[Last updated April 29, 2025]
You’d love to take a trip with your senior loved one, but you might be unsure how to plan it if they have decreased mobility, strength, or endurance. Making memories and traveling with your loved one is still possible, and they can still get a lot out of the experience even if they use a mobility device or can’t walk long distances. You just need to know a few trip-planning strategies and some destinations that can make your trip successful for everyone. Here, we offer expert trip-planning tips and destinations that consider accessibility to accommodate your senior loved one.
Vacation tips for planning a trip with a senior
To find expert tips on planning a trip with a senior, we spoke with Kerri Johnson, the founder of medical travel companion company GOMO Travel. Also a registered nurse (RN), certified dementia practitioner (CDP), and executive master of business administration (EMBA), Johnson combined her knowledge and experience to start GOMO Travel and now helps people who have medical and assistance needs travel safely and comfortably. When we asked her for a few tips on planning a successful trip with a senior loved one, she offered insightful suggestions that will make any family vacation a success.
Check the ADA-accessible activities in your destination city
Check the convention and visitors bureau of the city you want to visit, Johnson said. These organizations promote business and leisure travel to the area and will often include information about the area’s accessibility, from ADA-accessible accommodations to activities and more.
You can also search online for information on a city’s accessibility accommodations. For example, Visit Lauderdale’s accessible tourism information exemplifies a city’s accessibility accommodations. Here, prospective travelers can learn about available accommodations and search the list of local lodging, transportation options, restaurants, and activity partners that operate with accessibility in mind.
You can start planning with the city in mind, or if you’re open to the destination, consider one with accessibility in mind. Johnson pointed out that Oregon has a wealth of accessible accommodations throughout the state. The state’s tourism site has a page dedicated to accessible travel ideas that consider multiple accessibility options.
Wear a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard if it’s right for you
As a travel expert, Johnson said that the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program can be a great help to seniors with a disability, condition, or chronic illness that isn’t visible to others. This support program can help seniors and their families navigate travel by wearing the sunflower lanyard at partners of the Sunflower Network.
Hundreds of businesses across sectors participate in this support program and “recognize the Sunflower,” including airports, airlines, retailers, and other types of businesses. Sunflower program partner companies’ staff are trained to identify the lanyard and assist the Sunflower wearer if needed.
Sunflower wearers can obtain a lanyard and card for free from a partner in the Sunflower Network (retailers, airports, financial institutions, and other businesses worldwide) or purchase from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program online shop. You have the option to personalize your card with a photo of yourself and the icon(s) indicating the type of help you might need, such as “I cannot stand for long periods of time.”
Johnson pointed out that using this lanyard could be a great help to a traveling senior with dementia. With a personalized card, you can indicate that the Sunflower wearer has dementia and include their photo and any other special needs that might apply to them.
Trip destination ideas for seniors and their families
There are abundant travel opportunities for seniors with varying types of needs, but it’s important to carefully consider the accessibility of your destination. Here, we have curated a list of popular destinations throughout the country so you can travel to various corners (or take a local vacation if this is in your vicinity) where you know your senior loved one’s needs can be accommodated.
Disney World or Disneyland
Disney World and Disneyland are magical places where families gather to create memories. If your loved one has limited mobility, they can still get in on the fun. Disney offers a variety of accommodations in their parks and resorts for visitors who use mobility devices or need to rent one.
In addition to plenty of accessible bathrooms, entrances, and walkways, Disney also offers clear guidance on attractions so that guests know if they need to transfer to go on the ride or can remain in their wheelchair. Transportation options from resorts to parks are also accessible, as are the resorts. If you choose to stay off-property for your hotel accommodations, you can rest assured that there is plenty of accessible parking at the parks that provides a quicker route to the attractions.
If you aren’t into rides, there are still many fun things to do throughout Disney. There are restaurants, shows, parades, and other experiences that you can do while younger grandkids ride the attractions.
Disney is pricey but a trip idea worth the investment for families who want to create this core memory. One-day single-park tickets are around $100 to $119, depending on the park you choose.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
If you’re looking for a vacation with a mix of nature, fun attractions, and more, head to the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. While you can’t tackle all the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a wheelchair or scooter, there are accessible trails at the Sugarland Visitor Center as well as throughout other ranger stations in the park.
You can also enjoy the mountains from your car. Drive through the park and pull off at the various viewing stations, or drive through Cades Cove, where you can cross your fingers that you’ll see a bear. If riding in a car can be uncomfortable for your senior loved one, consider taking a few simple steps to make car rides easier for them. Having a supportive pillow or knowledge of how to transfer in and out of the car correctly can make a big difference.
When you’re looking for a bit more excitement, head to Dollywood. The park features accessible parking, bathrooms, paths, attractions, theater seating, and more. Even if you don’t like thrill rides, fun programs and concerts happen throughout the day. Tickets for one day are less than $100 and are easily worth the money based on entertainment alone.
For accommodations, consider getting a hotel or renting a cabin. There are accessible cabins in the area, including at Little Valley Mountain Resort, which also features a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and fishing pond.
Niagara Falls, Canada
Experience Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, and don’t stress about accessibility. Niagara Parks offers many accessible attractions and locations, including the Journey Behind the Falls attraction (the lower observation deck can only be reached by stairs, but the rest of the attraction is wheelchair accessible, and you will receive a discount off the price).
You can easily spend a few days exploring the area around the falls, including taking an accessible boat ride, visiting the butterfly garden, and eating at any of the restaurants. You can even bundle more than one attraction for a lower price. Round off your trip by taking a scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway.
Las Vegas, Nevada
You don’t have to be a big gambler to enjoy Vegas. The city is well known for its accessibility. Take advantage of accessible transportation options, such as taxis, buses, and the Las Vegas Monorail, as well as accessible casinos, restaurants, and sidewalks that are easy to navigate.
There’s plenty to do in Vegas, including catching a show at a wheelchair-accessible theater, eating at restaurants, and strolling through the casinos. Of course, you don’t have to spend money to enjoy the area. Vegas is full of free options. Take in the fountain show at the Bellagio or the Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian mall with many events and attractions.
Don’t worry about hotels. The majority of the resorts in Vegas offer many accessible rooms that are located closer to the action.
Siesta Key, Florida
If you’re looking for a beach getaway but worry about navigating the sand, consider heading to Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida. The beach is quite accessible, featuring accessible bathrooms and parking, as well as a Mobi-mat, which rolls out on the sand, allowing wheelchairs to get from the parking lot to the water. They also rent out beach wheelchairs for the day.
Hotels in the area offer accessible rooms, and some condos also offer accessibility.
Be a tourist in your area
Of course, you don’t have to jet away or drive for days to have an enjoyable vacation. Consider a staycation where you and your loved one explore your city or area like tourists. Try new restaurants, shop in a new area, take in a show, or visit a museum. Check accessibility before you go so that you are prepared, and always feel free to call the destination to speak to someone directly about your loved one’s needs.
Visit your county’s site to find county parks or museums. Select a location you haven’t yet visited, and consider planning a lunch outing afterward. Your trip doesn’t need to require a plane or train to be special!
If you or your loved one has trouble walking distances outside the home but doesn’t have a mobility device, it could be time to get one. These items are types of durable medical equipment (DME), which are devices meant to be used long-term to support your medical needs. Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other mobility devices can be considered DME. If your doctor prescribes a certain device, Medicare may cover at least part of the cost.
There are so many trip ideas for seniors and accessible vacation spots so everyone can enjoy new experiences and visit beautiful places. Don’t let your mobility issues keep you from getting out and enjoying your world and family.
