There are seven ArchWell Health centers in Philadelphia

Live Life in Philadelphia

Philadelphia offers older adults a rich mix of walkable green spaces, historic museums, cultural programs, and community-based wellness activities—all accessible and designed to inspire well-being, inclusion, and continual discovery.

Begin your day outdoors with a stroll through Wissahickon Valley Park, where Forbidden Drive—a broad, car-free gravel road—runs several miles amid wooded valleys alongside Wissahickon Creek. Ideal for walking or gentle riding, with shaded benches and wildlife spotting along the way.

For a quieter garden experience, visit Bartram’s Garden—America’s oldest botanical garden, with accessible paths running through more than 45 acres of wetlands along the Schuylkill River. Seasonal tours, bird-watching stations, and sensory gardens make it especially welcoming.

In center city, Franklin Square offers a gentle green space and flat walking routes, plus features like the Liberty Carousel and shaded seating areas—perfect for rest or people-watching. For an urban favorite, Rittenhouse Square hosts weekend farmers’ markets and occasional free yoga sessions, all within a calm, pedestrian-friendly park and neighborhood.

Wellness and learning are supported citywide through Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s older-adult programs, which offer chair yoga, tai chi, walking clubs, nutrition workshops, diabetes education, health screenings, art groups, and the annual Senior Strut & Health Fair.

Older adults can also connect with one of the city’s more than two dozen PCA-operated Senior Centers, such as the South Philadelphia Senior Center (Avenue of the Arts), Coffee Cup, or Southwest Senior Center. These centers provide meals, arts & crafts, fitness classes, volunteer opportunities, and group excursions to cultural attractions.

Creative souls can explore Mural Arts Philadelphia, which frequently hosts free or low-cost art workshops, exhibitions, and intergenerational projects across neighborhoods through the year.

For museum experiences, older adults can catch the PHLASH bus route—free for adults 65+—to reach major sites like The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Franklin Institute with accessibility and relaxed pacing. Wheelchair-accessible SEPTA transit is also complimentary for older adults.

Community fitness classes and social programs can also be found through Philadelphia YMCA branches, offering chair exercise, water aerobics, wellness orientations, and local group outings—all tailored for older adults.

Whether you're biking alongside the Wissahickon, sampling produce at an art-filled market, joining a health class, or visiting an iconic museum, Philadelphia provides a deep, accessible, and inspiring lifestyle for older adults.