Adaptive rock climbing, adorable animal encounters, and dazzling lakeside adventures, an accessible getaway awaits for the whole family in Central New York and the Finger Lakes! Make family memories at amazing attractions like Green Lakes State Park, where wheelchair users can take a dip in the vibrant blue waters with a Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair, or Destiny USA Mall with an accessible antique carousel and laser tag.
Follow along with the family behind @discoverwithdallas as they set out on the ultimate family adventure through Central New York and the Finger Lakes, and get inspired to start planning your own unforgettable family vacation.
SATURDAY
11AM: Kick off your adventure at Destiny USA
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Get ready for shopping, dining, and adventure galore at the Destiny USA Mall in Syracuse. Coming in at 2.4 million square feet and six floors, Destiny USA is the largest mall in the state–in fact, it’s so big it even has its own zip code! There is designated wheelchair-accessible parking at every mall entrance as well as automatic doors equipped at every main entrance. View ADA accessible entrances on the Destiny USA Mall map.
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Shop ‘til you drop at over 200 retail and outlet shops like Apple, Lululemon, Anthropologie, and more. Travel back in time and take a spin on the 110-year old Antique Carousel. The carousel is accessible with a fold-out, portable ramp for wheelchair users, as well as an accessible chariot for wheelchair users to ride in. Pop into the I LOVE NY Central NY Welcome Center when you need a shopping break to explore the most exciting things to explore in the region.
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Gear up for some family fun at APEX Entertainment, offering fun for all ages with 24 lanes of bowling, VR experiences, a 50+ game arcade, and laser tag. For families looking to encourage some friendly competition, laser tag promises two levels of action-packed fun. The laser tag floors are connected via a large ramp, making it accessible for players of all abilities.
Combine education and entertainment at WonderWorks with more than 100 hands-on exhibits that are sure to spark imagination and curiosity. You’ll get to learn about the principle of pressure at the bed of nails, unleash creativity on a gigantic Lite-Brite, enter the Hurricane Shack to experience category 1 hurricane force winds, and more. WonderWorks is wheelchair accessible with elevator access to all levels of the attraction. Visitors who need any assistance should contact WonderWorks 72 hours prior to their visit to allow sufficient time to arrange for assistance.
Little Rays Nature Center is one of North America’s largest exotic animal rescues! Pay a visit to the center’s new Destiny USA location to take a guided tour and meet animals like sloths, a Fennec fox, armadillo, tortoise, and more.
5pm: Grab dinner at a Syracuse staple
The original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que location! This Syracuse staple is known for its wide selection of BBQ favorites from prime brisket and St. Louis ribs to pulled pork and smoked wings, plus delicious sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. Kids menu classics are also on the menu like chicken tenders, bbq sliders, and grilled cheese. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has a wheelchair accessible entrance, wide aisles, and spacious seating areas to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices.
SUNDAY
10am: Spend the morning outdoors at Onondaga Lake Park
Known as the “Central Park of Central New York,” Onondaga Lake Park is an eight mile linear greenway and the perfect spot to start your morning. Featuring four great trails: the East Shore Recreation trail, Shoreline Walking Trail, Lakeland Nature trail, and the West Shore trail, the park is beautiful year-round.
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The park is also home to Wegmans Playground, a boundless playground, meant for children of all abilities to play together. It’s 70% wheelchair accessible (compared to the average 20% of other playgrounds) with elements like Sway Fun (pictured), a teeter-totter structure able to accommodate wheelchairs, direct ramp access to the largest area, and SurfacePlay durable carpet system and bonded engineered wood fiber, making it easier to navigate for wheelchair users.
Discover why Syracuse is nicknamed the “Salt City” and make a stop at the Salt Museum, also found in the park. Explore the site of an original boiling block where brine (salt water) was turned into what was then considered one of the country’s most precious commodities.
The main floor of the museum is accessible. Note that there is not a ramp that leads to the upstairs portion of the exhibit.
12pm: Stop for lunch at Heids Of Liverpool
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Locally-loved Heid’s of Liverpool has been serving iconic Hofmann franks and coneys since 1917. Delighting locals and visitors for generations, the menu features Philly cheesesteaks, Gianelli sausage, fried pickles, and more, in addition to their classic franks and coneys.
2:30pm: Spend an afternoon on the farm
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Immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, animals, and adventure at Root Farm in Sauquoit. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Alice Root, what once began as a small equine therapy center, Root Farm now offers a wide range of agricultural, recreational, and therapeutic experiences for visitors of all abilities. Learn how to care for the horses and chickens, saddle up for an adaptive horseback ride, put your climbing skills to the test on the adaptive climbing tower, or hit the trails in the farm’s Action Trackchair.
MONDAY
10am: Discover the history of the canal at the Erie Canal Museum
Located in downtown Syracuse, the Erie Canal Museum dives into the history of one of the country’s greatest engineering marvels. Housed in the National Register 1850 Syracuse Weighlock Building, this museum shares the Canal’s 200-year story and the transformative impacts on the people and places throughout history. Explore several indoor and outdoor exhibits including a full-sized replica canal boat, image and artifacts, and interactive displays.
Accessible parking spaces are located on the street near the museum entrance, on Water Street. Alternative accessible parking is available on Erie Blvd. To visit the museum, use the main entrance. Staff is available to hold doors if needed. Automatic doors are planned to be installed by the end of 2026. There is an elevator in the museum that connects both floors and a ramp that connects the permanent gallery to the weigh chamber. Note that the full-sized boat model in the weigh chamber is connected by non-ADA compliant ramps. If you have specific access needs, reach out to the Inclusion Point of Contact, Derrick Pratt (educator@eriecanalmuseum.org).
2pm: Cool off at Green Lakes State Park
Cool off in the stunning Caribbean-blue waters of Green Lakes State Park. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Syracuse, Green Lakes is home to more than 20 miles of trails, including a 1.8-mile flat loop trail, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, and swimming on the beach. The park also has a Hippocampe Beach/All Terrain wheelchair (pictured) available and a beach mat that leads right into the water for adaptive swimming. The wheelchair is available for use at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Check with the lifeguards at the beach for availability. There is designated accessible parking in the East Beach parking lot.
6:30pm: Enjoy homemade Italian cuisine at Pastabilities
For more than 40 years, Pastabilities has been a Syracuse favorite, serving up delicious, homemade Italian cuisine. Enjoy a menu of a variety of scratch-made items including Sicilian roast chicken, choose-your-own housemade pasta and sauce, and their famous Stretch Bread. The pastabilities are endless! Pastabilities features a flat, step-free entrance.
TUESDAY
10am: Make animal friends at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
There’s no better way to start the final day of your trip than with a visit to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo! Meet more than 700 animals representing 216 different species from tiny poison dart frogs to baby elephants, many of them threatened or endangered. Accessible parking and restroom facilities are available. Both indoor and outdoor pathways at the zoo are accessible.
2pm: Set out on Skaneateles Lake with Mid-Lakes Navigation
All aboard Mid-Lakes Navigation for a stunning cruise on Skaneateles Lake. Take a 50-minute narrated sightseeing cruise, where you’ll make a six-mile loop of the lake and get to learn about the area’s history and natural beauty.
The Judge Ben Wiles Boat is wheelchair accessible and hosts most of the Mid-Lakes cruises. Contact Mid-Lakes Navigation (info@midlakesnav.com or (315) 685-8500) beforehand so they can notify the crew to ensure a smooth boarding experience. Note: the bathrooms on board might be too narrow for a wheelchair. You may want to use the restroom before boarding at the public toilet in the park (located at 19 W. Genesee St.).
3pm: Explore Downtown Skaneateles
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Shop and soak up the sights of the dazzling Skaneateles Lake in Downtown Skaneateles. Pass by a wide variety of shops, great dining options like Skaneateles Fields, Clovers, or Blue Water Grill, and stunning scenery.
5:30pm: Catch a Syracuse Mets Baseball Game before you go
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Knock family fun out of the park at a Syracuse Mets Baseball game! A Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, the Syracuse Mets host a variety of themed nights at NBT Stadium, like fireworks nights.
Accessible seating is considered general admission at NBT Bank Stadium and is available on the main and lower concourses. Main concourse level accessible seating is accessed by taking the elevator located in the main lobby. Accessible seating in the lower concourse can be accessed by entering at the Hank Sauer Gate at right-field or from inside the stadium through the Metropolitan Club. There are several reserved parking spaces that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please notify the parking staff of your desire to park in the reserved accessible area. Proper accessible ID is required. Accessible parking often fills up quickly so be sure to arrive early.
WHERE TO STAY:
Centrally-located off New York State Thruway exit 35, Embassy Suites Syracuse makes for a great homebase for exploring the area, just minutes from top attractions. Mobility accessible guest rooms are available and feature roll-in-shower or accessible tub with shower room options, entry or passage doors that provide 32” of clear width, grab bars in bathrooms, and other accessible features. The hotel also has an accessible indoor pool. Accessible parking spaces for cars and van-accessible spaces are available.
GETTING THERE:
By Plane
By Train:
By Bus:
By Car:
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From Buffalo: 2.5 hours
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From Boston: 5 hours
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From Albany: 2.25 hours
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From Montreal: 4.5 hours
United Access in Syracuse offers an extensive line of new and used BraunAbility wheelchair vans for rent as well as mobility lifts, transfer seating, driving aids and scooters.
Discover even more accessible places to explore and experiences to enjoy on our Accessible Adventures in New York hub!
