Accessible sightseeing in New York: What to look out for

New York is a beautiful city with a lot of places to visit. This attractive city is worth visiting, which is why it sees millions of visitors annually. There are iconic landmarks in the city, including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, and more. In light of so many attractions, the city’s administration has put in measures to make it accessible to all. Accessible sightseeing in New York: Here’s what to look out for.

Accessible sightseeing in New York: What to look out for

Here are the key considerations with regard to accessible sightseeing in New York.

Transportation

Getting to the attractions is one of the key concerns of accessible sightseeing in New York. MTA buses have ramps or lifts, and subway stations have elevators. However, buses are more reliable as they are more functional than other transportation options.

Entrance

Many of the old buildings in NYC have conventional steps at the entrance. However, modern advancements have introduced accessibility options to enter some of these buildings. Watch out for rear or side entrances marked for ADA access.

Walking distance

NYC is a vast space of land. There are so many attractions to see, some being within walking distance of each other. Therefore, for accessible sightseeing in New York, it is best to hire a scooter or a wheelchair. This way, you can visit multiple attractions faster.

Toilets

Many of the attractions in New York have accessible restrooms. Anyone, with or without disabilities, could easily access the restroom facilities at these places. However, accessible restrooms could be scarce in public spaces in NYC.

Special access

Many of the major museums and attractions in NYC provide audio tours and other accessibility-related options. It’s best to check the websites of the individual attractions you plan to visit during your stay. This is because special access requires prior booking at these venues.

Accessible sightseeing in New York: Attractions

Statue of Liberty Cruise

Going on the Statue of Liberty cruise is an excellent way to spend a sunny afternoon in New York. Even if it is a cloudy day, you can still enjoy the tour as most of these boats have indoor areas. Moreover, the boats are wheelchair accessible, except for the outdoor decks at the top levels. You will require assistance from the crew members to push your wheelchair up the ramp to get into the boat.

New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is not only a place for researchers and those who need to study. It is also a great visiting spot for tourists. The library’s beautiful architecture mesmerizes every visitor to the place. The building has elevators and a wheelchair-accessible entrance on the side. Visitors using wheelchairs should “sign in” with the security at the entrance. Moreover, the doors to enter the building are not automatic. There are accessible restrooms on the ground floor, of which the keys are with security.

Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum

Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum is a popular attraction among many tourists. It is where you can rub shoulders with notable figures from a variety of fields. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible. However, certain exhibits require you to climb on a small podium to get up close and personal. Even without getting that close, there are still a lot of photo opportunities. There are elevators on every floor. Moreover, each floor has smooth tiles along with accessible restrooms on the 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th, and 9^th floors.

Broadway Shows

Broadway shows are must-attend events in NYC. These shows are relatively accessible for people with disabilities. However, you should check with the respective theatre for what kind of accessibility options each one provides. Many of the theatres have lifts for wheelchair access. Also, there are wheelchair-accessible restrooms in theatres like August Wilson Theatre.

Ripley’s Believe it or not

The Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium in NYC is built with accessibility in mind for people with access issues and disabilities. The building is easy to navigate and has an elevator to get to the second floor. Moreover, the building also has accessible bathrooms for easy access for those with disabilities. Remember to swing the stall doors outwards instead of inwards, so that you have ample space to move around.

Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall is an excellent place to enjoy some music and entertainment in NYC. It is accessible to an extent for those with disabilities. There are elevators to get to the different levels and accessible restrooms, too. However, those in wheelchairs could find it difficult to see as people standing could crowd over. Therefore, stage visibility could be limited for those in wheelchairs.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is a must-visit attraction in New York. It is a fun place to visit with its popular museums bearing similarity to the movie “Night at the Museum”. The museum is accessible to those in wheelchairs, as there is an elevator to the other level. Moreover, the museum’s website has an informative list of accessible entrances and accessible restroom locations.

Macy’s Herald Square

Macy’s Herald Square is a mandatory stop for all those who love shopping. If you love to shop but are worried about accessibility getting in the way, there is no need to worry. Macy’s Herald Square has an endless display of great products in different stores. However, it has only one central elevator bank, and the wait could be long. Furthermore, there are accessible restrooms, which you need to access via the elevator.

Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center is a performance arts venue in New York. It is a great place to watch famous performances like The Swan Lake. This is a little cultural tour experience for those visiting New York. Lincoln Center is suitable for those with disabilities to visit, as it even has accessible restrooms.

Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art is a great place to visit in New York, even if you aren’t a huge fan of modern art. All of the entrances in the museum are wheelchair accessible. This makes it easy for people with disabilities to explore the museum at their own pace. The museum’s website has details about the location of the accessible restrooms in the building. Moreover, there are elevators to access the different floors of the museum.

One World Trade Center Memorial and Museum

One World Trade Center Memorial and Museum is a must-visit place in New York. It helps you reflect on the tragedy that occurred on 11th September, 2001 and pay tribute to all those who lost their lives on that day. You may not be able to get into the actual building. However, you can visit the museum and see the reflective pool that is located there. Furthermore, all of the restroom facilities have accessible stalls at the location.

Central Park

Central Park is the perfect place for a stroll in your wheelchair. The park has many accessible locations that help everyone enjoy its beauty. You can check the park’s webpage for a guide on the types of terrains at the location. Moreover, certain restrooms in the park are wheelchair accessible, so it’s important to note that too.

Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is where people from all over come to watch games, concerts, and plays. It has a huge garden that is totally worth a visit when you are in New York. Moreover, it is suitable for people with disabilities. There are seating areas for people who are in wheelchairs. Moreover, if you drive in, you will be able to find accessible parking in nearby garages.

Conclusion

Accessible sightseeing is possible in New York in the above ways. New York does consider beign travel-friendly for all types of people. Therefore, don’t forget to visit the above places when you are in New York.