Top 5 US Bus Tours for Seniors

One of the best parts of retirement is having the time to finally see the world and travel. There are many places you want to visit, and you enjoy the scenery but no longer drive. There’s a perfect way to see the country without having to get behind the wheel yourself: bus tours! And, what better option than checking out US bus tours for seniors?

A bus tour gives you an advantage that plane travel doesn’t. It allows you to see the beauty of the US and every stop along the way in detail. A cross-country trip is a great way to see the United States, or just a week-long trek to see a part of the country you haven’t seen before.

Stops at each state on the way to your final destination enable you to take in numerous sights, enjoy local culinary treats, and get a feel for what each place really has to offer that makes it special.

A bus tour is the best kind of road trip because you can enjoy the trip without having to exhaust yourself driving! Don’t forget your camera, because you’ll want to remember this one-of-a-kind journey on a comfortable bus.

Bring your partner, friends, or family members on an unforgettable vacation that you’ll love, and make memories that will last a lifetime on one of the best US bus tours for seniors.

Best 5 US Bus Tours for Seniors

1. New England in the Fall

There are few places more beautiful than New England in the fall. The gorgeous leaves and their vibrant colors, the crisp seaside air, and the miles of scenic countryside are simply breathtaking. Take a trip to the East Coast and see what makes New England so special during its most amazing time of the year. 

A bus tour through New England in the fall is an eight-day trip that begins and ends in Boston. You’ll enjoy guided tours as well as food and hotel stays in this all-inclusive tour that shows you the scenery of Williamstown, Vermont, Maine, and Portland along with all of the foods and sights that are the standouts of these areas. 

The great thing about booking one of these bus tours is that you aren’t locked into the dates you set. If you have something come up and you need to reschedule, you’ll have the freedom to do that. 

This trip typically takes place towards summer’s end and into fall when the foliage is at its best and brightest. Not only will you see the great outdoors of New England, but you’ll enjoy visits to some of the most noteworthy museums, galleries, and restaurants that this area has to offer along with seeing the stunning architecture and the serene waterfront.

2. US National Parks

Take a 12 or 15-day tour on a trip to see some of the country’s most famous national parks. Always wanted to see Yellowstone Park but never got around to it? Now’s your chance. This trip even includes a stop at the legendary Grand Canyon! 

You’ll see Zion National Park, Loretto Chapel, Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, and more on this bus trip that includes eight different guided tours. This tour includes accommodations as well as meals. 

You’ll also get a glimpse of some amazing sights like the Old West mining town of Durango in Colorado and the Saint Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe. The amazing rock formations of Arizona and Utah are something you have to see in person to believe. 

It’s not just the destinations you’ll love. The drive through these incredible areas is just as beautiful as getting there. High mountain ranges, huge trees and canyons, and glittering waterfalls are just a few of the natural sights you’ll take in. 

You’ll also see many types of wildlife that inhabit these areas, including goats, moose, and bison. They make their homes in these parks, and you will enjoy seeing them in their home environments. 

You’ll have plenty of free time to leisurely enjoy the cities as well as visit shops, restaurants, and museums. 

3. Best of California

Always wanted to see California? Here’s your chance. A Best of California bus tour gives you a look at the best the state has to offer. This sightseeing tour starts off in scenic San Francisco and ends in Los Angeles, packing in tons of sights that make California famous. 

Not only will you get to experience a vineyard and a wine tasting in legendary Sonoma, where they make some of the most amazing wines in the world, but you’ll also enjoy the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park. 

San Francisco has so much to offer. This iconic city is home to the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and ferries. The streets of the city are the perfect place to sightsee, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful weather. 

The seaside city of Monterey puts you on the Pacific Coast Highway, an amazing highway that runs next to the ocean. Enjoy relaxing in the sea breeze and exploring this cute town! Once you leave Monterey, Santa Barbara awaits. Santa Barbara is, in a word, beautiful. You’ll see for yourself. 

Santa Monica and Los Angeles are next on the itinerary, and you’ll take in a lot in just two days in these celebrated cities. Venice Beach, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills are just a few of the destinations that you’ll see.  

4. The South

Ah, the South. Home to famous Southern cooking, amazing country and bluegrass music, and some of the most famous cities in the world. A bus tour through the highlights of the South will give you a glimpse into cities like Nashville, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Nashville is the country music capital, and if you’re a music fan, there are plenty of things for you to see and do here, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and the famous Ryman Auditorium, where many country legends have performed over the years. 

You will even see a show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry! This is a great bus trip for music buffs! Are you an Elvis fan? Then take a step back in time with a tour of Elvis’s gorgeous home, Graceland.

You’ll see everything related to the King and hear some amazing stories as you tour his home and property, including his last resting place. 

Memphis is home to Sun Studios and Beale Street, places where blues and rock converged to create a whole new sound back in the 1950’s. Explore the city and take in the energy here. 

New Orleans is an amazing place, filled with music, culture, arts, and some of the best food you’ll ever taste! Enjoy the quaint cemeteries, Voodoo Museum, and iconic restaurants and taste some Creole food while listening to jazz music.  

5. Vermont Tour

Bet you never imagined that Vermont had so much to offer, but it does! Take an in-depth look at Vermont on a learning vacation you’ll never forget. This cool tour company takes you on journeys that combine a love of learning with a jam-packed vacation. 

The Vermont tour offers a close-up of three of Vermont’s most beautiful cities, including Montpelier. You’ll love staying at cute inns, checking out spots like the Sheldon Museum, and enjoying a private lecture and tasting at the Shelburne Vineyards. 

What’s it like living in small town Vermont? You’ll get a taste of life here during your six-night stay. You’ll even get to venture into cool pop culture places like the setting for the Bob Newhart show and the actual Trapp Family Lodge while hearing the history of these neat places. 

The Rock of Ages granite quarry is the largest granite quarry of its kind, and seeing it in person is truly amazing. You’ll see where the granite comes from that makes up some of the world’s most famous monuments. 

If you’re interested in the government and politics of small towns, this is a great trip to take, and combines Vermont today with Vermont yesterday, giving you insight into the history of the past as well as the present. And, the food is great!  

What Should You Consider When Picking A USA Bus Tour For Seniors?

Small group vs. large group tours

When you’re planning your tour, you may see that some tour groups only consist of 10 to 15 people, while some offer space for up to 40 or 50 sightseers. So, what’s the best way to travel, with a small group or a large party? 

For a more intimate experience, smaller is always better. You’ll also feel less crowded on a bus. However, a larger group may offer you more opportunities to make friends. Larger tours may also cost less than smaller tours. 

A smaller tour may also allow you to ask your guide more questions and find out more information as you go, whereas with a larger group you may not get much one-on-one time with your tour guides.  

All-age tours vs. seniors-only tours

There are some obvious perks to joining a seniors-only tour. There are other travelers your age, so if you are traveling alone it will be easy to make a friend in your age bracket. The downside to a seniors-only tour is that some seniors enjoy being around kids and people of all ages and find it more interesting. 

A seniors-only tour will also plan excursions with seniors in mind, which may mean less activity than an all-ages group, which may tire seniors out with more walking, hiking, or sightseeing than a senior can handle.

A seniors-only group understands the limitations that seniors have while traveling, so there are benefits to both types of tours here.  

Planned vs. open itinerary tours

When it comes to bus tours, there are a few different types, but one thing you’ll definitely notice as you plan your vacation is that some tours have every day and hour planned out, while some tour companies give you a bit more freedom to see what you like. 

The benefit of having the itinerary planned is that you have everything done for you and you can go along and enjoy the sights instead of worrying about preplanning your tour or what you should see and where you should go. 

The best of both worlds is ideal – you should opt for a tour that gives you plenty of guided options along with a couple of free days here and there to explore on your own. Too much freedom can be stressful, but not enough can feel too rigid.