When you are looking for a great vacation spot, why not look right in your backyard? There are many wheelchair friendly destinations in the United States that can give you the experience of a lifetime. These top ten destinations on American soil – in no particular order – have been tried and tested by wheelchair users just like you.
This is one of the country’s perfect destinations for the history buff. Most areas of Gettysburg are wheelchair friendly; those that are not are simply unable to accommodate due to their historic age. The Gettysburg battlefield is the biggest attraction, and the entire park is very accessible. However, public transportation in Gettysburg is few and far between, so plan on taking your own rental vehicle. Handicap accessible rental vehicles can be tough to come by.
One of the most coveted vacation spots, Hawaii has an interesting range of accessibility. Some islands are almost completely inaccessible, while others are very wheelchair friendly. The best of these is Maui, which is the second-largest of the island chain. There are many public transportation companies that provide wheelchair friendly vans and cars, and finding accessible accommodations won’t be a problem. Most beaches, however, are not accessible unless you have a special beach wheelchair.
Want to head for the mountains? Pikes Peak in Colorado is an impressive mountain with easy wheelchair access. There are many quaint inns but only a few accessible rooms, so it pays to book far in advance. Since tourism is a major part of Colorado Springs’ economy, almost every restaurant and shop in the area is wheelchair friendly.
Las Vegas is one of the most wheelchair friendly places in the world. From public transportation to hopping nightclubs to the famous casinos, expect to find the vast majority of places fully accessible. Many of the pristine pools even offer poolside lifts for those who want to take a dip. The only downside might be the intense heat during the summer months, but staying hydrated with plenty of water helps. Most visitors beat the heat by staying inside the opulent casinos.
Don’t worry about those famous steep hills: San Francisco’s
public transportation is excellent, especially for those with disabilities. The majority of the most famous attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, are fully
accessible. The popular Alcatraz is mostly accessible, but expect to take a
longer period of time than the traditional tour. There are also plenty of
wheelchair rentals available for those who don’t want to travel with their
personal mobility equipment.
Much of Atlanta was built with disabled residents and tourists in mind, so you will find a wide variety of accessible areas in most major attractions. Public transportation, including handicapped cabs and local buses, are very well-equipped to handle your wheelchair. Some areas, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, are not fully accessible due to the historic nature of the buildings. Others, such as the CNN Building, are accessible but ask for 24-hours notice in order to fully accommodate you.
If
you are looking for lessons in history, this is the place to be. Washington
D.C. is home to numerous attractions – you could pack a schedule for a full
week and still not see everything the city has to offer. The vast majority of
historic buildings and monuments are accessible for wheelchair users. The
“tourmobiles” that venture around the city are wheelchair friendly as well. Expect
public transportation to have excellent accommodations for your wheelchair, but
plan your trip carefully to avoid backtracking from one place to another.
Looking for something a little more peaceful? Cape Cod and neighboring Martha’s Vineyard are both very wheelchair friendly. These quaint towns are home to many rich and famous, so the infrastructure is quite nice. That means wide pathways for wheelchairs, nice ramps, and plenty of lifts to accommodate you. Much of the area is a pristine beach, and there are beach wheelchairs for rent that can allow you to enjoy the waves. The only downside to the area might be the expense – even discounted rates are still rather high in comparison to other seaside vacation spots.
One of the most diverse cities in the nation, Chicago is no stranger to those with disabilities. As a result, everything in the city is nicely equipped to handle wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. The airports and public transportation offer exceptional service to those in wheelchairs. The vast majority of attractions are very accessible. The only potential downside is the crowding – Chicago is a very busy city – but the constant influx of visitors is also a testament to how much the city has to offer.
No matter where you choose to go, start planning for your trip early. Not only will you have the best shot at the accessible hotel rooms and other necessary amenities, you can also pinpoint where problems with accessibility might arise. Finding a way around the situation is easier if you start early. For instance, if you learn public transportation in the area doesn’t accommodate your wheelchair, you need time to look into the various cab companies or rental companies in order to find a vehicle that can take you from one place to another.
Keep in mind that no detail is too small. From the type of batteries an airline will allow you to carry with your wheelchair or scooter to the extra time required to wait for a handicapped shuttle to take you from one place to another, the small details add up quickly. What you thought wouldn’t be a problem could turn into an issue that makes you miss your flight or changes your planned itinerary.
Plan early to avoid those problems! Make a clear checklist of requirements, needs and other point, and come back to that checklist often. The more you know about the trip you are taking, the better prepared you will be to handle any areas that might not be wheelchair friendly.
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