More theme parks and family-friendly attractions across the country are updating their services to create a more inclusive environment and welcome visitors of all abilities. If you're planning a vacation this summer, be sure to check out our list of accessible travel spots around the country, updated for 2025 — some of them may be new to you!
Southeast Utah
Arches National Park, located north of Moab, Utah, is known for its natural stone arches, contrasting colors, and unique textures. With a paved scenic road and many short, accessible trails, Arches provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Visitors with permanent disabilities may qualify for the USGS Access Pass, allowing for discounted admission, so plan ahead by applying early. Additionally, they have options for physical and mobility accessibility, options for visitors who are Deaf or have hearing loss, and accommodations for folks who are blind or have low vision. In addition to purchasing a park entrance ticket, be sure to book a timed entry ticket if visiting the park between April 1 and October 31. You do not need to pay the entrance fee if you have a park pass.
The city of Atlanta houses many vacation-friendly spots for kids with disabilities to explore. The Georgia Aquarium offers immersive experiences to guests of all abilities. They are the first aquarium to receive the Gold Certification from WheelChariot, which recognizes their commitment to inclusive practices. It is one of the largest aquariums in the world with more than eleven million gallons of water and tens of thousands of animals.
While in Atlanta, check out the World of Coca-Cola and taste the many drink flavors produced by Coca Cola worldwide. Their guest accessibility page is outlined here. For those hard of hearing, they will coordinate an ASL interpreter, and they will set up special accommodations for those who are blind. Centennial Olympic Park is a 22-acre green space where families can cool off in the wheelchair-accessible splash pad by the Olympic Ring Fountains or explore the All Children's Playground that has low-reach panels, skid-resistant rubber surfaces, and wheelchair-accessible glider swings. The play area includes many multi-sensory play elements; a map of the park can be found here.
The College Football Hall of Fame is a 45-yard indoor football field with over 50 engaging, interactive exhibits outlining the history of college football. The College Football Hall of Fame has teamed with KultureCity to provide sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and stories. Team members are supplied with ongoing training to better understand those with sensory processing needs. Wheelchairs are free to borrow, and guests who have accessibility needs are encouraged to request a free one-on-one tour with a docent.
Other fun outings in Atlanta include sensory-friendly performances at the Center For Puppetry Arts, accessible mornings at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and Zoo Atlanta, which is also a certified sensory-inclusive destination.
New York City
If your child can recite every lyric of Hamilton or is constantly re-enacting scenes from The Lion King, a trip to the Great White Way might be in order. There are many ways to make going to the theater a successful experience for kids with disabilities. If you have a child who needs to make noise and express their joy in the theater, consider planning your trip around one of the Theatre Development Fund’s Autism-Friendly Performances, where loud noises are muted, lights remain on, and patrons are welcomed to move their bodies or utilize a cool down space.
TDF’s Theatre Access NYC offers a comprehensive guide to current shows, including which shows offer Live Audio Description, Sign Language, Open Captioning, and Assistive Listening Devices. The New Victory Theatre is a theatre company dedicated to performances for children with a strong commitment to accessibility that includes a sensory item table, a “Cozy Corner” to take breaks, social stories to prepare for their shows, and sensory-friendly performances.
Chicago is filled with wonders for children. Long heralded as one of the United States’ greatest science museums, the Field Museum hosts an array of exhibits that highlight cultures past and present, explores the latest science discoveries, and showcases various parts of the world. Your dinosaur-loving child will marvel at Sue the T-Rex, the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found. Their accessibility programs are outlined here and include ASL guided tours at 1:00 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of every month highlighting the popular exhibits at the museum. They also have sensory bags and free admission for personal care assistants of those accompanying persons with higher needs in the museum.
Other places to explore in Chicago include The Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier, which offers various accessibility programs to promote an inclusive museum experience. The Navy Pier is family-friendly, offering mini golf, restaurants, rides, and views of the Chicago skyline to enjoy. The Centennial Ferris Wheel is wheelchair-accessible, and staff are available to assist. Accessibility maps helpfully identify low-sensory and high-sensory areas around the Navy Pier. Enjoy views of Chicago from the third tallest building in North America, the Willis Sky Deck. Accessibility features include the use of service animals, wheelchair ramps along the skydeck, and sensory-friendly bypass routes. The Lincoln Park Zoo, which is one of the nation’s oldest zoos, offers families many accessibility programs including stories, quiet rooms, sensory bags, and wheelchair access throughout.
A visit to Chicago is complete with a trip to Millennium Park, an inclusive downtown green space that was designed to be accessible to all. The app DCASE for ALL is free and provides a sensory-friendly map for Millennium Park.
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-800-DOLLYWOOD
Located in the heart of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a bustling resort destination located within a tranquil natural environment, with lots of trees and creeks that run through the parks. Both the Dollywood Theme Park and the Splash Country water park have “Calming Corners” for those who need sensory breaks, and Companion Care and Adult Changing Restrooms are provided. Families can plan their visit with the help of Dollywood’s comprehensive Accessibility Guide.
Nearby attractions to Dollywood include the Great Smoky Mountains that have beautiful views, hikes, and nature to explore, including many accessible trails. Families can drive through the park on their own or book a private tour with companies such as Pink Jeep Tours. Families can also enjoy time playing mini golf in Pigeon Forge, explore the activities on the mountain top at Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg, see a themed music or comedy show in the area, or spend a day exploring The Island, which houses shops, a water show, live music, and a large ferris wheel.
Carlsbad, CA; Winter Haven, FL; and Goshen, NY
Legoland has historically been a hub for brick-obsessed children to play and explore with hands-on, Lego-themed attractions. Now, Legoland’s theme parks, water park, and onsite hotels have been designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) as Certified Autism Centers. The parks provide various accommodations such as designated quiet areas, sign language interpreters upon request, and an assisted access pass for guests who have trouble waiting in long lines. For their California location, parents who are IHSS providers for their children can show their paystub to receive a free caregiver ticket at Guest Services. Check out Undivided’s Legoland California Resort Disability Guide for Families for detailed information on visiting.
5223 David Edwards Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78233
(210) 495-5888
Perennial favorite theme park Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, has undergone a multimillion-dollar expansion in its effort to remain the most “Ultra-Accessible” theme park in the world. New attractions in 2025 include Joy’s Happy Swing and Rocket’s Skyglider, a first-of-its-kind zip line that can accommodate riders in wheelchairs as well as those who need extra restraints, respiratory equipment, or other special gear. Another fun attraction is the wheelchair-accessible Jette’s Wonder Bikes, which features glider-style cars that riders can make go up and down using pedals or hand cranks. There is also a lake cruise and a 4D cinema that offers riders in wheelchairs a roller coaster experience with video and motion effects. Morgan’s Inspiration Island is their fully accessible splash park with waterproof wheelchairs for a great day of inclusive water play. Visitors with disabilities receive free admission.
Park City, Utah
The National Ability Center offers adaptive recreational activities for individuals with a range of abilities. Whether you attend family camp, a day program, or one of their outdoor adventure programs, they design year-round programs that support individuals with disabilities of all ages. Visitors can choose from programs like skiing, surfing, rafting, adaptive horseback riding, and water skiing, to name a few. Their Adventure Trips lead families on overnight adventures through the Moab Desert, mountain biking, and yurt camping. Located near a number of lodging options in the beautiful Park City, consider including programming through the National Ability Center in your next family vacation.
1000 U.S. Highway 36
Estes Park, CO
For an enjoyable outdoor adventure that’s fun for the whole family, visit Rocky Mountain National Park. The park offers accessible trails and is home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled’s YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch, which offers therapeutic and recreational adaptive sports for all ages and abilities. You can also explore Estes Park’s beautiful downtown area or ride the tram while you’re in the area.
San Diego and Escondido, California
For kids with a special passion for animals, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, CA, offers an array of up-close encounters and personal safaris with wildlife that will thrill them. Spread across thousands of acres where the animals roam freely, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers add-on Wildlife Safaris in air safari trucks and carts, and guests can even sleep in tents with the overnight Roar &Snore Safari. All habitats are accessible to guests via trams and paved trails. San Diego Zoo Safari Park has accessibility programs in place, including shuttle services that run throughout the park and an accessibility pass to avoid lines. They also provide an accessibility map for those with disabilities to navigate the park. Find the full accessibility guide here.
San Diego Zoo is also committed to offering kids with disabilities a day to remember. Accessible add-on tours include a one-hour discovery cart tour through Zoo Discoveries, an early morning walking tour with the pandas, or an inside look of how the wildlife is looked after in Wildlife Adventures. VIP Experiences are also available for those who want a semi-private or private tour of the park. The Zoo’s accessibility guide gives information on parking, restrooms, and access to experiences, tour buses, and habitat areas for guests with disabilities. They also have an accessibility map for those with disabilities to navigate the park.
4323 Vermont Route 108 South
Jeffersonville, VT 05464-9537
smuggs@smuggs.com
(800) 419-4615
Smugglers’ Notch, located in Jeffersonville, Vermont, boasts an extensive array of inclusive family fun, including eight pools, four water slides, and special interest camps, all made accessible via the Smugglers’ Notch Adaptive Camp Program. The Adaptive Camp Program works with each family to create an inclusive daily program that meets the needs of the individual child, including one-to-one swimming classes, arts and crafts, guided hiking, kayaking, mini golf, and much more.
Yucca, Arizona
Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch is an all-inclusive dude ranch two hours from the Grand Canyon. Families can enjoy horseback riding, archery, swimming, wagon rides, music, and more. The founders’ oldest daughter used a wheelchair, so they built Stagecoach as a barrier-free resort. See their accessibility information here.
Families can drive two hours from here to the Grand Canyon and enjoy the beautiful views by using the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel. The Grand Canyon railway leaves each morning from the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel for a 65-mile stretch (roughly 2.5 hours) into the park. While onboard, guests can enjoy the views, live entertainment, and food. Guests can disembark the train once they are in the park itself and enjoy beautiful views from paved trails and explore the old town, which has a variety of shops and restaurants. Guests can even spend the night within the park at El Tovar Hotel or Maswik Lodge, Kachina Lodge, and Thunderbird Lodge; all provide ADA-compliant accommodations. Those with mobility challenges can make reservations in advance, and a park concessioner will be awaiting to introduce them to spectacular views of the Grand Canyon via The Grand Tour. More information on the Grand Canyon Railway and Grand Canyon Park accommodations can be found here.
Orlando, Florida and Hollywood, California
Universal Studios theme parks (along with Epic Universe, opening in May in Orlando) provide families an inside look into the film industry with exciting attractions and rides highlighting well-known movies and film characters. Guests can explore and earn tokens in Super Nintendo World, cast spells in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or play games in Springfield and enjoy The Simpsons ride. For guests with disabilities, Universal Studios offers an Attraction Assistance Pass for guests who cannot wait in lines. They have constructed their attractions, lines, and rides to accommodate those with mobility issues. Check out Undivided’s Universal Studios Hollywood Disability Guide for Families for detailed information on visiting their Hollywood location.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Dells is known as the Water Park Capital of the United States. It has over twenty indoor and outdoor water parks, including Noah’s Ark, Kalahari Resorts, Great Wolf Lodge, Land of Natura, Wilderness Resorts, and more. Many of these water parks feature sloped zero-depth entries, transport systems, or pool lifts for easier access to pools. Some parks offer a limited number of waterproof wheelchairs for use at no charge. Most restrooms at the parks are wheelchair-accessible, and many parks allow service animals. Specific programs to highlight include Great Wolf Lodge and Noah’s Ark. Great Wolf Lodge offers a sensory guide for guests with sensory sensitivity as well as other accessibility features. Noah’s Ark offers sensory-friendly family park days throughout the year. Most resorts include hotel rooms, restaurants, family arcades, and other gaming centers for families to enjoy in the evening hours.
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