Every decade has images that describe the times – from incredible highs to devastating lows – and the 1960s was no different. It was a decade defined by the many cultural, political, and social events as well as the horrifying assassinations of influential leaders. But not everything was dire. As this photo tour of the 1960s illustrates, people still found ways to enjoy themselves.
We have uncovered many photos from the ’60s, showing what life was like from just about every angle. You’ll see photos of what people did for fun, both at home and on vacation. There were no cell phones, tablets, or TikTok. Instead, people just went out and experienced life. These photos show people eating out, running errands, going to amusement parks, enjoying parades, having hula-hoop contests, and so much more.
To present life in pictures: a photo tour of the 1960s, 24/7 Tempo went deep into history and looked for photos that tell a story. We used online sources to find many of these images, including History.com, Country Living Magazine, and encyclopedias for inspiration. (Don’t miss out on fashion fads from the ’60s that we will never see again.)
Watching TV
Popular electronics like televisions were more expensive during the ’60s, so many households only had one TV to share. It was a great chance for the family to huddle around the set and watch the news of the day. Today, many homes have a TV in every bedroom and elsewhere, and while that’s handy, it also eliminates much of the bonding time families enjoyed in the ’60s.
Work as a housekeeper
Back in the 1960s, many women worked as maids, caregivers, and housecleaners in homes around the country. It was a good life and earned them a nice living. Most of these homes were pleasant and had a menagerie of fun pets. Today, fewer people work as maids, but pets are still rampant!
Ice fishing competitions
As we mentioned, back in the ’60s, most people spent most of their time having fun outside of the house when they weren’t working or taking care of their kids. This photo shows a huge ice fishing competition, and everyone in town was there. Today, we spend less time outdoors, but ice fishing competitions, while not as common, still exist.
Beauty pageant
This photo shows one example of life in the ’60s, especially when it came to beauty pageants. These beautiful girls are separated only by the color of their hair. Today, many more looks and cultures are represented in pageants.
School breakfast
Here we have a nice young man enjoying breakfast at school. Back then, most kids were either provided with breakfast and/or lunch or brought one from home, often in a brown paper sack. School lunches have evolved a lot since then, but the idea of eating at school is as innocent as ever.
Working at the laundromat
While laundry machines became more common during the 1960s, many people still went to the laundromat. This image shows women doing laundry at a hotel, which was a common scene during the decade.
Visiting Disneyland
One thing that has not changed since the 1960s is the love that we and our children have for Disney and visiting the Disneyland amusement park. Most of the characters are the same today as they were back then. The place has seen some upgrades over the years, with fewer horses roaming around and admission more than 10 times what it was, but it is still the same great fun.
A snack after a hard day at work
The official description for this picture says it’s a boy having a snack after a hard day of work. He built up quite an appetite after all of his efforts. These days, many kids aren’t as excited about getting out to do yard work, but many do, and they would also deserve a treat.
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Another event that hasn’t changed since the 1960s is the existence of the fantastic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Even during that long-ago decade, the parade had many marching bands and floats featuring the favorite characters of the day. These days, the parade is a bit bigger and with a larger crowd, but the fun memories remain.
Tending to a sleeping baby
In this photo, two siblings tend to the newest member of their family in a rustic home as the baby sleeps in a hammock. This is a situation where the setting may change over the years, and there are much better baby beds in 2024. Still, the love of one sibling for another is timeless.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
This is New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1960. Even back then, this was a significant event, and on this occasion, there were over 100,000 people who marched for six hours. While this parade is not as big as some other events these days, the people of New York City still know how to have fun.
A game of La Boule in a ’60s casino
This is an event that took place at the brand-new Playboy Club in the United Kingdom. The guests had a great time and tried their luck so they could win big. There were many casinos in America as well. Our casinos are a bit more advanced today, but the desire to have fun and win remains the same.
Heading to Woodstock
One of the most significant events of the decade was the first Woodstock concert. In this picture, many vehicles block the road as concert-goers walk toward the festival. There was a lot of excitement for this new event, which went down in history.
There were three Woodstock festivals – 1969, 1994, and 1999 – but nothing held the same significance as the original in 1969.
Lunch in Central Park
In this image, two young women enjoy lunch while sitting in beautiful Central Park in Manhattan. These days, folks can still sit and enjoy lunch in the park, but it may be a bit busier these days. However, it’s still a pleasant experience if you get to do it.
Reading the comics
This image really shows what life was like for the young in the ’60s. It’s a boy sitting in a toy library reading a comic book. In addition to showing the innocence of the time and the different toys available back then, the picture also shows how much has changed. Comic books are not as common and toy libraries are rare to nonexistent.
The whole family washing the car
This very wholesome image shows the entire clan heading outside to help wash and wax the family car. Back then, it was common only to have one vehicle per household, and the car was a treasured object. We still value our vehicles today, but it’s not as common to see the whole family out in the driveway working toward the same goal.
Teens hang out in their cars
In this nice picture from 1960, a group of teenagers hangs out in and near their treasured vehicles, which, of course, still happens today. However, back then, just being in each other’s company was enough, even if they weren’t indoors.
Meals on planes
This 1960 photo was taken at a stewardess school, where flight attendants learned how to assist air travelers and provide their meals. It shows how much air travel has changed since the ’60s. In addition to planes with larger, more comfortable seats, it was customary to be served food on every flight, often for free. That is certainly not the norm in 2024.
A ’60s mobile home
This photo from 1960 shows a couple enjoying life outside their mobile home – and it looks like they’re very comfortable. While people still live in mobile homes today, they’re not as mainstream. Also, back then, it was considered to be a luxury, and many mobile homes had all the best bells and whistles.
Girls running at a day camp
This image shows a group of young girls having fun and running at a day camp. Although the clothes and hairstyles may look slightly different, this is a picture you might see today. It’s great to have fun outdoors during your youth, and the girls here appear to be having the time of their lives.
Pulling the turkey out of the oven
This image shows what life was like for many families during dinner time in the 1960s: Mom, dressed in typical ’60s attire, pulls the turkey out of the oven so the family can enjoy a feast. While the appliances in this photo are from long ago, the kitchen doesn’t look that different from what we have today.
Hula hoop competition
This picture is a great illustration of what life was like for school kids in the 1960s. Here, a group engages in an intense hula hoop competition. These contests were commonplace during this time and seemed to be a lot of fun. This activity is certainly not seen that often these days.
A typical day at the office
This photo perfectly displays what a day of work was like for many men (and some women) during the 1960s. They’re hustling and doing all they can to impress their bosses. While people today still have plenty of hustle, you’ll notice the lack of computers in this picture. These days, everyone has one, and their absence here is startling.
Typical New York traffic
This was traffic on a section of the Southern State Parkway in New York. Like today, many cars were on the road between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The unique thing about this photo is that all the cars are evenly spaced, which is not so common these days. Still, this proves that traffic is nothing new.
Model plane enthusiasts
Talk about having fun outdoors! This photo shows a group of model plane enthusiasts enjoying a sunny afternoon as they inspect and enjoy their tethered model aircraft. People still have this hobby today, but this scene is certainly not something you see every day.
Exercising during the 1960s
In this interesting photo, a woman dressed all in white performs what may be yoga or simple stretches with bare feet. Much of the same exercise equipment was used back then as it is today, but this lady is opting to exercise without much at all.
Sunbathing in the 1960s
While many images from the ’60s are not so unique from life today, some really show how different things were back then. This sunbather is one of them. This sunbathing capsule was designed to provide the necessary UV rays while protecting the woman from other harmful elements.
Ventilators were on each side to allow fresh air to enter. This is something you won’t see in 2024.
People enjoying the Bronx Riviera
In this image, a massive crowd enjoys Orchard Beach, the beach also known as the “Bronx Riviera,” the only beach in the Bronx at the time. This image was taken in 1965, but people still visit the beach today. Many aerial photos from today likely look just like this one.
Dancing in the living room
During the 1960s, people made the most of every moment. Even if they couldn’t afford to go to the disco, they didn’t care. They would just dance in their living room. This photo shows two nice couples having a great time in the comfort of their own home. Many people still do things like this today.
Attending the outdoor orchestra
Yet again, an image showing what life was like in the ’60s involves outdoor fun. In this case, a large group of people enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts. There are still outdoor orchestras these days, but they’re not as popular as they were back then. There’s nothing like laying out a blanket and making the most out of the park.
The South Side of Chicago
This is a photo of a random street on the South Side of Chicago that many working-class families called home. Many of these buildings still exist, but 10 times as many cars are parked on these streets at any given moment. Things were a lot more peaceful back then, and fewer people owned cars and instead took public transportation.
Enjoying the family TV
This is an image of three youngsters sitting up close and personal with what was likely the only television in the home. There were fewer channels to choose from back then, and hopefully, these kids found something to enjoy. You’ll see this same scene in many homes these days as well.
Tents on the beach
These days, you can go to the beach and pay extra to get a cabana to enjoy the sights without being stuck out in the sun. Back in the 1960s, they had something similar, but they were tents that likely only allowed two people inside.
This is an excellent picture that shows how much things have changed. If this look back has made you excited to visit the beach, then check out some of the world’s best beaches.