In The News

Yosemite Entrance Reservations Required in 2024
Wheelchair Taxi Dispatch Service Offered in NYC
Grants Help Maintain British Columbia Accessible Taxis
Wheelchair Access Information on NYC Theaters

Small Towns

Small Towns — Monte Vista, Colorado

Small Towns — Monte Vista, Colorado

Monte Vista, Colorado Population 4,175 Located in Southern Colorado, about 50 miles north of the New Mexico border, Monte Vista is named for its spectacular mountain view. And although it’s a popular road trip stopover town, the big draw is is actually located on Highway 15 just south of town — the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/refuge/monte_vista). During the spring and fall thousands of Sandhill Cranes and migrating waterfowl descend on the surrounding wetlands, while song birds, shore birds and water birds nest there in the summer. Although most of the refuge can be seen in a car on the 2.5-mile auto loop, there’s also a short accessible trail near the entrance. This wide level pathway winds alongside the marsh and continues for 100 yards, and ends at an accessible overlook. It’s a nice spot to get some fresh air, and if you’d like to dine al fresco, there’s also a picnic table located near the trailhead.

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge

Monte Vista, Colorado

Population 4,175

Located in Southern Colorado, about 50 miles north of the New Mexico border, Monte Vista is named for its spectacular mountain view. And although it’s a popular road trip stopover … Read More

More

Small Towns — Terlingua, Texas

Small Towns — Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua, Texas Population 58 Located five miles west of Study Butte, near the west entrance to Big Bend National Park, Terlingua’s big claim to fame is that it’s the “Birthplace to all Chili Cookoffs”. Technically it’s a ghost town, except for four days in the fall when visitors stream in for the cookoff. That said it’s best to stop in during the non-chili days to have a look at the historic Terlingua Cemetery (www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2228459/terlingua-cemetery). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery dates back to 1902; and although it’s fairly level there are some narrow spots and patches of uneven ground between the gravesites. Even if you can’t get past the first set of plots, it’s still worth a stop as the entrance pillars have niches filled with everything from candies and bottle caps, to photos, shells and even an odd personal item or two. Add in the graves, which are adorned with an assortment of candles, fetishes and charms, and you have an excellent photo op.

The cemetary in Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua, Texas

Population 58

Located five miles west of Study Butte, near the west entrance to Big Bend National Park, Terlingua’s big claim to fame is that it’s the “Birthplace to all Chili Cookoffs”. Technically … Read More

More

Small Towns — Winslow, Arizona

Small Towns — Winslow, Arizona

Winslow, Arizona Population 9,402 You just can’t pass up the opportunity to stand on the corner in this Northeastern Arizona town. And since it’s just a few hours from the Grand Canyon, and only 50 miles from the Petrified Forest, it’s the perfect addition to a national park road trip. Standin’ on the Corner Park (standinonthecorner.org/) which is located on the corner of 2nd Street (Route 66) and Kinsley, brings the lyrics of the 1972 Eagles hit — Take it Easy — to life. It features a mural by John Pugh, which depicts the famous lyrics, behind a bronze sculpture of a musician with a guitar (known locally as “Easy”), just standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona. It’s a prime selfie spot for sure. Save some time to browse through the La Posada — a restored Harvey House — which is just down the street, before you hop back on the highway. Both attractions feature barrier-free access for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Standin’ On A Corner in Winslow, Arizona

Winslow, Arizona

Population 9,402

You just can’t pass up the opportunity to stand on the corner in this Northeastern Arizona town. And since it’s just a few hours from the Grand Canyon, and … Read More

More

Small Towns — Elbe, Washington

Small Towns — Elbe, Washington

Elbe, Washington Population 29 Elbe makes a good stop on the way to Mount Rainier National Park, as it’s just 13 miles from the Nisqually Entrance. One of the big attractions in town is the Mount Rainier Railroad (mtrainierrailroad.com), which operates excursions to the remote Logging Museum. Located next to the Little White Church — a tiny sanctuary that seats just 46 parishioners — the Elbe Depot features accessible parking with level access to the ticket office. Lift access is available to the first class railcar, which offers table and chair seating. The steam train travels through the forest and gives passengers an excellent view of Mount Rainier — if it’s not obscured by clouds. The Logging Museum is just 35 minutes away, and it includes a number of buildings that were relocated from logging camps. Accessible pathways lead through the camp, and over to a display of historic trains and equipment. And after a short stop, passengers reboard the train and head back to Elbe. It’s a fun excursion, and a must-do for train buffs.

Logging Museum

Elbe, Washington

Population 29

Elbe makes a good stop on the way to Mount Rainier National Park, as it’s just 13 miles from the Nisqually Entrance. One of the big attractions in town is the Mount Rainier Railroad … Read More

More

Small Towns — California City, California

Small Towns — California City, California

California City, California Population 13,972 California City — which is smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert — is actually the third largest city in the state by land area. And although it spans 203 square miles, it has a population of just over 13,000 people. Compare that to San Francisco, which occupies 49 square miles, with a population of 885,000, and you begin to understand the vastness of this desert burg. And truly the big attraction — the desert tortoise — is found far outside of the populated section of the city, at the Desert Tortoise Natural Area (www.tortoise-tracks.org/wptortoisetracks). There’s a level parking area near a kiosk filled with interpretive exhibits, and barrier-free access over to the quarter-mile hard-packed dirt loop trail. Look for the tortoises near the creosote bushes that line the trail, as that’s where their burrows are located. There are also three other trails through the desert — the .4-mile Plant Trail, the .5-mile Animal Trail, and the 1.78-mile Discovery Trail — all of which are wheelchair-accessible. The best time to spot the tortoises is from March through May, in the early mornings or late afternoons.

Desert Tortoise Natural Area

California City, California

Population 13,972

California City — which is smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert — is actually the third largest city in the state by land area. And although it spans … Read More

More

Small Towns — Cody, Wyoming

Small Towns — Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming Population 9,885 Located 85 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, the wild west town of Cody makes a good stop on a national park road trip. The city boasts a passel of wheelchair-accessible attractions, including the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the Cody Night Rodeo and Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Review. And for that real wild west ambiance, they also have a daily gunfight in front of Buffalo Bill Cody’s Irma Hotel. There are a number of accessible properties in town, but Buffalo Bill Village (emerginghorizons.com/accessible-western-cabin-in-buffalo-bills-old-haunt/) tops the list for both access and atmosphere. Cabin 365 is extremely spacious, and includes a large bathroom with a roll-in shower. It’s the perfect place to spend a night or two on the way to or from Yellowstone National Park.

Cabin 365 at Buffalo Bill Village

Cody, Wyoming

Population 9,885

Located 85 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, the wild west town of Cody makes a good stop on a national park road trip. The city boasts a passel of … Read More

More

Small Towns — Tucumcari, New Mexico

Small Towns — Tucumcari, New Mexico

Tucumcari, New Mexico Population 4,915No Route 66 road trip would be complete without a stop in Tucumcari. From a drive along the original stretch of the Mother Road, to a stop at the nicely accessible New Mexico Route 66 Museum (www.nmrt66museum.org/), there’s no shortage of nostalgic attractions there. Add in an interesting collection of murals painted on the sides of buildings throughout town, and you’ve got a true remembrance of yesteryear. And if you’d like to spend the night in a modern hotel, the Best Western has a nice wheelchair-accessible room with a tub/shower combination.

Tucumcari Murals

Tucumcari, New Mexico

Population 4,915

No Route 66 road trip would be complete without a stop in Tucumcari. From a drive along the original stretch of the Mother Road, to a stop at the nicely accessible New Mexico … Read More

More

Small Towns — Guerneville, California

Small Towns — Guerneville, California

Guerneville, California Population 4,536 This Sonoma County town makes a perfect home base for a wine tasting road trip. You can opt to stay in a traditional property like the Creekside Inn (creeksideinn.com), which offers the wheelchair-accessible Lark Cabin with a roll-in shower; or choose to glamp in style at Russian River AutoCamp, which boasts a custom-built wheelchair-accessible unit (emerginghorizons.com/a-redwood-retreat-to-remember/). Then head out for some wine tasting at Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery (www.marimarestate.com) — which offers good wheelchair access. Top off your visit with a stroll through the redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Park (emerginghorizons.com/a-trail-for-everyone-at-armstrong-redwoods/), which has several wheelchair-accessible trails.

Tapas and wine pairing at Marimar Estate

Guerneville, California

Population 4,536

This Sonoma County town makes a perfect home base for a wine tasting road trip. You can opt to stay in a traditional property like the Creekside Inn (… Read More

More

1 2 3