Georgia’s Wheelchair Accessible Destinations and Resources
As home to one of the more vibrant metropolises in the South, Georgia consistently ranks high on the list of wheelchair accessible destinations.
Georgia is a state that boasts a true example of what a multidimensional travel destination should be. We’re talking about a mix of formal and eclectic entertainment spots that speak to a variety of interests. Also, Georgia’s wheelchair destinations offer the country a model of what it means to incorporate true mobility freedom into such dynamic attractions.
Outdoor Wheelchair Accessible Destinations
Georgia outdoor wheelchair accessible destinations speak to vacationers and visitors of all ages — from the thrills of amusement parks to the relaxation of pristine mountain ranges. The state is becoming much more than just a stop on the way to a Florida getaway. Georgia is a getaway in its own right.
Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell. Part of the Six Flags chain of awesome amusement parks, Six Flags Over Georgia is a half-hour ride from downtown Atlanta. You can spend an entire day watching shows, eating yummy, southern-style treats, and taking a spin on rides like Goliath, a roller coaster extraordinaire. You can ride Goliath and other Six Flags attractions if you're able to transfer from your wheelchair to the ride. And, with acres and acres of sheer fun at your disposal, you can be sure there's plenty of parking for handicap vans.
River Street, Savannah. Actually, almost all of Savannah is wheelchair-friendly. Savannah, Georgia's first city, sits on the seacoast — flat land and full of old-world charm. Before you head to River Walk, take a tour of the city's beautiful squares, with their fountains, statues, huge live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, and historic homes on the surrounding streets. There's a wheelchair-accessible elevator between City Hall and the Hyatt Regency.
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Georgia. The Peach State's Blue Ridge Mountains are welcoming and wonderful any time of year, but autumn and apple season make this part of the state come alive. You'll find plenty of wheelchair-accessible cabin rentals available, and the views are a feast for the eyes. A quaint, small town, Blue Ridge, GA was once considered an elite health resort because of its pure mineral waters. Today, Blue Ridge features eclectic shopping, antique stores, art galleries, a wide range of dining, and it's the place you can pick up the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
Indoor Wheelchair Accessible Destinations
One thing the Georgia indoor wheelchair accessible destinations got right for its hundreds of thousands of yearly visitors is to account for the state’s traditionally hot summers with a rich selection of entertainment. From one of the country’s largest aquariums to memories of Olympic glory — with a little nod to the free-spirits in between.
Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta. Right next to the equally wheelchair accessible World of Coca-Cola (an Atlanta-based, international phenomenon) it's currently the second-largest aquarium on the planet, and everyone is promised the full aquarium experience. The attraction even has golf carts available to transport guests to and from the parking deck, and wheelchairs are available free of charge.
CNN Studio/Olympic Park. You can take a one-hour studio tour of CNN's global headquarters in downtown Atlanta. Inside CNN Atlanta offers a wheelchair-accessible, behind-the-scenes view of the international news giant. The 55-minute tour descends eight flights of stairs, and elevator-assisted tours are available. News flash! These tours sell out quickly so reservations are highly recommended. Call at least 72 hours in advance to make your reservations.
Little Five Points, Atlanta. Many owners of wheelchair vans become free spirits who love to travel, and Atlanta has a cool corner of the city as welcoming to the free-spirited lifestyle as New York's Greenwich Village or San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury. Endearingly known as Little Five Points (lil' 5 or L5P), this area of the city dates back to the late 1800s, becoming an active merchant community by the mid-1950s, and eventually evolving into the offbeat, hip locale that attracts lots of Atlantans and out-of-state visitors every day.
Georgia Wheelchair Accessible Resources
While the amount of Georgia wheelchair accessible resources on the web is surprisingly lacking, there are a handful of quality links that will give you the inside scoop on the state’s attractions and destinations that offer mobility assistance for visitors and vacationers.
Atlanta, Georgia Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide. Found at https://wheelchairtravel.org/atlanta/ and published by WheelchairTravel.org, the city's wheelchair accessibility score is calculated based upon a conservative assessment of five critical components of a city’s accessibility.
Tommy Nobis Center Resources. Published by The Tommy Nobis Center and found at https://tommynobiscenter.org/resources/, this no-frills list offers wheelchair accessibility resources beyond travel and tourism.
Top 10 Accessible Attractions in the State of Georgia, USA. Published by wheelchair traveling.com and found at http://wheelchairtraveling.com/top-10-accessible-attractions-in-georgia-usa/, this list covers statewide attractions of every variety.