Senior Discounts and Deals in Phoenix

Many businesses offer discounts for seniors. Many also offer discounts if you are a Veteran or if you are an AARP Member. (Formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, this non-profit group focuses on issues that affect people age 50+. However, anyone over 18 can become a member. Members pay a yearly fee and get discounts to many businesses in return.)

Check before purchase and save money! In addition, check out our great discount finds below.

Museums & Entertainment

Many museums and venues offer discounted tickets for seniors. (Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona Science Center,Phoenix Zoo, and many movie theaters are just some businesses with lower prices for seniors.)

“Culture Pass” – Free admission to AZ museums
If you are a member of the Phoenix Public Library, you can check out a “Culture Pass” to get 2 free admissions to the following:

• Phoenix museums: Gilbert Historical Museum, Heard Museum, Mesa Historical Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Desert Botanical Garden,  Superstition Mountain Museum,  Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, S’edav Va’aki Museum (closed for renovation)
• Other AZ museums: Arcosanti (Mayer), Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum (Globe), Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior), Cave Creek Museum (Cave Creek), Desert Caballeros Western Museum (Wickenburg), Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson), Reid Park Zoo (Tucson), University of Arizona Museum of Art (Tucson), River of Time Museum & Exploration Center (Fountain Hills), Sedona Heritage Museum (Sedona), The Arb at Flagstaff (Flagstaff), Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum (Camp Verde)
• Note that passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be placed on hold. (However, you can check availability here.) After check-out in-person, you have seven days to use the pass. (It will automatically expire – you won’t have to physically return it.)

Free Museums & Free Admission Days

• Phoenix Art Museum – “Pay What you Wish Wednesdays” Every Wednesday, 3-9PM, the Museum offers free admission (and voluntary donation) for general admission. Special exhibits not included, but available at a reduced rate. This museum often has other free admission days specified on their website.
• Children’s Museum of Phoenix – Free admission on the First Friday Night of each month, 5-9pm
• Heard Museum – Free First Friday events is offered some months. Heard Museum is also  part of Bank of America’s Museums on Us Program, which give Bank of America customers one free admission on the first full weekend of each month. Check their website to confirm. 
• Desert Botanical Gardens – “Community Day”: Free admission on the second Tuesday of each month. Active military personnel always get free general admission. 
• Mesa Contemporary Arts (MCA) Museum – Always free admission. 
• Arizona Capitol Museum – Always free admission. 
• Arizona State University Art Museum – Always free admission. 

National Parks Service Pass – Seniors can get an annual or lifetime pass to all national parks in the US at a very big discount!

Roadhouse Cinema – This movie theater has a unique movie-dining experience, with chair-side tables, servers, and delicious foods, drinks, desserts and snacks that you won’t find at other cinemas. If you haven’t been, definitely check it out!
– Discounted Tuesdays: $6.95 all day
– Wise Wednesdays: Seniors 55+ are $5.95 before 4:00 pm MONDAY-FRIDAY!

Groceries

Grocery Store Savings Cards – The best way to save at most grocery stores is to download their free apps on your smart phone to access sales and digital coupons. If you are still only cutting paper coupons, you are missing out, since the best deals are now digital-only. Safeway/Albertsons, Frys, and Bashas all use these apps. If you need help setting it up, ask at the grocery store next time you go.

Grocery Store Senior Discount Days
At Fry’s and Bashas, the first Wednesday of every month seniors age 55+ can take an additional 10% off most items.

Restaurants

Senior Discount/AARP Discount – Many fast-food and chain restaurants offer discounts to seniors or AARP members.

Happy Hour & Early Bird Savings – Several restaurants offer a great happy hour with large portions.

Restaurant-specific apps with coupons –  Several restaurants now have their own app filled with coupons and deals. McDonalds and Baskin Robbins just to name a few. In fact, if you don’t utilize an app at a restaurant which has one, you may feel like you are being over-charged. 

Free Treats on your Birthday – Many chain restaurants offer freebies on your birthday (Baskin Robbins, Ihop, Dairy Queen, PF Changs, etc.) Offers may change, so call ahead to check. 

Gym memberships & classes

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, you may get to enjoy free/discounted  gym memberships or classes to several gyms in and outside of the Phoenix area. Silver Sneakers, Renew Active, and Silver & Fit are some of the most common of these programs. Vasa Fitness, LA Fitness, YMCA, and Planet Fitness are just some of the Phoenix gyms that work with these benefits. To see if your plan includes a free gym benefit, contact your Medicare Plan Provider. If you need help choosing a Medicare option, we recommend contacting a local health insurance broker at Lehrman Group.

Optum Arizona community centers offer seniors age 55+ free fitness centers, wellness classes, clubs, games and social activities. No strings attached on this one!

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) offers many free classes and events for seniors of any faith/background through their Center for Senior Enrichment program. These classes are free for those living in Maricopa county, or a small fee for residents elsewhere. Check out their class offerings (like fitness, pilates, dance etc). 

Recreation

Swimming – Greater Phoenix has several nice public pools with free or cheap admission. Many close between September and May though, so check schedules before visiting. During the summer, The Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center (Chandler), Hamilton Aquatic Center (Chandler), and Kiwanis Pool (Tempe) have fun amenities for the whole family (slides, lazy rivers, and/or wave pools!) 

Outdoor Fun

• Papago Park (and Hole in the Rock) – This park in Phoenix is like an oasis in the desert. It features paved trails and unpaved trails next to a man-made palm tree-lined pond. People like to walk, hike, bike, and even fish here. Take a 10 minute hike from the parking lot and you can climb up a large, unusual rock with large holes, from which you can enjoy great views of the city. 
• Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch – This Gilbert public park is another man-made oasis. With 7 ponds in 110 acres, It is a wetland animal sanctuary. Many people like to bird-watch, walk, bike, and fish here.
• Freestone Park – This park in Gilbert has several small lakes, ducks, waterfalls, bridge, fishing, and fun activities for the grandkids like a train, carousel, and mini ferry wheel.
• Riverview Park – This Mesa park has a massive 50ft tall climbing structure that grandkids of all ages will love. It also has smaller play structures, ducks, water, fishing, and splash pad. 
• Encanto Park – This Phoenix park may be one of the best. It boasts lots of water, golf courses, playgrounds, pool, fishing, tennis, pickleball, peddal-boating, and even a mini amusement park called Enchanted Island Amusement Park (not free) that kids age 5 and less will love.

Pharmacy

GoodRx – Before filling your prescription, compare prices and save up to 80%.

Retail

Michaels, Kohls, Walgreens, and Goodwill all offer senior discounts.

Travel

Amtrak offers 10% off most train rides to seniors 65+. 

Many hotels, car rental companies, and cruises offer senior discounts based on age or AARP membership.