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Trying to figure out which of your dream destinations is the best vacation for wheelchair users?
Let me help you out with that!
Below, you’ll find an amazing list of places that I’ve visited myself or my fellow wheelchair travelers recommended.
Let’s dive right in and prove that yes, you really can travel with a wheelchair!
READ MORE: Top Lightest Travel Wheelchair You Must Know
Table of Contents
Explore the World of Adventure
Adventurous trips are one of my favorite ways to have fun as a wheelchair user.
I love adventures because I get to meet and interact with people outside my circle, experience new cultures (depending on where I go), and soak in all the beauty the world has to offer.
But how do I find a great destination for an adventure vacation for wheelchair users?
What I do is research places I would love to visit that have adapted their facilities for my ease of access.
One good way to do that is to check out the UN’s list of countries with disability acts. You might be surprised to find out how many there are (although some are a bit better than others).
Don’t have time for all that research? No worries, that’s what we’re here for!
Today, I’ll show you some of the cool places I’ve found, each with interesting scenery and lots of places to visit without any hassle.
Let’s check them out. Stay tuned after the list for some tips and frequently asked questions- like things you need before traveling.
Related: Vacations for Senior Citizens With Limited Mobility
Top 5 Spots
Let’s start with my top 5 favorite vacation destinations for wheelchair users. Then we’ll look at some “runner ups.”
1. Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C is home to several American monuments including the White House, Capitol Building, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, museums, and many other amazing historical attractions worth exploring.
The great thing about these monuments is they are completely accessible for the disabled.
One of the best qualities of the capital city is the number of the hotels and lodges which are fully accessible. The majority of these are also close to public transport spots, which are also wheelchair-accessible.
2. Denver, Colorado
Denver’s advantage as a top spot to visit is its accessible public transport—trains, ramps, and buses all have priority seats.
Once transportation is out of the way, you can easily check out the city’s astonishing sights. I especially love the availability of accessible taxi vans with lift gate entry.
To augment the ease of transport, the capital city of Colorado is very rollable, and sidewalks are available across the state.
As far as attractions go, you’ll find everything from museums to state buildings and public squares. Plus, the scenery can’t be beat, with those gorgeous mountains in the backdrop!
Notable places you should visit include Larimer Square, the Botanic Gardens, the Art Museum, and, if you’re up for it, the state capitol building.
3. London, England
Even though London is a metro city with ever buzzling crowds, the underground transit system makes the city a choice site for disabled visitors.
London is rife with historic sites, chief of all of which is Buckingham Palace. With a proper travel guide, you can enjoy a visit here.
London has the highest number of accessible hotels in Europe. These accommodations have varying qualities and price points.
In making a selection, be sure to check in with the hotel staff to provide details of the lodging.
Another major perk of the British city is its rollability. The sidewalks are well spaced and marked out, and even the crosswalks have visual and audio signaling to aid safe crossing.
However, some wheelchair users vacationing in London do say that the sidewalks are a bit bumpy. That could be an issue if you experience pain when your wheelchair gets jolted a bit.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is known for its bubbling lifestyle; casinos, shows, vibrant lights and such.
Apart from those, the city malls, the Neon Museum, and the Bellagio fountain make up some of Las Vegas’s beautiful scenery. The good news is that all these are wheelchair accessible.
Regarding city accessibility, Las Vegas boasts a high tally of wheelchair taxis working around the clock.
The city literally never sleeps. You’ll find vehicles at any time of the day to go anywhere you want. Another top attraction in this line is the Grand Canyon bus tour which is wheelchair accessible as well.
5. Seattle, Washington
If you’ve never been, Seattle is a cool place to visit in the US. The city has a high safety rating, a bus and rail system with priority accessibility.
The key attractions include the Space Needle observation deck and the Seattle Aquarium. To top it all off, Seattle hosts wheel-friendly ferries as well.
Seattle’s topography is generally steep in terms of rollability. This might be a problem for wheelchair users who do not use a power wheelchair.
Apart from that, you can easily navigate the metropolis in the popular wheelchair taxis or the metro system.
Other notable places that are fully accessible in the Jewel City of Pacific Northwest include the Boeing factory, Starbucks, Amazon, and Microsoft headquarters.
You might want to book a reservation or pay a fee to access some of these facilities.
More amazing wheelchair-friendly vacation destinations
6. Oslo, Norway
The city of Oslo is an ancient city bordering Sweden. Its main attractions are historical sites like the Viking ship museum, the National Theater, the Oslo Opera House, and the Royal Palace, Oslofjord.
Of all these sites, only the palace is less-accessible in a wheelchair. The public transport is top-notch as well.
7. Los Angeles, California
The Los Angeles Metro system is the backbone of the city’s smooth operation. Both the bus service and the Metro rail are disabled accessible.
A special feature is the LA FlyAway bus services that care for flight passengers – also fully wheelchair-friendly.
The prime place to check out in L.A. would be the Hollywood hills and the districts housing the big guns of the entertainment industry.
8. Sonoma Valley, California
Located in the beautiful city of California, the Sonoma Valley is known for its classic restaurants and wineries, as well as its incredible scenery. As the name “valley” implies, it’s surrounded by mountains.
The majority of these tourist attractions have been remodeled to be wheelchair-accessible. This is a top spot for a romantic get-away.
9. Western Wall In Israel
In Jerusalem, Israel, the western wall is one of the sacred monuments pilgrims visit. It is considered a holy site and welcoming to all persons of any religion.
This contributes to the peaceful setting. This historic site presents no hassles with wheelchair accessibility.
10. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
While Rehoboth Beach might not be the go-to location for a beach vacation, the structure makes it a top site for wheelchair users.
The beach has a long boardwalk on the beach and to nearby stores, ramps that reach the beach sand, and free beach wheelchairs.
There’s not a beach that beats Delaware’s when it comes to catering for wheelchair visitors.
11. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is a historic city with several stone-built monuments and cobblestones. But in all this historic richness, the city has taken a new shape with wheelchair accessible public transport systems.
The major attraction centers like the theatres and shopping venues are also well accessible. Might I add, the people also are very friendly to wheelchair users as accounted by those who have visited.
12. St. Simon’s Island, Georgia
St. Simon’s Island is an old “town” located in Georgia. The main attraction for tourists here is the beach which is wheelchair accessible with its flat terrain and tightly-packed sand.
The lodges around are mostly condos which surprisingly have elevators making it perfect for disabled visitors to lodge.
13. Tasmania, Australia
Here is another Island on our list of top sites for wheelchair travelers. It’s located in Australia near the river Derwent and Mount Wellington. Tasmania is big and has a lot of monuments worth seeing.
The Museum of Old and New Art is one of the major attractions.
Considering the distance to Australia from the US, it is often a big concern for wheelchair users to travel down.
But with airlines like Jetstar, accessibility, and comfort are less of an issue. And locally in Tasmania, the majority of public transport, buses, and cabs are wheelchair accessible.
Check: Best Airlines for Disabled Passengers
14. Hawaii, USA
Hawaii is a popular vacation region for many people around the world, disabled and wheelchair users inclusive. The different islands have their peculiarities.
Waikiki is known for its busy life, Maui for laid-back vibes, Kauai for a feel of nature, and on and on.
The main attraction for wheelchair users to Hawaiian islands is the compliance with the US ADA which makes it obligatory for each establishment to build with accessibility in mind.
The same goes for the public transport system. The buses and vehicles are largely wheelchair accessible.
Also check our guide: Is it Safe for Wheelchair Users to be Alone for a Long Time?
What Do You Need Before Travelling?
Apart from the regular travel pack, everyone takes when they are going on a trip. Stuff like a cardigan, a flask, a hat, a guide, lots of money, among many other necessities.
As a wheelchair user, you must be even more proactive than this.
1. Plan Ahead for Comfortable Travel
Anticipating your journey happens in your planning. The success of your trip depends on how well you have planned the details of the journey.
This starts from booking a flight if you would be needing one. Make sure to choose an aisle seat. Be sure to call again to confirm your flight details a day before take-off day.
2. Arrive Early
As I explained in a previous post, pre-boarding would give you an advantage for your flight. But to do so, you have to arrive at the airport early enough. This way, your wheelchair can be carefully stored away and you’ll settle into position comfortably.
3. Use a Seat Cushion for Comfortability
Always remember that the more comfortable you are, the better you’re going to enjoy your travel. That’s the main reason I go with a seat cushion for my travels.
With a seat cushion, you can ease off the pressure of sitting in position for long.
4. Plan Your Transportation Upon Arrival
One thing you don’t want to do is leave your transportation to chance upon arrival at your destination.
As a wheelchair passenger, you might not be able to compete for available pick-up transports at the airport. Sorting your pickup beforehand relieves you of this stress.
5. Arrange for a Backup Wheelchair at Your Destination
In case of damage or any malfunction to your wheelchair while in storage, you should have a backup arranged. You can do a search online to find one or ask vendors within your reach.
Outfits for Travel
Finding the perfect outfit for travel can be a difficult decision to make. I mean, everyone wants to look their best when appearing in public.
For travel outfits, the most important to consider is your destination. Here are some questions that should help you in making a selection:
- What season are you making your trip?
- What is the weather like over there?
- How do visitors often dress in that region?
Alongside these, you should also consider clothes that are free on your body. Get tops that are long and loose around the waist. Choose short pants alongside a nice shoe to match.
FAQs
Where can I go on holiday with a wheelchair?
You can holiday at any of the top destinations we have listed in today’s compilation, or any place that has accessibility laws. Plenty of spots in the US, Australia, UK, and Ireland.
Which cruise line is the best for wheelchair users?
An expedition on the sea is one experience to have. Being in a wheelchair is not a hindrance from going on a cruise.
Here are the best cruise lines accessible for wheelchair passengers; Royal Caribbean’s Oasis, Princess 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage, Disney Cruise Line’s Dream Class, and a handful of other premium cruises.
Which country is wheelchair friendly?
If you’re traveling from the USA, there are quite a handful of countries with excellent accessibility for wheelchair users.
To mention a few, we have Australia, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Canada. You can also use that UN list that we mentioned earlier.
Final Words
Now that you have all the information you need to make that adventurous trip. What’s stopping you?
Decide on a destination and work towards having a nice time during the next vacation.
This is a really thorough list, thank you! Travelling with a wheelchair user adds such another level of planning, and you’ve made it that much easier.
I’m loving this post so much! My friend uses a wheelchair and she’s always worried about going on vacation and not being able to enjoy herself due to her being in a wheelchair. I’m sharing this post with her right now so she can see there are a lot of places to visit that wheelchairs users can enjoy.
This is great to know for wheelchair users. I know they can go to many places!
I love that there are better places for those in wheel chairs. That makes it easy to plan a vacation.
This is a wonderful post. I will share this with a group we have here in our community for those who have mobility issues.
That’s good to know that Hawaii is pretty much accessible everywhere for a wheelchair. Extra good to know it about the public transportation too, since that’s primarily how we get around on holiday.
What a helpful guide! I’m forwarding to my friend. thanks!
These are great options for those looking to travel that are bound to a wheelchair. I’ve got mobility issues but thankfully I don’t need a wheelchair yet.
Thank you for sharing this valuable resource and helping wheelchair users like me plan unforgettable vacations!
Such a great post and love that there are so many wonderful locations that are wheelchair accessible. This isn super cool and bookmarking this list for when we need it with my father In Law.
Thank you for compiling this valuable list of the top 14 destinations for wheelchair users. Your article provides helpful information and highlights the accessibility features of each destination, ensuring that wheelchair users can plan their vacations with ease. Great job!
I think it is great that you work about this and that your list is thoroughly extensive. You really help people with wheelchairs live as much of a normal life as possible. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this great list. That I will have to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I think it’s lovely that there are a lot of places that are accessible for people with mobility restrictions!
It is nice to know what locations are good for wheelchair users. I am happy to hear that there are places where mobility issues aren’t a big issue.
So much useful information in this post today.. I have a friend who is wheelchair bound and she really appreciates it when places she visits are accessible.. so it is good to know a list of such places and these tips too