5 Wheelchair Accessible Attractions in Ft. Lauderdale
Each year, over 13 million people visit the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area to soak up the sun, sand and surf. From families to retirees, the popular destination has something to offer everyone. Throughout the city, there are several wheelchair friendly sites. Below, are our 5 favorite wheelchair accessible tourist attractions.
1. The Beaches
No vacation to Ft. Lauderdale is complete without a trip to the beach. While there are several public beaches in the city, the Sebastian Street Beach and the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Park are the most accessible for wheelchairs.
At Sebastian Street Beach, three beach wheelchairs are available at the lifeguard stand. They are available daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For assistance with the beach wheelchairs, call 954-828-4595. Another bonus to visiting this public beach is that they have showers and parking that are fully accessible.
Ft. Lauderdale Beach is the perfect location for a picnic. The park has picnic tables and grills that are wheelchair friendly. Like Sebastian State Beach, Ft. Lauderdale Beach Park also has showers and a parking lot that are accessible. Handicap bathrooms are also available.
2. Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Ft. Lauderdale has more to offer than its gorgeous beaches. If you are looking to take in the arts while in the South Florida, look no further than the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. See a wide selection of shows at this theater from touring productions like Hamilton to family-friendly options like Paw Patrol to concerts featuring music icons like The Temptations.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is fully compliant with the Americans with Disability Act, and it is easy to maneuver around the location in a wheelchair with its multiple elevators and accessible parking lot. Each theater has seating to accommodate wheelchairs. To request accessible seating, call the box office directly at 954-462-0222 or request it on the purchase page.
3. Jungle Queen Riverboat
Explore Ft. Lauderdale, a.k.a the Venice of America, on the double-decker Jungle Queen Riverboat. The company offers multiple cruises including a dinner cruise and a sightseeing tour. We recommend taking the 90-minute sightseeing tour. A humorous tour guide will take you down Millionaire’s Row to look at mega yachts and the homes of the rich and famous. Snacks, soft drinks and adult beverages are available to purchase on board.
The Jungle Queen is handicap accessible. When making reservations for the cruise, please let the company know that you will have a wheelchair. Handicap parking is also available to their dock.
4. Mai Kai Restaurant
Since 1956, Mai Kai restaurant has been a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike. Once you enter the restaurant, you feel like you’ve been transported to a Polynesian village. Every room in the restaurant represents a different Polynesian region and overlooks a waterfall or lagoon. Bring your camera with you. With its thatch roof, tiki torches and statues, you will definitely want to document this picturesque locale. In addition to its retro décor, the restaurant is known for its mesmerizing Polynesian show, which features fire-eating and authentic dances.
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and has handicapped parking. Please note that the restaurant is closed on Mondays and reservations are required.
5. NSU Art Museum
Located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale in the arts and entertainment district, The NSU Art Museum is another wheelchair accessible tourist attraction. The underrated, 83,000 square foot marvel has a mixture of outstanding exhibits and collections. There are over 7,000 pieces of art in the NSU Museum’s permanent collection, which features prominent artists like William Glackens, David Horvitz, Cecily Brown and Frida Kahlo. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also host numerous events throughout the month for nonmembers.
The NSU Art Museum’s entrance, public areas and galleries are all wheelchair friendly. Every floor at the museum is accessible by elevator. Handicap parking is also readily available behind the building and there are metered spots near the museum as well.
