Vacation shouldn’t be hard. As a mom traveling with a wheelchair user, I’ve learned that the best approach isn’t more planning, it’s finding places like wheelchair accessible North Alabama that have already worked to remove barriers and kickstart easy planning for an accessible trip. North Alabama’s accessibility extends from thoughtful accessibility features and family-friendly attractions to attitudes of inclusion everywhere you go. It’s only fitting that southern hospitality should be for everyone—and in North Alabama, that idea shines. Here, inclusion isn’t just a concept; it’s a community effort, with locals working to make sure everyone feels welcome and able to join in the fun.
Best Time to Visit North Alabama
Wheelchair accessible North Alabama is a perfect blend of indoor attractions and outdoor adventures, making it a great destination year-round for families. The peak of summer gets a little warm, and the height of winter gets a little cold, but you can always head indoors once you have too much of the weather. While it can snow in North Alabama, it’s not likely to be enough to impact sidewalk accessibility. We visited North Alabama in late spring and found it to be the perfect season for exploring its accessible parks, museums, and gardens.
Getting There and Around: North Alabama with a Wheelchair
There
Huntsville International Airport is conveniently located only minutes from the action. The airport was easy to navigate with a wheelchair. Family restrooms available by Gate 4 Both both have toddler seats to help manage more than one child traveling with you. One restroom is marked with a “Companion Care” sign just outside the door, and features an adult-size changing table that pulls down from the wall. Water faucets are touch-free.
Around
For wheelchair accessible North Alabama road trips, renting an adapted vehicle makes exploring this spread-out region much easier. Since my son is able to transfer from his wheelchair, we typically just rent a vehicle that’s large enough to accommodate his chair. Like most things in the special needs parenting world, the idea of moving to the next level and finding an accessible vehicle to meet our needs felt daunting. This trip, we tried something new.
Griffin Mobility offers wheelchair accessible van rentals in North Alabama with airport delivery—making arrival and travel smooth for families. They delivered our wheelchair accessible van to the short-term parking lot at the airport. We were able to roll off the plane and right into the van. We took care of license and insurance ahead of time, so there was no waiting in line or figuring things out at the counter with three hangry kids. The price is comparable to renting a regular minivan. Airport delivery is an added fee. When it was time to leave, we just parked in short term parking and tucked the key in a lockbox on the van door.
Not only was the rental process simple, but it made the entire trip a little easier. Instead of lifting the chair in and out at each stop, I just opened the ramp. My son didn’t have to climb into a van and worry about scraping the metal with his orthotics – he just rolled in and we helped him lock his chair in place. It was faster and easier and has me thinking about next vehicles for at home.
Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in North Alabama with Kids
Welcome to the capital of small towns with big adventures! North Alabama is known for space exploration, Helen Keller, and BBQ. I can’t imagine a better combination for accessible adventures. Here’s what we loved.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in wheelchair accessible North Alabama is an unforgettable, inclusive destination packed with space history and hands-on fun. It is the center of all that is Huntsville, Alabama. It feels like the whole county is space-themed—and for good reason. This is where America’s journey into space truly took off, with deep roots in the history of space exploration.
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is known as the home of Saturn V (the second largest rocket ever assembled), space camp (did you know camp is designed for people of all abilities and ages?), and the gravesite of Miss Baker (the first monkey to return from space). It’s also home to Pathfinder – one of only two full-stack space shuttle displays in the world. It’s every bit as impressive as it sounds, with incredible models and artifacts that will leave your jaw hanging throughout.
Every exhibit, from exploring actual moon rocks to simulations that help you land on the moon, is thoughtfully designed for easy navigation for people of all abilities. Most interactive screens have a roll-under design for easy reach. The facility is barrier-free with ramps that aren’t out of the way and won’t disrupt your route. The layout both indoors and out is spacious enough that even on the most crowded days there would be no issue navigating with a wheelchair.
The maker space is a great place to take a break. Build your own rocket, create paper crafts, or cozy up in a beanbag in the corner to read. This was one of our favorite parts after a busy day of exploring.
Your U.S. Space and Rocket Center admission includes access to both the g-force and moonshot rides, but they also have a plethora of other fun add-on options. All of these require the rider to transfer from their chair. The g-force experience requires that you’re able to stand. The kids did the virtual reality experience. The experience was level with the floor, but he did need to transfer to the VR chair.
There’s easily a full day’s worth of play and exploration here. If you plan to take advantage of all of the add-ons, you could stretch it to two. We didn’t have nearly enough time to explore all that we wanted to here. I’m already planning ways to get back.
*Worth knowing – the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is a Museums4All member, which means you may be eligible for $3 admission*
Cook Museum of Natural Science
The Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur, Alabama, a wheelchair accessible North Alabama gem, is one of those places where learning feels like play—for the whole family. From a giant walk-through cave (wheelchair accessible caves are nearly impossible to find in real life) to a captivating saltwater aquarium, the hands-on exhibits invite kids (and grown-ups!) to explore the wonders of nature in ways that are both fun and accessible.
Our favorites were the kinetic sand table where we could make volcanoes that erupted and clouds that stormed, and the intense magnifier where we could take an up close look at natural artifacts… and our own cracked skin. The magnifying exhibit is easy to roll-under and the sand table is at chair height.
After you check out the live coral and find Nemo, make sure you try your hand at designing your own digital seashell.
The museum is wheelchair accessible with wide paths, a lift to the top of the tree house, and inclusive design that ensures everyone can join in the adventure. You could easily spend a full day in this accessible North Alabama highlight, and their on-site cafe makes that a great option. The cafe has a nice range of soup, salad, sandwich, and acai options – from protein bowls for mom to Uncrustables for the picky one.
If you need to borrow a wheelchair or have other accessibility questions, check out their accessibility information. They include social stories, visual vocabulary, and a simplified map to help you prepare for your adventure.
Huntsville Botanical Garden
Wait! Hear me out. I know gardens don’t always make the family itinerary because they’re only at the top of mom’s list, but I can promise you Huntsville Botanical Garden is different. You can enjoy a beautiful nature escape while your kids play to their hearts’ content.
The Wicks Family Garden has a beautiful open layout that makes it easy to keep an eye on your kids even if they hop from one thing to the next. Kids of all abilities can play make believe in rockets, dig for dinosaur bones, splash in fountains, roam the rainbow, and burn off all that energy we tend to worry about in garden settings – all while you enjoy the flora and foliage. The path around the garden is paved and the grass area was smooth enough to roll on. The maze was loose gravel and difficult with wheels, but we were able to enjoy everything else the family garden had to offer.
Start your visit in the Purdy Butterfly House. We ended up spending over an hour wandering the accessible paths and enjoying the butterflies in their beautiful environment. We also took part in a butterfly release, and it was pure magic—one of those rare, unforgettable moments that instantly becomes a core memory. These events are by reservation only, so make sure to book it in advance. The butterfly house also closes earlier than the rest of the garden to protect the butterflies’ natural cycles.
We also enjoyed Tweetsville – a bird themed area where we could bird watch and then play in a kid-sized birdhouse village, complete with a giant nest. The paths were paved and the birdhouses were zero-entry. The next was on firmly packed dirt. The entire village was easy to play in.
*Huntsville Botanical Garden is a Museums4All member, which means you may be eligible for $3 admission*
Burritt on the Mountain
Burritt on the Mountain is centered around a 1938 eco-mansion that was years ahead of its time. While the accessible mansion is impressive, it’s only a small part of all that’s here.
Start with one of the best views in Alabama, then make your way to the historic village. The village consists of authentic, restored 19th century homes that have been relocated to build a full, accessible village. The paths between buildings are paved and the historic buildings have been ramped (all but one) to provide access for all. Don’t miss the school and petting zoo. There are fun activities and play areas scattered throughout, but many of them are in the grass between paved paths. During peak travel season, you can pick up a kids’ scavenger hunt bag to add to your adventure. Make sure you ask about any mobility needs while checking out your backpack, since some have routes that are more accessible than others.
If you’re looking for more time in nature, check out the accessible hiking trail just down the mountain from the mansion. We visited shortly after a major storm, so the path was too torn up to explore, but call ahead to see if it could be an accessible trail option for your family!
*Burritt on the Mountain is a Museums4All member, which means you may be eligible for $3 admission*
Downtown Decatur Turtle Trail
Downtown Decatur is everything you would want small town Alabama to be. It’s all the restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and cafes on the clean, tree-lined street. How do you get your kids to willingly window shop with you? A turtle scavenger hunt, of course. You can pick up your scavenger hunt guide from your hotel, or directly from the visitor center in town. The tiny turtles are tucked away up and down main street. Once you find them all, you can claim a prize at the visitor’s center. The sidewalks are even and there are curb cuts at every intersection. We did our hunt out of order and learned that the sidewalk ends at the business buildings across from Alabama Center for the Arts. It’s best to cross at Holly Street, before you get there.
Kids Kingdom
What’s better than a cool playground stop on vacation? A cool all abilities playground with thoughtful design for inclusion throughout! Kids Kingdom is a space-centric playground with a smooth, soft surface; an accessible zipline; ramped playground equipment (that actually goes to fun things); and accessible restrooms with an adult size changing table. The playground is big enough to park and play for a while.
Accessible Restaurants and Family-Friendly Dining in North Alabama
If you’ve been following our journeys with Wonders Within Reach, you know that food is one of my favorite parts of travel. Here are some of the delicious spots that would make the journey worth it, even if we weren’t living our best lives doing all of the other fun things.
Big Bob Gibson
Big Bob Gibson is your chance to try the best BBQ in the world. I’m not exaggerating – they have trophies everywhere to prove it! This was our favorite stop. It’s one of those places where an “mmmm” after each bite is unavoidable. I had the pork BBQ, coleslaw, and fries (the home-made, deep fried, country fair style fries) and it did not disappoint. The boys both ordered what they said are the best hot dogs they’ve ever eaten (smoked, not grilled). My youngest went with mac and cheese… and ate it… which is a huge success.
Main Street Cafe
Main Street Cafe in Madison is at the start of an adorable small town street, right by the train tracks, and you can eat in an old jail cell. Add to that all your southern favorites with an international flare, a full kids menu, and easy wheelchair accessibility and it’s a win for everyone.
Blue Plate Cafe
Blue Plate Cafe is another one for southern favorites, and I truly believe you can’t get enough of the southern comfort while you’re in the area. The menu is different each day of the week, but everything is classic southern. I tried my first southern sweet tea here, and asked for half and half (half unsweetened), which was perfect for me. It’s called sweet for a reason! It was perfect with my southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gray, and stewed tomatoes. It felt like a family meal on Grandma Mae’s back porch. (I don’t have a Grandma Mae, but you get the idea.)
Downtown Decatur
Have I mentioned we absolutely fell in love with downtown Decatur? Our hotel was right in the center of town and it was delightfully walkable. There are several restaurants to choose from.
Mellow Mushroom was just across the street from our hotel. It was easy to roll to and easy to get around once we were there. It’s a small chain pizza restaurant with diverse topping options, making it a great spot for families.
The Brick Deli and Tavern is another one on the same block as the hotel. It’s a fun local spot for sandwiches and beer with live music Wednesday to Saturday nights. This was a low-key option for us when the kids were tired of eating out and just wanted an Uncrustable and a bag of chips. Don’t judge me for trying Casey’s Philly. I knew it wouldn’t be like a cheesesteak from home, but it was a different kind of delicious.
Don’t miss Tess’ Place for creamy ice cream in a cute, dog-themed parlor!
Where to Stay in North Alabama: Wheelchair Accessible Hotel in Decatur
We stayed in a Fairfield Inn & Suites in downtown Decatur. The hotel was centrally located with accessible street parking options, in addition to the parking garage. Our accessible room had a roll under sink, an accessible tub with a practical showerhead set up, low hanging storage options, low beds with space underneath for a hoyer lift, and a spacious layout for navigating the desk and beds.
Our favorite part of the hotel was the breakfast lady. She gave us hand written notes on ziplock bags each morning – wishing us beautiful days and giving us a way to pack a snack. Each morning started with that small reminder that we were welcome in North Alabama. The warm welcomes and thoughtfully accessible experiences we encountered each day only reaffirmed it.
