Vacations for All: The Best Wheelchair Accessible Options in the United States

Approximately 100 million Americans were planning to leave their homes and head out for a vacation in 2019, according to the research findings of a AAA Travel Research study. This accounts for approximately 40% of all US adults. However, some have an easier time doing this than others. One of the significant obstacles that some run into is that specific locations and destinations are not designed with their needs in mind. If even one individual participating in the vacation is in a wheelchair, then it is necessary to look for vacations that are wheelchair accessible. Certain locations have done a better job of accommodating the needs of those wheelchair accessible, and we want to highlight those spots.

Tips for Traveling with Someone with Disabilities

If you or someone that you love has certain physical limitations and uses a wheelchair, then you need some tips for how to go on vacation in a way that will be fully accessible to everyone. To have the best possible vacation possible, consider some of the following tips:

• Plan Ahead - The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 and protects the rights of disabled Americans. Hotels, cruise ships, and most public locations must be ADA-compliant. That said, this is not true for international destinations. In addition to that, some places within the United States are not ADA-compliant, even if they are supposed to be. Therefore, you should try to call ahead and see if there are accommodations that can be made. If the location does not do so, you can file an official complaint, but you might find it easier to find another ADA-compliant site if possible.

• Work with a Specialized Travel Agency - Although brick-and-mortar travel agencies have suffered economically over the years, there are still plenty of online options. Some travel agencies even specialize in helping people with disabilities find their perfect vacation destination. These agencies can help you find places that understand your concerns, want to work with you, and can help you find the ideal place to set up stakes for a vacation.

• Consider Borrowing a Wheelchair - Even if you find a vacation that is entirely wheelchair accessible, you still must consider if you want to bring your own wheelchair or borrow one for your trip. On the one hand, bringing your own wheelchair will provide you with a level of comfort and familiarity. On the other hand, it can be a challenge if your wheelchair is electric, and you constantly have to look for an outlet to charge it. Thus, you might consider paying to borrow a wheelchair or even look for a program that allows you to borrow one at low to no cost.

These are a few tips you should take as you begin planning your vacation. You want to think about the steps that you can and should take to plan your wheelchair-accessible vacation. Now, you probably want to know where in the United States you will most likely find the accommodations you need.

Top Wheelchair Accessible Vacation Spots and Ideas in the United States

Certain places in the United States have embraced the need to make their resources accessible to those in a wheelchair. They understand that those individuals want to enjoy what they have to provide just the same as anyone else. Today, we take a look at some of those spots and what makes them so special.

San Francisco, California

The number of places to visit within San Francisco is bountiful, and the city has gone above and beyond to ensure the ease of transportation for those in wheelchairs. Trains, city buses, and even most street cars in San Francisco are completely wheelchair accessible. It is good news that transportation has been made so easy for those in wheelchairs throughout San Francisco because there are many landmarks that everyone wants to see. Popular tourist attractions such as The Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, and Alcatraz are all ADA-compliant.

Legoland (Carlsbad, California)

There is a theme park located in Carlsbad, California that is based entirely on everyone's favorite building block construction toy: Legos! This park features several fun things to do for the whole family, including:

• Water park

• Theme park

• Aquarium

• and so much more!

Everything in the park is Lego-themed, and the entire park is accessible for those in a wheelchair. It is a great vacation spot for those with disabilities and their families alike.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Shuffle up and deal! Las Vegas is thought of as an adult playland known for gambling, great food, amazing shows, and an all-around great place to blow off steam and create lifelong memories. There are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas even if you are in a wheelchair.

Gamble in the casinos

It is easy to roll up to the thousands upon thousands of slot machines available in every Las Vegas casino on the Strip. You can also have easy access to the table games and the sportsbook as well. No matter how you like to gamble, Las Vegas casinos will be pleased to make accommodations for you.

See a Fountain Show

The water fountain outside of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is no ordinary fountain. Instead, you can sit in your chair and enjoy a magnificent water show that occurs every 30 minutes. Between 8 pm and midnight, the water fountain show happens every 15 minutes. You will be dazzled by the way that the water wipes around.

Fremont Street Experience

A 5-block span of Fremont Street has a massive pedestrian walkway with a giant canopy overhead. If you look up, you will see amazing neon lights showing over your head. There is almost always something amazing going on over your head on that canopy, so be on the lookout for it. Additionally, there are a number of casinos located along Fremont Street including Golden Nugget, Binion's Gambling Hall, and Fremont Hotel and Casino.

Seattle, Washington

If you travel a little further northwest of Las Vegas, you will eventually end up in Seattle. As the 18th largest city in the United States, Seattle is a popular vacation destination for all. Fortunately, there are a lot of attractions that are wheelchair accessible in Seattle.

The Space Needle

This landmark is one of the most recognizable worldwide, and it is a hallmark of Seattle. The Space Needle was created for the 1962 World's Fair Park in Seattle, and it remains a wildly popular tourist destination. As soon as you enter the Space Needle, there is a ramp that leads to a bank of elevators that you can use to quickly elevate to the top of the Needle. From the top, you will enjoy a 605-foot-high view of the entire city. It is a breathtaking sight to behold.

Pacific Science Center

Feed your inner nerd and enjoy a whole new way to look at science at the Pacific Science Center. You can work in the hands-on design space to create your own rockets and electric circuits to learn more about the science behind creations like this. For an even more sensory experience, you can approach the Tropical Butterfly House. In that part of the center, you will walk amongst hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies. That is such a beautiful way to reconnect with nature. Best of all, the Pacific Science Center is completely wheelchair accessible. You can even borrow courtesy wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis at the information desk.

Dollywood (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)

Those who want to plan a vacation in the southern United States should check out the famous Dollywood theme park. This jewel of East Tennessee is co-owned by the legendary entertainer Dolly Parton. You will find her likeness all over the park, and she is beloved by fans worldwide. The park takes accessibility seriously, and it states the following on its website:

Dollywood is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for our guests. Our Ride Accessibility Center (RAC) is available to serve guests who have an accessibility need and would like to enter an attraction through the accessibility entrance. A Dollywood host at the RAC will provide you with as much detailed information about our rider requirements to help you make well-informed decisions to safely, comfortably, and conveniently experience our rides. Additionally, we will provide you with a Boarding Pass tailored specifically for you to include rides you will be able to enjoy. Anyone with physical limitations is welcome to enjoy the park, and the friendly staff of Dollywood will do everything in their power to make the park fun and accessible to everyone who pays them a visit.

Norwegian Cruise

Hit the open waters and enjoy the experience of a relaxing cruise. The Norwegian Cruise company offers the experience of hitting the open waters for some fun much easier for those in a wheelchair. The company has made the process easier than ever before for those in a wheelchair to get on board and enjoy all of the fun. A few things that you can do to have the kind of experience that you want to have while on a Norwegian Cruise includes the following:

• Speak with the Access Deck - Within the Reservations Department is an expert team of polite professionals who can help you set up every aspect of your travel from the very beginning. You can submit your "Guest Special Needs Request Form" to this team to let them know about the special accommodations that they can make for you to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible. The team will look over the entire form and do everything in their power to make sure your accommodations are met whenever possible.

• Staff at the Ready - Staff onboard the cruise ship will be informed either directly or through your travel team about the accommodations that you require while onboard. They can assist you with anything that you might require, and they are also there to answer any questions or concerns that you might have while you are on board. On top of all of this, the company has an Access Officer who is available to reach you by phone 24 hours a day to answer any questions or concerns as well.

Going on a cruise might have seemed out of reach for those in wheelchairs in the past, but this is no longer the case. Companies like Norwegian Cruise (and many others) have taken steps to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all their guests.

Have an Enjoyable Time

No matter what kind of vacation appeals to you, there are options if you or someone you love is in a wheelchair. While there may be some obstacles to overcome that others don't have to think twice about, there is also a lot of assistance available to minimize these obstacles whenever possible. If you plan out your vacation properly, you can partake in virtually everything that someone not in a wheelchair can. Even if it doesn't seem like a specific activity or vacation destination is wheelchair accessible, you should always ask about possible accommodations because they are often available. Look at the options above and consider others as well. Start planning your vacation today so that you are fully ready to soak it all in, relax your shoulders, and have a memorable time.