Summer 2016 is almost here! May, June, July and August are some of the best months to sneak away for a vacation. The weather is warm, the sun is shining, and travel is a sure bet to melting away the winter blues.
Living with a disability should not keep you confined! Exploring the country with a wheelchair is possible. There are a variety of wheelchair accessible vacation destinations that will make your trip more enjoyable and memorable this summer.
Continuing our list of the top travel destinations for wheelchair users:
Monticello, Charlottesville Virginia
Monticello is the one-time home of President Thomas Jefferson, located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Built in 1772, the main house is an architectural masterpiece built in neoclassical design with grand columns and a dome. Monticello is located on a mountaintop with gorgeous surrounding gardens. However, don’t let the mountaintop intimidate you. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation and Visitor Center is committed to providing accessibility to visitors with limited mobility. All entrances to the house, visitor center and grounds have wheelchair ramps. Elevators are located throughout the site as well.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is a fantastic place to explore and experience life in the early colonies. Restaurants, shops, museums, theatrical events and more offer fun for the very young to the elderly. The “Revolutionary City” offers a true experience of American life in 1775. Guests with wheelchairs will find the streets, most gardens and outdoor activities in the historic area accessible. Ramps and wheelchair lifts are available at many exhibitions.
LEGOLAND, Winter Haven, Florida
Maybe your loved one is a child in need of a wheelchair, or you want to vacation with young kids. LEGOLAND in Winter Haven, Florida (45 minutes from Orlando) is a unique theme park to explore with plenty of handicapped accessibility. A majority of LEGOLAND’s rides and attractions are ADA accessible to guests who use wheelchairs or are in need of special services.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Located near Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park has handicap accessible trails, boardwalks and campsites with amazing natural beauty in your surroundings.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Located near Gadsden, South Carolina, Congaree National Park features 2.4 miles of accessible boardwalk through old growth hardwood forest. Accessible tours, public buildings and campsites are available as well.
Fredrick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan
After 13 years of planning, the West Michigan Horticultural Society opened the stunning Fredrick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The gardens are incredibly peaceful and fully accessible to those in wheelchairs. Inside lies a children’s garden, tree house play area and water play area. Fun for the entire family!
With so many amazing places to explore, you are going to want to make sure your wheelchair minivan or full-sized wheelchair van is in good shape. If you’re looking for a new or used handicap van, browse the inventory at Classic Vans, located in the San Francisco Bay area. We have a large selection of quality wheelchair vans. Call us at 866-370-8222 and ask about low-cost nationwide van delivery.
In case you missed it, check out Part 1 of our blog series on top destinations for wheelchair users.