Broadway Proper is a 55+ senior living community offering both independent and assisted living in sunny Tucson, Arizona. While Broadway Proper is a vibrant, exciting community with tons of daily activities (including crafts, shopping, massages, tea parties, and outings), Tucson also offers a wealth of entertainment and opportunities. Whether you have family or friends coming to visit, or just want to see the sights, there’s something for every senior (and their loved ones) in Tucson. Here are a few of our favorite things for seniors and their families to do near Broadway Proper in Tucson, Arizona!
Outdoor Recreation
Tucson is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities. Located in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson boasts wide-open spaces and warm weather year-round. In Tucson, you can find something to do outdoors every day of the year! These are a few great options for seniors and their families.
- The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area offers roadways, paved paths, and many trails that are accessible for seniors and families. You can also take the Sabino Canyon Crawler, an affordable open-air, emissions-free electric shuttle. Each shuttle has 48 seats, including 2 wheelchair seats. The shuttle operates year-round each hour from 9am to 4pm daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
- Enjoy the great outdoors at Tucson Botanical Gardens, featuring events, classes, an eatery, and of course, hundreds of species of native plants. From shady paths to cacti to the Butterfly & Moth Pavilion, nature lovers, children, and seniors will love seeing everything this world-class botanical garden has to offer.
- Tohono Chul is another incredible botanical garden. You can enjoy local shopping and art galleries along with scenic walking paths and desert wildlife. The variety of plants means something is in bloom year-round! Most of the paths are wheelchair accessible, and some wheelchairs are available for use within the gardens.
Arts & Culture
Summer heat during the middle of the day in Tucson is legendary, but there’s plenty to do indoors as well. Here are some great museums and galleries to visit when you want to escape the heat.
- The Tucson Museum of Art is a great place to visit if you want to experience a wide variety of art, from indigenous works to modern masterpieces. Keep an eye out for free First Tuesday evenings! There are also various historic buildings you can visit within the same block.
- Visit a top-10 planetarium at Flandrau, a science center and planetarium at the University of Arizona. There are planetarium shows, science exhibits, and interactive areas. It’s especially fun for kids, so make sure to stop by with any visiting grandchildren.
- Pima Air and Space Museum has a huge variety of aircraft on display, almost 400 planes over the 127 acre campus. Wear comfortable shoes, expect plenty of walking, and be aware that some of the aircraft are outdoors. There is a tram available if you’d like to see more of the museum without walking so far.
- Enjoy a casual dinner theater experience at Gaslight Theater, with fun comedies and great diner fare. Please note that the seating can be a little tight and may not be ADA accessible. However, the show is family-friendly and fun for kids, too.
Family Fun
Whether you’ve got young people visiting or you’re just young at heart, Tucson has something for you. These are just a few of the many great family-friendly things to do for seniors and their families in Tucson.
- Trail Dust Town is a fun recreation of an old-west town. There are tons of fun dining options, Wild West shows and entertainment, and novelty shops. Please note the town is mainly open on weekends and evenings, and the shops, shows, and attractions may have specific hours of operation. Call before you go to make sure you’ll be able to see and do everything you want to!
- Reid Park Zoo is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, exotic birds, and more. It’s very reasonably priced and recently remodeled. The zoo is fairly small, so you won’t have to do too much walking to see plenty of animals. They also have a great playground for the kids in your life.
- The Gadsen Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum is open most Sunday afternoons September through May. Train enthusiasts young and old will have a great time with all the interactive toy train exhibits.
Shopping
Tucson is a great place for retail therapy. Here are a few good options!
- Main Gate Square is a lively shopping and entertainment district near the University of Arizona. It’s a great atmosphere if you enjoy energy and fun!
- For a different type of shopping experience, visit historic Fourth Avenue. There are a bunch of unique and eclectic shops, many of which are in old historic homes.
There’s so much to enjoy in Tucson, from outdoor recreation to shopping, museums, art, and more. Stay tuned for our Best Restaurant guide for seniors and their families in Tucson! Considering a senior living community in the Sonoran Desert? Tour Broadway Proper today!
