Retreat Centers
Reset. Reflect. Reconnect.
Buddhist / meditation
- Insight Meditation Society (Massachusetts) — silent meditation retreats.
- Spirit Rock (California) — Buddhist meditation.
- Plum Village (worldwide) — Thich Nhat Hanh tradition.
- Vipassana Centers — donation-based, 10-day silent.
- $50-300/day typical.
- Some donation-based.
Christian retreats
- Trappist monasteries — silent retreats welcome guests.
- Catholic retreat centers — most dioceses have.
- Jesuit retreats — Ignatian spirituality.
- Episcopal retreat houses.
- Cursillo / Walk to Emmaus — weekend programs.
- Often $50-200/day.
Yoga + wellness retreats
- Kripalu (Massachusetts) — yoga + wellness.
- Esalen (California) — Big Sur, healing arts.
- Omega Institute (NY) — varied programs.
- Canyon Ranch — luxury wellness.
- $150-1,000+/day.
- Many senior-specific weeks.
Senior-specific retreats
- Road Scholar retreats — educational + spiritual.
- Sage-ing International — conscious aging programs.
- Encore Adventures — second-act retreats.
- Modern Elder Academy — "midlife wisdom school."
- Several days, focused on aging well.
- Combine with travel.
Why retreat?
- Break from routine.
- Process big life changes (retirement, loss).
- Deepen meditation / spiritual practice.
- Disconnect from news / phone / TV.
- Meet like-minded people.
- Quiet time to think.
- 3-7 days = recommended length.
Local + free options
No need to travel. Local Buddhist temples often have weekend retreats. Catholic monasteries welcome day visitors free. Quaker silent meetings — totally free. Even a 24-hour personal retreat at hotel — phone off, journal, walk = transformative. Try once a year.