2025-12-09 06:34:22
Traveling with a diverse group — whether multi-generational families, travelers with various ability levels, or individuals with sensory processing challenges — should feel exciting, not stressful. That’s why we’ve curated a collection of welcoming attractions, accessible accommodations, and inclusive experiences across Pennsylvania. These options take the guesswork out of planning so you can focus on what matters: connecting, exploring, and having fun together.
Welcoming Attractions
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is an all-abilities escape known for its Waterlily Court, Festival of Fountains, and Indoor Children’s Garden. Smooth, paved paths; complimentary wheelchairs,* and a Social Guide provides an inclusive, sensory-friendly experience. Don’t miss Voices in the Landscape, an accessible audio tour celebrating African American heritage.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia in Plymouth Meeting sparks creativity through play zones, build stations, and rides — many of which are wheelchair accessible.** Budding engineers can test their creations in the Build & Test Zone, where brick-built race cars fly to the finish line. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium offers year-round Sensory Friendly Mornings, creating a calm and welcoming environment for all ages to experience the wonder of wildlife — especially crowd favorites like the red pandas. Over in Norristown, Elmwood Park Zoo is a Certified Autism Center with inclusive programming, sensory-friendly resources, and plenty of adorable animals. Erie Zoo is home to more than 400 animals and offers wheelchair-accessible routes throughout the zoo. Wheelchairs* can be reserved ahead of time and rented from the gift shop.
Sesame Place in Langhorne brings joy to life with rides, splash zones, and all your favorite characters. As the world’s first theme park certified as an Autism Center, Sesame Place also offers services for visual, auditory, physical, and other needs — plus a ride accessibility program tailored to each guest.
Inclusive Adventures
At Presque Isle State Park in Erie, some of the nation’s best freshwater beaches are accessible for all. Beach wheelchairs* are available at Beach 8 and the Ranger Station, and Mobi-Mats at Beaches 1, 3, 8, and 11 help guests using strollers or walkers reach the water’s edge with ease.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton offers ADAaccessible paved trails, group presentations with live raptors, and self-guided experiences in a setting renowned for conservation. Its award-winning accessible trail connects the Visitor Center, Native Plant Garden, and scenic South Lookout.
Nestled in the Pennsylvania Wilds, Cook Forest Sensory Trail is a paved, quarter-mile loop through ancient woods with tactile signs, benches, and a guide cable. If you visit on a Wednesday, swing by the Sawmill Center for the Arts' Creative HeARTS Program, a hands-on arts workshop for individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities.
When winter arrives, the state's 21 ski resorts become playgrounds for snowy fun. Many offer family-friendly activities like kids' lessons and snow-tubing, and ski areas such as Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield, Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, and Camelback Resort in Tannersville offer adaptive skiing and snowboarding programs for people with disabilities.
Accessible Museums
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh is home to one of the largest dinosaur fossil collections in the world — and it’s all wheelchair accessible. Kids can even dig for their own fossils in a hands-on replica excavation site. The Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art also offer verbal description tours for people who are blind, as well as tours in American Sign Language, available upon request.
At Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, immersive and accessible exhibits bring history to life. Guests with hearing or vision impairments will find a range of accommodations, from assistive devices to sensory-friendly options. The new Ticket to the Past VR experience offers a powerful, interactive look into America’s history.
The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia welcomes all visitors with tools like an Audio Descriptive Tour, Touch Guide, Sensory Guide, and ASL Scavenger Hunt. As a Certified Autism Center, it’s a hands-on, story-rich space that brings history to life for every kind of learner.
Accommodating Hotels & Resorts
Woodloch Resort in Hawley offers the perfect balance of family fun and restorative nature. Set on a scenic lake, this all-ages getaway includes nature walks, clay crafts, and a dedicated Kids Club with a toddler-friendly play area — making it easy for every generation to find their own kind of joy. Wheelchairs are available for use, and 24-hour on-call golf cart and ADA-van service make it even more accessible.
Opening spring 2026, the Dutch Wonderland Inn in Lancaster will feature family and ADA rooms, as well as an arcade, character meet-and-greets, a splash pad, and a zero-entry outdoor pool. Bonus: it’s next door to Dutch Wonderland, a family-first amusement park with accessible attractions, dining options, and rentable wheelchairs.*
Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain Resorts have partnered with GO Laurel Highlands and the Autism Travel Club to better welcome neurodiverse guests and families. Nearly 300 staff members have completed autism-readiness training, and the resorts offer complimentary sensory bags to use while on-property and a calming, sensory-friendly space with tactile, visual, sound, and movement elements designed for comfort and relaxation.
*Wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis **Guests must be able to sit upright unassisted
©Miles Partnership. View All Articles.