10 Wheelchair-Friendly Vacation Spots to Visit This Summer

The summer season is a time for fun, sun, and vacation. While fun and sun are easy to come by, planning a summer escape requires a great deal of effort. You need to shortlist a destination, book flights, and find the best hotels, all of which can be twice as hard for the 57 million (20%) Americans living with some form of disability.

The US offers plenty of wheelchair-friendly vacation spots, which makes planning your summer escape a lot easier. These summer retreats range from lush green national parks to sandy beaches and children’s theme parks. In this post, we have shortlisted ten such disability-friendly vacation destinations.

Let’s check them out one by one.

1. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

The Aloha State has many vacation spots for wheelchair users, including the stunning Hanauma Bay beach. If you love chilling on a sunny, sandy beach, this place is perfect for your next summer retreat.

The beach has smooth paths and ramps that make it easy to reach the water, and you can use beach wheelchairs for free. Snorkeling here is amazing, with crystal-clear water that lets you see colorful fish up close.

Organizations like the Team Gleason Foundation arrange scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water adventure activities for people with disabilities across Hawaii.

2. Miami, Florida

Like Hawaii, Miami is also famous for its beaches, many of them excellent vacation spots for wheelchair users. South Beach has beach wheelchairs and special mats that make it easy to get to the water. You can sip a few margaritas, check out the waves, and relax in the sunny paradise.

The city also has many wheelchair-accessible attractions, like the Art Deco Historic District and Zoo Miami. If you love to soak in retro, colorful architecture, visiting the Art Deco Historic District is a must on your itinerary. With its well-maintained sidewalks and plenty of ramps, you can easily explore the beautiful buildings without leaving the comfort of your power wheelchair.

Zoo Miami is equally accessible and rents wheelchairs for just $11 all day. It stretches over 750 acres and features thousands of animals. You can easily spend a day checking out its exhibits, after which you can head out to enjoy the vibrant nightlife and diverse food.

3. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is perfect for your summer trip if you enjoy stunning mountain views and fresh air. The national park takes accessible tourism to a whole new level with its wheelchair-friendly visitor centers, picturesque overlooks, and self-guided trails. It's also famous for accessible campgrounds, picnic areas, and a backcountry campsite.

The Bear Lake Trail is a favorite wheelchair-accessible attraction, which is open year-round. With its short, paved, and scenic route, most people can complete this trail in 15-20 minutes. It's full of wildlife, and you might spot elk, deer, or even a bear if you are lucky.

4. Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park offers a unique experience with several wheelchair-accessible attractions, including trails and visitor centers. The park has many accessible trails less than three-quarters of a mile long and with paved or boardwalk surfaces. If you love hiking, check out trails like Anhinga, Gumbo Limbo, Pineland, and the Pa-hay-okee Overlook.

However, the park is mostly water, and airboat tours are a great way to explore it. Many airboat companies offer wheelchair-accessible boats, allowing you to see alligators and birds in their natural habitat.

5. Ludington State Park, Michigan

Ludington State Park is a hidden gem in Michigan, with wheelchair-accessible attractions like campsites, trails, and beaches. Some of its popular short, paved trails include Aronson Island Path and Ludington Park Loop.

The park has many miles of beautiful shoreline along Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan. The beaches along this shoreline are accessible, and you can use beach wheelchairs or all-terrain scooters to get to the water. The park also offers accessible fishing spots and boating.

6. Walt Disney World, Florida

Walt Disney World is one of the ultimate vacation spots for wheelchair users, with its accessible restrooms, ramps, and seating areas. The park has several wheelchair-friendly rides, designated viewing areas for shows and parades, and accessible transportation. You can rent wheelchairs in advance, and service animals are allowed throughout the park. The Disney staff is very welcoming and ready to help.

7. Sesame Place, Philadelphia

Sesame Place is a great vacation spot for children with disabilities. In 2018, it became the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center, or CAC. The park features ramps, special seating, and many wheelchair-friendly rides for children. Service animals are allowed inside the park and are even permitted on a few rides, like Elmo's Flying Fish, Flying Cookie Jars, and Mini Monster Clubhouse.

8. Morgan’s Wonderland, San Antonio, Texas

Morgan’s Wonderland is a theme park designed specifically for people with special needs. It’s the only park that features 100% accessibility and allows free entry for people with disabilities. With more than 25 rides and attractions, it’s a great place to have fun with your kids and family.

9. Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas Cruise

Cruises are mobility-friendly vacation spots because you can see multiple places without the hassle of travel. The Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas is one such cruise that lets people with disabilities enjoy a 360-degree cruising experience.

It features 46 accessible cabins, each equipped with wide doors, low doorsills, ramped thresholds, roll-in showers, grab bars, and turning spaces. The ship has accessible cabins, pools, and restaurants, and it also offers accessible shore excursions.

10. Las Vegas, Nevada

Famous for its nightlife and entertainment, Sin City is one of the most popular disability-friendly vacation destinations in the US. Many of the hotels and casinos in Las Vegas are wheelchair-friendly. The Bellagio, for instance, features 22 deluxe and 63 resort rooms with roll-in shower access, shower chairs, lavatory rails, convenient closet shelving, and lowered amenities.

The city also boasts accessible public transport. You can explore the Strip, see a show, or try your luck at the casinos. Las Vegas offers endless entertainment, making it one of the best places for a summer trip.

Conclusion

For those with disabilities, planning a summer retreat takes effort, but knowing these disability-friendly vacation destinations can make it easier. Each destination offers something unique and fun. You can enjoy beautiful beaches, exciting theme parks, stunning natural views, and vibrant nightlife. This list should help you plan your next summer escape.

But before you leave for your trip, check out our travel mobility solutions and accessories.