60 Photos That Show the Way We Were in the Sixties

Nostalgia 36 mins ago

The 1960s weren’t just about the big moments—the moon landing, Woodstock, or the Beatles—but also about the everyday lives of the people who lived through them. It was the streets we walked down, the diners where we lingered over coffee, the cars we packed up for summer road trips, and the quiet moments at home. This collection of 60 vintage photos captures the way we truly lived, from families gathered around the TV to witness history in the making to the long, winding road that led to Woodstock. These are the snapshots of an era—unfiltered, familiar, and unmistakably 1960s.

1. Great Falls, Montana, 1964

A vintage red station wagon is parked in a driveway beside a light green house. The car's doors are open, and it has a rooftop cargo bag. A person is partially visible near the car. The sky is clear and blue.
Shorpy/blrghh

2. The corner store, 1960

Children stand near a corner store with prominent Coca-Cola and 7-Up signs. One child holds a tricycle, while others chat and laugh. The store's wooden exterior is adorned with vintage soda advertisements. The scene captures a nostalgic, lively moment.
Reneski

3. Woman sitting next to a jukebox in Austin, Texas, 1963

A woman sits alone in a vintage diner next to a jukebox. The room contains a few chairs and tables, and the walls are decorated with signs. Large windows in the background show a view of parked cars outside. The scene is in black and white.
blrghh

4. Woolworths in 1960

A woman in a dress smiles while holding packaged items in a grocery store. She stands near a cart in an aisle displaying various products like juices and sauces. Signs above mention "Special Delivery Service" and "Juices, Spreads, Milks.
userdeleted

5. Santa Monica, Pico Boulevard, 1966

A vintage scene with a yellow and red food stand offering hot dogs, shakes, and pastrami. A classic white car and a motorcycle are parked in front. The stand is adorned with large, bold signage advertising food items and prices.
Denise Scott Brown/MyDogGoldi

6. “My sister and I doing the twist circa 1962.”

Two children play in a living room. A younger child in red overalls holds a toy, while an older child in a red dress interacts with them. A vintage television sits in the background, and floral curtains adorn the window. The room has a large rug.
stevenmspinks

7. A couple on a date in New York City circa 1963-64.

A young woman in a checkered dress and headband stands talking to a young man wearing a suit jacket. They are outside a diner with food signs in the window, and people are passing by on the street.
AxlCobainVedder

8. A Sunday morning in the 1960s

Three children are lying on a carpeted floor, reading comic sections of newspapers. A dog is resting beside them. The room features a blue sofa, coffee table with items, and a brick fireplace with vase.
GaGator43

9. Women using compact mirrors in a packed crowd to try to catch a glimpse of the Queen in London, 1966.

A crowd of people, mostly women, stand tightly packed together, holding compact mirrors upwards. They are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing. The individuals appear to be trying to catch a glimpse of something above them.
UserDeleted

10. Commuters in New York on the evening of November 22, 1963

Passengers sitting in a train meticulously read newspapers with headlines announcing the death of the president. The photo captures a historical moment of shared solemnity and shock.
GaGator43

11. “My mom with her bridesmaids in 1962. They carried grapes.”

A bride stands smiling in the center, wearing a long white gown and veil, holding a bouquet. She is flanked by five smiling bridesmaids in matching short dresses and holding bouquets. They are posing indoors against an elegant backdrop.
Jlr1

12. The winners of a hair styling contest on May 1, 1964

Three women in 1960s-style dresses showcase elaborate, gravity-defying hairstyles. The hairdos are sculpted with waves and curls, adorned with decorative elements. They pose confidently in front of a textured wall, embodying vintage fashion.
ibkeepr

13. Playing cards at a sleepover in the early 60s

Seven women with hair rollers sit and relax on a bed in a bright room. They are engaged in conversation and activities such as reading and doing nails. The room has a minimalist design with a wooden chair and an empty shelving unit.
notbob1959

14. “My parents love having their photo taken on their bikes. 1968.”

A man and woman sitting together on a blue vintage motorcycle in a sunny, suburban street. The woman smiles, holding onto the man. Another identical motorcycle is parked nearby. White houses and palm trees are in the background.
ecobot

15. Elementary school class taking an imaginary trip to the moon. Lincoln, Nebraska, 1966

Children in a classroom wearing paper bag helmets sit facing a chalkboard and a person dressed as a rocket. The walls display space-themed art, including a "We Go to the Moon" sign and drawings of rockets and planets.
notbob1959

16. A family shops for a fallout shelter in 1961

A black-and-white photo showing a family of four, two adults and two children, standing outside a brick fallout shelter. Signs advertise the shelter as a civil defense provision, pricing it at $550, by Asbesto Manufacturing Corp.

17. Crossing America in a station wagon in 1965

A woman with a pink hat rests against the car door in the front seat, while two children in the back seat are asleep. A third child in the back looks down, and a driver is partially visible. The car interior is blue.
GoodGriefWhatsNext

18. Baskin-Robbins opens in the San Fernando Valley in 1964

A vintage black-and-white photo of three people in a Baskin-Robbins store. Two women, one in a polka dot dress and another holding an ice cream cone, and a man in a collared shirt pose around a cake topped with a large "31" number.
AxlCobainVedder

19. Sewing layers of alumized plastic together for the Apollo space suits. Dover, Delaware, 1968

Ralph Morse/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

20. Band practice in the living room in 1964

A retro scene of a band performing in a living room. Three members play guitars and sing into microphones, while a drummer plays in the background. A young girl dances in the foreground. The room has vintage decor and floral curtains.
Slow-moving-sloth

21. “My grandparents in a yearbook photo for them being voted ‘most chatty’ in 1961.”

A black-and-white photo of a man and a woman sitting in a living room on a couch. Both are talking on old-fashioned rotary phones with long cords. A coffee table is in front of them, and a record player is visible in the background.
scrowdy_row

22. “My mother baking a Thanksgiving turkey in 1964”

A person smiling at the camera while basting a roasted turkey in an oven. Another person stands behind, watching, in a kitchen setting with yellow walls and a coffee pot on the counter. The main person is wearing a striped outfit and holding an oven mitt.
dork31

23. A grocery store clerk in Tallahassee, Florida, 1962

A young man wearing glasses operates a vintage cash register in a grocery store. A large watermelon, a can labeled "Jitney Jungle Coffee," and a box labeled "Tide" are on the counter. Shelves of products are visible in the background.
Quick_Presentation11

24. A woman stands on a fire hydrant to kiss her fiance goodbye as he leaves for Army basic training. Los Angeles, 1967

A woman stands on a fire hydrant to kiss a man through a bus window. The bus is parked on a city street with "IT'S SUCH A CO..." visible. Two other women and a child are waiting on the sidewalk nearby. The scene captures a moment of farewell or greeting.
st33twise84

25. The Black Hawk club in San Francisco in 1961

A vintage street scene at night featuring a neon-lit jazz club sign reading "Now Miles Davis" at The Black Hawk. People stand near a classic car while another vehicle drives by, illuminating the urban environment with colorful lights.
GoodGriefWhatsNext

26. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, 1965

A bustling street scene from the 1960s with numerous vintage cars, vibrant signage, and pedestrians. Shops and motels line the road, featuring signs for souvenirs and a steakhouse. The atmosphere is lively and colorful.
HesJuggernaut

27. Small business owners protesting the planned construction of the Word Trade Center. New York, 1962.

Black and white photo of a group of men holding protest signs against the Port Authority outside a store. A coffin on the sidewalk reads, "Here Lies Mr. Small Businessman." The protest emphasizes property rights and fair compensation.
userdeleted

28. In-flight meal on Scandinavian Airlines in the 1960s

Passengers on an airplane enjoy a gourmet meal service. A flight attendant serves food while a man slices cured meats and bread. The table is set with various condiments. The cabin features red seats and a curtain.
karatesnacks

29. A navigation hotline where motorists could call and get directions, 1963

Black and white image of a busy office with women working at a long desk. They are using maps on wooden boards and telephones. Papers and folders are scattered on the desks. Large windows and maps on the wall are visible in the background.
TheSanityInspector

30. Bride and bridesmaid preparing for the big day in 1966

A woman in a red dress styles the hair of a seated woman with a blue ribbon, while another woman with a brush adjusts her hair. They are in front of a large mirror in a dimly lit room. A third person is blurred in the foreground.
Slow-moving-sloth

31. Headed to prom in the early 1960s

A woman in a white gown smiles while entering a classic car, held open by a man in a white tuxedo jacket. The car has red interior and is parked outdoors with trees and a hill in the background.
Chaos_Mom

32. Outside Grand Central Station in NYC, 1965

A vintage urban street scene showing a red car and a green bus with an advertisement passing by. People walk on the sidewalk in front of a building with signs for a gift and coffee shop. A pole with traffic lights and signs stands in the foreground.
AxlCobainVedder

33. Sea Breeze Sandwich Bar, 1964

People gather outside a vintage seaside snack bar. Four young adults sit on stools, drinking milkshakes, while a boy in shorts and no shirt stands nearby. A man in sunglasses leans against a wall, and cars are parked in the background.
deniscard

34. “My dad worked at a Ford dealership in Detroit. Everyone was pretty hyped about the Mustang. 1964”

A vintage black Ford Mustang is displayed indoors. A man leans over to inspect the interior. Several people in 1960s attire stand nearby, some wearing hats. The background shows posters and a door.
sticky_wickett

35. “My dad growing up in New Jersey in the early 60s.”

A young boy wearing a bowler hat, red cardigan, striped shirt, and jeans stands on a sidewalk, holding a camera. In the background, a girl in a plaid skirt walks away. A vintage car and house are visible in the distance.
JkAstnerPhoto

36. Greenwich Village, 1965

Three people stand on a city sidewalk near a storefront. The person in the middle leans against the building, wearing a cardigan and sandals. A woman in a patterned dress holds a guitar case, while another in a loose dress looks towards the camera.
AxlCobainVedder

37. Inside a Waffle House in 1965

A vintage diner scene with two women in uniforms working behind a counter, preparing food and drinks. The decor is retro, with kitchen equipment and shelves of dishes visible. A Waffle House sign with an illustration of a smiling chef is in the foreground.

38. “My great grandma taking a mirror selfie in NYC in the 1960s”

A black-and-white vintage photo of a woman taking a mirror selfie in a bathroom. She is smiling and holding an old-fashioned camera. A plaid towel hangs on the shower door behind her.
butwhyw00dy0usaythat

39. Check out this old Book Mobile from 1966

Children line up to enter a vintage Kentucky Bookmobile offering free library service. A woman assists a child stepping into the vehicle. The side of the bookmobile displays the service details, marked as provided by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
userdeleted

40. A couple of Hippies on Haight Street in San Francisco, 1967

Two people in 1960s-style clothing stand against a city wall. One wears a colorful hat and patterned coat, the other a vest and sunglasses. Posters and signs cover the wall, with one reading "Be a Public Nuisance.
5_Frog_Margin

For those who are interested, we have a great collection of vintage photos of San Francisco.

41. Inside Trude Heller’s club in Greenwich Village, 1966

A lively 1960s nightclub scene with a couple seated at a table in the foreground. In the background, people dance near a stage with musicians wearing striped shirts. The club is colorful and energetic, with "TRUDE HELLER'S" as a sign on the wall.
notbob1959

42. Report card day at Funland, May 1966

Children eating cotton candy near a rustic refreshment stand with Coca-Cola signage. A group of people is gathered in the background. A sign in the foreground advertises "Report Card Day" with various activities. Colorful flags are strung overhead.
iampeterskin

43. Spring Break, Fort Lauderdale, 1966

Crowded beach scene with numerous people lounging on towels under a clear sky. Palm trees are scattered among the sunbathers, and the ocean is visible in the background. Some people are walking while others relax on the sand.
MyDogGoldi

44. Las Vegas on Fremont Street in 1967

A group of people walk along a brightly lit street at night, filled with colorful neon signs and bustling with activity. A woman and two girls in patterned dresses stand next to a car, while others stroll past in casual summer attire.
MyDogGoldi

45. New Year’s Party, 1961

People in a living room having a party. They are wearing colorful party hats and dancing in a conga line. The room is decorated with mid-century furniture and has a cozy atmosphere. Some guests are seated, enjoying the festivities.
notbob1959

46. Having a little roadside break and snack in Scotland, 1967

An elderly man in a straw hat and a young boy sit on folding chairs by a roadside. A light green vintage car is parked behind them. They appear to be enjoying a break, with a simple meal on a small table, under a clear blue sky.
fanalog

47. Teachers and students celebrate the last day of school at Hobart Boulevard Elementary in LA, 1967

A group of people cheerfully raise their arms while exiting a building, carrying books and papers. They're dressed in mid-20th century attire, with both men and women in the group. Children stand in the background near the entrance.
AxlCobainVedder

48. Hip dad walking with his daughter in Amsterdam, 1968

A black and white photo of an adult and a child walking outdoors. The adult has long hair and wears a patterned vest, striped shirt, and bell-bottom pants. The child, with curly hair, wears a knitted dress and cardigan. Trees form the background.
GaGator43

49. Young woman dressed for an evening out in Detroit, 1968

A woman with long hair stands in a living room, wearing a dress with ruffled details. She holds a small object. Behind her, there's a sofa, a table with a lamp, and a portrait on the wall. The room has a classic, vintage feel.
userdeleted

50. The newspaper about the first moon landing in 1969

A young girl in a floral dress reads a vintage newspaper with the headline "'The Eagle Has Landed'—Two Men Walk on Moon." The black and white photo shows her standing next to a TV in a room with curtains.
Hooverpaul

51. Pinewood derby racers at the 1968 Scout Olympics in Fort Worth, Texas

Two boys excitedly watch toy cars racing on a wooden track. One boy has wide eyes, and the other is smiling, wearing glasses and a cap. An American flag is visible in the background.
notbob1959

52. The height of home entertainment in 1968

A woman stands beside a vintage television and radio console in a living room. She is wearing a white blouse and black pants. A small silver Christmas tree and a lamp are on the console. White drapes and a beige couch are in the background.
MyDogGoldi

53. Coney Island, Brooklyn. Circa 1968

Vintage street scene featuring Nathan's Famous hot dog stand, with colorful signage and a crowd of people. Classic cars are parked along the road, and festive decorations are strung overhead, creating a lively, nostalgic atmosphere.
frecklefactor

54. Kmart employees in North Carolina watching the moon landing (July 16, 1969)

A group of men in a store stands intently watching several TV screens. They are dressed in shirts and ties, some with arms crossed. The aisle is lined with TV sets and other electronics. A sign above reads "TV's - Stereos.
AxlCobainVedder

55. Visting Disneyland in 1968

A group of people stands in front of the "it's a small world" attraction at a theme park. The building features whimsical, abstract architecture. A woman and two children pose in the foreground while other visitors walk around. It's a sunny day.
DualCay0te

56. Coin operated televisions in the Los Angeles Greyhound bus terminal, 1969

Black and white photo of people seated in retro-style chairs equipped with small TV screens. Some hold newspapers, while others watch TV. The setting appears to be a public space, like an airport lounge or waiting area.
TheSanityInspector

57. A young woman at a Rollng Stones concert in 1969

A woman with long hair sits among a crowd. She is wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and has large decorative eyelashes. The black-and-white image captures the fashion and atmosphere of the scene.
closecaxton

58. Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1969

A vibrant street scene depicting a busy road lined with colorful vintage neon signs and billboards for various businesses. Classic cars drive on the wet street under a cloudy sky, with mountains visible in the background.
blrghh

59. Celebrating the opening of the 100th Burger Chef location. Treasure Island, Florida in 1969

A vintage scene outside a Burger Chef restaurant with a large, colorful sign. Several people are gathered, and classic cars are parked, including a convertible and a vintage VW Beetle. Festive streamers add to the lively atmosphere.
sverdrupian

60. The road to Woodstock in 1969

Black and white photo of a large crowd walking on a road filled with cars. A man is lying on the hood of a car in the foreground, wearing a jacket and pants. People are casually dressed, with some shirtless, moving away from the camera.
MyIpodStillWorks
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