Sitting alongside the east coast of Florida, solely about 45 miles from Orlando, is Florida’s Area Coast. It’s a 72 mile stretch of attractive shoreline and it’s stuffed with tons of wheelchair accessible issues to do.
On the Area Coast, one can find Kennedy Area Heart, the Cape Canaveral cruise terminal, and a lot extra. I’ve been to this space a number of occasions all through my life to get on cruises, however I by no means realized simply how a lot the Area Coast presents till my current keep within the space.
Staying on this space is really paradise and that is actually a vacation spot that can depart you wanting to come back again earlier than you even depart (I’m already dreaming of my subsequent journey and I simply left the Area Coast… significantly!). So, let’s dive proper in with six of one of the best wheelchair accessible issues to do on Florida’s Area Coast!
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Wheelchair Accessible Area Coast Sights & Issues to Do
Given the title, you most likely already know that the Area Coast presents space-themed actions, that are unimaginable, however there may be a lot extra to the world as properly. Whether or not you need to feed a giraffe, see relics from one of many biggest films of all time (The Wizard of Oz), eat scrumptious meals, or one thing else, Florida’s Area Coast has you lined!
Comply with the Yellow Brick Street to the Wizard of OzMuseum
At The Wizard of OzMuseum situated in Cocoa Seashore, Florida, guests will discover an expansive assortment of memorabilia. The proprietor has been amassing all the things Ozrelated for over 40 years and it’s extremely spectacular. As somebody that was considerably obsessive about the film as a child, I beloved exploring each side of this museum!
Rolling inside, one can find one of many precise clothes that Dorothy wore within the film, as it’s on show right here, together with a few of her ruby slippers (those that had been featured on The Nice Film Experience at Walt Disney World), and even the unique screenplay from the film.
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The Wizard of OzMuseum features a kids’s room full with a toy-filled Wizard of Ozplay room, and a desk and chairs in your little kiddo to take pleasure in whereas they’re watching a film on the display. This room has a easy entryway, making it straightforward to roll inside and maneuver round.
You too can get your image made with lifelike statues of Dorothy, the winged monkeys, the depraved witch, and extra, however essentially the most distinctive room within the museum is an immersive expertise. In right here, you’ll be surrounded by movies of the Wizard of Ozand really really feel as if you’re within the clips. It was actually cool and entry to the immersive expertise is included along with your museum ticket.
The Wizard of OzMuseum has wheelchair accessible parking close to the doorway and a easy entry. Prospects utilizing a wheelchair shouldn’t have any points rolling all through the displays and shows. Please be aware that there’s an accessible companion care restroom within the foyer space.
Eat at Scrumptious Eating places
The Area Coast has some unbelievable eating places and through my current journey, I had an opportunity to strive a few of them. The next three eating places had been my favorites and all of them provide beautiful waterfront views and wonderful accessibility.
Coconuts on the Seashore
Coconuts on the Seashore, situated in Cocoa Seashore, Florida, is the proper beachfront restaurant and bar. They provide each indoor and out of doors eating. They provide a drink specialty menu, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in that cool fruity style beachside. This restaurant is open 7 days per week for lunch and dinner. The doorway is easy and simply accessible. Their menu is expansive, and I selected the Bangin’ Shrimp for my meal with a aspect of fries after our waiter really useful it. The shrimp had been completely breaded and fried, and lined of their bangin’ sauce. For dessert, just remember to don’t neglect the important thing lime pie. I actually loved all the meals, however the views and vibes at Coconuts on the Seashore had been exhausting to beat as properly.
Pier 62 Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar
This restaurant is situated on the Cocoa Seashore Pier, so the views are completely spectacular from the tables. As I appeared out of the massive glass home windows by our desk, I used to be simply in awe, however the meals may need wowed me much more! I loved the smoked fish dip for an appetizer, the blackened grouper sandwich with fries for my entree, after which I topped all of it off with a succulent slice of key lime pie.
Pier 220 Seafood and Grill
Pier 220 is within the good waterfront location in Titusville, Florida. This restaurant sits proper on the water, simply beneath the bridge. You may select to dine inside or outdoor. Entrance to the indoor seating is behind the bar and has a ramped, easy entry. Parking is free and wheelchair accessible parking is close to the doorway. For the appetizer, ensure that to decide on the Garlic Cheese Curds with marinara. They’re tremendous tasty! For the entree, my mother and I selected to separate the seafood platter. It got here with fried shrimp, coconut shrimp, grouper bites, conch fritters, and fries. If you happen to’re in search of some recent and scrumptious seafood with a terrific view of the water , that is the place, however they provide some non-seafood choices as properly. You could find gadgets like salad, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, barbecue, and extra on their menu.
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See Rockets and Meet an Astronaut at Kennedy Area Heart
I’ve been fascinated by area since I used to be a child, so a go to to Kennedy Area Heart was an absolute should for me. And I’m comfortable to say that it actually lived as much as my expectations, and even surpassed them in some ways. I spent about 8 hours at Kennedy Area Heart having fun with all the things, so undoubtedly plan a full day for this place!
Wheelchair accessible parking at Kennedy Area Heart is close to the doorway on the Customer’s Complicated. Right here, ensure that to ask what time the Meet an Astronaut program is on the day of your go to as a result of that is one thing that you just don’t need to miss! On the day that I visited, I used to be capable of meet Astronaut Jose Hernandez. His story is extremely inspiring, and there’s truly a film on Prime about his journey to turning into an astronaut referred to as A Million Miles Away. It’s undoubtedly price watching!
As soon as contained in the gate, you’ll be able to roll amongst rockets from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo packages alongside a paved pathway on the Rocket Backyard exhibit. On the close by Gateway: The Deep Area Launch Complicated, it is possible for you to to look at a video with a sans movement simulator, in a viewing space from the comforts of your wheelchair. I beloved that despite the fact that I couldn’t bodily get in among the simulator rides, different accessible choices had been accessible for me to nonetheless see the flicks and have a enjoyable expertise.
Ensure whereas visiting that you just don’t miss the Apollo/Saturn Heart. To go to this space, you will want to take a wheelchair accessible bus with a raise that’s included in your ticket worth. A workers member will fortunately help you on the raise and the worker will be sure that your wheelchair is safely buckled down in any respect 4 factors on the bus. After a brief drive, you’ll arrive into the land of area exploration and really see the large Saturn V, which is the most important rocket ever flown. Whereas on this space, ensure that to seize a chew for lunch on the Moon Rock Cafe. They provide gadgets comparable to burgers and pizzas that can curb your urge for food and enable you to to take pleasure in the remainder of your go to.
After driving the bus again to the Primary Customer’s Complicated, ensure that to go to the Area Shuttle Atlantis and Shuttle Launch Expertise. Right here, you’ll be able to watch a video out of your wheelchair with a sans movement simulator, of essentially the most epic shuttle launch of the Atlantis, full with a heart-stopping countdown clock. Indubitably, this was considered one of my favourite experiences at Kennedy Area Heart.
After a full day of touring the displays, assembly an precise astronaut, and feeling the frenzy of watching a video of a historic shuttle launch, seize some fast souvenirs in your family and friends again house. They even provide packets of area meals on the market. In addition they have loads of t-shirts and hats to fit your style.
You may watch the quick video beneath to see a full recap of my day at Kennedy Area Heart:
See Over 900 Animals at Brevard Zoo
Visiting the Brevard Zoo in a wheelchair is such a enjoyable expertise. Your entire zoo is predominantly flat and has easy, paved pathways all through all the displays. There are additionally two companion care restrooms situated to the precise of the primary entrance, so I used to be capable of absolutely take pleasure in my day right here as a wheelchair person!
One of many coolest issues about Brevard Zoo is the truth that you’ll be able to hand-feed giraffes from a wheelchair accessible platform space. If you happen to simply buy some leaves for a minimal charge, you’ll have the ability to feed them. Along with giraffes, you too can feed kangaroos from an accessible pathway and birds! All of those feeding experiences are an additional value, however very fairly priced.
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This zoo consists of bald eagles, rhinos, zebras, alligators, and even bears. All the displays will enable wheelchair customers to rise up shut and private to the animals, with a security fence or glass wall between you and the animals, in fact.
Additionally, you will be comfortable to see that the practice has a wheelchair raise on it, so wheelchair customers can simply board. On the practice, you’ll be able to take pleasure in driving by way of the park and do a tour of the zoo. I didn’t do the practice experience on the day of my go to, however it did appear like it’d be a superb expertise, it doesn’t matter what your skills are.
Brevard Zoo is open seven days per week from 9:30am-5pm and admission prices $34.95 per grownup and $23.95 per youngster if bought on the zoo. Nonetheless, reductions can be found in case you get your tickets on-line prematurely of your go to to the zoo.
Take pleasure in Basking within the Sunshine on the Seashore
You may’t go to a seaside vacation spot with out visiting the seaside! On Florida’s Area Coast, there are a number of locations that can enable individuals who use wheelchairs to stay of their wheelchairs and roll throughout the sand through the use of Mobi-Mats.
These mats are easy and positioned atop the sand, making much less potential of your tires getting caught within the sand. You will discover that they are put in on the next seaside crossovers: Monroe Avenue, Polk Avenue, Buchanan Avenue (this one was my favourite!), and Ridgewood Avenue Seashore Crossover.
If you happen to’d wish to get a bit nearer to the water (and even within the water doubtlessly), guide seaside wheelchairs can be found for hire from Crabby’s Seashore Wheels. You too can hire motorized seaside wheelchairs from Sand Helper, so it doesn’t matter what sort of seaside wheelchair you’d like to make use of, it’s accessible to hire.
Roll 800 Toes Over the Atlantic Ocean on the Cocoa Seashore Pier
Wheelchair accessible parking for the pier may be discovered without spending a dime simply to the left of the doorway exterior the gate. There’s just one accessible spot there that’s free although, so you actually must luck out for this desired spot. There are additionally accessible parking spots contained in the fencing close to the doorway that can value you $15 per automobile.
As soon as on the pier, which is 800 toes lengthy, wheelchair customers are capable of roll all the way in which to the top. It’s pretty easy, which I used to be comfortable about, as piers can typically be fairly bumpy. Cocoa Seashore Pier was wonderful although! In direction of the top of the pier, you’ll discover a tiki bar and you’ll take pleasure in views of the seaside and shoreline.
There are additionally a few memento outlets on the pier, in addition to a scrumptious restaurant referred to as Pier 62, which I discussed earlier on this weblog submit. The Cocoa Seashore Pier is a good looking place to take pleasure in a pleasant day on Florida’s Area Coast.
The place To Keep: Home2 Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral Cruise Port
Home2 Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral Cruise Port presents wheelchair accessible rooms situated within the coronary heart of all of the enjoyable. The lodge is simply minutes from the cruise port, and I may truly see the massive cruise ships out of my window, however it’s only a quick drive from all the Area Coast’s finest points of interest as properly!
We stayed in a double queen wheelchair accessible suite with a roll-in bathe. This fashion room had two queen beds, each of which had area beneath for a hoyer raise and the beds had been 26 inches tall. The bed room additionally had a TV and one other TV was situated within the residing space, the place there was a sofa. This fashion suite got here full with a fridge and freezer, microwave, sink, dishes, and even a dishwasher. The residing space within the queen accessible suite is big and really spacious with a eating space together with a desk and chairs.
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Within the rest room, there was a roll-in bathe, seize bars beside and behind the bathroom, a handheld bathe sprayer, and a fold-down seat. The lavatory was good for my wants, as was the complete room, and I will surely keep right here once more.
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The lodge additionally presents free breakfast and has an outside pool with a raise. If you happen to’d wish to study extra in regards to the Home2 Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral Cruise Port or examine charges for a keep of your personal, simply click on right here.
It doesn’t matter what sort of wheelchair accessible actions you take pleasure in, you’re certain to search out it on Florida’s Area Coast. As you’ll be able to see, there are a plethora of enjoyable issues to do which you can take pleasure in it doesn’t matter what your skills are. So, pack up your baggage and roll on all the way down to the sunny Area Coast! With this a lot pleasure, you don’t need to miss it!
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*Thanks to Go to Florida for working with me on this journey and displaying me one of the best wheelchair accessible issues to do on Florida’s Area Coast! Whereas my experiences had been complimentary, all opinions expressed are genuine and my very own.
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