Senior Discounts and Deals in Tucson

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. (Arizona Desert Museum, Reid Park Zoo, Flandreau Science Center & Planetarium, Tucson Museum of Art, The Mini Time Machine of Miniatures, Pima Air and Space Museum, Rialto Theatre, Fox Theatre, The Gaslight Theatre, Gaslight Music Hall, and 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 Pima County Public Library, you can check out a “Culture Pass” to get 2 free admissions to the following:

• Tucson museums: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Children’s Museum Tucson, Reid Park Zoo, Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Garden, Tucson Museum of Art, University of Arizona Museum of Art
• Other AZ museums: Amerind Museum (Dragoon), Arboretum at Flagstaff, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Cave Creek Museum, Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix), The Heard Museum (Phoenix), Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (Scottsdale), Sedona Heritage Museum, Superstition Mountain Museum (Apache Junction)

Free Museums & Free Admission Days

• Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Museum – free admission, donations welcome
• Tucson Museum of Art – First Thursday evening (5-8 pm) and Second Sunday (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) of the month the museum does not charge standard admission and accepts donations for entrance.
• Mission San Xavier Del Bac – free self-guided tours daily
• Southern Arizona Transportation Museum – free admission
• Center for Creative Photography (at UofA) – free admission
• Children’s Museum Tucson – Free Discovery Nights: free admission every Thursday evening from 5-7pm

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: $6.50 all day
– Wise Wednesdays: Seniors 55+ are $5.95 before 5:00 pm!

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. Check out this article at This is Tucson for some Happy Hour Specials to check out.

Tucson Foodie Insiders – Members pay an annual fee and then get discounts to several local restaurants and access to exclusive foodie perks and events. 

Restaurant-specific apps with coupons –  Several restaurants now have their own app filled with coupons and deals. McDonalds, Eegees, 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.) But even better is this Tucson Foodie list of local restaurants that have special birthday treats! (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 gym memberships or classes to several gyms in and outside of Tucson. Silver Sneakers, Renew Active, and Silver & Fit are some of the most common of these programs. The Jewish Community Center (JCC), Chuze Fitness, LA Fitness, YMCA, and Planet Fitness are just some of the Tucson 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!

Recreation

Swimming – Tucson Parks & Rec currently offers free admission to all pools. Check their pool schedule as many close for the fall and winter. The Edith Ball Pool at Randolf Park has an indoor warm therapy pool, but it is available by reservation only by calling (520) 791-5643.

Pickleball – Kino Sports Complex and Udall Center have free outdoor pickleball courts. Other indoor and outdoor courts through the city parks are available for a small fee (around $2). Check out our article about  the Best Places to Play Pickleball in Tucson for more info.

Outdoor Fun

• Sabino Canyon – pay a small fee to park (or use your National Parks Pass), then enjoy a beautiful hike thorough this natural oasis. Many trails are paved, and you can also pay to take the tram. For a relatively short easy hike, take the dirt path east from the visitor center out to Sabino Dam to enjoy the flowing water and a waterfall at the dam.
• Mount Lemmon – Take a free scenic drive, enjoy the outlooks, and escape the heat for a day. WHile here, we recommend getting a meal or snack at the Cookie Cabin and/or at the new Beyond Bread up in Summerhaven. You can also pay to ride the ski lift during the summer for a relaxing ride with spectacular views at the top. 
• Agua Caliente Park – a unique park centered around a warm spring and pond. 
• Madera Canyon – A top bird-watching destination, Madera Canyon has flowing water and pretty foliage. Take care to watch for bears. 
• Reid/Randolf Park – Climb Barnum Hill and enjoy little streams of water and waterfalls, feed the ducks, and smell the roses in the Rose Garden
• Tumamoc Hill – paved hike up a hill (1.5 miles from bottom to top, 700ft gain in elevation) with nice views of the city
• Drive up “A” Mountain (aka Sentinal Peak) for views of the city. You can also take a short hike to the very top.
• Sweetwater Wetlands Park – great for bird-watching
• Rillito River Loop – Ride your bike along the Rillito River Loop
• Pima County Library’s Seed Library – Pick up seeds for free to start your garden! (Start by searching their online catalog.)Later, if possible, donate seeds from your garden to give back to the library.

Pharmacy

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

Retail

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

Travel

Sun Tran Bus System: Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Van, Sun On Demand, Sun Express and Sun Shuttle rides continue to remain free. (If this changes, seniors will still enjoy a discounted fare.) The streetcar which runs from the UofA area through downtown is especially helpful for those time you want to avoid parking in more congested areas. They have a information specific to seniors and those with mobility issues as well.

Pima Council on Aging has some local transportation non-profit options for low-income seniors as well. 

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.

Music

Play all your favorite music for free using your computer or smart device on one of these many streaming services. (Most offer ad-free plans for a fee.) YouTube, Youtube Music, Pandora, and Spotify are among the most popular.