Posted: 03/21/2024 | by Olivia

Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Lancaster, PA

Many of Lancaster’s most popular attractions and experiences are accommodating to guests of all abilities and backgrounds, including those who may use a wheelchair.

We’ve rounded up some of Lancaster County’s fun wheelchair accessible attractions, activities, and things to do. Be sure to review our full Accessibility Guide to Lancaster for a complete list of accessible features at other Lancaster attractions, as well as hotels, restaurants, transportation services and other businesses.

American Music Theatre

With over 200 performances each year on our state-of-the-art stage, there’s something for everyone at American Music Theatre – Central Pennsylvania’s live entertainment destination. For guests who require accessible seating, ADA seats are located on either side of the Orchestra and Mezzanine sections.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Amish Farm & House

This lovely farm is a breath of fresh air and the perfect antidote to modern life, offering guided farmhouse tours for an up-close understanding of the Amish community and way of life. Amish Farm & House has a handicap accessible bus (with a wheelchair lift) that is available with prior reservation. The farm, restrooms, and gift shop are also all handicap accessible. NOTE: The farmhouse has a flight of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible to the second floor.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Barry’s Car Barn

Take a trip down memory lane with Barry's collection of American muscle cars from the 50s, 60s, and 70s (along with a few others). The museum, parking lot and restrooms are all wheelchair accessible.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm

With 25 acres of activities all outdoors, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm offers the perfect space to capture the magic of family fun. Generally speaking, all paths are accessible, but do note that the field is on a slight incline. The maze is a real cornfield, so paths are bumpy, but are all wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, stroller or wagon.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Choo Choo Barn

Choo Choo Barn features more than 1,700 square feet of special model train displays with more than 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles, as well as 22 operating trains. Standard wheelchairs can navigate the layout but scooters and motorized wheelchairs sometimes have trouble making the turns.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Columbia Crossings River Trails Center

Columbia Crossing River Trails Center is a premier visitor and river education center at the southern trail head of the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail that invites you to explore the culture and heritage of the river and surrounding region. The Center offers ADA accessibility to our center, restrooms, Riverview deck, fishing dock, and nearby Northwest Lancaster County River Trail.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Dutch Wonderland

Designed for families with young children in mind, Dutch Wonderland offers a host of fun things to see and do, including over 35 rides, attractions, and shows including Duke’s Lagoon water play area and Exploration Island, where dinosaurs come to life. Dutch Wonderland offers wheelchair and electric convenience vehicles for a rental fee, but guests are also permitted to bring their own wheelchair. The park offers a Ride Accessibility Program, and has lists of rides good for individuals with casts, service animals, and other needs.

TIP: The park recommends calling at least 48 hours in advance to consult with a guest relations representative — (866) 386-2839.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Ephrata Cloister

This German religious community is a National Historic Landmark founded in 1732. Visit to learn about unique architecture, early music, printing, and fraktur by way of exhibits, special events, tours, and more. Wheelchairs are available to borrow during your visit for free, and have limited access to several original buildings with entrance provided by way of one to three steps. Doorways are also narrow. Most notably, the entrance to the Saron (Sisters’ House) is only 26 inches wide. Consult the detailed accessibility list of more specific accessibility information.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Fulton Theatre

The Fulton Theatre, considered to be the nation's oldest continuously operating theatre, is one of only eight theatres to be named a National Historic Landmark. Accessible seating is available throughout the theatre, and patrons may either remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to house seats. Patrons who would like to remain in their wheelchairs during the performance should request wheelchair-accessible locations when buying their tickets.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Gretna Theatre

One of south-central Pennsylvania’s few professional theatres — and one of the oldest summer theatres in America — Gretna Theatre is located in the arts and resort community of Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, with select seats for wheelchairs and several handicapped parking spots behind and directly beside the theatre on Pennsylvania Ave.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Hands-on House Children's Museum

There's so much to explore at the area's only museum for young children where playing and learning go hand-in-hand. Hands-on House is wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms, as well as a designated bus drop off site and parking spaces for visitors with disabilities.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Kitchen Kettle Village

Stroll through our village of 42 shops and restaurants built around our nationally celebrated Jam & Relish Kitchen. Sample pepper jam, watch fudge being rolled, go for a horse drawn carriage ride and enjoy a local tune, or shop hand carved signs, to handmade quilts, to Brighton leather goods, to UGG boots and so much more. The Village features accessible parking spaces in each lot, accessible lodging rooms and restrooms, as well as two wheelchairs available for guests. The Harvest Café is also accessible.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Lancaster Stormers Baseball

Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster is the home of the Lancaster Stormers. More than just baseball, this state-of-the-art stadium offers affordable and fun family entertainment. The entrance of the stadium is wheelchair accessible. There are handicap parking spaces and accessible restrooms and seat options.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Lancaster Central Market

When you shop at Lancaster Central Market at Penn Square in the heart of Lancaster City — America’s oldest farmers’ market building — you become a part of a living history. The Market is wheelchair-accessible at doors #1 and #2 on the southeast corner of the Market House, closest to Penn Square. While most of the 13 doors require a few steps, the entryways through both of those doors are at street level.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

LancasterHistory and President James Buchanan's Wheatland

LancasterHistory welcomes you to the Lancaster Campus of History — our region’s hub for history and heritage and the perfect place in Central Pennsylvania for citizens to connect with the past. Visit Wheatland, the beloved home of 15th U.S. President James Buchanan, where period furnishings and personal artifacts tell the story of Buchanan, the president who struggled to calm a divided nation on the brink of civil war.

LancasterHistory's main entrance is accessible. The doors open automatically when activated by pushing a large, silver button. Manual wheelchairs are available at no additional cost at Visitor Services in Ware Commons on a first come, first served basis. President James Buchanan's Wheatland is accessible via the Wheatland driveway on the west side of the property. LancasterHistory has also installed an ADA accessible path and ramp to Wheatland from the Museum.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Lancaster Science Factory

Experience the interactive, hands-on learning environment of the Lancaster Science Factory. Kids from Pre-K through 8th grade and their families will enjoy dancing on the Sustainable Energy Dancefloor, playing in the interactive Water Lab, building bridges in the Engineering Zone, exploring the new Outdoor Courtyard and so much more. The Factory is wheelchair accessible and all of the activities are on one floor.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Magic & Wonder Theatre

Awarded "Best Magic & Variety Show", Brett has astounded and inspired audiences around the world with his sleight of hand and optical illusions, and he continues to tour across the country. The building that houses the Theatre was designed for walkers, people who use wheelchairs, and people who use scooters, with no steps or stairs and a front entrance covered by an awning so that if guests need to transfer from their vehicle to a wheelchair, they are protected from inclement weather. Seating can also be adjusted as needed for parties with special accommodations. The building also boasts wide ramps outside and inside the theatre as well as wheelchair accessible restrooms.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Northwest Lancaster County River Trail

This flat, 14-mile paved recreational trail winds through beautiful cultural and natural heritage spaces. Start at one of six trailheads between Columbia and Falmouth. Wheelchairs are permitted on the trail, as are other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMDs) as outlined within the trail’s accessibility policy.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

North Museum of Nature & Science

Spark your child’s excitement and curiosity with a trip to the North Museum in Lancaster County. Your family can explore engaging exhibits and fun, hands-on activities in an immersive informal learning environment, or take part in early education programming developed by certified teachers. For those who have physical restrictions, all of the rooms are 100% wheelchair accessible, we have chairs placed all around the museum and wheelchairs for those who can not walk long distances.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

National Toy Train Museum

The National Toy Train Museum in Strasburg, PA, is owned and operated by the Train Collectors Association. The Museum collects, preserves and exhibits toy trains and is home to what is probably the world’s largest publicly exhibited collection of toy trains and accessories. The museum is wheelchair accessible and the exhibits and library are housed on one floor with no steps. Individuals who may require assistance should call the Museum ahead of time to discuss arrangements at (717) 687-8976.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Painting with a Twist

No experience is needed to create your own masterpiece. Painting with a Twist provides all painting supplies and artist instructions. Painting with a Twist is also wheelchair accessible and artists will give individual attention to help each guest complete their painting as needed.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s premier museum of railroad heritage, with an impressive, world-class collection of more than 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars on exhibit, along with many fascinating works of art and artifacts. The museum features wheelchair accessible parking, entrance, restrooms and an elevator to reach the second floor. The majority of the Rolling Stock Hall is wheelchair accessible, with ADA compliance for many of its displays, exhibits and interactives.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Strasburg Rail Road

Take a ride on America's oldest operating railroad at Strasburg Rail Road. During the relaxing 45-minute train ride, you can soak in the scenery as you travel through Lancaster County’s picturesque farmland. Due to the historic nature of our railcars, Strasburg Rail Road’s passenger train does not meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards with respect to accessibility. For individuals who use a wheelchair, a mobility device, or have difficulty navigating steps, we do have a mobile lift.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Tanger Outlets

Shop from over 65 brand name stores featuring Brook's Brothers, Gap, Nike, Pottery Barn, Under Armour and West Elm, Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic, Talbots, Coach, Calvin Klein, plus many more. The Outlets offer wheelchairs available for shoppers at no charge, with access ramps conveniently located throughout the center, truncated domes and detectable warning pavers at parking lot to sidewalk access points and wheelchair accessible restrooms.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Tiny Town

Tiny Town is a truly hands-on, interactive, play-based center where kids can explore 9 luxury playhouses with all the accessories. We provide a rich environment that stimulates children’s curiosity and creativity through play. All playhouses have wide open doors, and we have moved many accessories lower for easier access for all.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Turkey Hill Experience

The Turkey Hill Experience features interactive exhibits allowing you to learn about dairy culture, the story of Turkey Hill Dairy and how the company's ice cream and iced tea flavors are selected and created. The facility is ADA accessible and features an elevator to assist in moving from floor to floor, accessible restrooms, free wheelchairs on a first come, first served basis, and a limited number of accessible parking spaces.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Wolf Sanctuary of PA

For over 30 years the Darlington Family has offered a natural habitat and a lifetime of quality care and enrichment for displaced wolves and wolf-dogs. Educational tours are fun for children and adults of all ages, with a chance to view the wolves in their natural habitat and to learn about their behavior and biology. The trails are natural grass, rocks, and dirt and the majority of the public tour is on a relatively flat surface. There is an optional portion towards the end of the public tour that involves a steep hill, but there are only a few wolves at the top, the majority are below.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION


For a more comprehensive overview of Lancaster County’s commitment to accessibility and to view a complete list of our region’s accessible attractions, restaurants, venues and services, view our ever-expanding Accessibility Guide.

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Barry's Car Barn

Barry's Car Barn

Take a trip down memory lane with Barry's collection of...

Fulton Theatre

Fulton Theatre

The Fulton Theatre, considered to be the nation's oldest...

Gretna Theatre Logo

Gretna Theatre

One of south-central Pennsylvania’s few professional...

Tiny Town

Tiny Town

Tiny Town is Lancaster's newest indoor playplace for...

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