Go ahead and bring the kids and the wheels!
There are so many things that we’ve been unable to explore because of accessibility that it becomes easy to assume. Natural wonders, especially in mountains, or monuments or attractions known for steps are automatically shoved to the back of my mind with the assumption that they’ll be too much work, or won’t even be possible. Obviously, this is faulty thinking that I need to overcome. Here are some great finds that we’ve discovered over the past year that we didn’t expect to be wheelchair accessible. Go ahead and add these to your travel plans!
1. Castles
This one came up early on from another Spina bifida mom. She was lamenting the fact that her son, who loves all things castle, would never be able to explore one. That was enough to make me research. Turns out, there are wheelchair accessible castles all over the world! You can visit Ireland, Britain, Scotland, and even the Netherlands to explore literally hundreds of castles! Even some of the most world renown castles have put in chair lifts and have alternate entries created for people with disabilities.
2. Niagara Falls Gorge
We’ve been to the rim of Niagara Falls a few times. Both sides have made the rim quite easy to navigate with smooth trails and vistas. I always assumed because of all those steps that the gorge was inaccessible. WRONG. We did the Cave of the Winds tour on the U.S. side last summer and were amazed to be able to stand at the base of the falls! There was a viewing platform a little higher that required steps, but with the amount of water rushing it, I’m not sure we would’ve taken the littles up, anyway. A little farther from the falls, on the Canadian side, there’s also an elevator down to a boardwalk that takes you along the rapids.
3. Historic Trains
Ok. This is a tough one. I can be honest here and say that I’ve contacted several historic trains and very few of them are fully accessible. I get it. They’re old and the doors are narrow. Many of them have lifts, and you can transfer to a seat and leave your wheelchair behind, but that only works if you are physically capable or have a travel companion. That being said, the Strasburg Railroad is wheelchair accessible, and it’s the best train experience we’ve ever had, anyway. The whole town goes along with the historic train theme and it’s phenomenal for both kids and adults.
4. Trolley Tours
We’ve seen these in so many cities, and never given them a try because, again, all those steps! Little did I know that most cities have trolleys with lifts in addition to all those steps. I can’t vouch for every city or company, but I know Old Town Trolley Tours, who gave us an excellent tour through Nashville, has accessible trolleys in Boston, Key West, Nashville, San Diego, Savannah, St. Augustine, and Washington D.C.! We actually preferred this to driving or taking public transportation because it stops at all the key attractions (you can get on and off throughout the day) and you learn along the way!
5. Tiny Home Getaways
I love the idea of unique cabins, bed and breakfasts, lodges, or mountain hideouts. There’s rarely anything that’s wheelchair accessible. I don’t completely understand how that’s possible, but it is what it is. I love the idea of tiny home getaways, but this is another one that I’ve made a lot of phone calls on and been repeatedly turned away. Until Getaway. Somehow they managed a roll in shower and ADA compliance in a tiny cabin. We were able to immerse in nature in a remote location and still have all the conveniences we needed on hand. With locations across the country, it really does make a perfect “Getaway.” If you decide to try it (and I strongly suggest you do – I’ve never had another experience quite like it), make sure you use the code WONDER25 for $25 off.
6. The Beach
I can’t believe we’ve avoided beaches because of the sand. Sand and wheelchairs simply do not mix. The good news is, almost all U.S. beaches offer at least beach chairs to help get you to the water, and many beaches around the world have begun offering similar accommodations! I started digging last year to find a beach near us that offered accessibility options, and discovered they all do! Granted, not all beaches are equal. Some will have sheds with beach wheelchairs, and others will have access ramps right up to the water with motorized beach chairs and/or surf chairs. I charted all the options from New Jersey to Maryland last year (Cape May wins). I’ll have to add more states to the list for this summer. Don’t skip the beach. Look it up or call ahead – I can almost guarantee they can make it work!
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In general, I’ve learned never to assume inaccessibility (or the opposite!). It’s always worth a little research – and I’m often pleasantly surprised!