With its numerous landmarks and attractions, New York City still remains a popular place for a weekend getaway. Although going on a short trip can be a very leisurely and fun way to spend time with your loved ones, it can take extra effort to travel as a senior. It is unfortunate that a lot of places were not built with seniors in mind, but this doesn’t have to stop you. In this guide, you will see the many things New York has to offer seniors.
Fans of the Big Apple will be pleased to know that it ranks quite high on Money.com’s list of the hottest destinations for seniors. While the average hotel will cost $245 a night, the upside is that many of city’s attractions offer senior discounts. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for example gives seniors a $7 discount. The famed Empire State Building also only charges senior citizens $35 to see the views from the 86th Floor Observatory, just one of the many discounts around the city that the elderly can benefit from. Sometimes it does pay to be on the senior side.
Speaking of views, if you love stunning sights you will find that there are many different places to enjoy them from in New York. The city is famous for its rooftop culture, and Yoreevo points out that there are over 13,500 buildings that are six stories or more. These include iconic structures like the aforementioned Empire State Building and the One World Trade Center, which offer the best panoramic views of the city. The downside, however, is that many of these buildings tend to be crowded (they are popular tourist attractions for a reason after all) and seniors may find it hard to go up and down them. If you want to avoid the crowds a good rooftop restaurant is ideal. Not only will you have as much time as you want to look at the view, you will also get a chance to try some of the city’s best eating spots. The 230 Fifth Rooftop restaurant and bar has some of best views of Manhattan without being too expensive.
However, if you want a cheaper and even less crowded location to see the New York skyline, then the Brooklyn Bridge Park offers a great alternative to see the views from the ground. In 15 best views in New York: the ultimate Manhattan Skyline views!” by The Whole World is a Playground, the pedestrian walkway ranks #5 as it provides a panoramic view of the city from downtown to mid-town.
Of course, New York doesn’t stop there. Art enthusiasts will be pleased to know that a membership to the Theater Development Fund (TDF) entitles them to large discounts to Broadway and off-Broadway shows throughout the year. After checking out places like the MoMA, there are a number of smaller museums that are available as well. The Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, for example, offers senior discounts and wheelchair accessibility throughout the whole museum on top of free admission for those with disabilities. The Rubin Museum of Art, dedicated to Himalayan and Indian culture and history, also provides free admission to all seniors every first Monday of the month.
In fact there are plenty of free things to do in the city that can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Travel and Leisure listed 21 free things to do in the Big Apple including the Brooklyn Botanic Garden which is free on Tuesdays. Other free activities range from tours at the Brooklyn Brewery to cultural events at the New York City Public Library, and even soaking up the sun at beaches like Coney Island and Brighton Beach.
As this article shows, age is no barrier to a good travel experience. If you are looking to go further abroad, we recommend visiting the UK.