Best Vacation Spots for Kids with Disabilities

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 — some of them may be new to you!

Moab, Utah

Arches National Park 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 is home to 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 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 facility has teamed with KultureCity to provide sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and special 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.

New York City, New York

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 shows with 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, stories to prepare for their shows, and sensory-friendly performances. Epic Players is a theatre company that employs neurodivergent actors, offering such memorable shows as Into The Woods and Rent at varying Off-Broadway venues.

Another delightful example of accessible theatre for ages 13 and up is Masquerade, an immersive production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical The Phantom of the Opera. Their accessibility team offers a personalized, guided experience for those who need it, and they welcome guests with all levels of support needs. To reserve the assistance of a show guide (or “butler”), complete your ticket reservation and then email access@masqueradenyc.com to provide their accessibility team with information on your party’s needs.

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 on their website and include monthly ASL guided tours highlighting the popular exhibits at the museum. They also offer sensory bags for free.

Other places to explore in the city 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 members 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 free app DCASE for ALL provides a sensory-friendly map for Millennium Park.

Orlando, Florida and Anaheim, California

Disney Resorts are the first choice in accessible vacations for many families. Disney has been well-known for accommodating guests with disabilities in their theme parks, water parks, and hotels. Recently, Disney has changed a lot of their accessibility policies and made getting a Disability Access Service pass more complicated, but the parks offer many other services, including assistance for those with cognitive, visual, hearing, lighting sensitivity, and mobility disabilities. Check out their Disneyland Resort and Disney World accessibility pages for more information so that you can prepare for your trip. For lots of great insider tips for families, check out Undivided’s disability-friendly guides to Disneyland, California Adventure, and Disney World.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Located in the heart of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a bustling resort destination located within a tranquil natural environment featuring 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, California; Winter Haven, Florida; and Goshen, New York

Legoland has historically been a hub for children to play and explore with hands-on, Lego-themed attractions. Legoland’s theme parks, water parks, 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. Tip for Legoland California: Local residents who are IHSS providers for their children can show their paystub at Guest Services to receive a discounted entry ticket. Check out Undivided’s Legoland California Resort Disability Guide for Families for detailed information on visiting.

San Antonio, Texas

Perennial favorite theme park Morgan’s Wonderland has undergone a multimillion-dollar expansion in its effort to remain the most “Ultra-Accessible” theme park in the world. New attractions include 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. Cool down at Morgan’s Inspiration Island, their fully accessible splash park with waterproof wheelchairs for a great day of inclusive water play. Visitors with disabilities and children under age 2 receive free admission. Opening nearby in the fall of 2026 is Morgan’s Hotel, a first-of-its-kind accessible hotel that will utilize the newest training and technology to guests with disabilities.

The city’s slogan is “The Beach Is for Everybody.” Featured in Traveling the Spectrum on Peacock, Myrtle Beach has worked with restaurants and other local destinations to make the city a certified sensory-friendly location for families with the help of Champion Autism Network (CAN), which provides assistance where there is potential for overstimulation. By joining the CAN Network via the Autism Travel Club Mobile App, you can skip the line at crowded attractions, request seating at local restaurants in quieter areas, and receive other services to make for a relaxing beach vacation.

The Myrtle Beach Autism-Friendly Vacations site has lots of suggestions for a successful visit, including hands-on museum WonderWorks, which hosts sensory days where exhibits are altered and music is lowered to accommodate children with sensory processing sensitivities. Multiple beaches around the city offer beach wheelchairs for free or to rent. Other wheelchair-accessible and disability-friendly attractions include Ripley’s Aquarium, Cherry Grove Pier, SkyWheel (a 20-story high ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas), and Savannah’s Playground.

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 personalized group and family trips lead guests on overnight adventures like the Moab Desert, mountain biking, and yurt camping. Located near a number of lodging options in beautiful Park City, consider including programming through the National Ability Center in your next family vacation.

Philadelphia is known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” and that resonates in the way their venues strive to make visitors of all kinds welcome. The city is full of historical landmarks, and the National Park Service has a dedicated page to accessibility needs for visitors to the historic sites in town. The Liberty Bell Center offers assisted listening devices, open captioned video presentations, and a raised writing replica of the Liberty Bell for those with vision difficulties to touch. Historic Independence Hall offers ASL interpreters available for those with timed tickets. Families should line this up 14 days in advance of their visit. The West Wing, which has original printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, is fully wheelchair accessible. For those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, their “Birthplace of a Nation” pamphlet offers written information about the rooms on the tour.

The Franklin Institute is a favorite for families young and old to enjoy a fun day of interactive STEM exhibits. The facility offers assistance such as sensory bags, ASL interpreters (free but must be requested in advance), and a Personal Care Attendant (must be requested in advance). Other popular sites that offer disability support include the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Philadelphia Zoo.

Estes Park, Colorado

If it’s time to reconnect with nature, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains offer fun and relaxation for the whole family at the 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 offers an array of up-close encounters and personal safaris with wildlife. 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 that include shuttle services 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 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.

Longhorne, Pennsylvania and San Diego, California

As the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center, Sesame Place makes it their goal to provide every family with memories to last a lifetime. At their two locations in Pennsylvania and California, they offer specialized services to guests with autism and other support needs. Check out their ride accessibility guide for guests with cognitive disabilities for information about Sesame Place’s specific offerings like fun attractions, parades, or Dining with Elmo.

Jeffersonville, Vermont

Smugglers’ Notch 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 Programs. Their Adaptive Programs work 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](https://www.stagecoachtrailsranch.com/ is an all-inclusive dude ranch where 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 board the Grand Canyon Railway, which leaves each morning for a 65-mile stretch into Grand Canyon National Park. While on board, 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 Grand Canyon Bus Tour. More information on the Grand Canyon Railway and Grand Canyon Park accessibility accommodations can be found here.

Orlando, Florida and Hollywood, California

Universal Studios theme parks (including Epic Universe, their newest park 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 gold coins 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 utilize the IBCCES accessibility system, so get your application in before visiting the parks. 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.

The nation’s capital offers families a variety of activities to pace their day in a way that best suits their needs. Whether your child’s special interest is science, art, or animals, this city has you covered. The National Mall is a beautiful open space where families can leisurely explore museums, monuments, and nature. Monuments along this walk are listed here. Hop-On Hop-Off buses, bike rentals, and subways are also available for visitors.

Multiple Smithsonian museums, which are free to enter, line the National Mall. The museums are designed for accessibility for those in wheelchairs or other mobility challenges. However, the museums do not offer sensory bags, so it is important that families plan ahead and have materials on hand. Popular museums for kids include the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History, each showcasing interactive displays and exhibits for all ages and targeted interests. These can get crowded, so it is best to go there early in the day or later after school groups have come through. In addition, the Library of Congress offers specialized accessibility tours and supports. If your child needs an epic playground to get energy out, visit one of the accessible playgrounds in the area such as Clemyjontri Park or Rosedale Playground.

A few of the many sensory-friendly venues in D.C. include the United States Botanic Garden and the National Zoo, which are free to enter. Got a panda fanatic in the house? The zoo houses the famous Giant Pandas exhibit and is a truly special experience. The zoo’s gardens also offer quiet spaces to sit and relax as needed. The International Spy Museum and Lego Discovery Center have interactive exhibits in a contained space for maximum fun. All have sensory bags readily available for visitors.

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. Great Wolf Lodge offers a sensory guide for guests with sensory sensitivity as well as other accessibility features. Most resorts include hotel rooms, restaurants, family arcades, and other gaming centers for families to enjoy in the evening hours.