Must do’s and don’ts for families with disabilities

I’ve lived in Pennsylvania for most of my life and, aside from passing through for events, had never visited Pittsburgh.  I guess all the big cities start to seem pretty similar, and there was nothing to bring me out there. Now that I have made it, let me tell what should draw you out to Pittsburgh, what’s worth seeing while you’re there, and what to avoid when traveling with kids – especially kids with disabilities or special needs

ONE restaurant you need to visit:

  1. Primanti Bros.  Sure, they’ve spread out from Pittsburgh now, but it makes sense to order the famous sandwich where it started making history.

TWO things you must see:

1. Randyland.  Randyland is wall art on crack.  In fact, it extends from the walls to fill an entire backyard.  Also, that backyard is made up entirely of sand. It’s a kid’s dream.  The kids would’ve played there all day if I hadn’t made them move along because we had other things planned.  Because the art is mostly made from re-purposed materials, Randy is really laid back about kids handling things.  They can touch and play all they want. Did I mention it’s free? It’s an all around win. A visit to Pittsburgh is worth it just for this stop.

2. The view.  Pittsburgh has a unique layout of rivers, bridges, and islands that is best viewed from up high.  Mt. Washington is the best place to take in the scene. It’s surprisingly beautiful.

THREE things to avoid:

  1. Major events.  Like any city, Pittsburgh can get crowded and traffic can get congested.  Sitting in traffic for three hours instead of catching a nice dinner is no one’s idea of fun.  Did you know you can just google a calendar of events for most cities? Just type in the city + calendar (ie “Pittsburgh calendar”).
  2. Getting lost.  In some places, it’s advisable to leave the map behind and wander.  This isn’t one of those places. Between rivers and bridges and alleys that contribute to the unique layout of the city, it would be easy to lose yourself beyond getting found, or to wander into a neighborhood that is not so much a part of the tourism scene.
  3. The Duquesne Incline.  This is only applicable to families traveling with wheelchairs or strollers.  The incline is not handicap accessible. If you access it from the top, you might not realize this, but there are a couple flights of steps required to exit at the bottom.  If you want to do the incline, just head another mile down the road and catch the Monongahela Incline. From the top, you can head up to the first two viewing points. Anything past that gets a little steep for wheels and you don’t get much more of a view, anyway.

FOUR great stops while you’re in the area:

  1. The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.  Yes, most cities have a children’s museum, but this is my new favorite – and I’ve been to several!  First of all, it’s huge. You can play all day and not experience the entire museum (don’t let the entrance fool you).  Second, they go above and beyond to welcome guests of all abilities and needs. From tactile maps to ASL tours and velcro wheelchair tables, with everything in between, they make it possible for all kids to have a great time.  You can check out all of their services here.

2. Carnegie Science Center. Again, in the world of science centers, this is a good one.  It’s also another place that works hard to welcome everyone. They offer assistance for a variety of disabilities and special needs.  You can check out all of their services here.  If you don’t have time for both the children’s museum and the science center, do the children’s museum for kids under 9 and the science center for older kids.

3. Kennywood.  Kennywood is just another amusement park… that happens to be a certified autism center.  While the amusement park rides are comparable to other parks, it’s just another place that is going a little bit further in meeting needs and welcoming all.

4. The National Aviary.  Pittsburgh does have all the typical city attractions, like a history museum and a zoo, but the aviary is unique as “America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated to birds.”

While parts of the city are tricky on wheels, the attractions within the city are commendable for their efforts to meet the varying needs of visitors.  Apparently Pittsburgh isn’t just another city, and it was worth the long-awaited visit.

**Pittsburgh travel tips for families with special needs**

Check out our journeys for other great places for kids with disabilities!