7 Best Vacations for Seniors with Limited Mobility

As many older adults settle into retirement, they may wish to start checking items off their travel bucket list. Over 35% of seniors aged 70 and older have mobility issues. While it may require a bit of research, seniors with mobility issues can still travel and visit exciting new places. If you’re a senior with mobility issues ready to pack your bags and head off to your next great vacation destination, you’re in the right place. Here are the 7 BEST vacation spots for seniors with limited mobility.

Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg, Tennessee has been hailed as the place where the air is fresh and the views are endless. This mountain town is a popular tourist destination, and it’s not difficult to see why. From endless hills to cozy cabins to a wide range of entertainment options, there are countless reasons to visit Gatlinburg. Fortunately, it’s also handicap accessible, with more than enough wheelchair-friendly hotel and cabin options and fun activities for all.

Why you’ll love it: Gatlinburg is well-suited for every type of tourist. For those who enjoy peace and quiet, the cabins and lodges offer a welcome respite. For those who enjoy downtown lights and views, they’ll find what they seek along the Parkway. There are also plenty of wheelchair-accessible attractions, including the Gatlinburg Space Needle and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. A wheelchair-accessible tram can take tourists to Ober Gatlinburg, a ski area and amusement park that overlooks the city. The Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a 5.5-mile one-way road that takes you straight through the heart of Gatlinburg.

Handicap-accessible hotels: The Hampton Inn Gatlinburg boasts accessible parking and handicap-friendly routes to all their indoor spaces. They also welcome service animals! Another great option with a convenient location is the Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg, which boasts accessible tubs, grab bars, and lowered surfaces!

Tybee Island, Georgia

Located about 18 miles from Savannah, this seaside community is the perfect blend of history and modern conveniences. If retro beach vibes are your thing, then you’ll want to add Tybee Island to your vacation list. Also, Nicholas Sparks fans may be interested to learn that 2010’s The Last Song was filmed at none other than this coastal paradise.

Why you’ll love it: Tybee Island has a little something for everyone. History buffs will enjoy the Tybee Island Lighthouse & Museum, which has been a fixture of the island since 1732. Theater lovers will be drawn to the iconic Tybee Post Theater. If you’re into marine biology, then you’ll want to visit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Best of all, all the attractions we just mentioned are handicap accessible! Of course, you should also check out the beautiful beaches while you’re there, too! For seniors with mobility issues, the island offers mobi-mats (mobility mats) at several locations along the beach so you can access the beach safely and enjoyably.

Handicap-accessible hotels: Admiral’s Inn on Tybee Island is not only accessible, but it offers free Wi-Fi. Additionally, Dunes Inn & Suites – Tybee Island is just three minutes away from the beach and 18 miles from Savannah. Palm Peach Tybee also boasts handicap accessibility and non-smoking accommodations.

Niagara Falls State Park, New York

If you love taking pictures or mental snapshots, you’ll feel right at home at Niagara Falls! As America’s oldest state park, Niagara Falls boasts picturesque scenery, breathtaking views, thrilling attractions, and fine dining options. Oh, and did we mention it offers an array of wheelchair-accessible attractions?

Why you’ll love it: The Horseshoe Falls provide some of the most spectacular views in all of Niagara Falls State Park, and the tram that takes you there is both wheelchair-accessible and affordable. However, it’s important to note that the Horseshoe Falls is on the Canadian side, so you’ll need your passport to visit! All but two small platforms at the White Water Walk are handicap-accessible. If you love butterflies, you won’t want to miss the Butterfly Conservatory. Make sure you wear brightly-colored clothes and perfume or cologne to entice the butterflies to land on you! Clifton Hill, christened “the Street of Fun”, has all the family-friendly attractions, dining options, wax museums, and haunted houses to keep you entertained for hours.

Handicap-accessible hotels: Situated in downtown Niagara Falls, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel has accommodations for disabled guests. Another wheelchair-accessible (and affordable) hotel in a convenient location is the Comfort Inn & Suites!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach might be the quintessential beach town. Overflowing with sandy shores, souvenir shops, and entertainment options that will appeal to the whole family, it’s the perfect place to spend a week or two. It’s also one of the most affordable vacation destinations. Not to mention, it’s committed to providing accessibility for all tourists! In other words—the perfect place for seniors with low mobility to plan their next vacation!

Why you’ll love it: Myrtle Beach has accessible attractions in spades! The Carolina Opry boasts wheelchair-accessible seating and accommodations for guests with disabilities. Anglers might be interested to know that Cherry Grove Pier and Springmaid Pier are both wheelchair-accessible. Additionally, the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center, Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, The Skywheel, and Ripley’s Aquarium are accessible to all tourists. Of course, seniors with low mobility can also visit the beach! Not only does Myrtle Beach City offer handicap-friendly beach access points, but they also provide complimentary beach wheelchairs for anyone who needs them!

Handicap-accessible hotels: DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront is comfortable, affordable, and accessible. Other wheelchair-friendly hotels include the Grande Cayman and Seaside Resorts!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The City of Brotherly Love is known for a lot of things. First, it’s the Mural Capital of the World, a great place for both artists and art lovers to pursue their passion. Second, it’s home to the famous “Rocky Statue”, created for the movie Rocky III. And, of course, it’s where the United States of America was born, right within the walls of the aptly named Independence Hall.

Why you’ll love it: From the Independence Hall to the famous Liberty Bell to the Betsy Ross House and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, there’s no shortage of wheelchair-accessible attractions in Philly! Adventure Aquarium, which is the fifth-largest aquarium in the world, is a wonderful and immersive attraction. Of course, Philly is home to countless museums, each appealing to different tastes and interests.

Handicap-accessible hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia City Avenue offers wheelchair-accessible parking and accommodations for individuals with disabilities, such as grab bars near the toilets, lever door handles, and transfer showers!

Daytona Beach, Florida

Once the carrier of the title “The World’s Most Famous Beach”, Daytona Beach is still a perennial tourist draw, thanks to its hard-packed sand beaches, racing roots, and temperate weather. It has an eclectic mixture of new and old attractions: the Daytona International Speedway, museums, and outlet malls.

Why you’ll love it: The Daytona International Speedway is accessible to visitors of all ages and mobility levels! Additionally, it boasts plenty of accessible, wheelchair-friendly places to explore, including the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and the Manatee Island Loop. Of course, if looking for souvenirs is one of your favorite vacation activities, you can shop to your heart’s content at the accessible Ocean Walk Shoppes.

Handicap-accessible hotels: The Max Beach Resort is a beachfront hotel that offers beautiful views and accessibility. Meanwhile, the Fairfield Inn & Suites is located conveniently close to both the beaches and downtown attractions. It also has free parking!

Atlanta, Georgia

Actor Brian Tyree Henry once said, “Atlanta has become and has always been a place where you create your own universe.” This capital city is teeming with fun attractions, historic sites, and a thriving art culture. Both vibrant and unforgettable, it’s a wonderful place to visit year-round!

Why you’ll love it: Atlanta offers plenty of entertainment options for seniors who are disabled or who have low mobility. First, the Atlanta Zoo is wheelchair and handicap-accessible. Centennial Olympic Park, which was built for the 1996 Olympic Games, is wheelchair-accessible and has ADA-compliant restrooms. The gondolas at the Skyview Ferris Wheel are also wheelchair-friendly! Coca-Cola lovers won’t want to miss a tour through the World of Coca-Cola, a museum that showcases the history and development of the soft drink we all know and (for most of us) love. If theater is more your thing, you’ll want to check out the Fox Theatre, where you can take in a ballet, concert, or film in a comfortable, wheelchair-accessible seat.

Handicap-accessible hotels: Embassy Suites By Hilton offers four-star accommodations with accessibility. Meanwhile, the AC Hotel not only boasts handicap-friendly rooms, but it also has a buffet and full continental breakfast!