15 Easygoing Cities if an Active Nightlife Isn’t Your Thing

Not everyone wants to spend their nights going to concerts or hanging out in local lounges. For many seniors, an active lifestyle during retirement is all about daytime fun. In fact, people of any age may want to live in a place that offers lots to do without being a night owl.

FinanceBuzz examined 25 factors in some of the country's largest cities to determine which communities were the most laid-back.

We sorted the data, excluding traditional evening activities such as lounges, concert venues, and performing arts, to create a list of the most easygoing cities with an active daytime lifestyle .

Here’s our list of the top easygoing cities perfect for those who think “early retirement” means getting a good night’s sleep and still enjoying a busy, laid-back lifestyle.

15. Richmond, Virginia

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Richmond is known for its history, but it’s also home to theme parks and a dozen or more golf courses. You’ll also find plenty of spas, farmers markets, and yoga studios to enjoy.

If you’re looking for something cultural to do during the day, visit Maymont Park and its dozens of animals, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, or the Poe Museum.

14. Buffalo, New York

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Buffalo is next on the list, thanks to its numerous spas and comfort food locations. It’s simple to find a coffee shop around just about every corner as well.

The redeveloped waterfront creates an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some fantastic meals, but there’s much more to do here, too.

Niagara Falls isn’t far, and you can always explore the seven Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the Martin House complex if you love architecture.

13. Tampa, Florida

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Tampa's warmth is certainly a reason to visit, but the city has much more to offer, including a huge number of spas, about three dozen golf courses, and a few theme parks.

There’s ample shopping with numerous local boutiques here, as well as tours of everything from Cuban history (check out the cigar history in Ybor City) to marine life and breweries.

12. Cincinnati, Ohio

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In the Midwest, Cincinnati is perfect for the thrill-seeker looking for an amusement park or zoo, or those who want to spend their days on the fairways at one of the numerous golf courses. Coffee, sushi, and comfort food are easily available, too.

For those who love farmers markets, Findlay Market is one of the best. Dive into history by exploring the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center as well.

11. St. Louis, Missouri

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In St. Louis, you can try plenty of restaurants serving up the best in comfort food and wholesome meals. With moderate weather most of the year, it’s easy to play some golf or take a long bike ride, too.

You could explore Forest Park and the Gateway Arch, catch a Cardinals baseball game, or visit the city’s numerous downtown art exhibits, including the Citygarden Sculpture Park.

10. Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Next on the list is Minneapolis, a city noted for fabulous golf courses, some excellent restaurants, many fitness studios, and lots of outdoor beauty.

From the shopping (beyond the Mall of America) to the waterfalls, lakes, and parks perfect for bikers, Minneapolis has something for most people who want to enjoy activities in their own town.

9. Riverside, California

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Making the decision to live in Riverside could mean you have fantastic weather year-round, every fabulous theme park you could ever think to explore, and a different golf course to play every day of the week.

Hometown tourists will also find many local festivals and farmers markets to visit, trendy stores to shop in, and beautiful nature to enjoy, including the UCR Botanic Garden.

8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Pittsburgh is a beautiful city at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers that flow into the Ohio. It’s ideal for those looking for golf, spas, yoga, and theme parks.

In Pittsburgh, you can attend professional sports events, festivals, and museums for all interests. You may become a regular at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History or the Andy Warhol Museum.

7. Miami, Florida

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Miami is an international city with the cultural and active lifestyle that day people will enjoy, despite its reputation for a vibrant nightlife.

Sitting on Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Miami offers great beaches, outstanding golf courses, professional sports, and top-notch restaurants.

Don’t overlook the Bayside Marketplace and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. And mark your calendar for Art Basel Miami Beach every December.

6. Providence, Rhode Island

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Stunning in its natural beauty, Providence is also noted for its theme parks, golf courses, and farmers markets.

The Hope Street Farmers Market, jazz festivals, and Roger Williams Park are all treasures here.

5. Atlanta, Georgia

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Atlanta is easily recognized as a modern metro region, but it’s also one of the best for active adults who love golf, yoga, and spas. There are some great theme parks here, too.

Fun activities, like the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Centennial Olympic Park, and Georgia Aquarium, will keep you exploring in your hometown.

4. Salt Lake City, Utah

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In Salt Lake City, it’s hard not to spend every weekend on one of the golf courses, but you’ll find this is a fantastic destination for spas, yoga, and comfort food as well.

Getting out on the lake is fun, but in town, you can enjoy the beauty of Temple Square and Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens, along with miles of parks.

3. Hartford, Connecticut

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In Hartford, you’ll easily spend some time on thrill rides, golf courses, and at the local spas and fitness centers if you love to stay active.

The city is filled with stunning parks, including Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk, which is the perfect place for urban walks.

2. Orlando, Florida

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If you like to spend hours on your feet in the hot sun, Orlando is hard to beat with its dozens of theme parks and outdoor attractions.

Away from the tourist attractions, the city boasts numerous golf courses, spas, and shopping areas.And don’t overlook opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, airboat rides, and fishing here, too.

1. Birmingham, Alabama

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Birmingham is a fantastic destination for food, from sushi (yes, it’s here) to southern comfort food. It’s also perfect for golf (follow the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail), a few theme parks, and fitness centers.

Outdoors, you can wander Railroad Park, take a free fitness class, or catch an afternoon outdoor concert.

Check out the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in the heart of the city, marvel at the colossal statue in Vulcan Park and Museum, and explore the Sloss Furnaces industrial museum.

Bottom line

To compile this list, we looked at fun activities for all age groups, including theme parks, golf courses, restaurants, and farmers markets.

For retirees who want busy days and places to entertain visiting children and grandkids, these cities offer lots of activities. Plus, all offer a range of restaurant options to help you save money when you dine out.

If you’re looking for a city that offers both the best daytime and nighttime leisure activities, we recommend Seattle, Washington. It offers a balance of activities and attractions no matter the time of day.

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