JollyTimGiant

Thanks, I'm glad to be here! And JTG sounds good.

marvelousmouse

Seattle is NOT great for a wheelchair, at least from a tourist perspective. Travelled there frequently with elderly relatives. The hotels, shopping, and transit are better than average, but Pike Place Market (where everyone wants to go) is so not fun unless you can go off season- and then the weather might make it unfun if you rely on public transit.

Portland is all right except taxi service is not the greatest. Stay at a more expensive hotel where the taxis hang out if you do that. We enjoyed staying at the Benson- mostly because they have awesome customer service-the concierge is very helpful and the doormen were always willing to get us a taxi. My favorite place, Powells City of Books, has a hilariously complicated elevator system going on, but is handicapped accessible- it's just inconvenient.

Boston was slightly challenging simply because of the age of some buildings but very compact and taxis were easy to catch. The person in question didn't care for public transit anyway (too much walking) and we used taxis the whole time. Very pleasant trip because there is so much to do so close together. I'd recommend a centrally located hotel though- and those cost a pretty penny.

It sounds like you have somewhat mobile. I loved Chicago simply because it was so flat, and it has an amazing sense of energy. That would be a fun trip if you were less interested in museums (although there are some fantastic one) and more interested in exploring a city. Again, you'd have to stay somewhere central, but you should check out Hostelling International because that is one of the few hostels I've stayed at that I thought would be workable with a wheelchair. You'll want to give them a call just in case. The L trains are elevated, but they have elevators (I was injured at the time, so took the elevator a few times). Taxis are also pretty easy to catch in the central tourist areas.

What about a smaller place to start with? Sunset Magazine and other travel publications are always listing "best small towns and cities to visit". Smaller towns usually mean the same number of amenities but fewer crowds and less ground to cover.

Of course, if you are near Florida, there's always Disney Probably not what you had in mind, but maybe would be great as a "tester" trip so you can get an idea of what your stamina level is without having to worry so much about getting around as parks are so accommodating.

Wherever you go, take it easy and have a great time! Travelling is so much fun.

marvelousmouse

JTG- Forgot to say that DC would be my first pick as well, though, given that trains are definitely less stressful than flying and those enormous, glorious Smithsonian museums are free. Smithsonians are not my favorite because I love very specific history and history of locations over history of artifacts- but they are world class and would be great for someone like you because you'd get a taste of a little bit of everything. Try to go to Mt Vernon, Williamsburg, and Arlington as well!

JollyTimGiant

Thank you all again for continuing to help me with places to visit fitting my needs. Every bit of advice is very much appreciated!

I had never considered going to Disney by myself, not sure why to be honest. That would be a great idea for a tester! But f

or now, I've decided on Miami, mostly because it's only a few hours from home and would be a good test of my abilities while I'm alone. If I have it my way, I'll be going solo, but my parents are very worried and have strongly suggested taking someone along with me.

I'll admit I have a tendency to be a bit eh... Fickle at times. I had another question I hope you don't mind answering.

Aside from setting things in stone (booking hotel/travel tickets), are there any tips you could offer to help keep me thinking positively about the trip?

I can safely say I've never done anything without every detail being iron-clad, and every activity planned to a tee.

I want this trip to be spontaneous with just a few planned bits, I want to explore the city and walk around and hang out with a coffee or something outside to people watch for the hell of it.

That being said, you can see how that would make a person like me a bit afraid and nervous, especially not being the most physically capable person in the world.

tomfuller

If you do ride Amtrak, the downstairs seating section is for handicapped people and their companions. The car attendants will bring food on request. You do have to pay for it and give a tip.
Do you live close enough to a Florida Amtrak station that you could take a train to Miami?
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten..._Page&code=MIA
The farthest south I've been on a train in Florida is Kissemmee.

thursdaysd

There's no reason you can't do some planning AND be spontaneous. Come up with a list of places you would like to visit, and places where you would like to eat. Then in the morning you pick something from the list. Or not.

JollyTimGiant

I'm roughly 5 miles from the nearest Amtrak station, tomfuller.

I can deal with the long travel time, especially when I'd be saving that much money and saving family the inconvenience of driving me there and back.

Excellent idea, thursdaysd!

I'd rather not spend all my time in Miami in the hotel or on the beach, even though those are both fun things to do. (I will spend some time on the beach though.)

I can't wait to get out there and experience some of the great things life has to offer!

persimmondeb

Disney is fabulously accessible. I've done it with my dad, who has mobility issues, my son, who's mildly autistic, and myself (I'm mobile, but have balance problems). Everything is easy, and the cast members are preternaturally good about anticipating needs.

marvelousmouse

"are there any tips you could offer to help keep me thinking positively about the trip?"

JTG:

From some hard won experience...

Remember that it's YOUR vacation. There's no wrong way to spend it, as long as you reach the end of it with a smile and are already plotting your next adventure. It doesn't matter what/where your parents/siblings/friends THINK you should do/go for vacation- find your own bliss. Spend your money on what makes you happiest. For my siblings, that's expensive hotels and partying. For me, that's new far away destinations, street food, and museums Neither is wrong- but in my early 20s, I certainly felt like I was. Don't be afraid to say "I respect your opinion but this is what I want."

Be adventurous, but be practical. Build in some downtime. Don't be afraid to change your plans. If you're tired, skip that active thing you were going to do and hit the beach. If you wake up brimming with energy on a scheduled "lazy beach day", take that dream excursion that 6 out of 7 days you wouldn't feel up to. The beach is gonna be there tomorrow.

Be prepared to laugh, especially at yourself. Never be afraid to ask for directions. There are no stupid questions. You'll get lost (if you're like me, pre-smart phone days, you'll get lost A LOT) but hey, that's part of the journey, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might find something amazing that you would have never found if you hadn't taken that wrong turn three hours ago!

Nothing is a "must see" for everyone. Seeing how the locals live can be a great experience- but you know, you aren't local and this may be your one chance to stop and see that corny roadside attraction. So stop and take that selfie of you and those giant dinosaurs if you feel like it- you are never too old to "act like a child"- in all the good ways, I mean.

JollyTimGiant

Persimmondeb, I completely agree about Disney employee's ability to "sense" the needs of people, disabled or otherwise! I've been disabled for 11 years, and Disney has always been a very pleasant experience for me the few times I've been. Having siblings who work there helps with cost a lot!

Marvelousmouse, what you said really, I guess you could say resonated with me. You are exactly right, this is my vacation and I need to do what I feel would bring me the most happiness from it!

I'll explain my plans, and respectfully declare that I am going to do them no matter what, and if something goes wrong, I will deal with it. It has been 11 years of just being content, and not fully satisfied with this life of a hermit I'm living.

Having never gotten the chance to achieve independence, you know, to really strike out on my own may be impacting how I am approaching this whole trip.

I need to take charge of my vacations and make them mine, customized to fit MY needs and wants.

And again, thank you all so much, your support and advice really mean a lot to me!

nytraveler

Well I would not ignore NYC unless you feel that the city is just too big to tackle on your own. The major handicap is that the subway has very limited access to the handicapped. A number of stations have elevators, but they are often not working and don;t always go to all of the levels (from the street to the concourse and then down to one or even two levels of platforms).

However, all of the city buses are accessible - they knell for wheelchairs and there is a special section for them to be secured while on the bus. Note that this is good for folding wheelchairs - using a motorized one will severely limit access to a lot of places.

Also in NYC there are a number of taxis that can take occupied wheelchairs - as well as putting a folding one in the trunk of any cab.

All of the street corners in central areas have cuts that will accommodate wheelchairs (or strollers) and there are quite a few new/newish hotels that fully accommodate handicapped guests - since it appears that once in the room you would not use the wheelchair (I know showers can sometime be a problem).

The city has the advantage of a huge number of sights almost all of which are accessible without a wheelchair - and major sights which require a ot of time - such as museums all have wheelchairs that can be used for visits within the museum - so you can save your walking for getting to/fro the bus and the museum (usually not more than 3 or 4 blocks). Also almost all have wheel chair entrances on the ground level - so you can easily reserve one and do the extended visits in comfort.

I would really consider which cities have the things you really want to see - as well as which ones are not especially hilly (central tourist areas of NYC are mostly flat). Since you have some level of mobility you really have a lot of choices.

Agree DC also has good accomodations for handicap - but the distances between sights are often very long - meaning having the wheelchair with you at all times - versus just using it for extended activities.

marvelousmouse

Well, good luck! It very much helps to dwell on the positive when talking to anxious family members- and you know, shoot them a few updates throughout the day through text or something while you're gone. My mother was very anxious about me travelling alone- the only feasible way for me to do it originally was to call her a few times a day. Even when they know you can do it, they still worry, and believe it or not, years later, I kind of appreciate that when I'm thousands of miles away from anyone I know

I agree with nytraveller, too, to a certain extent. I've done a lot of travelling with family members who are somewhat mobility challenged, and major cities with good transit are the best! I haven't ran into any "impossible" destinations yet- although we've taken more tours than pre-wheelchair days and it takes a little more planning or time allowed to get from place to place. We've also spent more on taxis and hotels. However- that handicapped placard comes in handy like you wouldn't believe some days, lol. It really matters how you look at it- I think if you continue to be so positive and determined, you can go anywhere your wanderlust takes you!

JollyTimGiant

NYC is definitely on my travel list, I would LOVE to experience all of the different cuisines it has to offer, old school deli, pizza, and everything in between, not to mention the sights! But I think I am far from experienced enough to navigate a city that size. For now.

Not to sound villainous but, Miami today, tomorrow the world!

marvelousmouse

That deserves an evil overlord alien emoticon! bwahaha! (Um, I've had a bit too much coffee and just discovered the emoticon list.) Watch out, world!

Dianedancer

Jolly - Take the subway or buses!

Dianedancer

I see a lot of people in wheelchairs and scooters here in NY. All buses are wheelchair accessible. And there's a phone number you can call 24/7 to get a taxi that can handle a wheelchair if you don't see one on the street.

See links below;

http://accessiblenyc.org/index.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/ar...heelchair.html

JollyTimGiant

There's no such thing as "too much" coffee! Haha

Awesome resources, Dianedancer, thank you!

It seems I'll have to start a new folder for NYC future references!

Dayenu

I always take public transportation in San Francisco. On buses there is space devoted to wheelchairs. The problem is, most of them are packed during peak hours which are till 9 or 10 am - and coming from East Coast you will wake up early. The next peak time will be 4-7 pm. This gives you a limited window to travel except weekends.

If you can walk, and use a cane, any type, you will get a seat on the bus at any time of the day.

Museums probably have wheelchairs for rent, don't know if free or you have to pay.

Museums, restaurants, hotels - all have ramps, it's the law, unless they are on historic registry. Streetcars (line F in San Francisco) and cable cars are not accessible, and have steep steps.

I wouldn't worry about hills in San Francisco as with limited walking you will be taking buses/taxis. Not all bus stops have seating under a roof, some are just poles and the waiting require standing unless you have a folding chair or a seat cane.

If any specific questions about San Francisco and I am not on Fodor's, my email is in my profile.

JollyTimGiant

Great info on San Francisco, Dayenu, thank you

From all I had heard, I had just about taken San Francisco off my possible travel locations. Looks like it may be more doable than I thought! Having gone through re-training to walk, I have all of those things, a wheelchair, walker and cane. Although, a single leg rest of my wheelchair broke in half, so I'm looking for replacements at the moment.

Thanks again!

margotheangel

It looks like you've already decided on a city, but I wanted to mention a couple thoughts on Seattle and NYC. Seattle has lots of hills, so I'd be concerned sending you there. There is a relatively good bus system, though.

As for NYC, I visited recently with family members who brought a stroller and was surprised and disappointed to find that there were basically no elevators for the subway, so I don't think it would be a great idea either.