With roughly 50,000 students at the University of Wisconsin flagship campus here, Madison has its share of party animals and student activists. Still, the state capital has much to offer older residents, regardless of their politics or proclivities.

Retirees looking to keep their minds active can volunteer at one of the city's many museums, see a show at the state-of-the-art Overture Center, or take classes at the university, where residents age 60 and older can audit some lectures for free.

Keeping the body active is also easy. Paddling is plentiful given Madison's location on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona. By land, retirees can explore the university's 1,260-acre urban arboretum and cycle on nearly 50 miles of bike paths.