Top 10 Fun and Accessible Activities to Do This Summer
by
Tracy Felix 
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Top 10 Fun and Accessible Activities
Just because you, or someone you know, may have a disability, doesn’t mean that you have to sit home all summer! There are lots of fun things to do in every state. Here are just a few…
Theme Parks
If you want to do different things in one day, and like rides, these may be what you are looking for. Both of these have land and water activities. Here is what they had to say…
Our vision is to establish a special place where smiles and laughter lead to wonderful memories with family members, friends and caregivers. We want Morgan’s Wonderland to be a place where the common element of play creates an atmosphere of inclusion for those with and without disabilities, encouraging everyone to gain a greater understanding of one another. Morgan’s Wonderland is just like any other theme park except for a culture and environment that assures 100 percent enjoyment by every person who enters through the Welcome Center.
Two parks – Holiday World Theme Park and Splashin’ Safari Water Park – for one great price! Free soft drinks. Just sayin’… Gatorade, pink lemonade, peach tea, sodas, coffee and water. Help yourself all day long! TripAdvisor proclaimed Splashin’ Safari to be the third Best Water Park in the USA. The friendliest bunch of employees you’ll ever find – that’s why they’re called Hosts & Hostesses. Free parking. Really. Voted the Cleanest Park in the World for more than a decade. We’re a bit fanatical.
Zoos
Fun for the whole family and educational too! You can give your child experiences that they will never forget when you let them see (and even touch) the different animals.
Children who spend a day at Marineland will be filled with wonder, excitement and self-discovery. They will have opportunities to touch and feed some amazing animals and interact with passionate and dedicated animal caregivers. It will be a day they will remember for a lifetime.
At the Saint Louis Zoo, about 400,000 children and adults participate in our formal programs, including classes and Camp KangaZoo each year. And, with 3,000,000 visitors annually, about 1,900,000 interact with an educational interpreter, docent or zookeeper who provides educational experiences and information. Each year the Zoo is visited by over 1,400 school groups that come for a free field trip. Of these schoolchildren, 31% are from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and 17% are special needs children.
Outdoor Adventures
There are lust some activities that disabled people have come to realize that they will probably NEVER get to do… these companies,and areas, are trying to change that and get EVERYONE outside!
The 120-mile-long Florida Keys island chain is linked to mainland Florida by U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway. Visitors can fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) or Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and from there can reach the Keys by airport shuttle buses or rental cars. Travelers can reach Key Largo, the gateway to the Keys, in about an hour from Miami or an hour and 45 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale.
fla-keys.com/travelers-with-disabilities
Lancaster Balloon Rides offers handicap-accessible hot air balloon flights, ensuring that individuals with mobility challenges can experience the joy of soaring above the scenic landscapes of Pennsylvania. Unlike traditional balloon baskets that require passengers to climb over the side, their specially designed gondolas feature a door, allowing wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to roll directly into the basket. Once aboard, passengers are securely fastened, ensuring a safe and comfortable flight experience.
The company operates from three convenient locations: Bird-in-Hand in Lancaster County, Glenmoore in Chester County, and New Hope in Bucks County. Each site offers unique aerial views of the Pennsylvania countryside, including Amish farmlands, the Schuylkill River, and the Delaware River.
For more information or to book a flight, please visit their official website: Lancaster Balloon Rides – Handicap Accessible Rides.
https://lancasterballoonrides.com/flight-info/handicap-accessible-rides/
#7 National Ability Center
The National Ability Center (NAC) is a leading nonprofit organization based in Park City, Utah, dedicated to empowering individuals of all abilities through adaptive recreation and inclusive adventure. With programs designed for people with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities, the NAC creates opportunities for growth, confidence, and connection through sports and outdoor experiences.
Founded in 1985, the NAC offers year-round activities including skiing, horseback riding, cycling, water sports, rock climbing, archery, and high ropes challenges. Programs are tailored to individuals, families, veterans, and groups, with specialized instructors and accessible equipment ensuring every participant can engage fully and safely.
The NAC also operates a seasonal outpost in Moab, Utah—formerly the home of Splore—where participants can experience adaptive rafting, canyoneering, and national park adventures in breathtaking desert landscapes.
Whether you’re looking to participate, volunteer, or support inclusive recreation, the National Ability Center fosters a community where everyone belongs and thrives through adventure.
HANDS-ON LEARNING – Not every kid can sit in a classroom and get told about how the world works, after all, some learn better through experiences. After you visit here you may even be able to take some ideas and use them at home!
#8 Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is dedicated to providing interactive exhibits and educational resources that promote the healthy development of children in their formative years—from birth through age ten. The Museum experience encourages hands-on learning and the development of fundamental skills, self-esteem, and the ability to work with others. Caregivers use the Museum as a resource that provides information on early childhood brain development, learning styles, and effective parenting skills. The Museum maintains a strong commitment to providing access to all children and families in the community, including low-income and special needs families.
EDUCATIONAL AND HISTORICAL – This might not be the most “fun” place to visit but everyone should know about our nation’s history and every single monument is handicapped accessible.
The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., is a symbol of the American people and their government, the meeting place of the nation’s legislature. The Capitol also houses an important collection of American art, and it is an architectural achievement in its own right. It is a working office building as well as a tourist attraction visited by millions every year.
IN YOUR BACKYARD – Travel may be hard for some so here is a way to have fun in your own backyard!
The Treehouse Guys, with over 15years of experience, specialize in custom built treehouses. We design and build universally accessible treehouses for public parks and private camps, but we also design and build private backyard treehouses all across the country. Bringing our client’s dreams to reality and seeing their excitement through the process is why we love our job so much!
Related: 10 Places That Offer Special Days for Special Needs
More Outdoor Activities
- Summer Travel & Outdoor Fun with Apps
- Picnic in the Garden: Sensory Play and Sensory Foods for the Outdoors
- 5 Great Opportunities for Outdoor Activity
- It’s Fall: Sneak in a Little Outdoor Fun Together With Your Kids
- Cool Rules: Preventing Heat Stress In Special Needs Children
- 4 Tips for Managing Parties and Social Gatherings this Summer
- Free Access Pass to America the Beautiful
- Top 5 Children’s Museums That Are Fun for Everyone!
- A to Zoo Accessibility at KidZooU Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Faris Family Education Center
This post originally appeared on our May/June 2016 Magazine
