4 Best Accessible Holiday Destinations for Kids

Whether you choose a traditional winter vacation destination or decide to go with a tropical trip this time around, your child is sure to enjoy a trip during the holidays. Take a look at these best holiday destinations for kids to satisfy your child’s sense of wonder this holiday season. 

Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg are just two of the best holiday destinations for kids in the Williamsburg area.

Busch Gardens features rides, animal exhibits, and shows kids will love. You can find a thorough accessibility guide on their website to download but be advised that some rides will require a chair transfer. At night is when the holiday magic is unveiled through Christmas Town. You and your child will have fun enjoying exhilarating ice skating shows, photo opportunities with Santa, Christmas train rides, holiday fireworks, and much more. 

Colonial Williamsburg is a great place for your child to immerse themselves in colonial history. Enjoy the beautiful winter decorations and special holiday treats as you stroll the streets. This part of town is very accessible via paved or brick walkways. Make sure to rent a van to help you get around the Williamsburg area with ease.

Disney Cruise

During the holidays, Disney cruise lines feature special themes and activities on each cruise to make it a truly interactive holiday experience for the whole family. Visit their website to plan your trip and to download a guidebook on the accessibility features of each ship. According to their guide, every one of their ships has accommodations for wheelchair users, including accessible staterooms.

Each ship has a wheelchair-accessible kid’s club for children ages 3-12 and separate activities around the ship held for kids ages 11-17. And while the kids are having fun, parents can hang out at the adult-only areas. Staff can equip the pools with a wheelchair lift for your child if they want to go swimming, and don’t forget about the ship’s nightly entertainment, including live shows, kid-friendly Disney movies, and fireworks, all of which are wheelchair accessible. 

If you attend a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise with Disney, you’ll get to visit Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, much of which is wheelchair accessible. Enjoy shopping or restaurants with paved pathways, or use a free sand wheelchair for a beach day. There are also a whole host of activities that are wheelchair-accessible throughout their many ports. Disney cruises embark all year round from ports all over the country, including Texas, Florida, New York, and more.

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Washington, DC

If your kid is a history buff, Washington, D.C. will satisfy your child’s hunger to learn. D.C. is home to 19 Smithsonian museums and one zoo, many of which offer free entry to the public. The National Zoo’s exhibits are all wheelchair-accessible, but keep in mind that the zoo’s location is on slightly hilly terrain. The zoo also hosts a special display called ZooLights during the holidays, with live music, light displays, and unique treats.

Don’t forget to check out some of D.C.’s most visited monuments and memorials. The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and reflecting pool are all must-sees if in the D.C. area. The Lincoln Memorial has accessible parking nearby and access to ramps and elevators for your child to enjoy some of the best views in DC. Both the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool have paved walkways to make access easy for your child.

For something a little more interactive, the Spy Museum is fully accessible with elevators, restrooms, and special seating in their theaters and even hosts special days for those with varying abilities. 

Stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Crystal City for a convenient and accessible place to stay. Book with AccessibleGo to get all the best accessibility details, or visit their site for an entire list of accessible hotels in the D.C. area. 

Portland, Oregon

One of the top places to visit in Portland is the OMSI Museum and best holiday destinations for kids. This museum has hundreds of accessible, hands-on experiences, planetariums, and theaters for your child. Check their website for a full guide to their accessibility features. 

There are also multiple wheelchair-accessible holiday experiences that Portland has to offer. Winter Wonderland is a drive-through experience perfect for an accessible van, should you choose to rent one from Wheelchair Getaways. You can also view over 250 light displays on the International Raceway track from the comfort of your vehicle. Visit the Christmas Festival of Lights for one of the world’s largest choral festivals, as well as puppet shows and a live petting zoo. Or take a Cinnamon Bear Breakfast cruise, which includes breakfast, storytelling, hot cocoa, and cookies., as well as special holiday drinks for adults.

Ready For A Holiday Vacation For Your Kids?

Whatever location you choose to explore will give your child the opportunity to learn and experience holiday joy. Make sure to visit our website to book a wheelchair-accessible van at our 200+ locations to help you make the most out of your next holiday trip.