The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is Tucson’s best stargazing destination and home to the largest dedicated public telescopes in the United States. Stargazing programs are offered nightly, year round. Come stand with us on the shores of the cosmic ocean and stare into the vastness of space. Most of humanity never have the opportunity to see the Universe as clearly as visitors do through our Schulman and Phillips telescopes. The rings of Saturn, nebulae and spiral galaxies are all encountered as part of the tour. Guests also enjoy a light dinner, a beautiful sunset from 9,157 ft, and the use of binoculars throughout the evening. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased at SkyCenter.arizona.edu. This five hour experience is typically appropriate for participants older than 7 years of age. $75 for adults and $50 for youths younger than 18 years old. For many this is a life-transformative experience.

The Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1967, is a 24-acre (9.7 ha) city-owned and operated non-profit zoo located within Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo features more than 500 animals. It was unofficially established in 1965 by Gene Reid, the parks and recreation director at the time.

Reid Park Zoo consists of four zones that are organized by the types of habitats and animals they house. The Adaptation Zone houses animals such as the grizzly bear and Aldabra giant tortoise, the South America zone houses animals such as the jaguar and spectacled bear, the Asian zone features the tiger, and the African Animals zone features animals such as the lion and giraffe. The African Animals zone also houses a 7-acre expansion (Expedition Tanzania) which was opened to the public in 2012. Expedition Tanzania is home to a herd of 5 African elephants, including a female calf born at the zoo on August 20, 2014, the first ever elephant born in the State of Arizona. A large aviary named Flight Connection hosts dozens of species.

Physical Address for Reid Park Zoo 
3400 E. Zoo Court
Tucson, AZ 85716

General information: 520.881.4753

 

Sabino Canyon, one of the premier natural areas in southern Arizona, is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains at 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ 85750.

Come to Sabino to see water in the desert. Between steep rock cliffs and unique desert vegetation you will find riparian corridors. You may even get lucky and view a Gila Monster, Bobcat, or other animals that are adapt to our 100 + degree summers and mild winters. The Sonoran desert has two rainy seasons: gentle winter rains and a dramatic summer monsoon. Due to winter snow melt and summer electrifying lightning storms Sabino Creek flows almost year around.

Many local people call Sabino Canyon their second home. Visitors walk, jog, hike, wildlife viewing, photography and so much more. If you want to bicycle in the Canyon times are limited to after 5pm

The canyon itself has been closed to private vehicles since 1978. However you can still visit Sabino Canyon in an emission-free, open-air Sabino Canyon Crawler or Bear Canyon shuttle. Along the 1-hour round trip route for Sabino Canyon enjoy an audio tour or get off at one of the nine shuttle stops. The Bear Canyon route is 30-minutes round trip and has three stops. Times, pricing, and tickets are available online.

The Recreation Area itself has over 30 miles of trails. Come to the Visitor Center to talk with one of our amazing volunteers or employees. Visit our bookstore for maps, gifts, and souvenirs.

1. On Top of the World – Ocala, FL

Below $100k – Low $400s

If you’ve been following along with past awards by 55places, this should be no surprise. Over the last several years, On Top of the World has been consistently considered the best 55+ community in the world. It topped out at No. 1 on last year’s 55 Best 55+ Communities list, sold the most homes for 2019’s best-selling list, and claimed our Community of the Year award in 2019.

There are several reasons for On Top of the World’s continued success, including a wide variety of home styles, affordable home prices, a low cost of living in Ocala, a varied selection of amenities, and the constant attempts to improve. The last few years have seen major renovations to the community’s golf facilities and the Arbor Fitness Club.

2. The Villages– The Villages, FL

High 100s – High $1Ms

The Villages is one of, if not the most, golf-cart friendly towns in the country.

Even if you’re not familiar with 55+ communities, you’ve likely heard of The Villages. While not everything you hear about The Villages is good, there are plenty of myths and rumors that can be busted about the popular community. As the largest 55+ community in the country, The Villages operates more like its own large town than a traditional community.

Also, there’s no need to drive a car to visit the hundreds of restaurants, shops, and other entertainment options. The Villages is one of, if not the most, golf-cart friendly towns in the country. Your only issue here is deciding each day how you want to spend it.

3. Solivita– Kissimmee, FL

Mid $100s – Mid $500s

Solivita is surrounded by protected natural areas, parks, and lakes.

Solivita is a perennial top 10 finisher among 55places awards, but this year, it’s really making waves. Nestled on the outskirts of Kissimmee, Solivita is surrounded by protected natural areas, parks, and lakes, but it’s still just a short drive away from downtown Orlando, making it a great option for those who have grandkids visiting frequently or who just enjoy a night out.

It’s distinctly the largest 55+ community in the Orlando area, with several amenity complexes and plans for 5,900 attached and single-family homes upon completion. In a single day, Solivita homeowners can get in a game of pickleball, relax by one of the many pools, enjoy a cooking demonstration, then grab a meal at The Grille at Stonegate in the Stonegate Golf Club. Even with Orlando’s many great 55+ communities, Solivita remains the premier community in the area.

4. Latitude Margaritaville– Daytona Beach, FL

Low $200s – Low $500s

Inspired by Jimmy Buffett, this community offers a lifestyle like none other.

Rounding out the Florida communities in the top five is none other than Latitude Margaritaville. Since it was first announced in 2017, Latitude Margaritaville has changed what we know about 55+ communities. Inspired by the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, the community doesn’t just offer residents a new home, it offers a lifestyle like none other.

Three years on from the announcement, the community has seen its first amenities open up in the last 12 months, including the Town Square which features a restaurant, bar, fitness center, resort-style pool, bandshell, and more. The community is also making headway on its private beach house, which will soon allow for homeowners to be shuttled to their own private section of the Atlantic Ocean shore.

5. Sun City Texas– Georgetown TX

Low $200s – Low $1Ms

Sun City Texas offers a prime location and resort-style amenities.

The first non-Floridian community to make this year’s list is Sun City Texas. Why wouldn’t the largest 55+ community in a state where everything is bigger be the best? Located between Austin and San Antonio, Sun City Texas offers a prime location and resort-style amenities. The community has several dozen attached and single-family floor plans as well as a wide price range, making it easy for buyers to find their ideal place.

There are two large amenity complexes in the community, both of them offering almost endless activities. This includes three 18-hole golf courses, four outdoor pools, nine miles of trails, six pickleball courts, gardening plots, a dog park, and so much more. That’s not to mention two of Texas’ most popular cities are just a drive away. What more could you need?

360+ aircraft, 80 acres, 6 indoor air-cooled hangars… just plane awesome! This is one of the world’s largest aircraft collections including 3 hangars of WWII planes, the SR-71, the world’s smallest biplane, and many other unique private, military, and commercial air & spacecraft documenting the evolution of flight. There’s something for the everyone from a “flight simulator” Boeing 720 cockpit, the Women in Flight Gallery, and an all around mecca for the aviation aficionado. They give the only tour of the “Boneyard”/AMARG (M-F, no holidays, 16-day advanced reservations required) plus a tram tour of the museum’s 80 acres and one-of-a-kind planes. You can actually touch aviation history like “Freedom One” (that flew American hostages home after 444 days in Iran), presidential crafts, planes that launched astronauts, others with wingspans the length of a football field… ogle helicopters, MiGs, an Oscar, a rare German buzz bomb, a moon rock, and much more!

Sabino Canyon, one of the premier natural areas in southern Arizona, is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains at 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ 85750.

Come to Sabino to see water in the desert. Between steep rock cliffs and unique desert vegetation you will find riparian corridors. You may even get lucky and view a Gila Monster, Bobcat, or other animals that are adapt to our 100 + degree summers and mild winters. The Sonoran desert has two rainy seasons: gentle winter rains and a dramatic summer monsoon. Due to winter snow melt and summer electrifying lightning storms Sabino Creek flows almost year around.

Many local people call Sabino Canyon their second home. Visitors walk, jog, hike, wildlife viewing, photography and so much more. If you want to bicycle in the Canyon times are limited to after 5pm

The canyon itself has been closed to private vehicles since 1978. However you can still visit Sabino Canyon in an emission-free, open-air Sabino Canyon Crawler or Bear Canyon shuttle. Along the 1-hour round trip route for Sabino Canyon enjoy an audio tour or get off at one of the nine shuttle stops. The Bear Canyon route is 30-minutes round trip and has three stops. Times, pricing, and tickets are available online.

The Recreation Area itself has over 30 miles of trails. Come to the Visitor Center to talk with one of our amazing volunteers or employees.

The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum was founded in 1952 by William Carr and Arthur Pack.  The Sonora Desert Museum is a 98 acre mostly outdoors experience and is rated as one of the top ten museums in the country and Tucson’s number one rated attraction.

The museum consists of 21 interpreted acres with 2 miles of walking paths through desert habitats.  There are 242 animal species, plants from 1,200 different species, and one of the worlds most comprehensive regional mineral collections.

The museum also features conservation and research programs, and an art institute.  During your visit you may get the opportunity to experience a raptor free-flight program as they have demonstrations throughout the day for visitors.  You will also get to see javelinas, “the darlings of the desert”.

The Sonoran Desert Museum is a great place to spend the day with family and friends, enjoy lunch in the cafe and shop in the gift shop that is loaded with desert art and gifts.

The museum is located just west of downtown Tucson over Gate Pass at:  2021 North Kinney Road.  The phone number is 520-883-2702.

One-fourth of America’s 52 million older adults call a collective three states home, according to a ranking of states based on the percentage of their 65+ population.

Using data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey estimates, Stacker ranked all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in a “States with the most seniors” report based on the age of their populations, finding that California, Florida and Texas are the three states with the largest 65+ populations.

California has 5.3 million seniors (ranked No. 45 by percentage of its state population of seniors, at 13.6%), Florida has 4.1 million seniors (ranked No. 1 by percentage of state population, with 19.7%) and Texas (ranked No. 48 by percentage of state population, with 3.5%) has 971,168 seniors.

By comparison, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming and Alaska each have fewer than 150,000 residents aged 65 or more years, although Vermont made the organization’s top 10 list as a state with a high percentage of older adults in the overall population.

The authors noted that the size of a state’s older adult population affects the demand for resources such as healthcare, affordable housing, assisted living, in-home and nursing care, and support services. And the quality and availability of those resources help determine where older adults migrate.

“States that lure seniors tend to have beautiful weather, low or now taxes, a low cost of living, and access to top quality medical facilities,” the authors stated. “It’s no surprise then that as a share of the population, the states of Florida and Maine are bursting with seniors — nearly one in five residents are age 65 or older, followed by West Virginia, Vermont and Montana.”

Less welcoming states tend to tax retirement income, including Social Security, and have high-priced housing and steep property taxes, not to mention cold winters, according to the findings.

The 10 states with the highest percentages of older residents among their overall populations:

1. Florida — 4.1 million seniors (19.7% of the state population)
2. Maine — 259,176 seniors (19.4%)
3. West Virginia — 344,719 seniors (18.8%)
4. Vermont — 31,606 seniors (18.2%)
5. Montana — 183,823 seniors (17.6%)
6. Delaware — 167,129 seniors (17.6%)
7. Pennsylvania — 2.2 million seniors (17.4%)
8. Hawaii — 245,955 seniors (17.3%)
9. New Hampshire — 227,984 seniors (17%)
10. Arizona — 1.2 million seniors (16.7%)  HAS THE 3RD HIGHEST SENIOR POPULATION!

Azstateparks.com/kartchner

About 45 minutes southeast of Tucson and just off I-10 you will find a living, growing anomaly of geologic history.  Among stalagmites, stalactites and growing crystals you can hear and experience the interesting history of how the caverns came to be discovered and preserved.

Kartchner Caverns State Park features 2.4 miles of passages. Long hidden from view, the caverns were discovered in 1974 by local cavers, assisted by a state biologist who helped in its preservation.

The caverns are carved out of limestone and are full of geologic structures that have been growing for more than 50,000 years.  The two major features of the caverns currently available to the public are the Throne Room and the Big Room.  Big Room tours are closed during the summer for several months because it is a nursery room for cave bats.  As many as 2.,000 bats nest in the cave during late spring.

Many different cave formations can be found within the caves and the surrounding park.  These include cave bacon, helictites, soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites and others.  Cave formations grow about a 16^th of an inch every 100 years.

A visit to Kartchner Caves State Park is well worth the trip.  The Visitors Center is especially comfortable and has a wealth of information about the caves.  Cave tours are guided so there is no chance if going to a place in the cave that is dangerous.

1. Century Village East– Deerfield Beach, FL

This year marks the first time a condo community has taken the top spot on our best-selling list. Century Village East has over 8,000 condos built between 1970 and 1995, but this community is distinct because of its low-price points. Of the homes for sale currently, there are plenty under $100k and even quite a few around the $50k mark.

Regardless of the low home prices, the community doesn’t skimp on amenities. The 145,000-square-foot clubhouse has everything from an indoor pool to a 1,600-seat theater to an 800-person ballroom. Enjoying the Florida sunshine is easy with tennis, bocce ball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts. The community also offers transit to help residents easily run errands.

2. Wynmoor Village– Coconut Creek, FL

Wynmoor Village follows in the footsteps of Century Village East in many ways. Both are located in Broward County, both are condo communities, and both blend low-priced homes with expansive amenities. Built from 1978 to 1999, these condos are great for homebuyers looking to downsize and reduce housework.

The 50,000-square-foot clubhouse has dozens of hobby rooms, three ballrooms, and a theater. Also, throughout the community, homeowners can enjoy 19 satellite pools as well as courts for shuffleboard, tennis, and pickleball.

3. Kings Point– Delray Beach, FL

Sticking to the theme, Kings Point is another condo community in Southeast Florida. Like our previous two communities, King Point is home to thousands of low-priced condos and an expansive list of amenities. Prospective homeowners can find plenty of units for under $100k, with homes having one to two bedrooms and one-and-a-half to two bathrooms.

Amenities include a 100,000-square-foot main clubhouse as well as two smaller clubhouses available to all residents. Between the three amenity centers, residents have access to fitness centers, golf courses, tennis courts, outdoor pools, multipurpose rooms, and much more.

4. Robson Ranch– Denton, TX

The first community outside of Florida to make the list is the resort-style Robson Ranch just outside of Dallas. This large community of 7,200 attached and single-family homes in an idyllic suburb with plenty to do inside and out of the neighborhood.

The amenities include four amenity centers as well as the Wildhorse Grill. There is also a tennis complex, 16 pickleball courts, an 18-hole championship golf course, a community garden, and much more to really give residents the feel of living in a resort.

5. Windsor Gardens– Denver, CO

With the Denver area booming, there’s never been a better time to purchase in Windsor Gardens. This neighborhood is one of the few 55+ communities in a large, urban city, and it offers comparatively lower home prices while still being near all the fun in the city. Windsor Gardens has 2,689 attached homes and condos, many of which have been recently updated.

The community has a 9-hole golf course and practice area as well as courts for bocce and shuffleboard. Indoors, residents enjoy the pool, billiards room, woodworking shop, and several other hobby and craft rooms. With the Denver area booming, there’s never been a better time to purchase in Windsor Gardens. This neighborhood is one of the few 55+ communities in a large, urban city, and it offers comparatively lower home prices while still being near all the fun in the city. Windsor Gardens has 2,689 attached homes and condos, many of which have been recently updated.

The community has a 9-hole golf course and practice area as well as courts for bocce and shuffleboard. Indoors, residents enjoy the pool, billiards room, woodworking shop, and several other hobby and craft rooms.

With the Denver area booming, there’s never been a better time to purchase in Windsor Gardens. This neighborhood is one of the few 55+ communities in a large, urban city, and it offers comparatively lower home prices while still being near all the fun in the city. Windsor Gardens has 2,689 attached homes and condos, many of which have been recently updated.

The community has a 9-hole golf course and practice area as well as courts for bocce and shuffleboard. Indoors, residents enjoy the pool, billiards room, woodworking shop, and several other hobby and craft rooms.