The Best Vacation Ideas for Seniors with Limited Mobility
As you approach your golden years, you typically have more time for travel than you did when you were younger, but mobility issues can make things complicated. Fortunately, there are a lot of wonderful vacations for seniors with limited mobility in the United States.
State and National Parks for Seniors with Limited Mobility
State and national parks are ideal vacation destinations for a senior with mobility issues. These parks are generally designed to be accessible for people in manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, or mobility scooters and get everyone close to nature—a refreshing experience for older adults who might spend much of their time indoors.
Niagara Falls, NY
Niagara Falls on the New York-Canada border is one of the world's most beautiful and iconic waterfalls and is also very accessible. On the New York side, seniors can:
Take any of the wheelchair-friendly trails that lead to three accessible overlooks of the falls
Get up close to the waterfalls with the Maid of the Mist boat ride
Visit the Niagara Adventure Theater
Ride on the Niagara Scenic Trolley
Visit the Observation Tower
Visit Fort Niagara and even watch a period reenactment in the summer
Visit the aquarium
On the Canadian side, visitors with mobility challenges can go behind the falls, look over the water from the Skylon Tower, and view white water rapids. Afterward, they can take a trip to the butterfly conservatory or try the area’s famed adapted golfing course that has a cart that assists players to stand, tee off, and putt.
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Rocky Mountain National Park is just outside of Denver in Colorado and is a breathtaking destination for seniors and family groups that love spotting wildlife. Visitors regularly see deer, elk, moose, big-horned sheep, mountain goats, pika, and marmots while hiking or driving through the mountains.
If you or your senior-aged companion isn’t up for hiking on the trails (which vary in difficulty), you can view much of the park from the car. After exploring the park, visitors can watch a concert at the Red Rock Amphitheater, drive to the top of Mount Evans, ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad and pan for gold, or search for dinosaur bones on the famed Dinosaur Ridge.
For accommodation, visitors can stay in the spooky Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, rent a cabin or room in another of the hotels in the area, camp under the stars, or stay in the city of Denver. If you decide to stay in Denver (which is a very large city), make sure beforehand that the accommodation is close to the parks and attractions that you want to see.
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
A must-see landmark for every American, the Grand Canyon National Park is a great destination for seniors who use a mobility device. To see the canyon, you can take a tour bus or hire a car and go for a self-paced drive. There are lots of overlooks and places to stop on the way, depending on the length of the trip. Temperatures are warm during the day and cool at night, and seniors can enjoy lower admission prices if they visit the park during the off-peak season.
Tip: Get an Access Pass
Not only are America’s national parks designed with accessibility in mind, but American citizens and permanent residents with physician-certified permanent disabilities can enter national parks for free. To get an Access Pass, the older adult with a certified disability can upload proof of a permanent disability and evidence of permanent residence to the USGS store and pay a one-time $10 processing fee.
After receiving a pass, the recipient will gain free entry to national parks in the United States and can take three other adults free of charge (where fees are charged per person) or gain free entry for whoever is riding in the same car or on the same motorcycle (where fees are charged per vehicle). Admission to national parks is always free for children under 16 years of age.
Accessible Cities for Seniors with Limited Mobility
American cities are generally very wheelchair-accessible, thanks to the provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act. For seniors who fancy a more urban vacation destination, these cities are full of fun activities and popular tourist attractions that are easy to navigate with a mobility device.
Miami, FL
Miami is one of the top Florida destinations for seniors and families looking for a warm climate and relaxation. Visitors with limited mobility will especially appreciate the city's many accessible attractions.
Amusement Parks. Walt Disney World, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom are just three of many amusement parks in Miami that are wheelchair accessible and can be reached from the city's hotels without any steep hills. Disney World even has wheelchair-accessible rides including Pirates of the Caribbean and Soarin' Over California, and all of the hotels there are ADA-compliant.
Miami Beach. The city's main beach has a beautiful ocean view, fresh breezes, and special equipment for people who need mobility assistance. Seniors can rent a motorized or manual wheelchair on-site and even try a chair on wheels that takes them into the water up to six inches deep.
Shopping and museums. In town, there's plenty for senior visitors to do during the day. You can make your way along Lincoln Road to peruse shops at ground level, check out the South Beach galleries and boutiques, and take in your fill of colorful architecture in the Art Deco Historic District. Sidewalks in Miami are well-maintained, and there are ramps at intersections.
Gardens and zoos. For seniors who love plants, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden offers a feast for the eyes with flowers blooming all year round and tours you can take if you don’t want to walk. Zoo Miami is another must-see destination, especially for senior citizens who are traveling with grandchildren.
Daytona Beach, FL
Also located in Florida, Daytona Beach is another great vacation destination for seniors with limited mobility. The beach itself is famous for its tropical palm trees and white sand and offers free wheelchair-friendly parking. Besides the beach itself, there are other activities like fishing at Daytona Pier, Daytona International Speedway, and Daytona 500 Champions' Walk of Fame where visitors can see a real NASCAR vehicle. Back in town, visitors can relax with a movie at the Paragon Theater.
San Diego, CA
On the West Coast, San Diego in California has plenty of accessible attractions for visitors with mobility challenges. Best of all, the weather is beautiful all year round! The city boasts several accessible beaches including Ocean Beach and Mission Beach which have rental beach-friendly wheelchairs. In the city, visitors can see the sights from the San Diego Trolley, which offers discounted tickets for people with a disability.
Another highlight of this mobility-friendly destination is San Diego Zoo. The zoo has over 3,500 animals and more than 700,000 different species of plants. Seniors who use a mobility device can take advantage of the shuttle service and the zoo's accessibility map. There's also a bus tour that goes for approximately 35 minutes and covers 50% of the grounds.
San Francisco, CA
One of America’s most accessible cities, San Francisco is a senior citizen's dream. Wheelchair-accessible transportation includes trains, buses, and most street cars, and there are accessible tours that specifically cater to people with mobility limitations.
Top tourist attractions in San Francisco include the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, Alcatraz Island (home to the iconic former federal prison), the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Legion of Honor Museum and Gardens. There are also outdoor activities like biking and kayaking for family members with lots of energy to burn.
Las Vegas, NV
Known for its many entertainment venues, breathtaking resorts, and world-class gaming, this city has a lot to offer senior citizens with limited mobility. The streets are very wheelchair friendly, so visitors can easily navigate the world-famous Vegas Strip and explore such popular hotspots as the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (featured on the Pawn Stars TV show), the Fremont Street Experience, and the Neon Museum (which houses dozens of iconic Las Vegas signs from generations past). There is also a wheelchair-accessible shuttle that travels from the Strip to other points of interest around town. Outside of the city, senior citizens can visit the Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon and take in views of the mountains.
As far as accessible hotels go, The Bellagio is "la crème de la crème." This iconic hotel is famous for its choreographed fountain, luxurious buffet, and on-site casino and has more than 60 accessible rooms with lowered amenities and accessible bathrooms featuring roll-in showers and shower chairs. Visitors who would prefer to stay at another hotel on The Strip will find that most of the hotels have wheelchair-accessible entrances and elevators to the rooms.
New York City, NY
The "city that never sleeps" is a great place for vacations for older adults and can easily be combined with a trip to Niagara Falls. Most of New York City's museums have ramps and elevators that can accommodate indoor and outdoor mobility devices for seniors, and there is a special bus service that older adults can take to see the sights of Manhattan and Central Park.
During the trip, visitors can watch a Broadway show at Times Square and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Visitors with other kinds of special needs, such as deafness or a language barrier, can check with the destinations beforehand to ask if American Sign Language or foreign-language tours are available.
Washington D.C.
While traveling around the U.S., why not visit the nation's capital? If visiting in March, seniors can see the National Cherry Blossom Festival. All year round, visitors can also visit the Lincoln Memorial, which has an elevator that transports wheelchair users to the chamber area where the statue of Abraham Lincoln is housed.
Seattle, WA
Seattle has an abundance of natural and man-made sights that are accessible to travelers with mobility issues:
The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum is home to the vibrant sculptures of Dale Chihuly.
The Seattle Space Needle has ramps and elevators that visitors can use to enjoy a stunning 360º view of Seattle, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade Mountains.
A ferry takes visitors to Bainbridge Island where they can enjoy views of the Seattle skyline.
The Seattle Aquarium’s exhibits and restrooms are all wheelchair accessible. Visitors can obtain a wheelchair free of charge from the Guest Services desk.
Make sure to check out our list of top 8 cities around the world for a wheelchair-accessible vacation.
Cruises for Seniors with Limited Mobility
There's a reason cruise ships are so popular with senior citizens: They offer flat, generally wheelchair-accessible rooms and common spaces with restaurants and entertainment at ground level. Moreover, each cruise line typically includes multiple destinations, so you can see several places in a single trip.
For a luxurious cruise experience, seniors with mobility issues can try Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas cruise ship. This vessel has more than 40 accessible rooms with roll-in showers and shower benches. The common areas feature ramps, elevators, and accessible pools with pool lifts. While traveling between destinations like Miami and the Bahamas, guests can enjoy world-class entertainment with theater shows and live orchestras.
Tips When Planning a Vacation with a Mobility-Challenged Senior
When planning family vacations for senior citizens with limited mobility, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Medical Clearance
After creating an itinerary, check with your doctor to see if there is anything that needs to be changed to make the trip safer or more suitable. For example, your doctor might recommend including more rest days or suggest a check-up upon arrival at the destination. If traveling abroad, check with the U.S. Embassy in the destination country to see whether your prescription medicines are legal there.
Accessible Transportation
Airlines in the United States allow free storage of wheelchairs onboard, subject to availability. Mobility scooters can often be stowed with checked baggage. On the ground, wheelchair-accessible buses and trains are often easier to take than taxis or other private transportation, although some cities provide wheelchair-accessible taxi vans at the same cost as a regular taxi.
Accessible Accommodation
All of the destinations we've covered have accessible hotels with accessible entrances, ramps that meet the ADA’s wheelchair ramp requirements, and elevators. However, when booking, you may need to ask specifically for an accessible room to ensure accessibility features like grab bars and a roll-in shower.
Mobility Device Rental
Mobility scooter and wheelchair users have options when it comes to travel. Rather than taking these devices on an airplane or in a car or van, it's often possible to rent a mobility scooter or rent a power wheelchair to be delivered directly to the hotel or theme park where you will be staying. The rental company can then pick up the device at the end of the vacation. By scheduling your rental ahead of time from a company like Mobility Plus, you don’t have to worry about the risks of “first come, first served” situations. You’re covered at the airport and throughout your trip!
Travel Insurance
Before traveling, it's important to confirm whether regular health insurance will cover an illness or accident while away or whether special travel insurance is required. It's also a good idea to have key contact numbers on hand in case there is a medical emergency during the vacation.
Travel with a Mobility Device Can Be Surprisingly Accessible
What is important to take away from this list of top vacations for seniors with limited mobility is that there are a lot of places older adults can go that are well set up to cater to mobility needs.
Thanks to pieces of legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act, American cities and parks have largely been adapted to provide accessibility to a wide range of visitors, and with careful planning, you or your loved one can be assured of a wonderful time away.