A Day in the Life of Independent Living in Aspire at West End

As one of the United States’ oldest cities, Richmond, VA, is steeped in history, culture and attractions. The capital of Virginia is one of the most desirable retirement locations for seniors, since it offers plenty to do in the area and has one of the top centers for independent living in Virginia, Aspire at West End.

Aspire at West End ranks top among independent living communities in Virginia because of its beautiful resort-style living space, with dozens of on-site amenities and daily activities to explore. This safe, welcoming and accommodating community provides essentials like meals, transportation, housekeeping and security. This 55-and-older community also offers endless entertainment and relaxation for whatever your interests are, all within the peaceful surroundings of Richmond.

Fun Things for Seniors to Do in Richmond, VA

Richmond combines the elegance of a modern city with centuries of historical development, as one of the country’s first settlements. There’s an array of museums, nature sites, restaurants and attractions to check out. The city is also just around 2 hours away from the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Residents are conveniently located to the “DMV” (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia) area, which is a train ride away from locations like Philadelphia and New York City.

In Richmond, there’s always an exciting event to mark on the calendar or landmark to visit. Here are some top things for seniors to do in Richmond.

• Learn about history: Richmond is an exceptional place to learn about American history, because it played such a prominent role as the country took shape. The city was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War and was a major point of entry to slavery. Today, the city provides lots of education and insights into this formative time. A couple notable spots to visit are the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar and the White House of the Confederacy, which feature artifacts from the Civil War era and which provide guided tours that cover the time period. Richmond also features landmarks from the Civil War Trails, a network of more than 1,200 sites that provide history of the Civil War. There’s also the Richmond Slave Trail, a walking trail that details the trade of enslaved Africans until 1865.
• See free art: Richmond residents can see art all over the city, which features more than 100 murals on businesses and other buildings throughout Richmond and along the Richmond Canal Walk. The city also has more than a dozen art galleries and museums with free admission, including the Institute for Contemporary Art, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Belle Arte Gallery.
• Enjoy the great outdoors: Richmond has a multitude of nature-filled spots to visit, including public parks, trails and gardens. The James River Park system offers more than 550 acres of hiking, biking, paddle sports and climbing opportunities. Pocahontas State Park in nearby Chesterfield sits on 7,950 acres and provides walking trails, picnic spots, camping and wildlife viewing. The Richmond area is also home to gorgeous gardens like the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, the Maymont 100-acre estate and park, and the Richmond Garden Trail, featuring 10 gardens in 10 miles.
• See a show: There are lots of live stage performances to see in Richmond, including theater, music and dance shows. The Henrico Theatre Company at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen and the Virginia Repertory Theatre produce Broadway-style shows. The Richmond Symphony puts on orchestra performances, while the Richmond Ballet offers the premier state ballet shows. Richmond also hosts an annual Richmond Shakespeare Festival, presented by Quill Theatre and Agecroft Hall & Gardens.
• Bring the family to Kings Dominion: If you or your family members are thrill-seekers, Kings Dominion in nearby Doswell has the largest collection of roller coasters on the East Coast, featuring 12 coasters and more than 60 rides throughout the theme park. The site includes Planet Snoopy, a kid-friendly thrill area dedicated to beloved characters from the Peanuts comic strip. There’s also a 20-acre Soak City waterpark open during summer, which you get access to along with the theme park. During the winter, check out WinterFest at Kings Dominion, a display of millions of holiday lights and winter displays. Whether you want to wander around and take in the sights, or hop on a fast ride, there’s plenty to do with the whole family at Virginia’s top amusement park.

There’s also lots for foodies to savor and taste in Richmond, with more than 900 restaurants, including plenty of James Beard Award nominees. Whatever your tastes or interests are, Richmond has something for everyone.

A Look at Independent Living Programming at Aspire at West End

In addition to all the interesting things to do in the city of Richmond, the Aspire at West End senior community also has a diverse variety of activities on-site. In addition to features like anytime resort-style dining, outdoor private garden areas, a full fitness center, a salon and spa, a movie theater, meeting and game rooms, an indoor pool and an art studio, the following are some of the sample activities you’ll find on the daily programming schedule at Aspire at West End.

• • • Backgammon
    • Balance classes
    • Bingo
    • Brain booster activities
    • Coffee chats with friends
    • Community yard sales
    • Happy hours
    • Ice cream bars
    • Karaoke
    • Live music
    • Mah-jongg
    • Mandala meditation
    • Mobile libraries
    • Morning strolls
    • Movie screenings
    • Paint nights
    • Pool sharks and beer buds
    • Pressed flower crafts
    • Professional sports program viewings
    • Rummikub
    • Scrabble
    • Social bridge
    • Spades
    • Strength and stretch classes
    • Tech help classes
    • Virtual church services
    • Water aerobics
    • Yoga

Aspire at West End also hosts expert guest speakers and professionals, for events like on-site dermatology visits, hearing aid clinics and Medicare consultations.

The community also transports residents for off-site activities, like breakfast and lunch clubs, thrift store shopping, florist and garden center visits, and market runs. Residents can also contact concierge services to get assistance for setting up an outing with fellow residents, or to schedule an activity with family or friends who come to visit.

Visit Aspire at West End to Tour the Community

If you’d like to learn more about senior independent living in Richmond, contact Aspire at West End. This comfortable and vibrant senior community has everything you could want in a home, from services like housekeeping and meals, to transportation and emergency response.

Find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.