Summer is the absolute best. But who says you have to pack a bag and go to a far-flung destination to really enjoy the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer? In fact, homeowners who live in one of metro Atlanta’s many active adult communities know first-hand that there are countless amenities right at home that can help you make the most of the hottest months of the year. Here, we take a brief tour of some of the most popular 55+ neighborhoods and the outdoor offerings that allow homeowners to feel like they are on vacation right around the corner.

In the Club(House)

In so many communities, the clubhouse is the heart of the neighborhood. This is certainly true in Atlanta’s active adult market, where the clubhouses have become city-like centers that offer a wide range of recreational opportunities, from pools and lounge areas to outstanding spots for gathering and grilling.

Stratford at NatureWalk at Seven Hills from Artisan Built Communities, located in Dallas, truly stands out. This “55 and better” community within the larger Seven Hills area is specifically designed to meet the needs of active adults not only within the well-appointed single-level living homes on the property, but also among its community amenities. In fact, Stratford features a private adult-only clubhouse that will include a pool with a resort-style swim-up bar area and an outdoor veranda, all being added to the property soon. There also are volleyball courts, picnic pavilions and more, which make Stratford a go-to locale for the summer months.

Not far away is Poplar Place from Fischer Homes, a low-maintenance community in Dallas known for its beautiful ranch-style home designs that feature open-concept floor plans and flexible living spaces. A brand new amenity center recently opened and is home to a charming clubhouse with pickleball courts, a bocce ball court, a fitness center and more. It’s an ideal place to spend a summer day just moments from your front door.

Canton is home to Courtyards at Hickory Flat from Traton Homes, which offers 64 beautifully crafted ranch homes that are perfect for the active adult home buyers. Soon, the community will offer residents access to a new amenity center with a full clubhouse and pickleball courts. It also will feature an adjoining dog park that will be an ideal spot for homeowners and their four-legged friends.

Also on the horizon is the clubhouse at Soleil Belmont Park, an active adult community also located in Canton from Patrick Malloy Communities, which features low-maintenance homes on large home sites. The highly anticipated community amenity will add a resort-style pool and a coffee and cocktail bar to the neighborhood’s tennis and pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, community gardens and more. Construction on the clubhouse began in May and will bring a new level of easy summer living to homeowners 55 and older in Cherokee County.

Of course, one of the most well-known clubhouse locales is in Lake Arrowhead, a gated mountain, lake and golf master-planned community located just outside of Canton. Homeowners in this community—who have options like lakeview homes, modern mountain cottages, lakeview ranch homes, estate home sites with acreage, expansive mountain and golf view homes and golf villas—often spend warm summer days and evenings at the Lake Arrowhead Yacht & Country Club, which provides access to a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor dining, Red Cloud Park’s swim and tennis facilities, the 40-acred Great Festival Park (which also includes a swimming pool), open fields for frisbee and football and much more.

Commune with Nature

Being able to really get out in nature is one of the best parts of living in metro Atlanta during the summer. And one of the most nature-centric active adult communities in the area is Lake Arrowhead, which features a 540-acre lake with over 21 miles of shoreline, a marina, a lakeside park, hiking trails and more. Boating is one of the most popular pastimes, and residents enjoy access to a boating club rental program. What’s more, idyllic fishing and swimming opportunities are available throughout the summer, while those who would like to stay on dry land can traverse along more than 16 miles of hiking trails and even join the community hiking club. It’s like having a personal invitation to visit Mother Nature every day of the season.

Of course, the active adult communities throughout the area also offer an array of nature-based activities, with Soleil Belmont Park and Poplar Place featuring access to hiking trails and walking paths. For those who wish to commune with nature right at home, Courtyards at Hickory Flat Courtyards at Hickory Flat’s homes include include personal courtyards that are perfect for getting outside, catching some sun and enjoying beautiful summer breezes.

All Fore One

Metro Atlanta is made for spending a day on the links, and several of the area’s active adult communities cater to golf enthusiasts with access to either onsite or nearby golf courses. For example, Lake Arrowhead allows residents to play the 18-hole championship Highlands Golf Course, which is considered one of the best golf courses in Georgia thanks to the beautiful surrounding North Georgia landscape and the pristine driving range, putting greens and chipping greens.

Additionally, Stratford at NatureWalk at Seven Hills offers residents access to The Frog Golf Club at Heritage Pointe at The Georgian in nearby Villa Rica. Heritage Pointe is a sister Artisan Built community, and The Frog offers a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole championship course with bentgrass greens and expansive bunkering for a truly challenging golf excursion. What’s more, residents not only enjoy the chance to play The Frog, but also enjoy full access to all of the amenities at the club.