Whether you’re rolling through scenic trails, exploring tactile exhibits or soaking up ocean views from a beach-accessible boardwalk, North Carolina is built to welcome everyone. From the mountains to the coast, we’re committed to providing experiences that meet a range of accessibility needs — including mobility-friendly paths, sensory-conscious destinations, adaptive equipment rentals and inclusive programming.
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Trip Ideas for All Abilities
This is travel without barriers — where comfort, care and connection are always part of the journey.
Rachelle is a mom, blogger, model, NC resident and advocate for people with disabilities – and she has tried-and-true tips for six wheelchair-friendly destinations in NC.
Explore North Carolina without limits at these attractions, inns, resorts and hiking trails that ensure everyone can relish in NC’s beauty and fun.
NC Tips
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Ramsey Creek Park
Ramsey Creek Park at Lake Norman offers various accessible features, including a public swimming area with accessible restrooms, outdoor showers, an accessible sand wheelchair and a Mobi Mat for access to the beach. There's also an ADA-compliant fishing pier and accessible parking.
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North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Sensory backpacks featuring noise-canceling headphones, and fidget toys are available for checkout at this certified Sensory Inclusive venue. Throughout the museum, you will also find 18 tactile statues to help expand visitors sense of wonder.
Derek DiLuzio
Outdoor NC
Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
Explore beloved bike paths like the American Tobacco Trail or ride nature's roller coaster in an adaptive mountain bike at the Gateway Trails near Old Fort. From new paved trails that allow pedal-assist electric bikes to ramps and ADA-compliant bathrooms at many trailheads, North Carolina is striving to welcome cyclists of all abilities.
Caregivers and personal attendants are given free admission to the NC Zoo, wheelchairs are available for rent, and wheelchair-accessible areas include the Endangered Species Carousel, the Acacia Station Giraffe Deck and Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden. The buses and trams that provide in-park and parking lot transportation are also wheelchair accessible.
Here, accessible features include a Soundcloud playlist for more than 20 audio-described artworks for visitors who are blind or have low vision; elevators to all floors and free wheelchair rentals for those with limited mobility; American Sign Language interpretation and CART captioning during programs and tours for travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing; and a neurodiversity guide and noise-canceling headphones to visitors who are neurodiverse.
