According to the Insider, the City of Chicago is one of the top wheelchair-accessible cities in the US. Rightfully so, as Chicago has made a concerted effort to make the city wheelchair-accessible, including transportation, city parks, and museums.
Furthermore, Chicago offers a wide variety of wheelchair-accessible things to do. This includes museums, sightseeing opportunities, sporting events, public parks, entertainment and theater performances.
So, without further ado, check out these awesome wheelchair-friendly activities in Chicago!
10. Broadway in Chicago
If you’re a classical person, visiting the Chicago Theater District is a must-do. Broadway in Chicago is composed of several theaters and is well-known for having pre-Broadway production. “The Addams Family” and “Big Fish,” as well as, long run engagements including “Wicked” and Disney’s “The Lion King” are just a few shows that have been performed in the theater district. Furthermore, the Auditorium Theatre, the Bank of America Theatre, the Cadillac Palace Theatre, and the Oriental Theatre have wheelchair-accessible locations that will suit your needs. These theaters also offer interpreted performances for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. If you wish to know more about wheelchair access and interpreted performances, kindly visit their website.
9. Grant Park
Often dubbed as “Chicago’s Front Yard,” Grant Park is a large urban park covering some 319 acres. It is located in Chicago’s central business district in the Loop Community area. Grant Park is home to some of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks and attractions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain.
If you’re looking for something to eat, don’t worry – Grant Park also plays host to some of the city’s largest food and music festivals. If you’re interested to visit the place, listed below is the park hours:
| Sunday: | 6:00 am-11:00 pm | |
| Monday: | 6:00 am-11:00 pm | |
| Tuesday: | 6:00 am-11:00 pm | |
| Wednesday: | 6:00 am-11:00 pm | |
| Thursday: | 6:00 am-11:00 pm | |
| Friday: | 6:00 am-11:00 pm | |
| Saturday: | 6:00 am-11:00 pm |
8. Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a sub-park located at Grant Park. It is composed of 50 acres filled with gardens, amusement rides, shops, eateries, and attractions. There, you can also see one of the most photographed pieces of art in Chicago: The Cloud Gate, or most commonly referred to as the “Bean”. The Bean is a three-story steel sculpture with a reflective finish where you can see the mind-bending reflections of the city skyline. Moreover, the park is fully accessible, with ramps nearby to every staircase and well-maintained walkways. Admission is free for all visitors, so should you wish to know more, click here for more info.
7. Adaptive Adventures
Name any outdoor sport you’ve got in mind – Adaptive Adventures has it. Located at Wilmette Avenue, Adaptive Adventures provides progressive outdoor sports activities that are specialized for wheelchair-users. No matter what age or disability you have, Adaptive Adventures has your back. Furthermore, its programs are about more than athletic skills and recreational experiences…they are about life! Hence, if you’re looking for an adventure-packed experience here in Chicago, you must check them out! Click here for more information about getting involved.
6. Have a slice of Chicago Deep Dish style pizza
Some might argue that in order for someone to truly experience Chicago, one must order the iconic deep-dish style pizza. This type of pizza is unlike any other – a “deep” or thick crust filled with toppings which are assembled upside down, with rich tomato sauce on top. You can order a deep-dish style pizza at different pizza restaurants in the city such as Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s. But of course, the best thing about this is the fact that all pizza shops are wheelchair accessible!
5. Shedd Aquarium
With a 4.0-star review from over nine thousand visitors, Shedd Aquarium definitely deserves a spot on this list. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, Shedd Aquarium brings you eye-to-eye with over 32,000 species of marine life. This ranges from whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, angelfish to zebra sharks! Moreover, this wheelchair-accessible attraction is open every 9:00am from Mondays to Sundays. For more information, please visit this website.
4. Navy Pier
Navy Pier is one of the most visited tourist attraction in all of Chicago. The pier extends 3,300 feet out into Lake Michigan from the Chicago shoreline where sightseeing tour boats and dinner cruises are available. On top of that, numerous fairs, exhibitions and festivals are held at the pier throughout the year. You can also find an abundance of restaurants and shops situated along and throughout the pier. The pier is wheelchair-accessible, however, not all of its attractions are. The only wheelchair-friendly attractions are the museums, restaurants, ferris wheel, and sightseeing/dinner cruises. To know more about Navy Pier, its attractions and accessibility, visit www.navypier.com.
3. 360 Chicago
360 CHICAGO, formerly the John Hancock Observatory, is located on the 98th floor of the John Hancock Building in Downtown Chicago. On 360 Chicago, the view of the great lake is more impressive than other sightseeing buildings. You get to witness the magnificence of the Chicago skyline and the entirety of the city. But what’s even better is that 360 Chicago is completely wheelchair-friendly!
2. Chicago Air and Water Show
Want to see some cool stunts? Visit Chicago Air and Water Show. Located on North Avenue Beach, it is the largest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States. If you think you’ve had enough of the city skyline – well, you’re wrong. Chicago Air and Water Show has the Chicago skyline as its background. Witness countless of daredevil thrills in the air and water for free – and that’s a great price!
1. Art Insitute of Chicago
Ranked as the #1 museum in the world by Trip Advisor last 2014, Art Institute of Chicago definitely is a must-visit place in the city. The museum houses more than 300,000 permanent collections that encompases all time periods and mediums. Many iconic paintings such as Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, Van Gogh’s The Bedroom and Paul Gauguin’s Day of the God can also be found there. Additionally, it also offers special exhibitions and hundreds of gallery talks, lectures, performances, and events every year. General admission to the museum is priced at $25, and a fast pass is $35. But if you’re an Illinois resident, free admission is on every Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.
