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Boston Travel Guide

Boston, Massachusetts Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide vol 1

Posted on February 14, 2024February 14, 2024 by Chillie Falls

Written by John Morris, WheelchairTravel.org, updated February, 2024

Boston, Massachusetts is among the premier wheelchair accessible destinations in the United States and is one of the top cities to visit for first-time disabled travelers. Those accolades are rooted in the city’s largely accessible public transportation system, wheelchair-friendly attractions, and wide selection of ADA accessible hotels.

Boston played a central role in the American Revolution, and welcomes visitors to explore American history on the Freedom Trail, a collection of historic sites that includes the USS Constitution (America’s oldest commissioned warship), Paul Revere’s colonial home, the Old North Church, the Massachusetts State House and other significant places.

Despite its centuries-long history, Boston also has the features of a modern city. Following the “Big Dig,” downtown Boston was transformed with an accessible public park and pedestrian corridor known as the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Its historic subway system has been expanded and made accessible, providing connections to city buses, ferries and intercity rail services, making it easy to explore the city and wider region.

Using this guide to wheelchair accessible travel in Boston, Massachusetts, you will be prepared to explore and enjoy this special city that I have been fortunate to call home.

Guide Contents

Wheelchair assistance at Boston Airport.

Airport Accessibility

Boston’s airport has invested in accessibility features that improve the disabled traveler experience.

Wheelchair accessible attractions in Boston.

Attractions & Sights

Wheelchair users can board America’s oldest naval vessel, follow the midnight ride of Paul Revere, and relax along the Charles River Esplanade.

Wheelchair accessible hotels in Boston.

Hotels & Accommodations

Select a place to stay from this list of wheelchair accessible hotels in Boston.

Wheelchair accessible public transit Boston.

Public Transportation

The Boston subway is the oldest in the United States and dates to 1897, but is largely accessible to wheelchair users.

Wheelchair taxis in Boston

Wheelchair Taxis

The City of Boston has licensed 100 wheelchair taxis with a ramp, plus UberWAV and Lyft Access rideshare services.

Wheelchair accessibility of sidewalks in Boston.

Sidewalk Accessibility

Boston is a largely flat city and, while many sidewalks are in disrepair due to age and winter weather, most have curb ramps.

Boston Airport Accessibility

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) welcomed more than 40 million passengers in 2023 and is served by more than 50 different domestic and foreign carriers. JetBlue, Delta, American, United and Southwest transport the largest number of passengers to and from Boston (in that order).

The airport has four terminals, lettered A, B, C and E. TSA security checkpoints are located at the entrances to each terminal, which are not connected airside. Passengers moving between terminals will need to clear security again, with transportation between terminals provided by free shuttle buses.

Airlines & Concourses

Map of airline terminals.
Map courtesy Massport.

At the time of writing, the following airlines provide service to Boston Logan International Airport, and they operate out of the terminal indicated:

Terminal A

  • Delta Air Lines + Delta Connection (Domestic Arrivals/Departures)
  • WestJet (International Arrivals/Departures)

Terminal B

  • Air Canada (International Arrivals/Departures)
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines + American Eagle (Domestic Arrivals/Departures + International Departures)
  • Boutique Air
  • Southwest
  • Spirit
  • United Airlines + United Express (Domestic Arrivals/Departures + International Departures)

Terminal C

  • Aer Lingus (International Arrivals/Departures)
  • Cape Air
  • JetBlue (Domestic Arrivals/Departures + International Departures)
  • Tap Air Portugal (International Departures)

Terminal E

The following airlines utilize Terminal E for international arrivals and departures unless otherwise noted.

  • Aeromexico
  • Air France
  • Allegiant
  • American Airlines + American Eagle (International Arrivals only)
  • Avianca Airlines
  • Azores Airlines
  • Bermudair
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Condor
  • Copa Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • El Al
  • Emirates
  • Frontier
  • Hainan Airlines
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Iberia
  • Icelandair
  • ITA Airways
  • Japan Airlines
  • JetBlue (International Arrivals only)
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
  • LATAM
  • Level
  • Lufthansa
  • Play
  • Porter
  • Qatar
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Scandinavian Airlines
  • SunCountry
  • SWISS
  • TAP Air Portugal (International Departures only)
  • Turkish Airlines
  • United (International Arrivals only)
  • Virgin Atlantic

Because each of the 3 concourses are located in a single terminal, check-in is easy. Passengers should find their airline’s ticket counter, then follow the airport signage to the proper concourse/security checkpoint and ultimately to the designated boarding gate.

For domestic flights, it is recommended that passengers with disabilities check-in two hours prior to departure. For international flights, airlines advise passengers to arrive three hours prior to scheduled departure.

Special Assistance Services & Accessibility at Boston Logan Airport

Disability assistance services should be requested prior to travel. If you have not yet made a request for assistance, be sure to contact your airline or consult this list of wheelchair assistance contacts at major airlines.

Wheelchair being loaded onto special lift attached to a jetway at Boston airport.

For those traveling with a personal wheelchair, it is possible to gate-check the device at Boston Logan International Airport, whether it is manual or powered. Many jet bridges at the airport are outfitted with an elevator that is purpose-built to return wheelchairs directly to the door of the aircraft. This feature speeds up the loading of wheelchairs on departure and also makes them easier to return to arriving passengers, while reducing the risk of damage.

Some airlines operating at Logan, including American Airlines and United Airlines, have also invested in the mobility chair lift from Clyde Machines, which dramatically improves wheelchair handling. These technologies are two of the top tools airlines can use to reduce wheelchair damage, and it is nice that they are available in Boston.

Accessible family bathroom with toilet and sink at Boston airport.

The airport’s bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and outfitted with ADA stalls for wheelchair users and people with disabilities. A number of private family restrooms are available throughout the airport and in all terminals as well. There are currently no adult changing tables at Boston Logan Airport. If you would like to see an adult changing table at the Boston airport, I encourage you to reach out to the airport’s ADA Coordinator to make the recommendation.

Boston Logan International Airport provides service animal relief areas at each terminal, both inside the secure area and outside the terminal on the arrivals level.

More information on accessibility and disability assistance is available on the Massport website.

Accessible transportation to/from Boston Logan Airport

Airport wheelchair taxis

Outside of each terminal on the arrivals (baggage claim) level, a Massport employee is available to assist disabled travelers in securing a wheelchair accessible taxi. Boston taxi fares are set by the city and each trip originating at the airport is subject to a surcharge.

For those passengers looking to ride the wheelchair accessible UberWAV or Lyft rideshare services, you can follow the signs to rideshare pick-up (roughly 100-200 yards from baggage claim), or request a pick-up closer to the terminal at an accessible pick-up/drop-off location. For the latest information on how to request pick-ups closer to the terminal building rather than in the rideshare garage, visit the Massport guide for accessible rideshare pickup.

Hotel shuttles

Several nearby hotels provide complimentary airport shuttle service, but not all of the hotels close to Logan Airport have an accessible hotel shuttle vehicle. If the hotel provides shuttle service and it is not wheelchair accessible, the property must cover the cost of an alternative (such as a wheelchair taxi) consistent with the ADA regulations.

Public transportation

Three major public transportation services connect Logan Airport with the City of Boston: The MBTA Silver Line bus, MBTA Blue Line subway, and MBTA Water Ferry.

Silver Line bus parked at Boston airport terminal.

The Silver Line SL1 bus stops at each terminal on the arrivals level, and provides service to South Station, the city’s central train station with connections to the subway, city buses, commuter rail, Amtrak and intercity bus services.

Also on the arrivals level are free shuttle buses to the Blue Line Airport station and the Boston Logan Water Transportation Dock. For Blue Line access, follow signs for the on-airport shuttles and take route 22, 33, 55 or 66 to Airport Station. To reach the water ferry dock, take route 66. Shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible with a boarding ramp and securement spaces.

Additional details about riding public transportation can be found in the Guide to Wheelchair Accessible Public Transportation in Boston.


For more information, or to read frequently asked questions about air travel with a mobility disability, consult the Wheelchair Users’ Guide to Air Travel.

20 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Boston

John seated in his wheelchair on the wooden deck of the Constitution with a cannon in the background.

Access to the main deck of the ship is provided via a boarding ramp (which is steep at high tide, but still manageable for wheelchair users with assistance). Although the lower decks are accessible only by stairs, the top deck offers wheelchair users the chance to experience a close-up view of the ship, its cannons and sails. It is certainly a tour to remember!

Boarding ramp leading to the ship's deck.

Just steps away from Old Ironsides is the USS Constitution Museum, which is accessible to wheelchair users. The museum recounts the story of the ship’s more than 200-year history with hands-on exhibits and more. While there is no entry fee to the museum, a donation of $5 to $10 per person is recommended.

For more information or to plan your experience, visit www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 1 mile from Orange Line, Community College Station



Visit the Old North Church, site of the “one if by land, two if by sea” lanterns

Christ Episcopal Church, or Old North Church, was opened in 1723 and is the oldest standing place of worship in Boston. The church is historically significant because its steeple was used by Paul Revere to display the two lanterns which alerted American patriots that the British would attack by sea.

Sanctuary of Old North Church with private pews.

The Church and its sanctuary can be accessed by wheelchair users. Episcopal worship services are held each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Additional information on hours and ticket prices is available on the Old North Church website.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 0.4 miles from Orange/Green Lines, Haymarket station

Shop at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Boston’s old market building, built in 1742, later became the site of revolutionary activity, political discourse and historic free speech. Samuel Adams, Daniel Webster, Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Lucy Stone and many others have spoken at Faneuil Hall in support of the causes of freedom throughout history. Today, the first floor is lined with merchants and shops, making the Hall a center of commerce to this day. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, Faneuil Hall is wheelchair accessible.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 2 blocks from Blue/Orange Lines, State Street station

Visit the Paul Revere House

Constructed in 1681 by wealthy merchant Robert Howard, the three-story North End residence was not owned by Paul Revere until 1770. Sold in 1800, the home changed hands many times until it was purchased in 1902 by Revere’s great grandson, John P. Reynolds Jr. In 1908, it opened to the public as a museum, and is an important stop on the Freedom Trail.

Exterior of the dark wooden three-story house with a brick wall around a courtyard.

Today, the home remains open as a museum managed by the Paul Revere Memorial Association. 90% of the building’s structure is original, and period pieces are on display to depict what it may have looked like during Paul Revere’s ownership. Tours of the first and second floors are wheelchair accessible and self-guided, and interpreters are stationed throughout to answer questions.

Additional information can be found on the Paul Revere House website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 0.3 miles from Orange/Green Lines, Haymarket station

Tour the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The MFA is one of the the most highly regarded art museums in North America, with pieces by Degas, Gauguin, Millet, Rembrandt, Sargent, van Gogh and other masters. The museum is a destination in its own right, attracting visitors from around the world.

Exterior of the Museum of Fine Arts.

On display in the Art of the Americas Wing are pieces from a collection of more than 5,000 artworks and artifacts, including the iconic silver Liberty Bowl by Paul Revere. Wall-sized paintings of George Washington and the founding fathers remind visitors that they are in Boston, one of America’s two cradles of liberty.

Gallery with grand paintings and two sofas.

The MFA’s galleries are accessible, with push-button powered doors, wide pathways and abundant seating throughout. Manual wheelchairs and rollators are available free of charge, and admission fees are waived for personal care attendants accompanying disabled guests. The museum has invested in resources for visitors who are blind or have low vision, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and for those who are on the Autism spectrum. Additional information on these programs and more can be found on the MFA Boston website.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: Directly at Green Line, Museum of Fine Arts Station



Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, site of the greatest art theft in history

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, located in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, presents the art collection of the American art collector and philanthropist of the same name. Gardner, who died in 1824, left behind her Venetian-style mansion and collection of European, Asian and American artworks, along with a $1 million endowment, stipulating in her will that the museum’s collection should not be altered.

Room with two empty frames, from which paintings were stolen.

No major alterations have taken place, save for the unfortunate one detailed in the book, The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World’s Largest Unsolved Art Theft. On the morning after St. Patrick’s Day in 1990, a group of unknown thieves pulled off the largest art theft in history, stealing 13 works of art from the Gardner Museum. Among those were three paintings from the museum’s Dutch Room — Vermeer’s “The Concert,” Flinck’s “Landscape With An Obelisk,” and Rembrandt’s “Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee.” Despite a sizable bounty, the paintings have not been seen in more than 30 years. The frames that once housed the lost artworks remain empty on the museum walls to this day.

Desk in a red room with religious paintings.

Though the museum is housed inside of a 19th century building, wheelchair accessibility is very good, with all levels reachable via elevator. My full-size power wheelchair made it through the museum’s galleries and exhibits without knocking over any works of art. The self-guided audio tour took about 90 minutes, but many visitors take additional time to consider every detail, each one meticulously planned by Isabella. Additional information can be found on the Gardner Museum website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 3 blocks from Green Line, Longwood Medical Area Station

Attend a performance at Boston’s Symphony Hall, home to one of the 5 major American orchestras

Nearly every ranking of the world’s best orchestras recognizes the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the second oldest of America’s “big five.” Visitors and locals alike delight in the opportunity to see a BSO performance at Symphony Hall, a grand orchestral hall with incredible acoustics.

Orchestra on stage at Symphony Hall for a holiday performance.

Wheelchair accessible seating in Symphony Hall is limited to the orchestra floor, which is where the priciest tickets are located. ADA seating is sold at every available price point to comply with the law, meaning a wheelchair space on the orchestra floor can be purchased for the cost of the lowest-priced ticket on the second balcony level. While these reduced prices are not available online, they can be secured by calling the ticket office — simply inform the agent you want to purchase a wheelchair space at the lowest ticket price.

Additional information can be found on the Boston Symphony Orchestra website, including performance dates and ticket prices.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 3 blocks from Orange Line, Massachusetts Ave. Station

Tour the Massachusetts State House

The Massachusetts State House, built in 1798 and designed by architect Charles Bulfinch, sits on land which was formerly a cow pasture owned by John Hancock. The building’s history doesn’t end there, as its cornerstone was laid by Samuel Adams in 1795 and its golden dome was installed by Paul Revere in 1802. Located just across the street from Boston Common, the State House is the center of Massachusetts government and is open to the public.

Exterior of grand state house with copper dome and a statue of a man on horseback in the foreground.

Visitors can explore the building’s marbled corridors, tributes to military heroes, and even the legislative chambers themselves, which are open when state representatives and senators are out of session.

Interior hall of the state house with ornate ceiling and state seal tiled into the floor.

Stunning and beautiful, the State House is wheelchair accessible and open to the public on weekdays from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The barrier-free entrance is located at the building’s Ashburton Park entrance off Bowdoin Street. Docents offer free guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, with each tour lasting approximately 45 minutes. The meting point for tours is in Doric Hall, located on the second floor. For more information on guided tours at the State House, visit the state government website.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway:  2 blocks from Red/Green Lines, Park Street station

Meet the sea lions at the New England Aquarium

Opened in 1969, the New England Aquarium features a 200,000-gallon giant ocean tank, with a habitat that simulates a Caribbean coral reef. The tank is cylindrical, and is surrounded by a multi-level circular ramp that is wheelchair accessible and connects the various floors of the aquarium. The habitat is home to sea turtles and hundreds of tropical fish.

Whale skeleton suspended above a penguin habitat with a large multi-story fish tank in the background.

The aquarium also contains a large penguin habitat, with both African and southern rockhopper penguins. At the rear of the facility in an open-air exhibit, visitors can see California sea lions and northern fur seals at the Marine Mammal Center, which features a wheelchair accessible viewing platform with a ramp.

Additional information can be found on the New England Aquarium website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 4 blocks from Blue Line, Aquarium Station



Take the kids to the Boston Children’s Museum

Located on Fort Point Channel in the city’s Seaport district, the Boston Children’s Museum offers families a unique experience worthy of inclusion on the vacation itinerary.

Dinosaur model wearing a jet pack.

Diverse exhibits will excite and challenge children of all abilities, with hands-on activities and play stations designed to be accessible to wheelchair users both young and old. For the most adventurous and physical children, climbing walls and a multi-story jungle gym are sure to entertain. A branded Arthur exhibit reminded me of my own childhood, where I spent many years watching the lovable aardvark on PBS.

Additional information on the museum’s accessible programs and resources can be found on the Boston Children’s Museum website, along with hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 3 blocks from Silver Line, Courthouse Station

Board a wheelchair accessible Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

What better way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Boston Harbor than on a wheelchair accessible sightseeing cruise aboard City Cruise’s Frederick L. Nolan, Jr. tourist boat?

Sightseeing cruise ship docked at wharf.

The Historic Boston Harbor Cruise is a one-hour journey that departs from Long Wharf, passing by iconic sights like the Boston Harbor Islands, USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. The tour is narrated by a guide, sharing historical tales from the Revolutionary War to modern-day Boston.

Curved ramp for boarding ship.

Wheelchair access to the ship is provided via a curved boarding ramp, which is easier to navigate at low tide. Inside the ship, only the first level is accessible, with two dedicated wheelchair spaces next to windows that can be opened. The ship has an onboard bar, with drinks and light snacks available for purchase. The ship’s bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Additional information can be found on the City Experiences website, including departure times and fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 4 blocks from Blue Line, Aquarium Station


The GoCity Boston Pass includes access to the historic sightseeing cruise, View Boston observatory, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts and so much more!


Marvel at the Boston skyline from View Boston, the observatory at the Prudential Center

View Boston is the reimagined observatory at the top of the Prudential Tower, Boston’s second-tallest building, offering visitors unparalleled views of the city skyline.

Model of buildings in the skyline that can be touched.

Visitors will first take an elevator to the 52nd floor for indoor panoramic views of the Boston skyline. This level features ramps to elevated platforms and provides wheelchair users with direct access to the glass for the best shots. Tactile models of some of the most impressive structures are provided for blind visitors and those with reduced vision.

Model of entire city skyline with light show.

Next, visitors head down to the 51st floor to explore a 3D model of the city accompanied by a light show that reveals the history and communities that make Boston unique. Visitors can also access a 360-degree outdoor deck, or enjoy a meal in the Stratus restaurant and bar. Each floor of the View Boston experience is wheelchair accessible.

Additional information can be found on the View Boston website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: Directly at Green Line, Prudential Station

Visit the Old South Meeting House, the place where the Boston Tea Party was organized in 1773

Built in 1729 to replace an earlier Puritan Congregational church, the Old South Meeting House became an important meeting place for those protesting British actions in colonial Boston. Located on the corner of Milk and Washington Streets in Dow

Interior of meeting house with boxed pews.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the meeting house was a crucial gathering point for those who would carry out the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. In 1877, a group of residents inspired by the building’s role in American history, saved it from demolition and established it as a place of free speech.

Today, visitors can tour the meeting house and view exhibits detailing the history of the Boston Tea Party and other events that have taken place there in the years since. Accessible restrooms are located on the basement level, which are accessible via elevator.

Additional information can be found on the Old South Meeting House website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 3 blocks from Orange/Red Lines, Downtown Crossing Station



See the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library

The Mary Baker Eddy Library is a research library, museum, and repository for the papers of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. It is also home to the wheelchair accessible Mapparium, a three-story stained glass globe that provides a snapshot of the world as it was in 1935.

Bridge through a stained glass globe of the earth.
Photo courtesy Mary Baker Eddy Library.

Inside the globe, visitors will enjoy a narrated light show that “lets you consider the world before World War II from an entirely different perspective—from the inside of the world looking out.” Following the show, visitors pass into the “Our World: Mapping Progress” exhibit, which shares more recent stories from around the world of human progress, ingenuity and exploration.

Exterior of the Mary Baker Eddy Library building.

For those interested in learning more about the library’s namesake, Mary Baker Eddy, additional exhibits document her life’s journey, from childhood through the founding of the Christian Science movement. Visitors will appreciate the no-pressure environment — this is not a place of evangelization, but one of discovery for the curious.

Additional information can be found on the Mapparium website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 4 blocks from Green Line, Hynes Convention Center Station

Visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, designed by legendary architect I.M. Pei, opened in 1979 next to the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Boston. The museum celebrates the life and legacy of the 35th President of the United States, and is filled with historical exhibits that share the story of a presidency that ended in tragedy.

Large hallway with red carpet in museum.

The museum exhibits are wheelchair accessible and include traditional displays, artifacts, and multiple films. Seven permanent exhibits detail important moments in Kennedy’s political career, including his 1960 campaign and his role in the “Space Race.” Attention is also paid to his family, including First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

American flag hanging from the ceiling inside a large glass atrium.

Guided tours are provided regularly by docents who share context and insights beyond those included in the exhibits themselves. The guided tours last about an hour, and visitors are free to extend their visit. Additional information can be found on the JFK Presidential Library website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 1 mile from Red Line, JFK/UMass Station (Free shuttle bus to museum available)

Take a wheelchair accessible tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery

Contrary to what many believe, the Samuel Adams beer company does not trace its roots back to revolutionary America, but was instead founded in 1984. Still, the brewery has become a popular stop on tours of Boston and rightly so!

John seated in his wheelchair at entrance to brewery tour.

While most Sam Adams beer is brewed in larger facilities across the United States, the Boston location is the original one and the place where all new recipes are developed and tested. Wheelchair accessible tours lasting about an hour are offered daily. The most popular tour, the Sam Signature Experience, provides a quick overview of the Sam Adams story, introduces visitors to the brewing process, and offers an opportunity to taste the flagship Boston Lager and two R&D brews. Following the tour, guests can enjoy a pint and a meal in the tap room. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are located in the tour check-in area; those closest to the tap room are not wheelchair-friendly.

For more information on the tour and the times it is offered, visit the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery website.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 0.3 miles from Orange Line, Stony Brook station



Enjoy Boston Common, the city’s public park

Opened in 1634, Boston Common is America’s oldest public park. Covering 50 acres in downtown Boston, the park is bounded by Tremont, Park, Beacon, Charles and Boylston streets. Steeped in almost four centuries of history, Boston Common is now a center for public activity and serves as a host site for concerts, performances, protests, softball games and ice skating. It is also host to the Embrace sculpture, which commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

Pathway through public park with benches.

Major accessibility upgrades are planned for the park over the next decades, including new accessible pathways to replace the often cracked and broken sidewalks that criss-cross the park. Despite some of the pathway challenges, I have been a regular visitor to the Common as a Boston resident, and enjoy spending time there on a sunny day. Additional information on Boston Common, its features and amenities is available on the City of Boston website.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: Directly at Red/Green Lines, Park Street station

Explore the Museum of Science, Boston

The Museum of Science, founded as the Boston Society of Natural History in 1830, became the nation’s first true science museum in 1951 when it inhabited its present location along the Charles River. With three wings and multiple levels, it is one of the largest science museums in the world, and its exhibits appeal to both children and adults.

Models of NASA space capsules.

Live educational presentations are offered daily from a wheelchair accessible stage in the Blue Wing, while the Red Wing is home to a planetarium and the largest Omnimax theater in New England.

Work station for coding.

A wide variety of hands-on exhibits showcase new technologies, including robotics and artificial intelligence, while offering unique learning opportunities that build important skills like design and analysis. Some of the most popular exhibits include Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff, a 65 million year old fossil discovered in 2004, Theater of Electricity, featuring the world’s largest Van de Graaff electrostatic generator, and an exhibit that allows visitors to design for and solve engineering challenges.

The majority of the museum’s exhibits are wheelchair-friendly, including the hands-on experiences mentioned here. Families should plan to spend an extended period of time at the Museum of Science, as children discover the many unique experiences inside.

Additional information can be found on the Museum of Science website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 3 blocks from Green Line, Science Park/West End Station

Enjoy an outdoor adventure at the Franklin Park Zoo

The Franklin Park Zoo, located on 72 acres in the Roxbury neighborhood, is home to more than 1,000 animals across 200+ species. The zoo opened in 1912 and has seen significant expansion, with more than 60 exhibits on property. The zoo is best visited in the warmer months, as some animals are sheltered during cold weather.

Large adult male gorilla.

The zoo is largely outdoors, with paved pathways throughout to provide wheelchair accessibility. Electric mobility scooters are available for rent for $20. Additional information can be found on the Franklin Park Zoo website, including hours of operation and admission fees.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: Fairmount, Franklin/Foxboro, Providence/Stoughton Commuter Rail Lines at Four Corners/Geneva Station

Visit the Bunker Hill Monument

Completed in 1842, the 221-foot granite obelisk stands as a memorial to those in the colonial militia who fought and lost their lives on June 17, 1775 in the first battle of the Revolutionary War. Despite being referred to as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the battle actually took place on Breed’s Hill, which is where the monument stands.

Man in Revolutionary War uniform firing a musket.

While the colonial force lost the battle, they stood tall against a force of 3,000 British Redcoats. The Bunker Hill Monument is wheelchair accessible only on the ground level (there are 294 steps to the top). The adjacent Bunker Hill Lodge wheelchair accessible, and it features a statue of General Joseph Warren statue and a selection of images and maps related to the battle.

Additional information can be found on the National Park Service website, including hours of operation and details about the nearby Bunker Hill Museum, now housed inside of an old library.

Subway Metro Icon Nearest MBTA Subway: 0.6 miles from Orange Line, Community College Station


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