive an hour east to New Smyrna Beach for 13 miles of sand, as well as smaller crowds than other east coast Florida beaches. Farther afield, you can visit the Kennedy Space Center to learn about our country’s space exploration history and current advancements. Single-day tickets cost $57 for adults, and $50 for seniors 55 and older.
3. Denver
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Average hotel night: $130
Average 2017 airfare: $242
Cost for a 5-day trip (for two): $1,863
Traveling this fall? Immerse yourself in Denver pride with a Broncos game in Mile High Stadium. When you get hungry, check out the Denver Central Market food hall for local bites and sweets, including roasted meats from SK Provisions(owned by renowned chef Sean Kelly) and artisan cheese from Culture Meet & Cheese.
Many people also choose Colorado for its natural beauty. Denver is just a bit more than an hour from one of the best national parks in the country, Rocky Mountain National Park. Take a hike on one of the 355 miles of trails, available for all skill levels. The Lily Mountain trail, for instance, offers panoramic views of Longs Peak during the 4-mile trek. Park entry costs $30 per vehicle, and seniors 62 or older are eligible for a $20 annual pass (or $80 lifetime pass) for access to all national parks and other federal recreation sites.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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