The perks of being a senior: Great discounts for Philly’s 55+ crowd
If you’re an older adult — generally 55 and older — you can access dozens of senior discounts in Greater Philadelphia to lower the price of shopping, getting around, and experiencing nature and art. We’ve aimed to find the best discounts for folks in their late 50s, but some discounts do have higher age requirements than others — just keep a note of them until you can celebrate the necessary birthday!
Read on to learn where you can save by simply proving your age. And remember, if a place doesn’t advertise a senior discount, it never hurts to ask!
Transportation
Car Insurance
Pennsylvania law requires that car insurance companies give a discount to seniors 55 and older who complete a “mature driver improvement course,” available from several organizations. If you do so, you can save at least 5% on your car insurance.
Public Transit
For Philly seniors 65 and older, all subway, bus, and trolley rides are free with a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) senior fare card. The card also allows seniors to ride regional rail for free, as long as the departure and arrival points are within Pa. To get a SEPTA Key Senior Fare card, you simply need to make and attend an appointment with SEPTA or some offices of local elected officials, bringing proof of your age, e.g., a government-issued ID card or a birth certificate.
Seniors 65 and older can also apply for the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) Reduced Fare Program, which allows seniors traveling during off-peak hours to pay just $0.70. PATCO operates rapid transit between Philly and Camden County, New Jersey.
Culture
Philadelphia Phillies
Cheer on the home team on promotional nights celebrating Philadelphia seniors! On May 6, the Phillies play the San Francisco Giants at home and will host a “stroll the bases” event for fans 55 and older after the game. Senior Citizen Night will also take place on August 28, when the Phillies play the Houston Astros.
Woodmere Art Museum
Take in the work of Philadelphia’s artists at the Woodmere Art Museum, located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Seniors 55 and older pay $7 to enter, which is a $3 discount.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The museum at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, which houses an outstanding collection of American art, offers $15 admission for seniors 55 and older, a discount of $3 from the standard rate.
Philadelphia Film Society
See unique and critically acclaimed movies at the Philadelphia Film Society’s multiple theaters. The society regularly shows films throughout the year in addition to its film festivals. Ticking pricing varies by show, date, and time, but weekend and evening senior ticket prices are generally discounted by $2 for standard programming, for a total ticket price of $12.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Tour the nineteenth-century-era prison, learning about its attempts at reforming the sordid U.S. prison system, for a reduced price. Seniors 62 and older receive $2 off Eastern State Penitentiary standard admission, for a total price of $19.
Iovine Brothers Produce Market
Located in the lively and popular Reading Terminal Market, Iovine Brothers Produce Market offers seniors 65 and older 10% off every day.
The Great Outdoors
America the Beautiful Annual Senior Pass
With the purchase of an American the Beautiful Annual Senior Pass, seniors 62 and older can visit U.S. National Parks and federal recreational lands for free for a year! The pass is $20 and is valid for a number of parks and federal lands that you can travel to for relaxation and adventure. For a lifetime pass, you pay just $80. Though Pa. does not have a national park and all the state parks are free, an Annual Senior Pass allows entry into sites such as Grey Towers National Historic Site in Pike County and Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County. See more Pa. sites on the National Park Service website.
Stays at Pa. State Parks
Pennsylvania State Parks are free for everyone to enter, but seniors 62 and older can also enjoy great discounts from the park system. Seniors can book campsites at discounted rates at any of the dozens of parks with campgrounds.
AARP discounts
Once you turn 50, you’re eligible to become a full AARP member and receive all sorts of benefits, including cheaper prices on travel, dining, insurance, lodging, and more. Many national chains offer discounts based on AARP membership, such as 10% off at Choice Hotels, 15% off at Denny’s, and 10% off at Auntie Anne’s. See the AARP website for more!
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