9 of the best vacations for seniors with limited mobility

Your retirement is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It’s a chance to do the things you’ve always done and maybe a few things you’ve always wanted to try — like traveling to a place you’ve never been.

Whether you’re single or married, traveling with a companion, or going solo, there are memorable destinations and accessible tours designed for older adults like yourself, including travelers with limited mobility and those who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices.

So, where should you go, and how do you start planning? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite U.S. vacation destinations for that anyone can enjoy, but are also well suited for older adults with limited mobility.

So, grab your road atlas — or maybe your preferred maps app on your phone — and let’s get started.

Top U.S. vacation destinations for older adults

1. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, New York

It’s hard to overstate the magnificence of Niagara Falls. This crown jewel of the National Park Service is located on the border of Canada and the United States. If you’re not driving, the best way to get there is to fly to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Amtrak also provides a train service to the falls.

For some of the best views and experiences, you can take the famous river cruise called the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour from the New York side of the falls. The tour is wheelchair accessible. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may also want to explore the Cave of the Winds Tour, which includes an elevator ride that descends 175 feet into the Niagara Gorge. Trolley and bus tours are also available for a relaxing ride.

Niagara Falls State Park recently completed extensive renovations to improve accessibility throughout the park, making it an appealing destination for older adults. You can find ADA-compliant routes and paths, along with accessible overlooks and picnic tables. You can also rent wheelchairs for a small fee and take them anywhere pedestrians can go, including on the trolley. Even better, wheelchairs can handle the wet conditions created by the mist, so you don’t have to worry when they get wet.

2. Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri

Branson has become a popular vacation destination for older adults and travel groups for solo travelers, especially if you’re active and enjoy the outdoors. Golf, museums, shopping, live shows, and music are just some of the many activities you can enjoy. Given the title “Live Music Show Capital of the World,” Branson offers an alternative to Las Vegas for travelers with limited mobility. It can be a peaceful, more affordable, and easier to navigate option.

You can find accessible attractions throughout Branson, including the Titanic Museum, entertainment shows, and the Top of the Rock trail. For the trail, you’ll need to be able to transfer to a golf cart. The trail winds through scenic surroundings before offering a majestic view of Table Rock Lake.

If you plan to camp while visiting Branson, you’ll find plenty of accessible campgrounds close to all of the action. Request an accessible site when booking so you can move safely around the campsite in your wheelchair or with another mobility device.

3. Alaska

Alaska, the last frontier

With more than 20,000 glaciers, abundant wildlife, and 17 of America’s 20 highest mountain peaks, Alaska’s breathtaking scenery makes it a popular travel destination for older adults.

A great way to see this majestic state, while also checking out a few other destinations, is by taking a cruise from Seattle or nearby Vancouver. Older adults with limited mobility can find many websites and deals for a more manageable vacation. If cruising isn’t your thing, there are other ways to explore Alaska:

Alaska Marine Highway System If you’re adventurous and want to bring your own car, you can drive to Bellingham, Washington, and board a ferry to various destinations in Alaska. The Alaska Ferry System is an affordable alternative to a cruise. Discounts are available for older adults, and side trips are available in many port cities.

Alaska Railroad Corporation Seeing Alaska by rail can be a real treat, whether or not you have limited mobility. If you’re 65 or older, you can travel at half fare during off-season months. Watch the scenery through a train’s picture window from the comfort of a forward-facing, reclining seat.

Skagway White Pass Railroad A popular cruise excursion in the port city of Skagway, the White Pass Railroad is a can’t-miss experience for anyone visiting the area. Train cars are accessible, but if you require a lift, mention it when making your reservation because those cars can fill quickly.

4. Florida

Florida, the sunshine state

For consistently warm weather, it’s hard to beat Florida. While soaking up the sun is always an option, the state offers much more than shuffleboard. More companies and resorts are catering to active retirees and older adults with mobility needs.

Whether you’re traveling with grandchildren or are simply young at heart, consider Disney World or Universal Studios. Both have extensive accessibility programs, including options to rent wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Disney World also offers wheelchair-accessible buses for transportation between hotels and the park.

More of a beach lover? Florida has wheelchair-accessible beaches throughout the state, including Pensacola Beach, Hollywood Beach, and Miami Beach. Prefer to learn about local history during a tour? Look for accessible guided trolley or bus tours, such as the hop-on, hop-off trolley tour in St. Augustine. Want to find buried treasure? We can’t help you there, but let us know if you do!

5. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, Colonial Williamsburg is now an appealing U.S. destination for older adults traveling on a budget or alone. Today, you can visit the museums, homes, shops, and churches that George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson once wandered into. You can even watch craftspeople weave cloth, make wheels, and shape silver into jewelry and utensils, all managed by the National Park Service.

Although you may feel as if you’re visiting 18th-century Virginia, you’ll find wheelchair-accessible paths, trails, and sidewalks throughout Colonial Williamsburg. Folding wheelchairs are available at the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis. The gardens and buildings are largely accessible, though you may have to navigate a few steps to enter some buildings before moving through them with a wheelchair or walker.

6. Hawaii

Hawaii, Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono (the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)

It’s hard to resist the beauty of Hawaii. Today, more older adults are heading to the islands for a well-deserved vacation. It’s also an appealing destination for a larger family vacation, whether you travel with grandchildren or other members of your care circle.

The good news is that travel discounts and special packages are designed specifically for older adults, including tours at a gentle pace that allow you to experience this tropical paradise. You can learn about volcanoes and natural wonders, tour Pearl Harbor, and visit the USS Arizona Memorial for an important look at U.S. history.

Many beaches throughout the Hawaiian Islands are accessible. Waikiki Beach is considered one of the most accessible, but you can find options throughout the islands. Attractions such as the Pearl Harbor museum and park are also accessible for guests who use wheelchairs or walkers, as well as those with other mobility challenges.

7. Washington, D.C.

The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

A visit to the nation’s capital can be both educational and enlightening. You don’t have to let mobility needs stop you from exploring because the city and many of its attractions are accessible. It has also been rated one of the most accessible cities in the U.S. by Wheelchair Travel.1

Instead of driving and searching for parking, take Metrorail, the city’s public transportation system, to get where you want to go. Stations and trains are accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices. If you decide to drive, Washington, D.C., recognizes disability parking tags from all states. Anyone with a tag can park in designated spaces or remain in any space for twice the posted time.

You can also find companies that rent motorized scooters throughout the city. Some will deliver a scooter to your location and allow you to keep it for several days. If walking through museums and grounds feels like too much, consider renting a scooter so you can explore without exhausting yourself.

8. Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

If historic cities appeal to you, Boston is packed with things to do and historic places for older adults and their family members to explore. The city is considered accessible, including its public bus system and the “T,” its rail system. Museums and other historic buildings also offer ramps and accessible entrances.

Follow the marked Freedom Trail to places where the nation began. Not ready to walk the entire route? Use a rideshare service, taxi, or tour to visit the sites without as much walking.

Don’t forget to enjoy a pint of beer, a meal, or a delicious dessert whenever you need a break from exploring. There are many wheelchair-accessible restaurants and bakeries throughout the city, most of which are completely accessible.

Taking in a game? You’ll find accessible seating and entrances at venues throughout the city, including historic Fenway Park.

9. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is our “it” city of our list. Whether you love shopping, dining, gazing up at cypress trees, walking among charming homes, or watching a beach sunset, you can find it in Charleston, South Carolina. The city may be old, but it’s quite accessible, which can make it easier to navigate with different mobility needs.

Folly Beach, just outside Charleston, is considered one of the area’s most wheelchair-accessible beaches. You’ll find accessible bathrooms and changing rooms, along with an accessible beach path that can take you safely near the water. There are also plenty of restaurants and quirky shops in this lively surf town, so plan to spend the day.

In Charleston itself, you can book a tour with a guide to learn more about the city. You’ll discover ghost tours, harbor tours, dining tours, and church tours. Don’t forget to double-check with the tour company to make sure it can accommodate your specific accessibility needs.

Tips for traveling with limited mobility

If limited mobility makes traveling more complicated for you or someone you care about, look for tours designed around your needs. Travel sites such as Wheelchair Travel Worldwide Resources can help you research wheelchair travel in different parts of the world. Even if you don’t use a wheelchair, these resources can clarify which destinations offer more accommodations for people with disabilities.

Planning ahead for your specific accessibility needs can help you relax and enjoy your trip. A little preparation may also make each travel day feel more manageable. Try these tips:

• Call the hotel a week before your trip to explain your accessibility needs and confirm that you have an accessible room.

• Travel with your prescription and over-the-counter medications. If possible, pack more than you expect to need in case travel delays extend your trip.

• If you’re flying, tell the airline about your mobility needs so staff can arrange appropriate transportation, such as a golf cart, to take you from your gate to baggage claim when needed.

• Keep up with your range-of-motion exercises. You may feel tempted to skip them, especially because you’ll be exploring more on vacation, but the right exercises can help keep you from feeling stiff.

• Relaxing in a hot tub or hot bath can help ease pain or stiffness you may experience during travel.

• Save the contact information for your primary physician and specialists on your phone. Take photos of your insurance card, medication list, and Medicare or Medicaid card so you can access them easily when needed.

• Work with your hotel concierge if you want to confirm that a concert, restaurant, or other venue is accessible before you go.

• If you’re taking taxis or rideshare services while on vacation, note your mobility needs when requesting the ride. As long as you can transfer safely into the car, the driver will likely be able to fold your wheelchair and store it in the back. They may need instructions for folding a walker.

• Take it slowly, especially if you’re not feeling your best. You might consider adding a few extra days to your vacation so you can explore while still making time to rest.

Most importantly, enjoy your travels. A trip with limited mobility may require more planning and preparation, but you’re still on vacation, and you deserve to enjoy every part of the experience at a pace that works for you.