Written by Cory Lee, December 2024
As a travel blogger who happens to be in a wheelchair, I’m always happily surprised at how accessible the state of New York really is. So here are some of New York State’s best things to do if you or someone you are traveling with is in a wheelchair.
Originally published 07/26/2016 | Updated 12/19/2024
Holidays in New York City
There’s no place like New York City during the holidays! Whether you’re traveling with children or are a kid at heart, Macy’s Herald Square is sure to get you into the holiday spirit. Make a reservation for Macy’s Santaland to pay a visit to Santa himself (reservations are required and wait times can be 60-90 minutes long) or take a stroll past the bright window displays and grab a bite or browse through the brand new Herald Square Holiday Village by Urbanspace.
Bryant Park also transforms into a wonderland each season for its Winter Village with a European-inspired open-air market, food hall, apres-ski-style lodge, and a beautiful 17,000 square foot ice rink you can access in your own wheelchair or an adaptive sled! Accessible entrances are located mid-park on W 40th and W 42nd streets. Note that some shops in the holiday market have a step up to enter. To gain access, call 646-477-9776 for assistance, an attendant with a portable ramp will escort you for the duration of your visit. Right next to Bryant Park is the main branch of the New York Public Library, where you can explore holiday decorations in Astor Hall, the Polonsky Exhibit, or the Rose Reading Room (only accessible to visitors 10am-11am or on a library tour).
What better way to warm up than with a live performance? Reserve accessible tickets for a Broadway show or the Radio City Rockettes and make restaurant reservations well in advance of your visit as the theater district is especially busy during the holidays. Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the FAO Schwarz toy store (open year-round).
Stay at the New York Hilton Midtown where you can easily roll to all of the holiday sights. The hotel’s ADA rooms feature a great roll-in-shower and a comfortable bed height for transferring. It’s easy to get around thanks to wheelchair accessible taxis, which you can order through the city’s Accessible Dispatch service or find at the JFK and LGA taxi stands, and Uber WAV/Lyft Access.
FDR House and Museum
Credit: @mitziathome on Instagram
Did you know that one of America’s favorite presidents was a wheelchair user himself? It’s no wonder that both the house and museum of Franklin Delano Roosevelt are refreshingly accessible. Reveling in present-day accessibility is one thing, but this unique locale provides a window into the past regarding this issue. The property boasts Roosevelt’s private retreat, Top Cottage, one of the first houses in the country to be built entirely free of barriers. If you’re bringing your own ride, accessible parking is available on-site. Visitors with disabilities can get an Access Pass that provides free admission to any National Park site for the pass-holder and up to three adults (kids under 16 are free). Two wheelchairs are available at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center and the Stone Cottage Visitor Center for visitors to borrow, free of charge. No reservations are required.
Niagara Falls
Jaw-dropping views of this natural wonder are visible from numerous footpaths, the majority of which are wheelchair-accessible. If you need to borrow a wheelchair, Sight See Rentals is located just minutes from the park with wheelchair, scooter, stroller and wagon rentals. And don’t worry—your visit to the falls won’t just include admiring them from afar. Top Niagara attractions like the Maid of the Mist boat ride and the Niagara Scenic Trolley (lift-equipped) welcome those in wheelchairs. You can also wheel to the permanent deck during the stunning Cave of the Winds tour.
Lake George
Do you dream of sailing the pristine waters of the lovely upstate gem Lake George? Y-Knot Sailing makes adaptive sailing a fun and easy reality for people of all abilities. Assistance is provided to board the boat if needed, and you won’t need to stay in your wheelchair on board. Tipping over is not a concern, either; Y-Knot’s special boats are exceptionally stable and entirely unsinkable—they wouldn’t go down even if the hull were completely flooded.
Wild Center and Wild Walk
An all-day indoor and outdoor experience, the Wild Center found in Tupper Lake is an amazing adventure for all! Start indoors at the museum and learn the history of the region through exhibits like the Hall of the Adirondacks, home to real fish, turtles, otters, and other animals you may find throughout the area. Now it’s time to experience the “forever wild” Adirondacks for yourself on the Wild Walk! For wheelchair users, the Wild Walk is fully accessible with a smooth, gentle incline to the top, where you’ll find yourself high above the trees. Explore Forest Music, another outdoor experience at the Wild Center, where speakers playing peaceful music surround the trail. The trail is not paved, but is flat with some steeper sections.
Jones Beach State Park
The boardwalk is fun, but the beach is a whole different experience. At Jones Beach State Park on Long Island, visitors in wheelchairs don’t have to watch the action from the sidelines. With manual, lightweight, specially designed wheelchairs, guests can easily maneuver through the sand, wheel up to the water, and enjoy being on the beach and in the thick of things with family and friends. These incredible beach wheelchairs are first-come, first-serve, and guests must remember to bring an ID to rent one from various park information booths.
Finger Lakes Wine Country
Credit: @lakesideprovidence on Instagram
A visit to upstate New York is not complete without seeing one of its greatest treasures—the many fine wineries scattered along the shores of the scenic Finger Lakes. For adventurous grape-lovers, the lakes Seneca, Keuka, Cayuga, and Canandaigua each have wine trails. Most wineries are wheelchair-accessible, as are many hotels along the way. You can browse wineries, accommodations, and dining options throughout the Finger Lakes region and check accessibility here. Cheers to planning a fantastic trip in New York’s wine country!
High Falls Gorge in Lake Placid
Open year-round, this breathtaking gorge allows you to wind through timeworn granite cliffs with the energetic Ausable River. There is even a wheelchair-accessible path that runs parallel to part of the Waterfall Walk. Enjoy the peaceful forest and stunning cascades as you make your way to the center of the gorge, where you can marvel at both the upper and lower falls from a prime vantage point. If you want to replenish some calories after all that gorge exploring, the nearby River View Cafe, open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, is wheelchair accessible and features a lot of tasty dishes.
Saratoga Race Course
If you’re an enthusiastic fan of horse racing, the Saratoga Race Course is a top-notch destination that you absolutely can’t miss out on visiting. Those in wheelchairs can find accommodating seating in the Grandstand (sections X and Y) and the Clubhouse (sections J, K, L, and M), both of which offer an excellent vantage point to watch the action below. Other accessible amenities available include parking and ATMs, as well as wheelchair-friendly restrooms.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
It’s impossible to visit the Big Apple without hitting two of its most famous sites. Luckily, both are wheelchair-accessible and even have a small number of wheelchairs you can borrow on-site. Like Ellis Island, Liberty Island is completely wheelchair-friendly, except for the outer observation deck and balcony on the Statue of Liberty. You can, however, take a lift to the statue’s inner deck and marvel at the interior skeletal structure of this giant monument. While the ferries to the sites are wheelchair-friendly, it’s important to note that onboard restrooms aren’t wheelchair accessible, so plan ahead in this regard! If you’re driving, accessible parking is available near ferry departure sites.
As you can see, there are a plethora of options if you’re in a wheelchair and want to get out and explore the great state of New York. These are only some of the choices though and there are many others as well. No matter what you decide to do, you’re sure to quickly find yourself in a New York state of mind.
Also see Cory Lee’s guides to New York City, Rochester, and the Adirondacks’ Wild Center from his blog Curb Free With Cory Lee.