7 Easily Accessible Vacation Destinations for Older Adults

These locations are easy to get to and account for mobility concerns

An easy-to-plan vacation where older travelers can relax is a good way to step back from life’s stresses. Lake Tahoe, Nevada, is a year-round destination.

Reno Tahoe

Matt Swenson,

AARP

En español

Published April 01, 2025

In January, Nancy Papazian, 85, of Denver, traded the mountains for the ocean.

Papazian, who is retired, fondly recalls strolling toward the Atlantic from her hotel in Amelia Island, Florida. “It wasn’t even a 10-minute walk,” says Papazian, who grew up in California. “For me to be able to walk in sand again and hear the sound of the ocean, it was fabulous.”

Such transformative moments demonstrate the power of travel. Getting away can be an escape from the stress of daily life.

A 2024 report from nonprofit organization FAIR Health found that the percentage of patients with mental health diagnoses increased across all age groups, with the largest increase (57.4 percent) seen in those 65 and older. There was a nearly 36 percent increase among adults 51 to 64. Among the most common mental health diagnoses were generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.

The best medicine is often a brief respite from it all – namely an easy-to-plan vacation where older travelers can relax, enjoy new places, and socialize with potential new friends – without fear that physical limitations will dampen their enjoyment. Indeed, a recent AARP study shows that Americans 50-plus are eager to travel in 2025, with 70 percent planning trips this year and 75 percent of respondents need accommodations for mobility. In a separate AARP study on travel challenges, 66 percent of respondents indicated their conditions have caused them to change where they travel for leisure.

Here, we look at seven accessible destinations to consider for a hassle-free trip.

All beach access boardwalks and buildings on Amelia Island, Florida, are ADA-accessible.

AmeliaIsland.com

Amelia Island, Florida

Pamela Harrison, 74, of Evans, Georgia, describes Fernandina Beach in Amelia Island as “Old South if someone is looking for that type of atmosphere,” referencing her carefree and worry-free childhood in rural South Carolina.

The walkable downtown is a great place to get seafood and sweets. Fort Clinch State Park – featuring ramps and accessible parking – is a favorite among visitors seeking to explore nature and history. Wheelchairs are available, and all beach access boardwalks and buildings are ADA-accessible. Boat tours and some old-fashioned beach time are always enjoyable.

“We are committed to making exploration effortless and enjoyable for every guest,” says Paul Beirnes, vice president of the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Getting there: Jacksonville International Airport is about 30 minutes away; Orlando (two to three hours) and Tampa (four hours) are easy drives.

Branson, Missouri, is a dream for music lovers.

Explore Branson

Branson, Missouri

Commonly referred to as the “Live Music Capital of The World,” a reputation enhanced by 60 Minutes, Branson is a dream for music lovers. Many of the 100 annual shows are country or gospel-based, favorites among many older travelers. Thrill seekers can get a rush out of Silver Dollar City, an 1880s theme park. There’s an Accessibility Center on-site with information about accessibility entrances, wheelchair and electronic conveyance vehicle rentals. Visitors can dive into the Titanic Museum (wheelchairs available) and Dinosaur Museum before heading to Branson Landing, a shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. Branson Landing offers wheelchairs and electric scooters at visitor’s centers at the north and south ends of the promenade. The Ozark Mountains provide a stupendous view and break from tourist attractions.

Getting there: Springfield-Branson National Airport is less than an hour away; St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, are less than a four-hour drive.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has a mix of water activities, scenic hiking and biking.

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Charming Cape Cod offers a mix of water activities, scenic hiking and biking, and cultural attractions. Art’s Dune Tours explores Cape Cod National Seashore during an hour-long adventure in a covered vehicle. History fans will be drawn to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, which explores the late president’s deep connections to an area he visited to escape the stresses of politics. “Many folks leave the JFK Museum in tears, but they are tears of amazing memories for a golden time in America,” says Bill DeSousa-Mauk, president of DeMa Public Relations, a firm representing Cape Cod. Accessible parking spaces are available in the museum lot and the municipal parking lot in the back. Wheelchairs are available on-site at the museum. Don’t forget to check out Main Street in Hyannis, a destination unto itself for dining and shopping.

Getting there: Boston Logan International Airport and Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport are 90 minutes away.

Rocky shoreline at sunset, Sand Harbor State Park, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada, is a waterfront haven in warmer months. Here, Sand Harbor State Park at sunset.

Reno Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, Nevada

“Reno Tahoe is a destination where adventure and relaxation go hand in hand,” says Mike Larragueta, president and CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority. A year-round destination, Lake Tahoe is a premier skiing site in winter and a waterfront haven in warmer months. Adaptive skiing is offered at Palisades Tahoe resort and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Cyclists will enjoy the Tahoe East Shore Trail, known as “America’s Most Beautiful Bikeway.” Visitors can take a break from the lake to enjoy attractions in Reno, “The Biggest Little City in the World.” The National Automobile Museum and Nevada Museum of Art are ADA-compliant and worth a visit. Just outside of Reno sits Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden, which has gravel and paved paths.

Getting there: Reno-Tahoe International Airport is less than an hour (depending on traffic) from Lake Tahoe and about 12 minutes to downtown Reno; Los Angeles and Las Vegas are about a day’s drive to Tahoe for those looking to explore multiple Western destinations.

Mission San Jose is one of San Antonio’s historic Spanish Missions.

Visit San Antonio

San Antonio

Jennifer Barger, 57, a professional writer in Washington, D.C., has hopscotched the globe with her husband and friends yet remains drawn to her Southwestern roots. After her father died, she began experiencing her hometown of San Antonio as more of a tourist. Downtown has really expanded, says Barger. For instance, the entertainment district, The Pearl, built around a former brewhouse that is now the luxurious Hotel Emma, is bustling with coffee shops, shopping, and a weekend farmer’s market.

Approximately 75 percent of the pathways at the famed River Walk are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, according to Visit San Antonio, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, and elevators and ramps are available at multiple locations. Meanwhile, The Alamo is undergoing a $550-million renovation that will improve its wheelchair accessibility. American Sign Language and tactical tours are available with advance notice.

As unforgettable as the Alamo is, Barger encourages visiting San Antonio’s other historic Spanish missions, which she recommends cycling to. The World Heritage Center, which opened as a gateway to the missions in February, includes indoor and outdoor space and is fully accessible.

Getting there: San Antonio International Airport is about 10 minutes from downtown; Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is a two-hour drive. Dallas is a four- to five-hour drive.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, has a vibrant arts community.

Tourism Santa Fe

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Home to a renowned arts community, Santa Fe is known as “The City Different” because of its natural scenery, events scene, and atmosphere. “Santa Fe has crisp air, turquoise blue sky, and sunsets in colors that set fire to the horizon,” says Elena Junes, a program operations director for Road Scholar, a nonprofit tour company offering “learning adventures” to older travelers.

Visitors can spend their whole time experiencing the city’s many spas. Culture lovers can spend a whole day at Museum Hill. The Museum of International Folk Art is a highlight with its collection of 130,000 artifacts from more than 100 nations. Most of the museum’s galleries and event spaces are on the ground level, and wheelchairs are available to rent.

Day trips to Taos, about 90 minutes from Santa Fe, showcase Native American culture and heritage. Touring Taos Pueblo, the only living Native American community designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark, is worthwhile.

Getting there: Santa Fe Regional Airport is 20 minutes from downtown; Albuquerque International Sunport is an hour’s drive and there is shuttle service to Santa Fe.

Hiking at sunset in Scottsdale, AZ by the Saguaro.

Saguaros, Arizona’s famous cacti, abound in Scottsdale.

Experience Scottsdale

Scottsdale, Arizona

An abundance of comfortable lodging options (there are more than 70 hotels and resorts), golf courses, and spas make Scottsdale, a suburb of Phoenix, an inviting destination for older travelers. There are a variety of activities available, including scenic hiking and catching spring training baseball each February and March. Among Scottsdale’s accessibility-friendly amenities is a partnership with Wheel the World, an online booking platform where older adults and people with disabilities can discover travel accommodations and experiences that meet their individual needs. The city is also situated ideally as a home base for a variety of road trips, including to Flagstaff, Sedona, and, of course, the Grand Canyon. “The first time I drove down from Sedona to Phoenix, I was just amazed at all the saguaros,” says Judy Nass, 69, who is retired and lives in Franklin, Wisconsin, referencing Arizona’s famed cacti. Adding to the convenience factor, Scottsdale has more than 1,000 restaurants.

Getting there: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 15 minutes from downtown Scottsdale.

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