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37 Vintage Photos of the Late ’70s

Vintage Photos May 17, 2025

Last Updated on May 17, 2025 by Colby Droscher

The late 1970s marked a turning point. Disco lights flashed, bell-bottoms swished, punk sneered from the sidelines, and America caught its breath after a roller-coaster decade. Between gas lines and Star Wars, everyday life felt gritty and glamorous.

These 37 photographs capture that final burst of Seventies energy. Flip through scenes of smoky dance floors, shag-carpeted living rooms, and main streets glowing with neon optimism. It’s a quick trip back to a funky, free-spirited era that still shapes the way we dress, dance, and dream.

1. “My dad swears he was the coolest kid in 1979.”

A smiling child with short, light brown hair sits on a red block, holding a trumpet and wearing a patterned short-sleeve shirt and brown pants against a plain background.
tattoovtwin

2. Nothing like those outdoor gatherings back in the late ’70s.

A group of adults sits outdoors on lawn chairs, chatting and smiling at a casual gathering. Several wrapped gifts are stacked on a table between them, and a can of soda is on the ground near a man in a striped shirt.
bravobabe025

3. The late 1970s, all in one picture.

A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a red plaid shirt, sits on green carpet closely watching an old-fashioned box television in a wood-paneled room.
northvillecouer

4. A stunning snapshot into a ponderous moment back in the late ’70s.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a serious expression leans on a window ledge, looking out from behind a partially open white-paned window. She wears a white top and rests one hand on her shoulder.
howdoyoufindyourway

Now that’s a smoldering 10-thousand-yard stare if I’ve ever seen one.

5. A young and in love couple out in Maine in the late ’70s.

Two people sitting on grass, smiling at the camera. The man has curly dark hair, a mustache, and is wearing a black "Lake Tahoe" shirt. The woman has curly brown hair and is wearing a dark hoodie. A tent is visible in the background.
dweebog

6. The army kitchen duty shifts were tough business in the late ’70s.

A person wearing glasses, a cap, and boots sits playfully with arms and legs outstretched in a large kitchen pot labeled in Hebrew, surrounded by pots and pans on shelves in a tiled kitchen.
whitesock

Looks like an extra fun day on the job.

7. Grocery shopping in the late ’70s

A woman in a plaid dress smiles while standing in a grocery store aisle, pushing a shopping cart filled with various boxed and canned foods. Shelves stocked with products line the background.
quick_presentation11

8. Some folks at a party enjoying their late ’70s fruit cocktails

Six adults sit around a table outdoors, eating dessert and talking. The table is covered with a white cloth and teacups. The scene appears warm and friendly, with sunlight coming through windows behind them.
deleted

9. A beautiful day in the late ’70s to be out in the Alps.

A man wearing glasses and winter clothing sits on snowy ground with a backpack beside him, surrounded by snow-covered mountains under a clear sky.
kmiller0202

10. 1970s girls and their typewriter having a great time.

Two smiling children sit on a carpeted floor next to a typewriter with paper loaded, in a retro room with patterned wallpaper and a small table with items on it.
mistermajik2000

Typewriters are definitely due for their own comeback.

11. Customers checking out at a grocery store in Wilson County, NC (circa late 1970s)

Several older women stand in line at a grocery store checkout as a cashier packs items into a paper bag. The store is decorated with colored streamers and a large sign is partially visible in the background.
axlcobainvedder

12. Brothers being brotherly near Eagle’s Point, Late 1970s

Three people stand outdoors near a rocky shoreline. Two children pose playfully by a yellow post, while an adult in a blue tracksuit stands nearby, holding a brown glass bottle. The ocean is visible in the background.
heirloom-cloud

13. A lazy day in NYC – Late 1970s

Two elderly women sit outside a green brick building; one wears a red checkered dress and sits on steps, the other wears a light dress with a green cardigan and sits in a folding chair. Both look to the right, appearing thoughtful.
axlcobainvedder

14. One of the wooden soapbox derby cars that was built from scratch

A young child with brown hair sits in a black and white homemade go-kart on grass, holding the steering wheel and looking at the camera. The go-kart has a boxy shape and large wheels.
360inmotion

Those cars were way too much fun. Albeit, not the safest rides to cruise around in, either.

15. Someone’s mom at her sister’s wedding in the late ’70s

A woman in an off-the-shoulder lavender dress stands smiling beside a tiered cake with pink flowers, holding a bouquet with a pink ribbon. Behind her is a starburst wall clock and patterned wallpaper.
anonymoustimesoftimes

16. Someone’s grandma in her new coat, circa late 1970s

A woman wearing a patterned coat and long skirt stands smiling in a living room with bookshelves, decorative objects, and a Christmas stocking hanging on a brick fireplace.
aniwannabe

17. 14th Street, NYC, late ’70s

A busy city street scene with crowds shopping, a man sitting on top of a ladder, and colorful shop signs, including one that says "CRAZY." Clothes racks and street vendors line the sidewalk.
axlcobainbedder

18. Elderly folks having a party in Miami, Florida, in the late 1970s

A group of people, mostly seniors, sit on yellow and red couches at a party. Colorful balloon streamers are hanging from the ceiling, and festive decorations are visible in the background.
axlcobainvedder

I desperately want to know what was blaring on the speakers on that fine slow-rolling afternoon.

19. Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA late 1970s

A red aerial gondola marked "Kings Dominion" carries three people over an amusement park, with a roller coaster, trees, and buildings visible below on a hazy day.
susierabbit

20. Giving off a legit Instagram model vibe instead of being in the late ’70s

Two side-by-side photos of a woman with blonde hair, wearing a black sweater, blue jeans, brown boots, and a red scarf, sitting on a doorstep next to a brown bag and black hat.
anonymous

21. Students in the mailroom, Pitzer College, Claremont, CA (circa 1970s)

Two young people smile while looking at a piece of paper in a hallway. Behind them, others stand and sit near a wall covered with small mailboxes, checking their own mail. The scene appears casual and candid.
axlcobainvedder

22. Blind pencil seller on busy 5th Avenue, NYC, Late 1970s

A person in a dark coat with a sign reading "I am blind, please buy a pencil. Thank you," stands on a city sidewalk beside a blanket and a cup, as people walk by on a busy street.
axlcobainvedder

23. The centerfield bleachers of Tiger Stadium in Detroit, MI

Black and white photo of people sitting in bleachers at a baseball stadium, with a large scoreboard above showing teams Cleveland vs Detroit. Some fans are looking toward the field, while others are talking or relaxing.
Screenshot

24. Poland in the late ’70s

A man and woman walk arm-in-arm on a city sidewalk, carrying a long roll of toilet paper draped over their shoulders. A woman carrying groceries walks toward them. Several parked cars line the street.
suzuki_hayabusa

25. My grandfather (rear) with some other family members in his Toronto backyard sometime in the 1970s

A group of seven older adults relax outdoors in lawn chairs by a small shed, enjoying a sunny day. Trees and grass surround them, and a couple of people stand while others are seated, smiling and talking.
anonymous

26. An elderly lady poses for a photo in Miami, Florida, late 1970s

An older woman with red hair, white sunglasses, and a brown outfit stands on a sunny lawn holding a yellow umbrella, with palm trees and people sitting in the background.
axlcobainvedder

27. The family is all united on a day back in 1978

Three people stand close together and smile at the camera outdoors; a woman in glasses and blue top, a man in a white shirt, and another woman in a dark dress, all looking happy on a sunny day.
deleted

28. Manhattan street view, 1978

A man uses a vintage belt massager on a busy city sidewalk, while people walk by and cars are parked along the street. The scene appears to be from the 1970s.
anonnymous

29. What a cheery-looking couple, indeed

A man in a blue turtleneck sweater hugs a smiling woman wearing a white blouse. They are both looking at the camera and appear happy. There are houseplants and a window in the background.

30. What an average day looks like in New York, 1978

A busy city street scene from the 1970s with parked cars, a police car, people walking on the sidewalk, storefronts, and tall buildings in the background. A bridge is visible at the end of the street.
ultimatelazer

31. In 1978, when you got a color TV, you posed by it

A young child stands smiling next to a vintage wooden console television, with a lava lamp and a clock on top, in a retro living room with patterned carpet and floral wallpaper.
somethingturtle’

32. 1978, San Francisco

A street musician plays an acoustic guitar and sings near a vintage San Francisco cable car. Two people sit on the cable car, and passersby can be seen in the background.
northvillecouer

33. Three guests at the party in ‘Studio 54’ nightclub, New York, 1978

Three men pose together in black-and-white. Two wear leather outfits, hats, chain accessories, and mustaches; the third wears glasses, a patterned scarf, a vest with circular rings, and jeans. They are smiling in a festive atmosphere.
matroska_cat

34. A nice day at the beach in 1978

A group of nine young people sit and stand in an old, weathered boat on grass near a beach. Most are seated inside, while two stand behind. The sea and sky form the background, creating a relaxed, vintage scene.
anonymous

35. This kid’s got pure joy in their eyes.

A man is lying on his side, propped up on one elbow, smiling as he holds a happy baby girl on his side. They are indoors with warm lighting, and the baby is smiling at the camera.
exqvisitely

Of course, they do The ’70s were a grand old time.

36. These folks are giving all the late ’70s energy

A young man with dark, curly hair stands next to a smiling woman wearing a brown turtleneck and a large pendant necklace. They are outdoors on a sunny day, with trees and parked cars in the background.
Screenshot

37. “Me circa 1979”

A young man with curly hair sits outdoors on rocks, wearing a burnt orange button-up shirt, jeans, and brown boots. The background is grassy and trees with soft, warm lighting, suggesting an autumn day.
sonofyoduh

Explore more groovy vintage content:

For more snapshots of the decade, check out our 20 Vintage Photos of the 1970s Disco Era. If you’re into retro vibes, don’t miss our look back at 35 Vintage Photos of the 1980s for what came next.

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