When thinking of things to do in The Palm Beaches, you may immediately imagine relaxing on one of the area’s accessible beaches. After all, these are some of the best beaches in the world. But the beaches should not be the only places that you visit during your time here. In addition to all the fun in the sun you can have, there are also some phenomenal wheelchair-accessible attractions in The Palm Beaches. While this article is in no way a guide to all the wheelchair-friendly attractions the region offers, the places listed below are some that you should absolutely make a point to visit.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

At Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, you can see a multitude of amazing animals. This nonprofit wildlife sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and protection of Florida’s wildlife. This center hosts animals that can no longer live in the wild due to illness or injury, and is home to an animal hospital where they can be rehabilitated. Another bonus is that it is absolutely free to enter (donations are welcomed to keep the center operable). The sanctuary’s goal is to rescue, rehabilitate, release and educate. You can also visit the indoor Discovery Center and learn about the wildlife with fun, interactive exhibits. Wheelchair users should bring their own wheelchair to tour the center. There are nice, shaded paths to view all the animals. The sanctuary is open Monday through Saturday. You should allow about 1-2 hours to take it all in. After seeing the turkeys, alligators, turtles, owls, exotic birds, bears, snakes, bobcats, panthers and more, you will leave with a happy heart knowing that these animals are receiving the best care at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Located in Delray Beach, the perfectly designed Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens sits on 16 acres and includes two museum buildings with expansive Japanese gardens. Here, you can roll along smooth paths with resting areas while viewing world-class bonsai collections, lakes with koi and wildlife. This spectacular display of beauty is one of The Palm Beaches’ most treasured cultural attractions. The museum includes works of art featuring different aspects of Japan’s rich and diverse culture. There are also three exhibition galleries, a 225-seat theater, an authentic tea house with viewing gallery and classrooms. Just being here gives you a robust appreciation for Japanese culture. You may also want to visit the on-site Cornell Cafe. This open-air cafe offers panoramic views of the gardens and serves Pan-Asian cuisines. Morikami is closed on Mondays and major holidays, so plan your experience here accordingly.

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

Another great attraction to discover in The Palm Beaches is the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, located in Dreher Park in West Palm Beach. It is home to more than 550 animals and sits on 23 shaded tropical acres. A great perk about this marvelous place is that if you can’t walk long distances, you can rent a manual wheelchair here for only $10 per day. Of course, you are always welcome to bring your own wheelchair as well to navigate the flat, paved paths throughout the zoo. Companion care restrooms are also available if needed. While visiting here, not only can the kids enjoy the Interactive Play Fountain, but everyone can enjoy seeing endangered Malayan tigers, Mexican spider monkeys, jaguars and many more animals.

Mizner Park

If you are a shopaholic and need to quench your thirst while in The Palm Beaches, Mizner Park in Boca Raton is the place to go. Not only does it have dozens of great shops, but it also has restaurants, a movie theater and an amphitheater. Even the Boca Raton Museum of Art is on-site. The open-air shopping and entertainment complex is truly a one-stop destination for hours of fun – and the entire place is fully wheelchair accessible. Don’t forget to bring your camera (or just charge up your smart phone); Mizner Park is beautifully designed and is reminiscent of a European city. There are gazebos, tropical gardens and fountains throughout, so you’ll find plenty of Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. 

Lion Country Safari

And last, but certainly not least, is Lion Country Safari. This drive-thru safari park and walk- or roll-through amusement and animal park in Loxahatchee spreads out over 600 acres. Here, you can see over 1,000 animals and even have exclusive animal encounters such as a giraffe painting experience, a flamingo mingle experience, birds and brushes experience, and even an encounter with gators. Since you can drive your own accessible vehicle through the 4-mile safari, this is hands-down one of the most accessible activities in Florida. While the Safari World Adventure Park is closed as of this writing due to COVID-19, typically visitors can also get out of their vehicle and enjoy multiple rides, a water spray-ground, food, shopping and more. Not all rides are fully wheelchair accessible, but there is a lot to do at Lion Country Safari for visitors of all abilities.   The Palm Beaches has so much to see and do for wheelchair users that it was challenging to narrow this blog post down to just five attractions. However, these five incredible attractions will give you a nice taste of how much fun you can experience in The Palm Beaches. It’s a destination unlike anywhere else, and if you visit all these attractions, you may just have the accessible trip of a lifetime.