Senior Citizens Day: Celebrating Aging Adults in Brooklyn, NY
More than 16% of Brooklyn's population is age 65 or older. Senior Citizens Day is a time for honoring seniors in Brooklyn and beyond.
Senior Citizens Day is observed on August 21. It recognizes the contributions that older adults make in our communities and raises awareness of the factors and issues that affect seniors. President Ronald Reagan established Senior Citizens Day in 1988.
Brooklyn offers a range of activities you can participate in to celebrate this senior appreciation day. From parks to museums, you can do the things you enjoy while boosting your holistic wellness. Your physical, emotional, cognitive, and social health can all benefit from a day spent doing engaging activities.
Keep reading to discover opportunities to celebrate Senior Citizens Day in Brooklyn.
Explore the Brooklyn Public Library
The Brooklyn Public Library hosts a range of programming and services for older adults year-round. Celebrate your abilities while you develop your cognitive, emotional, and social health.
You can learn new skills and meet other seniors with similar interests. For example, the Knit One, Purl One Knitting and Crochet Group meets weekly for two hours of knitting, crocheting, and conversation.
You can also learn to play mahjong, a tile-based game created in nineteenth-century China. Studies suggest playing mahjong supports functional cognition, short-term memory, and hand-eye coordination.
Other options include:
- Board games
- Virtual bowling
- Bingo
- Book clubs
- Movies
Special ongoing events this summer include a wellness series focusing on massage, yoga, and stress management. You can also participate in a nine-week creative aging series exploring different painting techniques or jewelry making.
The complete calendar of events is available on the Brooklyn Public Library website.
Enjoy NYC Parks for Senior Citizens Day
New York City has over 1,700 parks that you can enjoy at no cost. Parks are the ideal location to enjoy nature, spend time with friends and loved ones, and get active.
Shape Up NYC
Many parks offer outdoor events like concerts and exercise classes in the summer. Through the "Shape Up NYC" initiative, you can try classes like:
- Low-impact total body fitness at St. John's Park
- Line dancing at Betsy Head Park
- Hatha Flow at Herbert Von King Park
Shape Up NYC is designed for adults and seniors and can accommodate everyone from experienced fitness enthusiasts to people just starting their fitness journey.
Prospect Park
Prospect Park has been a favorite of Brooklynites since it opened in 1867. Its flat, paved walkways, abundant benches, and shaded picnic spots make it a great choice for older adults.
Prospect Park offers excellent bird watching. If you're celebrating Senior Citizens Day with grandchildren, they may enjoy the playgrounds, carousel, splash pad, or roller skating rink.
The Prospect Park Zoo is home to 150 species of animals, including red pandas and sea lions.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park offers some of the most iconic views in the borough. The paths are accessible for walkers and wheelchairs. You can meander along the East River while taking in the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge Park hosts a variety of activities. Classical music enthusiasts will enjoy the Bargemusic concerts, held every weekend in the Boathouse at Pier 5. The Boathouse is wheelchair accessible.
Domino Park
Domino Park is one of the newest public parks in Brooklyn, having opened in 2018. It sits along the East River on the site of the former Domino Sugar refinery.
Domino Park includes several unique features, like the Fog Bridge. A series of misters creates a gentle cloud of fog that makes an entryway to the Syrup Tanks.
Domino Park has an ADA-accessible elevated walkway, which offers a different perspective on the river, skyline, and the park. The accessible waterfront walkway offers beautiful views of the river and the Manhattan skyline.
Kids will enjoy the playground, which was designed to resemble parts of the Domino Sugar refining factory. A fountain with 88 water jets provides a cool opportunity to splash for kids and adults alike.
Visit a Museum
Another form of senior recognition in NYC is free or reduced-price admission to many of the city's world-class museums. You'll need to bring a valid ID.
At the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), seniors over age 65 pay a discounted admission price. Children 16 and younger are free. Exhibits at the MoMA include works by Monet, Matisse, and Picasso.
Seniors get a discounted rate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well. New York residents are eligible for "pay what you wish" tickets. The Met collection includes artworks covering 5,000 years of history.
The American Museum of Natural History gives reduced admission to people 60 years old and older. The museum has accessible entrances, restrooms, and other conveniences. The collection includes a life-size blue whale model, a Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil, and exceptional gems and minerals.
You can enjoy these museums on your own or with family and friends. Senior Citizens Day is a perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge of history and culture.
See a Show
You can indulge your love of musical theater and drama on Senior Citizens Day. The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens partners with the Theater Development Fund (TDF) to offer deeply discounted tickets to Broadway, Off Broadway, and Off Off Broadway shows.
If you're eligible for the TDF Community Partners Program, you can get tickets to top Broadway shows for less than $50. You can also get discounted tickets for same-day shows at Times Square and Lincoln Center through organizations like TKTS and TodayTix.
Some Off-Broadway theaters offer "pay-what-you-can" tickets or senior discounts.
Honoring Seniors in Brooklyn
Senior Citizens Day is the perfect time to celebrate older adults, build relationships with friends and family, or take time for yourself. Brooklyn has a wealth of activities that support wellness and joy in life.
The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights celebrates seniors every day. Our residents enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with exceptional amenities. We help our residents remain as independent as possible with the support they need to thrive.
Our community supports your holistic wellness with self-directed options. Schedule a tour of The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights today to experience the difference a vibrant lifestyle can make.