The 10 Best Retirement Activities in New Mexico!
After you’ve retired, it’s important to find interesting hobbies and passions to pursue to fill up your free time. Finally, you have the time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. And in New Mexico, there is an abundance of options to make your schedule busy! Here are the 10 best retirement activities to enjoy in the state.
New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, Albuquerque, NM
If you’ve ever wanted to sing … and not just in the shower … this choir has open auditions once a year. The all-volunteer choir performs multiple times throughout the year at the First United Methodist Church. For more than 40 years, the choir has been entertaining music lovers with a diverse selection of performances. To audition, come prepared to sing a favorite hymn, folk song or classic choral selection. Rehearsals are weekly and build to a final concert.
Las Cruces Community Theatre, Las Cruces, NM
Have you longed to stand on stage as someone other than yourself and act? No better time than now to smell the greasepaint and hear the roar of the crowd. Actors for this local theatre company have been walking the boards for the past 50 years, performing in all manner of dramatic, comedic and musical productions. There are plenty of roles to fill for the wannabe performer and auditions are held regularly. Every year the season showcases a variety of talent.
Shiprock Marathon, Shiprock, NM
Start training to do something extraordinary, like run a marathon. There are dozens around the state to choose from. The one in Shiprock’s been around for 34 years, so organizers have a good process in place and know how to treat runners. The 26.2-mile course is relatively mild for a first attempt and the community of athletes of all levels is incredibly supportive. There’s also a pasta party the night before and a health and wellness info. Grab your running shoes and get moving.
Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, NM
Help make history come alive as a docent, or volunteer guide, for visitors to the state’s history museum, this 17th century adobe and Registered National Historic Landmark. Docents learn tour techniques, interact with museum staff, preview new exhibitions, attend private lectures and have access to the behind-the-scenes world of museum life. Volunteers also get free admission, can attend lectures and gallery talks and receive discounts at the on-site shop. Expand your horizons and learn the history of Santa Fe and the state.
Southeast New Mexico College, Carlsbad, NM
Go back to school just for the fun of it. The community education program provides a wide-range of educational opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment. The classes are short-term and … no tests! Choose from a variety of topics that include art, music, cooking, computer skills, personal finance, health and wellness, photography, welding and more depending on the semester. Registration fees are reasonable. This is a great way to improve skills or find a new hobby.
Hobbs Senior Center, Hobbs, NM
Local senior centers provide a wonderful community, as well as a great variety of programs and services. Here, assistance is provided in tax preparation, there are drivers safety and computer classes, daily meals are served, exercise classes are held, you can see a movie, play pool, bingo and cards, or you could just go shoot the breeze with friends.
Murray Ryan Visitor Center, Silver City, NM
Share your love of travel as a tourist ambassador at a city visitor center. You’ll get to share information with visitors who stop by for maps, guides, local lore, area information and travel assistance, and in the process, share your own travel knowledge with people who come from around the world. You might just meet someone from a place you’ve never been and get inspired to go there!
Taos Art School, Taos, NM
Unleash your inner artist and take an art class. For two decades, this art school has been teaching people how to paint, sculpt and take photo-graphs. There’s series of Native American art workshops that includes traditional Navajo weaving, traditional Cherokee basketry and traditional Hopi pottery making. Classes meet the needs of all levels of artists and are capped at 12 students, for one-on-one instruction. Walk in the footsteps of Georgia O’Keefe and paint your way across northern New Mexico in the plein-air program.
Sierra del Rio Golf Course, Elephant Butte, NM
There are dozens of golf courses around the state to practice your game. Not only can you play golf here, you can live right on a fairway. This 18-hole course will test your ability to drive, chip and putt, but you really don’t have to keep score if you don’t want to. The course is open year-round and is located in a lovely setting with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and desert. Golfing here is not a good walk spoiled, it’s a fun and invigorating experience.
Camp Host at Villanueva State Park
Do you like to camp? Meet new people? Stay at some of the most spectacular landscapes in the state? Make a difference in the state park system and become a camp host where you’ll get to see natural wonders, historic sites and participate in interpretive and educational programs and recreational activities. Hosts receive a campsite and hands-on training. The commitment is a two-month term, 24 hours a week.
