Sage Advice: Local, Budget-Friendly Fun for Seniors and Everyone Else

Summer options are plentiful if you're looking for local, budget-friendly options  geared to the interests and needs of seniors. But best of all - each of the options listed below are also family-friendly fun activities! 

Let the summer roll....

• Enjoy a band concert on Chelmsford Common with the Chelmsford Community Band performing everything from jazz to big band to swing to traditional favorites. The band has a 38 history with 50 members who will entertain you at 7:00 p.m. on July 12, 19, 26 in the heart of Chelmsford Center.

• Surround yourself with butterflies at The Butterfly Place, an indoor garden filled with hundreds of freely-flying butterflies. Adults age 65+ get a discounted admisison of $9. Located at 120 Tyngsboro Road in Westford, MA.

• Stroll the River Walk along the Merrimack....The paved pathway along the Merrimack following Pawtucket Blvd. provides lots of opportunity for people-watching as well as frequent stops to enjoy the view from one of the many benches placed along the walkway. Plenty of shaded areas, free and healthy recreation...what could be better?

• Go visit a cow...Great Brook Farm is a state run park offering trails, an active dairy farm, accessible restrooms and an ice cream stand. A beautiful, peaceful setting with only a $2 parking fee. Great Brook Farm is located at 984 Lowell Street in Carlisle.

• Step back in time...Learn about Lowell's history by visiting the National Park Service headquarters on Market Street in downtown Lowell. Free admission to various exhibits, films and trolley tours. Low cost option: Sign up for the evening cruise along the Merrimack ($7 for seniors).

• Stop to smell the flowers... Acton Arboretum located on the east side of Taylor Road just .75 miles north of the intersection of Route 2 and Taylor Road in Acton offers 64 acres of town conservation land for your enjoyment. The Wildflower Trail is handicap accessible and offers benches. Other handicap accessible areas include a hosta garden, pond area, herb garden and butterfly garden as well as picnic areas with benches. Open dawn to dusk. No admission fee. Watch for the large wooden sign which marks the entrance.

Enjoy the summer!