Senior Adventures

Being a senior is great when it comes to discounted food, opera and transportation, among other things. When I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago, I asked for and got a 10 % senior discount at one of my favorite already-inexpensive "healthy eating" chain restaurants, Souplantation.

The Brentwood branch at San Vicente and Montana was hopping on a weekday night with families and senior couples. I am a salad lover and at Souplantation (or its sister cafeterias, called Sweet Tomatoes) you can pile your plate high with good salad ingredients, add a muffin, a soft drink and a dessert, all for about $10.. This ain't fancy dining, but if you long for a fast, nutritious meal, these are great spots. They are located all over the West and Midwest.

In New York City recently, I got my hands on an orchestra seat for only $20 at the Metropolitan Opera to see "Aida." A friend scored one of the 50 tickets reserved for seniors at week-night performances and heard Natalie Dessay in "Lucia di Lammermoor."

Discounts don't get better than that. The Met reserves 200 orchestra seats (mostly on the side of the orchestra, but still...) for performances Monday through Thursday only. Of those 200, 50 may be available on the day of performance only to seniors online or over the phone. As these become better known, they'll be harder to get, and even now you have to keep redialing (phone) or refreshing (on the Web site.)

While in New York, take advantage of the senior discount on buses and subways -- the cost is half-price: $1 instead of $2 for a single ride. Plan in advance and you can order a discount card by mail. There is also a walk-in site in downtown Manhattan.