Finding accessible cities in the U.S. can transform your travel experience from stressful to seamless. From wheelchair-friendly transit systems to sensory-inclusive attractions, five standout destinations offer remarkable infrastructure for travelers of all abilities. Here's how Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago are raising the bar for inclusive tourism — and how CityPASS® tickets can simplify your visit.
Seattle — Universal Design Meets Natural Wonder
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation ranked Seattle #1 among the "Top 20 Most Livable U.S. Cities for Wheelchair Users," and travelers quickly discover why. When you explore Seattle with Seattle CityPASS® tickets, you'll find attractions designed with accessibility at their core. The Museum of Pop Culture features six elevators serving all levels, free wheelchair loans at the entrance, and regular sensory-friendly dates with lowered light and sound throughout galleries. Staff provide noise-canceling headphones, sensory bags with fidget tools, and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyards you can keep after your visit.
The Seattle Aquarium earned KultureCity certification as a sensory-inclusive venue, offering weighted lap pads and sensory bags with fidget tools and noise-canceling headphones. Meanwhile, Space Needle elevators transport guests to the observation deck at 520 feet, with a vertical chair lift providing access to outdoor viewing areas. Argosy Cruises trains every crew member to assist wheelchair passengers, offering pre-boarding and company wheelchairs when needed.
San Francisco — Rolling Hills, Rolling Access
Despite its famous hills, San Francisco ranks among the most wheelchair accessible cities in the U.S. thanks to comprehensive transit options and flat waterfront areas. BART stations feature level boarding, elevators at every stop, and tactile guideways for visitors with visual impairments. All MUNI buses and trains accommodate wheelchairs with front-door ramps and three-point securement systems.
Your San Francisco CityPASS® tickets unlock experiences built for accessibility. The California Academy of Sciences offers free wheelchair loans, sensory kits with adjustable earmuffs and fidget toys, plus an interactive sensory guide rating each area by noise, visual stimulation, touch, and smell intensity. Reserved seating in the planetarium is available for visitors with mobility devices.
Fisherman's Wharf and PIER 39 provide ramps and elevators accessing all shopping and dining levels. The Blue & Gold Fleet's bay cruises welcome wheelchair users on accessible main decks featuring wide interior viewing spaces, accessible restrooms, and nine-language audio tours. For navigating the city's terrain, stick to the flat Embarcadero waterfront, Crissy Field, and Marina District — all offering smooth pathways with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Philadelphia — Historic Streets, Modern Accessibility
Philadelphia proves that centuries-old history and modern accessibility can coexist. While some cobblestone streets remain challenging, major attractions throughout Old City have been thoughtfully retrofitted.
With Philadelphia CityPASS® tickets, you'll access attractions leading in inclusive design. The Franklin Institute is fully wheelchair accessible with elevators throughout, free wheelchair loans, and sensory backpacks containing noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets. If the museum becomes overwhelming, you can request a 30-minute return voucher at the box office — a thoughtful accommodation for visitors managing sensory sensitivities.
The Philadelphia Zoo earned KultureCity certification in 2025, becoming a recognized sensory-inclusive destination. You'll find wheelchair and electric scooter rentals at the main entrance and quiet zones marked throughout the grounds. The Independence Visitor Center loans free wheelchairs, offers UbiDuo communication devices for deaf visitors, and provides braille park maps — making the Liberty Bell Center, which is fully wheelchair accessible, an experience everyone can enjoy.
New York City — Big Apple, Broad Inclusion
New York has invested $5.2 billion since 2020 to expand subway accessibility, with 150 stations (32%) now fully ADA-compliant and many more under construction. Elevator reliability reached 98% availability in 2022. All MTA buses feature ramps, and Access-A-Ride paratransit operates 24/7 with record-high customer satisfaction.
Your New York CityPASS® tickets include some of America's most accessible landmarks. The 9/11 Memorial Museum provides sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys, a designated quiet space in the Reflecting Studio, and wheelchair loans at the Information Desk.
The American Museum of Natural History offers free wheelchairs at all entrance locations and a free Explorer app providing turn-by-turn elevator directions. MoMA goes further with programs including Create Ability for visitors with developmental disabilities, Meet Me at MoMA for those with Alzheimer's, and touch-and-description tours for blind guests. The Empire State Building installed lowered viewing walls and binoculars specifically for wheelchair users on the 86th-floor observation deck.
Chicago — Big City Charm With Thoughtful Design
Chicago aims to become the first 100% accessible legacy transit system by 2038 through its All Stations Accessibility Program. Currently, 70% of L stations feature elevators, and every CTA bus accommodates wheelchairs.
With Chicago CityPASS® tickets, you'll discover attractions committed to inclusive experiences. The Field Museum provides free wheelchairs at both entrances, sensory bags at the visitor center, and the Field Museum for All app, which features sensory-friendly maps and customizable schedules.
Shedd Aquarium holds KultureCity certification and hosts Calm Waters events — extended-hours experiences with limited capacity and easy entry for guests with disabilities and veterans. Tactile models with audio playback appear throughout exhibits, and ASL interpreters are available with two weeks' notice.
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower is completely ADA compliant, including The Ledge glass balconies extending over the city. Optional sensory bypasses let you skip more stimulating exhibits while still enjoying panoramic views from 103 floors up.
How CityPASS® Tickets Remove Barriers to Exploration
Planning accessible travel requires extra research, coordination, and energy. CityPASS® tickets simplify this process by providing prepaid admission to top attractions in each city, eliminating the need to navigate multiple booking systems, payment methods, and entry procedures. You know exactly which attractions you can visit, reducing on-the-ground decision fatigue.
For travelers with mobility or sensory needs, predictability matters. CityPASS® tickets let you focus on what each venue offers rather than on logistics. Most attractions covered by CityPASS® tickets provide free wheelchair loans, sensory bags, and quiet spaces — resources you can plan around before you arrive.