You’re retired and are ready to start living life unrestricted by work schedules and the daily grind. You’ve finally got all the time in the world and you want to spend it the best way possible. But what is the best way?
Map out your plan for entertaining retirement living with these five ways to enjoy your retirement while keeping it local.
1. Go back to school
A great way to keep your mind sharp, your life interesting, and your time meaningful is to continue learning. Wor-Wic Community College offers free tuition to all Maryland residents aged 60 and older. The offerings include both credit and non-credit courses so you can follow your dream of a second career in the culinary arts, hone your technology and computer skills, or simply enroll to enjoy learning for the sake of knowledge.
Salisbury University provides similar benefits to those 60 and older residing in Maryland. If you’re retired and your main income is from retirement benefits, you can take up to nine credits a semester entirely free of tuition cost! Finally pursue your love of the fine arts academically, learn guitar, or explore the science of Earth. With over 100 majors and minors available, there’s an opportunity for everyone.
2. Volunteer
School was never really your thing, but you still want to keep learning, socializing, and taking an active role in your community. The city of Salisbury and Wicomico County are absolutely brimming with chances to volunteer time, knowledge, and energy to many great causes.
If you love animals, the Salisbury Zoo will train you to be a docent to provide tours and give animal presentations, while the Humane Society of Wicomico County will be happy to have you walk shelter dogs to get them out and moving.
Maybe the world of art and entertainment is where you’d like to give back and connect to others in the community with similar interests. Salisbury Art Space looks for volunteers to provide everything from gift shop customer service to teaching art classes. At the Ward Museum, volunteers are a huge part of the day-to-day operations. Assist with gallery openings, education, special events and more by bringing your current abilities or getting trained to apply new skills.
If you just love to help, you can give back at the Maryland Food Bank, HALO Ministry Shelter, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, and so many other local churches, shelters, and community gardens. There are a plethora of ways to volunteer and a huge amount of benefits to the individual, organization, and community are innumerable.
3. Take up a new hobby
Starting a hobby—or multiple—is the classic answer to enjoying your time in retirement, and the local options to help you discover your new passion are vast. If you want a social outlet and challenge to the mind, get into table-top and card gaming via demos, tournament play, and a wide selection of products at Salisbury’s own Phoenix Rising Games and Comics or the Salisbury location of Portals Games and Comics.
To get started in calming, hands-on activities, head to The Mudhud: Clay Art Studio for a membership to start making and firing your own clay art. Try your hand at fashioning candles not far from Salisbury in historic Princess Anne at Let’s Get Lit Candle Studio.
Not sure what you might be interested in? Check out the Global Play application on mobile where a membership gains you access to free and discounted activities across the shore from bowling and roller skating to kayaking and golf (standard and mini). All the options will take you to local eastern shore businesses in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia so you can find the right hobby for you.
4. Plan a trip
With gas prices steadily staying increased, long trips aren’t always an option. Luckily, a road trip around Wicomico County can take you to many great sites without having to stray far from home. Head out to Westside Historical Society in Mardela Springs to visit their museum focused on the west side of Wicomico County. While there, stop to see the historic San Domingo School built in 1919.
The Barren Creek Springs house and church historical sites are must-sees to explore Wicomico County’s history. In Salisbury, The Poplar Hill Mansion was built in the 18th century and still stands today, hosting tours and special events. If you’d like to take a little nearby getaway, Whitehaven Hotel sits along the Wicomico River in Quantico near the Whitehaven Ferry.
Searching for historic landmarks around Wicomico County is a treasure hunt of hidden gems and historical exploration. You never know what remarkable sites you’ll see next.
5. Stay active
Making movement a regular part of your schedule is important in every stage of life and retirement is no different. Ability and need are different for each person but finding the right balance is a stone’s throw away.
MAC’s Richard A. Henson Wellness Center offers a variety of options including personal training, gym access, and group classes, all geared towards individuals 50 years and older or those with a disability. An alternative to the gym can be found outdoors. The Salisbury City Park and Pemberton Historical Park offer beautiful outdoor walking trails accessible all year round.
Whatever you choose to do with your retirement time, make it the best years of your life right here in Salisbury.
