Accessible Fun For Traveling with Disabilities to Coastal NC

Having a disability no longer holds travelers back from exploring the destinations they love! More destinations are becoming more inclusive, so even travelers with disabilities can experience the joys of travel. The coastal North Carolina area is a gem for accessibility tourism, where visitors can enjoy the beach, nature, local attractions, and have plenty of options for accessibility-friendly accommodations.

From ADA-compliant attractions to specialized tours catering to disabilities to ADA discounts, here’s why our coastal beach towns are fun and safe for everyone!

Activities for Accessibility Tourism in the Coastal NC Area

1. Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach proudly welcomes visitors with mobility disabilities. If you have a wheelchair, you can access the beach using one of the wheelchair-accessible access points (access #3, #4, #16, and #36). Visit the WB Parks and Recreation office to pick up a sand wheelchair or beach walker (click here to reserve a complimentary beach wheelchair), which is specially designed to make navigating through the sand a breeze!

Even kids with autism can learn to surf at Wrightsville Beach thanks to the Surfer’s Healing program. Check their schedule to see the next time they’re hosting surf lessons.

1. Wrightsville Beach Park Inclusive Playground

Kids with disabilities can still have a blast at Wrightsville Beach Park. It was redeveloped for ADA compliance. It now includes features such as an accessible whirl, wheelchair-friendly swings, sensory components, ramps, and more.

1. Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier

Take in breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and cast a line to catch your trophy fish at the Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier. It’s one of the must-visit local attractions that’s inclusive for everyone. It’s North Carolina’s first concrete fishing pier, which makes it easy for people with mobility challenges to navigate the entire 1,200-foot pier. It provides a ramp from the parking lot. It typically charges $1-2 to walk the pier, but wheelchair users get free admission!

1. Carolina Beach and Boardwalk

Carolina Beach is accessible to all. Whether spending time on the beach or boardwalk, people with disabilities can enjoy it like everyone else. The boardwalk is paved for visitors with mobility disabilities. It also has ramps to access the beach. 

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day (the beach season), Carolina Beach has wheelchair mats on the beach.

1. North Carolina Aquarium Fort Fisher

North Carolina Aquarium was recognized with USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Award as one of the top in the country. It’s also suitable for your accessibility tourism bucket list, with several programs dedicated to visitors with different disabilities. It invites sign language interpreters to host specialized tours in September for Deaf Awareness Day. Vision-impaired visitors can make advanced notice for tactile tours. Visit the aquarium’s Visitor Services to pick up a complimentary wheelchair, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more about accessibility at the aquarium here.

1. Airlie Gardens

Home to the NC Azalea Festival, Airlie Gardens is a floral garden masterpiece in the heart of Wilmington. It covers more than 67 acres with 75,000 azaleas, the iconic Airlie Oak, and freshwater lakes. That’s plenty of ground to cover, but people with disabilities actually have an advantage. Wind your way around the gardens via paved pathways. It also has a tram service making a looped route to points of interest in the garden (not accessible for wheelchairs).

1. Battleship NC

Take a few hours out of your day to check out the iconic Battleship North Carolina. The historic ship reveals crew life, mechanics, WWII weaponry, technology, and more on its docent-led tours. Since most of the ship is preserved in its original condition, most of the ship’s upper and lower decks are inaccessible. Instead, Visitors with wheelchairs and walkers can still enjoy the experience on the main deck and explore the ship’s exterior via the SECU Memorial Walkway.

Since visitors with disabilities have limited access, it offers a 50% discount for ADA tickets. ADA aides get in free!

Quick tips for traveling with a disability

Having a disability is no longer an excuse to skip out on an amazing trip. After getting over the learning curve of knowing what’s available for people with disabilities, you’ll discover that there’s an entire world out there for you to discover. Check out these tips to help you get you started!

• Contact tours and attractions to confirm they have ADA-compliant policies before arriving
• Bring a friend! If traveling alone, be sure to inform someone of your location and keep a mobile device handy in case of an emergency.
• Know your limits for getting around
• Be patient—taking ramps, operating lifts, and other accommodating activities may take a few extra minutes to get you to where you need to go.
• Have a good time!

Accessibility-friendly Vacation Homes in Coastal NC

Travelers with disabilities often need additional amenities to make their accommodation accessible and comfortable. Sea Scape Properties manages 100+ properties in the area—many with ADA-compliant amenities suitable for guests with disabilities. Elevators, single-story vacation homes, and pet-friendly accommodations can all make your stay with us that much more enjoyable.

See what’s available in top coastal NC destinations.