The best of wheelchair friendly PA
Anyone else only discover how much their home state had to offer after a pandemic kept them “trapped” at home?
I’ve spent the majority of my life living in Pennsylvania, but I really only began to uncover its accessible wonders when we moved our adventure time to home. The following is a road trip tour, looping around the state with stops at all of Pennsylvania’s best wheelchair accessible family destinations.
Philadelphia
It only makes sense to begin at the hub of our nation’s history. Start at Independence Visitor Center (it’s more than just a visitor’s center) for an overview of the city’s history, an interactive tour, and a view of the Liberty Bell.
Independence Hall is just across the street and has ramped access for the downstairs and the full tour of the birthplace of our constitution.
Chinatown is walking distance from historic downtown and you’ll want to eat everything there. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the least accessible parts of the city. I recommend curbside.
Our other accessible Philly favorites include Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (for the dinosaurs), and the Please Touch Museum (for younger kids). All of these offer $2 admission with your disability ACCESS card through Philly’s Art-Reach program!
Don’t forget to try all of the cheesesteaks. Pat’s, Geno’s, and Reading Terminal Market are all accessible.
You can check out more accessible Philadelphia ideas, here. You’ll want at least a couple of days to explore it all!
Lancaster County
Amish Country may be the polar opposite of everything you just experienced in the big city. Slow it down with a farm tour. Things move a little differently here (like, by horse and buggy), but you’ll find food is still a central part of your visit. Shady Maple is the nation’s largest buffet, and you can sample many of Amish country’s finest, here. I suggest you grab a whoopie pie everywhere you stop… you never know which one may be your favorite!
You don’t want to miss any of the key tourist stops; but, if you have some time to unwind, you may want to explore her secret side of outdoor and historical attractions. There are even two all abilities playgrounds! One in Lititz and one a little out of the way on the south side.
Strasburg
One could argue that this train paradise is still within Lancaster County… but it’s really it’s own destination. Strasburg is an absolute must for train lovers. You can ride on the nation’s oldest continually operating rail road (yes, with your wheelchair), play with trains, play on a train, eat on a train, sleep on a train… are you getting the picture?
In addition to our favorite railroad museum, with over 100 real trains on display ($2 admission with your ACCESS card), you can check out all of our accessible Strasburg favorites, here.
Hershey
What better to follow-up train paradise than the sweetest place on earth?
This is the perfect place to mix it up with an amusement park. Hershey Park is our favorite in the state.
If roller coasters aren’t your thing, it’s still worth the visit for the chocolate tour. Also, chocolate always tastes fresher from their massive on-site store (yes, I’m fully aware that has to be in my head). You can even make your own unique treats and labels!
Don’t think chocolate is all Hershey has to offer (as if that wasn’t enough!). You can explore the history behind both man and candy, enjoy a quickly developing downtown, and of course find more mind blowing food options!
More accessible itinerary options, here!
Harrisburg
The state’s capitol building is impressive. The accessible entrance is around back and you have to call to have someone come let you in, but it’s worth it. Don’t miss the attached welcome center, and you’ll have enough to fill your day!
The State Museum gives a history of the state – and all the things you didn’t know were from PA! From local dinosaur fossils to inventions that have taken the world by storm, you’ll be impressed by all Pennsylvania has accomplished. They also have an excellent hands-on play area for younger children. $2 admission with your ACCESS card!
Take a walk across the bridge and enjoy City Island, take a street art tour, explore the thriving market, or fill up on more local yummies – here are our favorites!
Gettysburg
I won’t debate what Pennsylvania’s greatest contribution to history has been. I just know you’d be missing something if you didn’t swing through the location that turned the tides for the Civil War, and where Lincoln delivered his most famous address.
Start at the visitor’s center, which houses a museum that will give your family all the background they need (and that mom may not remember well enough to explain). From here, it’s largely a driving tour. Some paths are not accessible, but there are pull-offs at each major site, with accessible trails from there.
Here’s an interactive map to get you started!
Altoona
This small city in central Pennsylvania is my children’s favorite vacation destination… on the planet.
Altoona is a perfect combination of trains and railroad history, outdoor adventure, and children’s play. Take a day to cool off at our favorite accessible water park, or keep it natural at an accessible lake beach. Roll the trail that links all of the 9-11 sites, or burn off some steam at an accessible playground. See where our bullets were made during the American Revolution, or watch a train go around the track that made history.
Check out our favorites, including where to eat and stay!
Laurel Highlands
Time for a waterfall break! Ohiopyle Falls is known as the Niagara falls of western PA, and you can stroll the rim for fantastic views.
If you’re up for camping, this is a great area to do it. Laurel Hill State Park has accessible campsites, trails, a beach with a beach wheelchair for loan, an ADA swing, and a nice ADA fishing area.
Mr. Rogers, our own national icon, is from Latrobe, in the Laurel Highlands. You could build a whole trip around Mr. Rogers sites with his childhood home, burial place, and church. Visit the Fred Rogers Center to learn his story and see artifacts (and sweaters!) from the show. Stop by the Fred Rogers Memorial Park and snap your picture with his statue. Don’t miss the sign on the bridge as you enter Latrobe, welcoming you with “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”
Get the full itinerary (including one of the best hidden gem restaurants I’ve ever uncovered) here!
Pittsburgh
Accessibility around town in Pittsburgh is messy, but I kept this one on the list because of its fantastic museums. I’ve never seen such impressive children’s museums with such a thorough attention to inclusion. Every accommodation you could need is available – every kid will have fun!
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Science Center were our favorites, but you can view the whole list, here.
Presque Isle
Welcome to the beach! Yes… I know it’s a lake, but don’t you dare argue with me until you’ve visited. There are waves, ok? Beach #7 and #8 have wheelchair access to the water, and beach wheelchairs on loan, along with ADA amenities.
Head to the other side of the island for a smooth trail through the woods and along the lake – it’s all the best of nature crammed into one tiny isle!
Cherry Springs State Park
Speaking of things you didn’t know Pennsylvania had, how about access to the Aurora Borealis? It’s not common enough to bank on, but Cherry Springs State Park is one of the nation’s best dark skies. The viewing area is easily accessible, but the camping area is rustic.
This is one I wish we hadn’t just shown up for. Be prepared. Bring binoculars or something for the kids to look through. Download a star map (there’s no service on the mountain). Bring blankets and pillows and whatever you need to stare at the sky comfortably.
Depending on your timing for the drive, Kinzua Bridge, one of the world’s most beautiful skywalks, is a great stop over on the way.
Wellsboro and Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon
Now these are mountains! Here you can enjoy nearly endless trails… leading to endless views.
The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a great place to start, but don’t miss the views from the top of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon at Leonard Harrison State Park. Hyner View State Park is another great place to soak in the mountain views.
You can also take in similar views with a drive along Scenic Route 6, or Route 44.
The views may be endless, but the cell service is not. Make sure you check out (and map) these itinerary options before you go.
Easton and the Lehigh Valley
Bethlehem, Easton, and Allentown are often lumped together as the Lehigh Valley.
The Crayola Experience in Easton is a highlight of the area, with uniquely creative play and opportunities to make your own art.
The SteelStacks in Bethlehem have a raised walkway that take you right around the dilapidated factory for a history of America’s steel industry.
And just like that, we’ve made our way around a state full of accessible wonders! Please let me know if you have any questions on any of these!
**Find more great destinations for kids on the GoWhee App by filtering by accessibility!** (Affiliate link)