• Phoenix caters to its senior community.Yellow Dog Productions/Lifesize/Getty Images
  
  Phoenix serves as the capital and is the largest city in Arizona, making it a center for culture and tourism. The city offers a variety of activities for residents and visitors, including many that are appropriate for senior citizens. Area senior centers and the city parks department offer educational courses and opportunities for socializing. Some Phoenix attractions also charge discounted admission rates for seniors.
  
  

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Seniors Classes

• The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of adult education courses geared toward seniors. Some classes appeal to those with special interests, such as bridge or other card games, gardening, music appreciation, sewing and oil painting. The department also offers computer courses for adults 50 and older. Classes range from broad overviews of computer use to specific topics like understanding operating systems.
  
  Gentle fitness classes like low-impact aerobics and aquatics are available to help seniors stay fit and active. Special tai chi courses are also featured.
  
  Educational programs offered by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department take place at senior centers, community centers, public school buildings and other facilities throughout the city. Courses require advance registration. Sign up early as classes have enrollment limits and can fill. Prices for classes vary.
  
  

Senior Centers

• The City of Phoenix Department of Human Service oversees 15 senior centers in the Phoenix area. Locations spread across the city from as far north as Pinnacle Peak Road and 35th Avenue to as far south as Baseline Road. Phoenix senior centers provide a variety of year-round activities for people age 60 years and older.
  
  Seniors can join a variety of clubs at area senior centers, including special interest groups, arts and crafts, and poker. Most locations also offer support groups for seniors struggling with issues like a chronic illness or the loss of a spouse. Social activities occur regularly at area facilities. Among these events are line dancing, movies, bingo and billiards. The centers also organize day trips to local attractions.
  
  Schedules of activities vary from location to location and some require advance reservations. Most programs at senior centers are free to enjoy, but some special events involve a fee. Most Phoenix senior centers have some type of transportation available like shuttles to help seniors who no longer drive to reach the facilities.
  
  

Heard Museum

• The Heard Museum opened in 1929 and is on North Central Avenue near East Oak Street. The museum has been rated by "Zagat" as "extraordinary to perfection" for its appeal, and "very good to excellent" for its facilities and service, as of October 2010. Each day, the museum offers discounted admission rates for seniors 62 and older.
  
  The museum consists of 10 galleries of artworks and handicrafts created by Native Americans, particularly those who reside in the Southwest. The Heard Museum includes more than 40,000 pieces, ranging from ancient artifacts to modern works. Jewelry, textiles, beads, ceramics and statues are among the items on display.
  
  The Heard Museum is open daily year round, closed only on Christmas Day. The museum offers a free parking lot. Seniors can also travel to the museum on the Phoenix public light rail system; the Encanto/Central station is adjacent to the facility.