It is no surprise that in a country as vast as the USA, there are thousands of wonderful museums to explore. So where do you start? And most importantly, which are the most accessible for those of us who use a mobility scooter?
Well, to help you out, Quingo Scooters has picked out the five most accessible American museums. Here are our top tips.
The California Academy of Science
We love this museum. California is blessed with plenty of wonderful museums and art galleries, but there is something special about this place.
You’ll find it in Golden Gate Park and it is truly unique. They claim it is the only museum in the world that has a rainforest, an aquarium, a natural history museum and a planetarium. And it really does feel as if all life on earth is here, in a truly beautiful and innovative space.
Even the building itself is alive – when you’re there make sure you have a look
at its remarkable living green roof. This fantastic museum is fully accessible
via ramps and lifts. If you have any questions, send the team an email at [email protected] or check out their accessibility page here.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
It can be hard to know where to begin with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. It is so vast, and its exhibits are built to a scale that almost defies human comprehension.
But it is, without doubt, one of the most impressive museums in the US. If you have an interest in the history of space flight then you’ll love the opportunity to see machines like the huge Saturn V rocket. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet an astronaut!
All of their lifts, buses and attractions are accessible with your scooter. It is also possible to rent accessible equipment while you are there too. We also recommend giving the team a call on 001 321 449 4443 before your visit.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York (MOMA)
The Museum of Modern Art in New York (MOMA) is the greatest collection of modern art on the planet, full stop. And, as it should be, it is also completely accessible to all. Every gallery is fully accessible and the team there are always happy to help visitors, whatever their particular needs.
With a collection of over 200,000 works of art under one roof, it is almost impossible to pick out a favourite gallery, let alone exhibit. Every room you go through brings new wonders.
Currently there is a groundbreaking exhibition of art that reflects on the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Meanwhile in another room, you’ll find Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, or The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali. Truly breathtaking.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
A beautiful house and estate on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a wonderful place to spend time. It was the winter estate of the wealthy James Deering. And by European standards, the house might not seem so old – it was built between 1914 and 1922
But this place is a great example of the architecture of the so-called ‘Gilded Age’ and the perfect place to get a sense of how people lived in Miami at the time. We recommend spending time looking around the house and the collections in its museum. The ground floor is accessible, and you can take a lift to the second floor too.
But for us the real joy of Vizcaya is its gorgeous formal gardens. They are a remarkable contrast to the natural subtropical forest of the local area and are well worth exploring. They are also fully accessible. Find out more here, where there is also a map of accessible areas of Vizcaya.
The Henry Ford, Detroit
The history of America is one that’s been defined by innovation, industry and invention. And so, a visit to the Henry Ford museum in Detroit is a chance to see what a remarkable impact this has had on the world. But the Henry Ford museum doesn’t just celebrate the life and achievements of the American industrialist. It is based around three fascinating zones.
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is a chance to find out more about some of the country’s greatest inventors. Greenfield Village is a living museum that features everything from Edison’s workshop to four working farms. And the Ford Rouge Factory Tour is a chance to see how cars are produced on a real factory floor.
The Henry Ford museum is also very accessible, with ramped entrances throughout. If you’d like to chat to a member of the team before you visit, give them a call on 313 982 6001 or email [email protected]
As a general rule, most modern American museums do a great job of making their exhibits accessible. But as always, we recommend that you call or email ahead and discuss any particular mobility requirements you might have.
One final tip if you’re hiring a car: you can use your Blue Parking Badge in some states in the US. But our advice is always to double check, as the picture varies from state to state.
Travelling with scooters
The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.
Share your accessible getaways abroad with us
Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.
About Quingo Scooters
The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900
Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.
All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC). AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847