As they say goodbye to warm summer days and embrace the crisp, cool air the winter brings, seniors in Alexandria, Virginia, may be on the lookout for ways to stay active. You can look for opportunities to explore enriching activities that brighten the colder months. Whether discovering a new favorite recipe or getting involved in the local community, older adults can find numerous ways to keep busy this season. Here are five winter activities to help seniors embrace Alexandria’s vibrant culture and events.
Volunteer opportunities in Alexandria are plentiful and offer a meaningful way for seniors to stay engaged and give back to their community during the winter or any time of the year. The wide array of options includes mentoring, shelter support, litter cleanup, museum tours, and library programs. Volunteers can also help maintain nature trails, assist food banks, and participate in charity drives. Many organizations offer flexible roles to match different interests, schedules, and activity levels. Beyond contributing to the community, volunteering provides a sense of accomplishment and builds social connections, making it a rewarding way to spend the season.
Winter is the perfect time to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen. Despite the cooler temperatures, Alexandria has several farmers’ markets that operate year-round or through December to provide fresh ingredients for these recipes. Many locally grown vegetables aren’t in season during this time of year. However, seniors can still find plenty of sweet potatoes and other root vegetables, apples, winter squashes, and hardy greens for their cooking experiments. You can also buy the finest chicken, pork, and beef to make hearty stews, soups, and chili that are perfect when it’s cold outside.
Cooking or baking something new keeps seniors active and provides a delicious creative outlet. From main courses to seasonal treats, such as pumpkin pies or gingerbread, you can satisfy your culinary curiosity while preparing something tasty to share with family and friends. Residents of senior living communities often organize group cooking sessions to turn their meal prep into a fun, shared experience that whips up meaningful connections.
Adventurous seniors can bundle up and explore new areas of Alexandria. Strolling along the centuries-old brick-lined streets in Old Town Alexandria, you can find hidden gems in this nationally designated historic district. You can also explore the waterfront, where wintertime views of the Potomac River are stunning.
Local museums and art venues, such as the Alexandria Black History Museum, Torpedo Factory Art Center, or Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, offer enriching indoor experiences for those seeking to avoid the cold. You can also pop into one of more than 100 independent boutiques to explore small shops with big surprises and seasonal decorations that enhance any winter outing.
Many senior living communities arrange planned group outings for residents. Group events offer socializing opportunities to help keep loneliness at bay, especially in the winter when cold weather may discourage you from getting out and interacting with others. The Landing's proximity to all that Alexandria has to offer as well as nearby Washington, D.C. makes it easy for residents to explore something new.
Cold winter months offer an ideal time to curl up in a warm location with a good book. Alexandria has plenty of resources for exciting reading material. The Alexandria Library system provides a vast collection of books, audiobooks, and e-books to suit varied interests. The library can also help seniors find a good book through its book match program. After the patron fills out a simple questionnaire with their preferred format, library personnel handpicks a personalized list of book recommendations.
Alternatively, seniors might browse independent bookstores, such as Old Town Books, The Company of Books, or Hooray for Books, known for their cozy atmospheres and curated selections. Participating in book clubs is another way older adults can enjoy a good book through engaging discussions and social connections.
Alexandria is known for signature community events and a packed calendar of winter activities, including concerts, parades, museum programs, holiday markets, workshops, and many other things seniors might enjoy. Seasonal celebrations, including the Scottish Walk Parade and Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, are perfect for enjoying the festive spirit with friends or family. Indoor options include catching a performance of seasonal classics and carols at the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra or A Christmas Carol at The Little Theatre of Alexandria — a yuletide tradition in Alexandria.
Attending local events lets seniors experience the city’s rich culture and offers an excellent way to meet others and stay socially engaged throughout the winter season. Many senior living communities organize group trips to local events, making it even easier to enjoy the area's offerings without worrying about logistics.
The Landing is a luxury rental retirement community that blends urbane sophistication with adaptive, supportive service and care. In addition to varied services and amenities, we have an extensive calendar of programs and social events to help seniors stay active in the winter and throughout the year. Contact us at 571-568-7621 to learn more about The Landing and decide if it’s the right choice for you.
