Your guide to fun in Philly
By Mary Anna Rodabaugh
From museum exhibits to neighborhood festivals, Philadelphia has many events and accessible activities to offer older adults to enjoy this summer. And, getting around is a breeze!
“The Philly PHLASH bus makes sightseeing and touring Philadelphia’s historic sites and tourist attractions a breeze for older adults,” says Laura Smythe, communications manager at Visit Philadelphia. “Rides are free for those age 65-plus.”
PHLASH buses run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. making stops at Philadelphia hotspots, including Penn’s Landing, The Barnes Foundation, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute and Liberty Bell Center. For more information or to access the bus service schedule, visit RidePhillyPHLASH.com or call 484-881-3574. All buses are wheelchair accessible.
Adults 65-plus can also travel free on all SEPTA buses, trolleys, subways and the Market-Frankford line, as well as on Regional Rail within Pennsylvania. For information, call 215-580-7800 or go to SEPTA.org and search “seniors.”
If you need assistance to stand or walk for a length of time, Scootaround rents motorized scooters and wheelchairs to help you enjoy a full day of activity. For rates and information, go to Scootaround.com or call 1-888-441-7575.
To enhance the enjoyment of museum attractions and tours for people with hearing impairments, the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Lending Library of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University loans equipment and technology, including assistive listening devices. The library offers many options. For information, call 215-204-1356 or visit disabilities.temple.edu.
Must do events & attractions
Are you a Disney aficionado? If so, you’ll want to visit “Disney100: The Exhibition” at the Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., through August 27. The exhibition takes guests on a journey through the beloved stories that have dazzled fans since 1923. You can choose from daytime admission to the exhibit with access to all Franklin Institute permanent exhibits ($43 for older adults 65+) or an evening admission ticket to the exhibition only ($25 for adults 65+). To purchase tickets or for more information, call 215-448-1200 or visit fi.edu.
“The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square is a fun, multicultural event that is family-friendly,” says Smythe. “Enjoy colorful, eye-catching sights as you meander through the festival and enjoy
live cultural performances.” The Chinese Lantern Festival begins at 6 p.m. nightly and runs through Aug. 13. Older adults ages 65+ can purchase tickets for $20 on Sunday through Thursday or $23 on Friday and Saturday. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 215-629-4026 or visit PhillyChineseLanternFestival.com. Tickets can also be purchased on-site.
Arts & culture
Enjoy featured works from Black, Brown and Indigenous filmmakers at the BlackStar Film Festival from Aug. 2-6. Film screenings will take place on Broad Street’s Avenue of the Arts at The Kimmel Center, Lightbox Film Center and Suzanne Roberts Theatre. For in-person screenings, audio descriptions and closed or open captioning will be available for select films. Virtual screenings of many films will also be available. Additional in-person events, such as parties, panel discussions and conversations, are free to attend. Older adults, aged 55+, can purchase tickets to individual screenings at a 25% discount using the code “youthsenior” at checkout. To view the event scheduled or purchase tickets, visit BlackStarFest.org/festival.
For more arts and culture, Smythe recommends catching a show at one of Philadelphia’s many theaters. The Arden Theater, located at 40 N. 2nd St., is home to theatrical, musical and educational productions for all ages. For program schedules, pricing and tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit ArdenTheatre.org.
“Catch a breathtaking performance by the Grammy Award-winning Philadelphia Orchestra or see a Broadway show at one of the Kimmel Center’s many stunning venues,” says Smyth. “For dinner and a show, stop in for a three-course pre-theater meal at James Beard Award-winning chef Jose Garces’ must-try restaurant Volvér, conveniently located on-site at the Kimmel Center.” Check out the summer program schedule and ticket pricing at 215-893-1999 or KimmelCulturalCampus.org.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is a very accessible museum with rotating, thought-provoking exhibits. Smyth has taken older adult family members to the museum and says they had a lovely time checking out the different exhibits. The ample benches throughout the museum are great for taking breaks as you navigate the large museum. All visitors can enjoy Pay-What-You-Wish admission on the first Sunday of the month and every Friday night from 5-8:45 p.m. On other days, older adults aged 65-plus pay $23 for admission. The Barnes Foundation, open Thursdays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is home to the world’s largest holdings of Renoir and Cézanne paintings. Older adults can visit the museum, located at 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, for a discounted rate of $23. For more information, 215-278-7000 or BarnesFoundation.org.
For more events and festivals this summer, check out VisitPhilly.com.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square is a fun, multicultural and family-friendly event. (Photo by J. Fusco for TIANYU)
Mary Anna Rodabaugh is a writer, editor and writing coach.
