Planning a family trip should come with an honorary doctorate in chaos management. As someone who grew up and settled in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, navigating the big city has always been a little outside of my comfort zone. Add to that three children, a long and complex list of disabilities and diagnoses, a wheelchair and a schedule that is built around medical routines, and that discomfort jumps into a world of uncertainty.
My boys, Jaden and Wesley, are now 10 and 13 and share very few genuine interests even though Jaden copies everything his big brother does. Nella is 9 and much more easily entertained, but her world of dancing unicorns does not match her brothers’ idea of “cool.” All of this, along with working around picky eaters and complicated sleep schedules, is standard in travel planning for parents. The greatest obstacles for us are the physical barriers created by the new environment.
Jaden has spina bifida. Informally known as a “snowflake” condition, the disease is a little different for everyone who experiences it; for him it includes not having any feeling from his knees down as well as bathroom needs on a schedule due to a man-made bladder. While he’s able to walk short distances with his thigh-high orthotics, he primarily uses a wheelchair to get around outside of home and school.
Jaden is proud of his spina bifida, and we’ve all embraced it as a part of what has made him who he is. But crowded sidewalks, most taxicabs and subway stations don’t seem to share our enthusiasm—and New York City has all these things.
Don't let that scare you. I know how it can feel to descend in a subway elevator, hoping that you’re hopping on the right train and that the elevator works on the other side. It’s also incredibly empowering to master all of those barriers that you thought would hold you back—to rise unscathed from an accessible subway; to load your family into an accessible taxi; to join the crowds for a new experience and to enjoy it.
If your fears mirror mine in any way, let our itinerary serve as an accessible guide to New York City with kids. It may not be completely seamless, but I can guarantee it will be fabulous.
Day 1: Times Square, the Subway, the Harry Potter Store and Eataly
Pulling up to the New York Marriott Marquis—just in time for lunch—felt like exhaling. While there are many ways into the City, my minivan has become a bit of a security blanket for me. We’ve learned that street parking is not only nearly impossible to find, but it’s not worth the hassle of figuring out which hours you’re allowed on which side, reparking or returning early for meter requirements.
The seamless handoff at the hotel garage may cost a little more, but it saved us having to deal with one-way streets to find parking and then lug bags to the hotel.
Our first stop was not exactly an NYC attraction, but I’ve learned that giving the kids something they really want is a great way for them to dive into vacation mode. So, Chick-Fil-A it was! We had options in every direction, but we walked toward 42nd Street because I knew we were heading to the accessible subway next, and that it was the perfect route for taking in Times Square.
Navigating the accessible station at Times Square
If you filter your route on Google maps for a wheelchair accessible route, it should only lead you via accessible stations, and it even includes a tiny arrow icon to direct you to the elevator. The MTA app also includes a map of accessible stations, and, hypothetically, should mark if any of them are nonoperational. Thankfully, we never got to test that feature!
The subway was the part I had been dreading most, but all I had to do to enter was tap my phone on Apple Pay. My last train experience was Japan, where we had to calculate fares before each ride, but the NYC subway is a flat $3 no matter where you’re going. Simple! The phone tap did take a little bit of finagling on our first journey, because there are four of us and only one phone, but we quickly learned to tap and send two kids through before helping Jaden through the accessible gate.
The Times Sq-42 St station was simple to navigate—just follow the blue wheelchair accessibility icons! The energy from the street follows you below ground and the kids were dancing along to the music from performers along the way. The platform is clearly marked with an accessible boarding area for wheelchair users. This area has a much smaller gap between the train and the platform. This ended up being the easiest station, but the simple start gave me a nice confidence boost to get through the journey.
With that small win behind us, we took the R train to Union Square to head toward the Flatiron Building and the Harry Potter flagship store. On this train, the light up progress map also indicated which stations were wheelchair accessible. After roaming around and only finding exits via stairwells we learned two important things. First, it’s easiest to ask for help right from the start. Everyone we interacted with was helpful, kind and, most importantly, more knowledgeable than us on navigating the NYC subway. Second, just because the door says “Emergency Exit Only” does not mean you can’t use it when looking for an accessible exit point. The doors are meant to throw off anyone trying to squeeze through and skip a fare, but they’re your accessible exit.
Making room for a spontaneous detour
The schedule for our first day in NYC was very laid back, which always gets us in trouble. It felt like we had all the time in the world, and there was just so much to see. A streetside map announced that we were less than a block from the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt, so a detour was in order. This national historic site has a wheelchair lift to the entrance and an elevator if you’re interested in the tour. We didn’t stay long enough for the next tour, but the kids really enjoyed learning more about one of their favorite presidents (thanks, Night at the Museum) through the artifacts in the accessible museum.
Hangin’ with Hagrid at the Harry Potter New York Store
As for our original destination, the Harry Potter Shop did not disappoint. A guided tour unlocked details we would have completely missed. In addition to pointing out movie artifacts, including Emma Watson’s time turner from The Prisoner of Azkaban, our guide was able to share behind-the-scenes knowledge on props, characters and storylines. And Dumbledore’s enchanted staircase is not the only way to access the store’s three levels. Find Hagrid and you can travel by Floo powder down the elevator. Before leaving, we made use of an accessible restroom. The lines are long, but the single stall restrooms are spacious and wheelchair friendly. We exited the wizarding world with butterbeer, ice cream and chocolate wands, all before dinner.
Dining at Eataly for a kid-friendly Italian feast
La Pizza & La Pasta at Eataly
The iconic Flatiron building received barely a glance from my giddy crew as we made our way to Eataly. Rolling in, however, transported us to an Italian market with every treat a child can dream of. We made our way past cannoli, cookies, pastas and live lobsters to La Pizza & La Pasta restaurant. We circled back to those cannoli later, after we’d filled up on Neapolitan-style pizza and traditional pastas. Wesley enjoyed a bucket-list-worthy bowl of fettuccine—tossed tableside in a hollowed-out cheese wheel.
Summoning an accessible taxi to the hotel
Tackling the last bit of our day was simultaneously the most overwhelming and the simplest part of the day. I was worried about finding an accessible cab. Before my trip, I wasn’t even sure how to do it. Would I have to have my 10-year-old throw his arm out by the corner so drivers knew we needed an accessible car? But one app was all we needed. The Curb app works like other rideshare apps, only it has a plethora of accessible options. No long wait. No “no vehicles available” message. Three minutes and we were loading up to head back to the hotel. If you can’t pop down a curb in your chair, wait by the corner.
Stumbling out of the cab with happy tummies and sleepy eyes, the hotel room felt like a finish line. We were delighted to see the accessible room door—a rare treat in hotel accessibility. Unfortunately, when we tapped it with our key card, nothing happened. The rest of our room, however, was perfect: low beds with space for a Hoyer lift underneath, automatic window curtains, a roll-in shower, a roll-under sink and plenty of space for turning a wheelchair around.
Day 2: Bryant Park, the Museum of Broadway and a Home Run of a Surprise
A stop for breakfast burritos at Dos Toros on the way to Bryant Park is worth it. Eating outside in a green space surrounded by skyscrapers is a New York specialty. Bryant Park offered a rare gift in NYC: space. Wide paths made it easy to get around with a wheelchair, and we didn’t have to weave through crowds first thing in the morning. I appreciated the peaceful start to a city day. Of course, Nella wouldn’t eat her burrito, but there are coffee shops with pastries every few steps in Midtown, and Bryant Park was no exception. I refueled on coffee, and she picked up a Nutella-filled croissant before we set off for the day.
Singing along at the Museum of Broadway
"The Producers" exhibit at Museum of Broadway
After breakfast, our next stop was the Museum of Broadway. The interactive museum will have you singing, dancing and yearning for the theater. My only regret is that we weren’t able to catch an actual show while we were in the City. I’ll just add that to my list of reasons we need a return visit!
"A Chorus Line" exhibit at Museum of Broadway
The museum is three stories and a guide will help you navigate via elevator. Accessible restrooms are available on the first floor. But there was no part of the museum that we had to miss. The layout was spacious and easy to navigate and, with timed entries, crowds are kept to a minimum.
The kids wanted to know where we were headed for lunch, but I was keeping Opening Day at Yankee Stadium a surprise for Jaden. We rolled just down the street to Rockefeller Center and took the train to Yankee Stadium. Again, the biggest issue was figuring out how to get out of the station. Luckily, we didn’t have any trouble finding help.
Navigating Yankee Stadium on Opening Day
The moment the elevator doors opened, the energy hit us. The music was pumping, the crowds were electric. It took less than a second for Jaden to realize where we were going, and then his enthusiasm outshone the entire crowd’s. Nella’s reaction to the surprise was not quite as enthusiastic, but she recovered quickly. (I think she was hoping for a surprise that had more to do with unicorns and less to do with baseball.)
While all gates at Yankee Stadium have elevators and are accessible, check the stadium’s guide for guests with disabilities, because there are certain gates with dedicated lines for those with accessibility needs, depending on where you need to go in the stadium. Once you’re in, double check accessible directions to your seat with a staff member. We walked a quarter of the way around the stadium to the right, following the numbers, until we hit a staircase that led to the rest of the row. The elevator was just to the left of where we’d started. The security guard, apologetic and kind, carried the wheelchair up the steps while I helped Jaden up behind him, reminding me that kindness tends to go the longest way in inclusion.
It was impossible not to get swept up in the energy of the game. I resisted the urge to buy peanuts and Cracker Jack, knowing the kids wouldn’t eat them, but the bucket of chicken tenders and french fries met the spirit of the day just as well. My boys went absolutely wild watching Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer. That alone was bucket-list worthy for them. Once we knew the win was clearly New York’s, we slipped out just before the game ended, hoping to beat the crowds back to the subway. Plenty of other fans had the same idea, but it felt like the perfect amount of camaraderie heading back downtown with people swapping stories from the game.
Saying good night to NYC
How do you follow Opening Day at Yankee Stadium? Heading to Danny Meyer’s rotating restaurant over the top of Times Square, The View, felt like the best option. Ask for the kids’ menu and you’ll be sure to find something that everyone enjoys. Jaden decided to live large and try oysters for the first time, but his sour face after the first slurp indicated they weren’t quite what he was expecting. The kids ordered the prettiest Shirley Temples I’ve ever seen, and I snapped a new photo every five minutes because the scenery changed with the slow spin of the restaurant and the setting sun.
After the thrill of the day, settling into a mellow evening of live jazz, stunning views and unforgettable meals provided a good balance.
Jennifer Allen is the founder of Wonders Within Reach, a travel blog for families with disabilities. As mom to three children with unique disabilities, including a wheelchair user, Jennifer created Wonders Within Reach to inspire and enable families with differing needs to get out and explore. She partners with destinations to celebrate accessible locations, to show others what is possible, to improve inclusion and representation, and to raise disability awareness along the way.
