Enjoy outdoor recreation and a booming arts scene in Utah's capital city
Want to find activities for seniors in Salt Lake City? Senior centers and shopping are not the only options! No matter what your age or interests, there are fun and exciting activities to explore.
More than 23,000 older adults ages 65 and up live in Salt Lake City, an area known for its natural scenic beauty. To help you get the most out of all the area has to offer, we’ve hand-picked a selection of fun activities that are either low-cost or free to enjoy. There’s a lot to do — from accessible outdoor activities to a dynamic arts scene — you'll always find something to explore.
Explore outdoor activities for seniors in Salt Lake City
You'll find an abundance of outdoor activities for seniors in Salt Lake City.
Utah is known for its array of national parks and scenic views. Many are accessible to people of all abilities. The closest is Arches National Park, where you can experience Utah’s famous red rocks.
Did you know Utah has the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified locations? Here’s a list of places you can go stargazing. If space is your passion, explore some of the planetariums in the area as well.
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Take a scenic drive
There's a reason why why we often hear the saying “Let’s take the scenic route.”
A great way to enjoy the outdoors is to go on short scenic drives, especially if you want to limit walking. Going on a drive allows you to explore areas you normally would not come across, and helps to relax the mind. Catching a sunset on your drive is a beautiful way to end the day.
Enjoy nature
Red Butte Garden offers an abundance of year-round activities for seniors in Salt Lake City, including meditation, Tai-chi, garden tours, and art classes. It's the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, with more than 21 acres of developed gardens. Admission for seniors ages 65 and up is $12, and the Garden offers half-price admission in December, January and February. The Garden also participates in Museums for All, offering free admission for those who receive food assistance.
Visit a farmers market
Visiting a farmers market is a great way to connect with the community, meet neighbors, and support local producers. There are several farmers markets in the Salt Lake City area that pop up throughout the year, including:
- Salt Lake Farmers’ Market: Located at Pioneer Park
- Liberty Park Farmers’ Market: Located at Liberty Park
- Winter Farmers’ Market: Located at the Gateway
- Wheeler Farm Farmers’ Market: Located at the Wheeler Historic Farm
Indoor activities for seniors in Salt Lake City
Now, if the outdoors is not your cup of tea, here are a couple of indoor activities to explore:
- The Utah Opera has been a cultural fixture in Salt Lake City since 1978. Going to see the opera is a wonderful way to experience live music. They even give listeners the opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about the productions.
- Another way to enjoy the arts is going for a Gallery Stroll. On the third Friday of each month the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll Association encourages local galleries to keep their doors open late for the public to browse their art collections, listen to music, and enjoy snacks and drinks. Nearly 40 galleries participate in the monthly event, which is a free self-guided tour (no tickets required).
- For those that enjoy history, there are some wonderful museums in the area, including the Natural History Museum of Utah. You can also explore your family’s history by visiting the Family History Library, a research facility (open to the public, free of charge) that has the largest on-site collection of genealogical data in the world.
- If you love reading, you’re going to want to visit the Salt Lake City Public Library, which has won many accolades for building architecture. You can also enjoy beautiful views from its rooftop while reading a good book.
Enjoy a good movie
If you’re into films, you’ll love that the Sundance Film Festival takes place in Salt Lake City every January. Enjoy a celebration of independent storytelling — with its world-premiere feature films, documentaries, and short films.
For year-round film enjoyment, you can drive in to the Redwood Drive-in Theatre and watch a movie from the comfort of your own car.
Don’t forget to ask about discounts
Many activities for seniors in Salt Lake City are low-cost, free, or have discounts. If there are admission fees, find out if there is a free day for seniors. Below, you’ll find some available senior discounts:
- America the Beautiful Senior Pass: Seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 and up can purchase an annual pass for $20/year. You can get a pass in-person at parks and other national sites.
- America the Beautiful Access Pass: A lifetime pass for a one-time $10 fee that is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability). It provides free admission to more than 2,000 recreation sites and parks.
- Hogle Zoo: During both of the zoo’s seasons (winter and summer) seniors 65 years and up get a $2 discount off the adult admission price.
- The Leonardo Museum: Seniors (adults 65 and up) benefit from a $2 discount off the adult admission price.
- Water Aerobics for seniors at Northern Utah Rehabilitation Hospital: Enjoy free seniors water aerobics classes every Thursday from 11:00 am to12:00 pm.
Have fun at home
Among all the beautiful experiences Salt Lake City has to offer, you can also enjoy time at home. Art and crafts is one of the many fun activities you can do.
Get started with these great art activities for seniors to make with things you already have around the house. Plus, the neighborhood dollar store may offer an abundance of ideas to get creative by painting on canvas, stitch art, or even pottery. You can also look for free craft supplies in local Buy Nothing groups.
If you want to keep active at home, you can head to YouTube, where you'll find many free exercise videos. You can take a yoga class, learn more about meditation, or dance with Zumba. To get started, here are some gentle exercises for seniors.
Work with seniors in Salt Lake City
If working with seniors, older adults, and families in Salt Lake City sounds good to you, consider becoming a Papa Pal. Papa Pals are part-time companion caregivers who set their own flexible schedules. They help others in the community by offering support with a range of tasks and activities, including help with errands, house tasks, basic technology, car rides, pet care, and light exercise. It's a great job for people who enjoy getting out and about.
Most importantly, the role of a Papa Pal is about companionship and doing things together with Papa members.