The city of Austin, Texas is known as a thriving center of culture, technology, music and more. It is also the capital city of the Lone Star State. Because it has such close ties to the tech and music industries, many people think of the city as a place for younger adults. While it certainly offers a variety of attractions for Millennials, Austin also has an abundance of senior care options and senior activities to enjoy.
We know these activities are an important part of living a long and healthy life. In fact, research shows that staying actively engaged with your community and having a strong social circle can help you age with greater success.
It’s why the team at Elmcroft of Austin created this senior guide. Here you will find ideas for activities seniors and the elderly can enjoy in and around Austin, Texas. Whether it is lunch and a movie or a road trip to a nearby Texas landmark, this guide is rich with the resources older adults are looking for.
Senior Citizen Guide Austin, Texas
Retirement is a time of life most of us look forward to. Having the freedom to engage in lifelong hobbies and favorite pastimes, as well as the opportunity to explore new ones is something most older adults feel they’ve earned. And rightly so!
The great news is that senior activities in the city of Austin are plentiful. They range from cultural arts to adult education classes, nature programs, wellness and so much more.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular.
Historical Activities for Older Adults in Austin
No one who lives in or visits Austin should leave without making a stop at these two landmarks:
- The Texas Capital: Political buffs might appreciate both the architecture and the history of the state’s capital. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Tours are conducted every day including on weekends. Group tours can also be arranged with advance notice. There is no charge for admission.
- LBJ Presidential Library: A visit to the library of our 36th president is a must for Americans of all ages who make their way to Austin. But older adults who lived through the assassination of President Kennedy and the succession of Vice President Johnson might be especially interested. The LBJ Presidential Library is open seven days a week and offers seniors who show a valid ID a discount on admission.
Older Adults Go Back to Nature
An afternoon spent in the great outdoors can do more than keep you physically fit. Communing with nature also helps boost mood and lift the spirits. And Austin has many options.
- Zilker Botanical Garden: Nature and garden lovers will enjoy spending a day at this Austin landmark. It is also home to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, as well as herb gardens, Pioneer Village, a rose garden and more. For elderly adults looking for an activity that might be of interest to their grandkids, the Children’s Garden makes a great destination. The gardens also host a variety of classes and educational opportunities. They range from Bulbs for the Austin Area to Garden Decorating 101. The price of admission to Zilker Botanical Gardens is just $1.00 for seniors.
- McKinney Falls State Park: This destination is popular with seniors who love nature and nature programs. In addition to walking trails, fishing, swimming and picnics, the park offers a variety of special events and programs. Events range from night hikes to scavenger hunts. The park even offers fishing workshops for those who want to learn how to fish.
- Austin Bats: While we’ll be the first to admit this one sounds a little unusual, under Austin’s Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge you will find the largest urban bat colony in all of North America. It has become one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions. Locals say when the bats come out at night it is like “a flying cloud.”
Senior’s Day Out in Austin
If you are looking for ideas to enjoy an afternoon or evening out with fellow retirees, here are a few suggestions:
- Movie Night: Austin is home to many movie theaters. Regal Cinemas Westgate 11, AMC Barton Creek Square 14, iPic Theaters and several more give older adults many movie choices. Alamo Draft House Cinemas are another fun option. They combine movie night with draft house cocktails and foods.
- Senior Activity Centers: The Austin Parks & Recreation Department is home to a rich variety of senior centers and programs. You can take an exercise class or a watercolor class at Conley – Guerrero Senior Activity Center. Volunteer at the Art Show at Lamar Senior Activity Center. Dig in the community garden or learn how to line dance at South Austin Senior Activity Center.
- Picnics in Austin: In addition to the parks and botanical gardens listed above, Austin also offers several other great locations for seniors interested in enjoying a picnic with friends and family. Mueller Lake Park, Barton Springs Pool, The Arboretum at Great Hills and Katherine Fleischer Park are just a few.
Intergenerational Austin, Texas Activities
If you are looking for activities in Austin that several generations of your family can participate in together, here are a few to consider:
- The Thinkery: Billed as a science museum for families, the Thinkery was formerly known as the Austin Children’s Museum. Families can take advantage of new programs and activities, including Kitchen Lab, Spark Shop, Space and much more. Tickets range in price from free admission to $10 a person depending upon age.
- Austin Zoo: This popular city attraction considers itself to be a “pleasant Hill Country zoo.” Programs range from “Alligator Feeding” to “Black Bear Cub Keeper Talk.” You can even buy food in the gift shop to feed the animals. The zoo also offers a senior discount and parking is free.
- Dart Bowl: Another fun activity for seniors and their grandchildren to take part in is bowling. From watching the kids play Bumper Bowling to having the entire family engage in a round of Laser Maze, Dart Bowl provides affordable entertainment solutions.
Where to Dine in Austin, Texas
Whether it is a quick sandwich after a trip to the Austin Zoo or a nice dinner out for a senior loved one’s birthday, the restaurant scene in Austin, Texas provides many choices. Some even offer a discount to older adults.
Here are a few senior-friendly options to have fun exploring:
- Luby’s: A cafeteria-style restaurant, Luby’s offers early bird senior diners a discount. Customers say the restaurant offers good food at a good price!
- Kerbey Lane Café: Another Austin restaurant that gives seniors a discount, this popular café has a wide variety of menu choices. From Tex Mex to gluten free and vegan, older adults and their families can each find something appealing here.
- Catfish Parlour: This Austin tradition has three locations to choose from in the Austin area. Just as the name implies, menu choices range from catfish to oysters and chicken dishes. They also offer a discount to customers who are seniors.
- T. Youngbloods: A Texas legend, this restaurant is famous for its fried chicken. With roots that date back to the 1950s, J.T. Youngbloods is popular with seniors in the Austin area.
- Salty Sow: How could we not include a restaurant with this name? This Austin eatery serves contemporary farmhouse foods sourced from local farms. Their rewards program gives diners a $5 credit for every $50 spent in the restaurant.
- Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: It wouldn’t be an authentic list of Texas restaurants if we didn’t include a steakhouse. Perry’s receives high praise from diners on every review site out there! And it’s not just their steaks that earn them high marks from customers. Desserts are right up there too.
If you are ready for a change of scenery, a road trip might make a perfect getaway.
Road Trip: Activities for Seniors Near Austin, Texas
If you are an older adult who is looking for day trip ideas or weekend outings near Austin, Texas, you will have many from which to choose. Here are a few suggestions that are all an easy drive:
- The Alamo: This San Antonio historic landmark is about a five hour drive from Austin. While you are there, you can also enjoy the nearby Riverwalk shops and restaurants.
- Austin Steam Train: Fun for young and old alike is a trip on one of the Austin Steam Trains. It might be an all-day trip on the Hill Country Flyer. Weather-permitting you can even watch a Wild West Gunfight in Burnet. If a murder mystery train is more your style, they offer those too.
- Fredericksburg, TX: Wine lovers may enjoy a trip to this charming little town. It’s also known for shopping, antiques, fashion and handcrafted jewelry. And the good news is you can be to Fredericksburg in just over 90 minutes from Austin.
We hope our guide to senior activities in the Austin area helps you continue to live your best life. But we can’t let you go without telling you a little more about the active lifestyle residents at Elmcroft of Austin enjoy each day.
Here’s to Life: Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living
Vitality Club at Elmcroft of Austin
One of the Signature Programs we are most proud of at Elmcroft of Austin is our Vitality Club. This life enhancement program helps each resident live their best life. Our enrichment and wellness activities are designed to nurture the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of each of our residents.
A few of our weekly activities for the seniors in our assisted living include:
- Lunch Bunch
- Tai Chi
- Storytelling Club
- Board games
- Tea social
- Happy Hour
- Worship
- Communion
- Art projects
- Word games
- Ice cream social
- Balloon volleyball
- Live entertainment
- Zumba
You can view our Monthly Events calendar online. Remember, we welcome visitors to Elmcroft of Austin. So call us to arrange a time to stop over and join us for an activity of your choice!
