Things to do and road trip ideas for less mobile persons

[jas72]

If we go this year it will probably be with someone less mobile and perhaps in need of a wheelchair.

We have done several trips pre-covid with a wheelchair before so kind of know the parks system and disabled parking. However this year if we go we probably won't do the theme parks, perhaps the beaches and south florida.

Does anyone have any ideas of things to do for people that don't have full mobility?

EDIT we will probably combine it with a cruise as well.

[ellie-mai]

We enjoyed this scenic drive:

floridahikes/lake-apopka-wildlife-drive

[Gryff]

Bok Tower Gardens might be worth a look

[sotagals]

There's lots to do in the Sarasota area and even the beach at Siesta Key is wheelchair accessible. There's a full length pathway almost right to the sea.

Bayfront park is a nice wander and all accessible.Add in lunch or a drink at O'Leary's and it's a good morning out.

I've seen wheelchairs on the Myakka river boat tour and also at the Edison Ford homes a bit further south in Fort Myers.

[Gev]

My mum and stepdad lived over there for a while and visited Lake Placid, where there are lots of murals.

[greekgranny]

A couple of the murals at Lake Placid, it is a fascinating place to visit.

Lake Eola and market is wheelchair friendly as is one of the Swan boats on the lake.

[SimonV]

I would definitely second the recommendation for the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, especially as it also has an audio tour you can listen in to as you trundle along. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is another great driving option (fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/) and we also recommend Florida's latest All-American Highway drive, from Flagler Beach to Ponte Vedra, which makes for a good, and accessible, tour. Here's our story about it for the Telegraph: telegraph/travel/a...-trip-florida/

[greekgranny]

Originally Posted by sotagals

There's lots to do in the Sarasota area and even the beach at Siesta Key is wheelchair accessible. There's a full length pathway almost right to the sea.

Bayfront park is a nice wander and all accessible.Add in lunch or a drink at O'Leary's and it's a good morning out.

I've seen wheelchairs on the Myakka river boat tour and also at the Edison Ford homes a bit further south in Fort Myers.

See more...

Now you have made really want to get back. O'Leary's is our go to place when staying in Sarasota
.

[jas72]

Great thank you so.much for all the tips. Great idea for the trails.

[scottish mama]

I need to use a wheelchair when we’re away, and we’ve done lots on the Gulf coast, been up to St Augustine, Savannah, the Smokies, Miami, and the Keys. We have a folding travel one which is lighter and folds flat to take up less space in the car.
Anna Marie island is good as the pavements are so smooth (as in most of US) and they’ve also got a free trolley going up and down the island. You can get right up to the beach on the boardwalks, then we just left the wheelchair and sat nearby so we could see it.
St Augustine was much the same around the main town, and has a trolley. It’s a lovely town and worth staying overnight.
Savannah was probably the worst place ever for a wheelchair as the pavements and roads are so cobbled- I was tipped out on numerous occasions, but it was worth it as is a really lovely place to visit.
Sarasota is nice, and has the Ringling museum and house (can’t remember it’s name offhand).