Holidays

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Boston, USA

If you’re going to explore New England, then Boston will be one of the highlights of your trip. There are few more historic cities in the US, and it is a fascinating place to explore for a few days. There are plenty of great galleries and museums, historic sites to visit, and also some delicious New England seafood to sample.

Wherever you are traveling in the USA, public buildings are now required by law to be fully accessible to those of us with different mobility needs. But as always, it pays to call ahead if you’re not sure.

Enjoy Boston’s unique history

Boston’s Freedom Trail is only around two and a half miles long, but it packs a huge amount of history in. This is a city that played a significant role in the birth of the USA itself, and the trail takes in 16 historically important sites along the way.

As you pass along the trail you’ll see historic churches, meeting places and museums that will help you to piece together the history of the American Revolution and the birth of the nation.

The trail itself is fully accessible, and while not all of the historic sites it passes are, many (such as Boston Common) are easy to get around. You can follow the trail yourself (here’s a map) but if you book a guided tour through the Freedom Trail Foundation all of their tours are accessible.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Boston Freedom Trail

Tuck into some New England seafood

The people of Boston are quite rightly proud of their cuisine – and their seafood chowder in particular. There are plenty of places to try it out, but our favourite restaurant has to be the Legal Harborside.

It’s a modern, accessible building, but this restaurant’s clam chowder feels traditionally New England. It’s one of the best we’ve tried, with salt pork, fresh clams and a peppery kick.

Visitors from the UK might also be interested in a little taste of home – Boston does a mean version of that great British tradition, fish and chips. We’d recommend the historic Warren Tavern in Charlestown.

Head to Fenway

Boston is famous for many things – but one of its proudest institutions is the Red Sox. If you’re interested in baseball and want to see them at their historic home at Fenway Park, then take a look at their dedicated accessibility page here, or give them a call on 617-226-6000. The team are a significant part of Boston’s cultural history.

Of course, not everyone is a sports fan. But the Fenway area itself is also an interesting place to explore, even if you don’t make it to the ballpark. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum isn’t far away (more of that in a moment). And there is also the incredible Museum of Fine Arts – which has its very own butterfly garden and is fully accessible to all. 

Finally, if you’re in need of refuelling after all that culture (or sports), head to Restaurant Row on Peterborough Street for some great New England cuisine.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a well-known Boston art collector and socialite. She was known for being unconventional and famously once appeared at a society event wearing a headband saying ‘Oh, you Red Sox’.

She caused quite a stir in her day – but one of her longer-lasting legacies is this wonderful museum. It is home to her incredible art collection, including treasures from the Dutch Masters and Renaissance painters.

The museum itself is in a beautiful historic building and is largely accessible with lifts and elevators, but there are some narrow doorways in the older wings of the museum. The gardens are also varied and peacefully secluded, and accessible for most visitors.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Boston Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Editorial credit: Mark Zhu / Shutterstock.com

Did you know?

The Boston University Bridge is supposedly the only place in the world where a boat can pass underneath while a train passes above it, while a car travels on the road above that… and a plane passes overhead.

Getting to Boston

There are regular non-stop flights from the London airports to Boston, and non-direct ones from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Boston Logan airport is accessible for those of us who use mobility scooters, but the team there recommend –  as at any airport – that you remind your airline of your particular needs before you fly. There is also a free customer service line at the airport – just call 1-800-23-LOGAN. There is more accessibility information here.

If you need to get between terminals, then the free and accessible Massport shuttle service is a great option – the buses have a lift to help you board. To get into Boston itself from the airport, just use the fully accessible MBTA subway.

The great news is that public transport across the US is also required by law to be accessible, and Boston is no different. For a full guide to the Boston public transport system, take a look at their dedicated page, here.

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

Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible San Francisco, USA

San Francisco is one of the most famous cities on the planet and an incredibly popular destination for travellers. It is also one of our favourite cities – the perfect blend of American, European and Asian cultures. Great shopping and plenty of cultural highlights makes this a must-visit for any trip to the USA.


Of course, San Francisco is also famous for its hills, which can present a challenge for those of us with different mobility needs. But there are a huge amount of accessible activities you can enjoy on your next visit. So, with that in mind, here we’ve picked out some of our favourite accessible places to visit across the city.

Soak up the sights and sounds of Chinatown

There is nowhere else outside of Asia with a Chinatown as old as San Francisco’s. This fascinating area has grown over the years as immigrants came to the city in search of work. In the early days, many workers came during the Gold Rush, as well as to work in construction and on the railroads.


Today it is a vibrant and exciting place to explore, and is of course home to the famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. They make over 10,000 a day here, and it’s the last place in the US where they’re still made by hand. Give the team there a call on (415) 781 3956 before you visit to discuss any particular requirements.

If you’re in need of refreshment, we also recommend you savour a cup of tea at the wonderful Vital Tea Leaf. It’s fully accessible and their Wuyi rock tea from Fujian is just incredible.

Quingo Scooters Accessible San Francisco China Town
Editorial credit: Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

Explore Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate is an absolute dream of a park. It’s over a 1,000 acres and is packed full of things to do. If you’re looking for a bit of culture, then we recommend that you head to the de Young Museum of Fine Arts. It’s fully accessible for those of us who use a mobility scooter. And it is home to a remarkable collection of artistic treasures – from 20th century photography to the art of the indigenous peoples of South America.

But the Golden Gate park is also an area of great natural beauty too. There are hundreds of trails to explore (many of are accessible and will give you fantastic views of the bridge itself). If you want to head out into the wilds, we recommend you download the National Park Service’s Golden Gate app, or head to the NPS’s accessibility page here.

Take in some modern art

The de Young isn’t even the most famous art gallery in San Francisco – that title has to go to SF MoMA, the sister of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. With over 30,000 individual works of art here there is more than enough to keep you busy, and it is well worth setting aside a day to explore the museum.


As you would expect from a museum with SF MOMA’s international reputation, it is completely accessible to all, with ramped access at the main entrances. There is also an endlessly cycling series of new exhibitions to see.

The highlight for us however was one of the permanent installations – the artist JR’s digital mural The Chronicles of San Francisco. An unmissable tribute to the people of this remarkable city.

Quingo Scooters Accessible San Francisco

Browse the fresh produce at the Ferry Building

Whenever you go to a new city, our advice is to head for the market. In our experience it is the best way to get a flavour of the real culture of the place. You’ll see ordinary people, out and about doing their thing – and of course you’ll also get the chance to pick up some great local delicacies too.

San Francisco is no different. The Ferry Building Marketplace is the city’s favourite farmers’ market and is packed to the rafters with delicious local produce.

The market is accessible, and the best days to visit are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays when farmers descend on the market to sell their wares. It’s a great place to browse, and even do a little tasting on the go. Our favourite shop? The Biscuit Bender – try their wild mushroom buttermilk biscuits and never look at biscuits in quite the same way again!

Did you know?

The Golden Gate Bridge isn’t golden – it’s a colour called ‘International Orange’.

Getting to San Francisco

From the UK, there are regular non-stop flights from the London airports, and non-direct ones from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. It’s a long-haul of course, so make sure that you inform your airline of any particular mobility needs you have when you book.

Once you get to San Francisco itself, the airport is largely barrier-free with ramped access throughout. The team there recommend that you contact a representative of your airline when you arrive, or call 1-6207 from the specially-marked phones.

Getting into the city is also straightforward – the Bay Area Rapid Transport system is a quick, easy and accessible option to get to Downtown. You’ll need to take the AirTran from San Francisco airport to connect with BART, but it’s a journey of only a few minutes.

Holidays, Quingo Scooters

The best accessible Los Angeles restaurants

Los Angeles can feel like a city of endless opportunity. But that incredible scale can sometimes mean that it’s not always easy to find what you’re looking for. Just ask any aspiring Hollywood star.

But whatever brings you to L.A., the one thing that you will want to seek out is some of the great food on offer. The city’s restaurants reflect the remarkable mix of cultures that you find here. And the sheer size of the place means that the choice of places to eat out is vast.

Every building is now obliged by law to make itself accessible to everyone, and so ramps and wider, more accessible entrances are a relatively common sight in Los Angeles. But we’ve certainly found that some places are a lot better than others. So, with that in mind, here is Quingo Scooters’ guide to the very best accessible restaurants in Los Angeles.

République

For a nicely Californian twist on traditional French food, look no further than République. Bright and airy with plenty of accessible tables, we love this place. The food, of course, is fantastic. Chef Walter Manzke describes it as ‘technique-driven French California cuisine’, but if that sounds a little clinical, then don’t worry.

This is delicious classic French food that is simply prepared with breathtaking precision, served in an equally classy environment. The building itself dates from the 20s and was built originally as an investment for Charlie Chaplin. Yes, that Charlie Chaplin: this is L.A., after all.

Best Girl

Best Girl describes itself as a neighbourhood bistro, but it feels like something far more ambitious than that. There’s the top class chef, Chef Michael Cimarusti, for a start, who has brought his attention to detail and high standards to this corner of Downtown Los Angeles.

There’s a big focus on seasonal food here and they keep the menu changing through the year, so it’s the kind of place that never feels tired. It’s one of those places that feels infused with Los Angeles’ culture and history, and it’s also very accessible. There’s an accessible entrance and a lift up to the mezzanine. Highly recommended.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Los Angeles restaurants
Editorial credit: travelview / Shutterstock.com

Langers

Sometimes, you’ll find yourself out and about and just in need of something to keep you going. This is where a place like Langers really comes into its own. This delicatessen and restaurant has been going since the late ’40s and is a true L.A. institution.

No less than The New Yorker magazine itself claimed that Langers served ‘the best hot pastrami sandwich in the world’! It’s quite a claim, and one that we’re sure that a few other US deli’s (not least in New York!) might want to contest. But the fact is that Langers is legendary, its pastrami is mind-blowing, and this is a must-visit on your next trip to Los Angeles. It’s also fully accessible.

The Original Pantry Cafe

While we’re at it, we have to also recommend the Original Pantry Cafe. It’s another Los Angeles icon, and one that’s been around since 1924. This is the place to go for a classic diner experience – we’re talking big servings of traditional American dishes, served just the way they always have been for the last 95 years.

This is a special place – recently named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument – and it’s well worth a visit. Don’t expect haute cuisine, but it’s accessible to all, and you’re always guaranteed a warm welcome. Incredibly, it’s also open seven days a week, 24-hours a day!

Quingo Scooters Accessible Los Angeles restaurants breakfast
Editorial credit: David Tonelson / Shutterstock.com

Bestia

From a couple of old-timers to a relative newcomer now – Bestia is one of the most talked about restaurants in the city and well worth checking out if you can. This is great Italian food, with an emphasis on quality ingredients and a hand-on approach. Despite its urban surroundings, Bestia’s food has a rustic feel and you can feel the love that the owners Menashe and Gergish have for their creations.

This is a modern building with good access but be warned that this is also a place with a great reputation – so it’s sure to be busy.

A quick final word about driving in Los Angeles. If you are heading to any of these restaurants for a meal, then parking can be tricky, especially in Downtown. However, over 200 of the city’s buses and trains are accessible, and for more information it’s worth checking out the dedicated accessibility page here.

Another option is hiring a cab or a service like Lyft Assist, which makes it easy to book a ride in an accessible car to your destination. Find out more here.

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

Holidays

The best accessible US National Park trails

Spreading over a remarkable 84 million acres, the USA’s National Park network has grown since Yellowstone was declared the first park in 1872. Today, these areas of vast wilderness, spectacular deserts and endless forests are one of the country’s biggest draws.

The National Park Service has done an excellent job of making them as open and accessible as possible. So with that in mind, here is Quingo Scooters’ pick of the very best accessible trails across US National Parks.

The General Sherman Tree Trail, Sequoia National Park

In the USA everything is bigger: and its trees are no different. The Sequoia National Park in California is home to the biggest in the world – spectacular redwoods hundreds of feet high. The largest of them all is the General Sherman Tree, which is over 270 feet tall!

The great news is that the trail that leads to this natural wonder is paved and completely accessible to all. It’s only a short distance (so need to worry about running out of charge on this trail) and passing beneath these giants is an experience that takes the breath away.

We also recommend checking out the Big Trees Trail, which is also accessible. It’s another short one (just under a mile) that has accessible parking and toilets at the start. It’s a varied and accessible trail, giving you a wonderful view of the trees but also taking you on a boardwalk through the nearby meadows.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Trails Sequoia National Park

Acadia National Park, Maine

Now to the other side of this vast country, to the state of Maine. We’ve picked this national park out because it’s something a bit different. We love the variety of Acadia – from rocky coastal headlands to beautiful birch forests, there is something for everyone. This national park is the perfect showcase for the wild Atlantic coast of the eastern US, and large parts of it are also accessible.

Driving the Park Loop Road is a great way to get a sense of this wonderful place and there are plenty of scenic spots to stop off on the way. There is a handy guide to accessibility at Acadia here, but we wanted to pick out one short trail in particular.

Thunder Hole is a truly spectacular spot – named for the way the ocean crashes against the rocks, this place is a must-see. There is ramped access to the trail down to Thunder Hole from the Loop Road and it is well worth stopping to take in this beautiful place.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Trails Acadia National Park Maine

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The Grand Canyon might not seem to be one of the most accessible national parks. And yet while it’s true that getting down into the canyon itself is tricky, there are still plenty of places where you can take in this remarkable place.

Our tip is to head for the South Rim, where there are many accessible places to get unforgettable views out over the canyon itself. Getting around the park is also straightforward as there are regular and accessible shuttle buses. For an up-to-date overview of this service, check out their page here.

Finally, for a handy overview of the accessibility options right across the Grand Canyon National Park, take a look at the Park Service’s page here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible National Park Trails Grand Canyon

Arches National Park, Utah

Utah is lucky enough to have five National Parks, and Arches is one of our favourites. It is named for the 2,000 sandstone arches which dot the desert landscape. This includes the remarkable (and gravity-defying) ‘Delicate Arch’ which is over 50 feet high.

As with many of North America’s parks, much of the park is accessible by road and there is a 48-mile loop road that offers plenty of places to stop to take in the views. There is a short accessible trail at Park Avenue Viewpoint which is a great place to qustart.

Then, as you travel around the Loop Road you’ll also be able to explore accessible trails at Balanced Rock Viewpoint, the Windows Trail and of course, the iconic Delicate Arch itself. Start planning your trip to Arches National Park here.

To find out more about how the US National Parks Service are committed to accessibility, take a look at their dedicated accessibility page here. They also have a handy park finder service to help you plan your trip across the remoter parts of the US.

Did you know?

There is only one US state that doesn’t have a national park. Sorry Delaware…

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

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Best accessible New Year events

New Year’s Eve is a great time to meet up with friends and family. It is a chance to look back on the year that has just gone, and to look ahead to the one to come.

And with so many great accessible events out there this year, we wanted to bring you just a few of the best.

So, brush up on the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, and head to one of Quingo Scooters’ picks of the best accessible New Year events.

Edinburgh

Nowhere on the planet does New Year’s Eve like Edinburgh. Hogmanay is huge here. This is the city that once (allegedly) fired a full barrel of whisky into the air as the finale for one display.

It is always busy and the street party itself is a ticketed (and very popular) event. If you are prepared for the enormous crowds and want to see some of the bands then book your tickets here. The three entrances to the street party are all fully accessible. Once again, the organisers stress that this is a busy event and suggest the east end of Princes Street if you want somewhere (relatively) quieter.

If you don’t fancy the street party, then the Torchlight Procession is well worth seeing. This parade of pipers and drummer passes through the historic Old Town and is accessible (although watch out for the cobbles and kerbs).

You can also join the procession at Abbey Strand next to the Palace of Holyrood House. Box office and ticket information here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible New Year events Edinburgh

London

London’s New Year celebrations are a global phenomenon. Unsurprisingly, tickets to the main firework display have now sold out completely, but don’t despair. The display is absolutely spectacular and there are still tickets available for a viewing event at the Southbank Centre.

The Centre itself is in prime position on the banks of the Thames. It’s a fully ticketed event and you’ll need to get there well before 8pm to make sure you get in. You can either book a meal or buy food on the night. The Southbank Centre is largely accessible too – you can view a map of all of the step-free areas here.

Book your tickets here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible New Year events London
Editorial credit: Pajor Pawel / Shutterstock.com

Manchester

If the packed streets and cold nights aren’t quite what you’re after, then perhaps some 1920’s glamour might suit you better. This year, the luxurious Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel is hosting a sumptuous event to see in the New Year.

It has a Great Gatsby theme and your ticket includes a delicious meal and musical entertainment. There will be live jazz and blues and we think this is just the perfect way to end the year in style.

The venue is fully accessible and the hotel itself also has a number of accessible rooms if you want to stay over. Give the team a call on 0161 7511 412 if you have any particular requirements you want to discuss. Book your tickets here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible New Year events Manchester

Stonehaven

We had to end this tour of New Year’s Eve events back in Scotland, where Hogmanay is such a huge occasion. Our final choice is an unusual one – the Fireball Ceremony in Stonehaven. It’s a unique event that involves a parade of men and women swinging fireballs above their heads to spectacular effect.

That’s not quite as dangerous as it sounds, as there is an accessible viewing point (at a safe distance!) for those of us who use a mobility scooter. From there, you’ll get a fantastic view of this incredible display. It’s an event that feels like no other – a joyous (and slightly hair-raising) way to see in 2020.

This is a free event, so no need to get a ticket. However (as with all New Year’s events), expect big crowds, so make sure you turn up in good time. Once you’re there, just ask a friendly steward and they will take you straight to the accessible area. Find out more about this remarkable event here.

Did you know?

There are lots of theories about the origins of the word ‘Hogmanay’ – from the French ‘Homme est né’ or (‘Man is born’) to the Scandinavian word for the festival, ‘Hoggo-nott’. The truth is, no one knows for sure.

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