A whale shark at the Georgia Aquarium

Accessible Travel

Wheelchair and Sensory-friendly Travel Planning

We're proud to show the world all the experiences that can only be found in Georgia and that can be enjoyed by visitors of all abilities. From world-class accessible attractions to specialty programming for guests that need assistance, Georgia welcomes everyone to explore the places, perspectives and people that make the state unique.

Below is a just a sample of the many and varied accessible travel experiences available in Georgia. This list will continue to grow and change as we build this page.

Start planning your trip to Georgia with the resources below.

Mobility and Sensory-friendly Attractions

Accessible Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium welcomes visitors with disabilities and their service dogs. Visitors on the last Sunday of every month can enjoy American Sign Language translation for the first sea lion and dolphin presentations of the day. The Aquarium is a Certified Autism Center. Many guests find the social story beneficial in their planning.

Accessible Amusement Park

Six Flags Over Georgia offers an Attraction Accessibility Program designed for guests with cognitive disorders and disabilities. Guests must obtain the IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card by registering at www.accessibilitycard.org and present the card and an information sheet at the park to receive accommodations. American Sign Language Interpreting will be available if requested at least 7 days in advance of your visit. To arrange for sign language interpreting services, call (770) 739-3400 ext. 3183. Six Flags has been designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) from the IBCCES, and team members are undergoing the certification process. Review the park’s full guidelines for complete details, including attraction descriptions.

Accessible Museum

The Booth Museum in Cartersville has resources for visitors with autism spectrum disorders and sensory sensitivities, including a sensory-friendly map that identifies spaces that are quieter and less crowded as well as those that may be overly stimulating. The museum’s social stories also are designed to help visitors prepare for their visits. Sensory bags are available daily, and the museum’s art-making programs are equipped with noise-canceling headphones and fidgets (available on a first-come, first-served basis). Sensory-friendly mornings invite neurodiverse audiences and their families to enjoy the museum for free in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Check the museum’s event calendar to plan your trip.

Accessible Parks & Historic Sites

All-terrain track wheelchair at Georgia State Parks
All-terrain track wheelchair at a Georgia State Park

The Aimee Copeland Foundation has partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service to provide free, high mobility all-terrain track wheelchairs at a growing number of state parks, historic sites, wildlife centers and national park sites. Qualifying park visitors can use the chairs for hiking, hunting, fishing and other outdoor education and recreational activities. Review the list of locations that have the chairs and the instructions for how to become certified to use the chairs.

In addition to the all-terrain chairs, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites have a wide range of accessible amenities and places to stay. Review the full list.

Accessible Nature Area

Many areas of Stone Mountain Park are accessible to guests with disabilities. Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis during full operation days (see Attraction calendar). Due to the nature and layout of the park, Stone Mountain Park recommends that anyone legally blind or who has vision impairments enjoy the park with a companion. Entrances to all attractions are accessible, including the Summit Skyride cable car, which transports guests to the top of the mountain. Service animals may be accommodated, and accessible restrooms are located at the lower and upper terminals. On the Scenic Railroad train, a wheelchair lift is available as well as designated wheelchair parking inside with a two-point tie-down system for up to two wheelchairs. Download the park’s Accessibility Guide in PDF format for complete details, including attraction descriptions.

Accessible Scenic Train Ride

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers short-distance sightseeing train excursions, departing from downtown Blue Ridge. One of its railcars is equipped with a lift that can accommodate wheelchairs. To make reservations for the car, call (877) 413-8724. A limited number of wheelchairs can be included on each trip. View photos of the train car interiors, general photos and special events before your visit.

Blue mats extend onto the sand at Coast Guard Beach on St. Simons Island, Georgia
Coast Guard Station Beach on St. Simons Island, Georgia

Wheelchair-friendly Beaches

Direct access to Georgia's beaches can be found across Tybee Island, Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island.

On Tybee Island, mobi-mats are located at three beach access points, and fat-tired wheelchairs are available for free first-come, first-served at the lifeguard station beside the Tybee Island Marine Science Center behind the Pier. To check wheelchair availability, call (912) 786-4573, ext. 119.

On Jekyll Island, observation decks and ramp access to the shoreline's hard pack sand are available at many access points, such as Oceanview Beach Park (access 26) and Great Dunes Park (access 32). Beach wheelchairs can be reserved at (912) 635-2368 and for guests at the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jekyll Island hotel.

On St. Simons Island, a wheelchair mat is available at Coast Guard Station Beach. Due to variation in the tides, it might not always reach hard-packed sand. Visitors are advised to provide their own beach wheelchairs; St. Simons Island does not have beach wheelchair rentals. For more information, review the Golden Isles Beaches FAQs.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Mobility and Sensory-friendly Airports

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) strives to provide a safe, enjoyable travel experience as well as equal access for guests and passengers with disabilities and/or special needs. Travelers can call TSA Cares toll free at (855) 787-2227 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. For wheelchair assistance, travelers should contact airline representatives directly. Atlanta Airport’s first multisensory room on F Concourse departure level provides a calming, supportive environment for travelers on the autism spectrum.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) aims to make travel as seamless as possible for all. To request wheelchair service, passengers should contact their airline 72 hours in advance. SAV has two outdoor animal relief areas located at the north and south ends of baggage claim.

Accessible Public Transportation

MARTA, the public transit system in Atlanta, features buses, rail cars and rail stations that are designed to be accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Rail stations have elevators and escalators; buses are low-floor with ramps for easy boarding; and operators announce major intersections, destination points, transfer points and requested stops. MARTA Mobility is a complementary paratransit service that is a shared ride, advanced reservation mode of public transportation. To request an application or obtain information about MARTA Mobility, call the MARTA Mobility Eligibility Department at (404) 848-5389.

Chatham Area Transit (CAT) in Savannah has fixed-route buses that have lifts or are low-floor models with a kneeling feature for easy boarding. For eligible customers who have a disability that prevents them from making some or all of their trips on fixed route buses, CAT offers a shared-ride, origin-to-destination service with online reservation requests for paratransit service 1-7 days in advance of your trip.

Wheelchair-accessible Trains

AMTRAK operates two long-distance train lines in Georgia. Reservations for accessible space are often required. See who may reserve accessible space and the different available booking methods. Learn more about traveling with an attendant and the discounted companion fare. Check the guidelines for the types of manual and powered wheeled mobility devices that can be accommodated onboard, and get more information about boarding and detraining procedures.

Contact Us

We work hard to keep our content updated, but things are always changing. Have you had an accessible experience at these or other Georgia attractions? Let us know by emailing travel@exploregeorgia.org or calling 1-800-VISITGA (847-4842).

 

More Accessible Travel Resources in Georgia

Savannah

Find out more about accessible travel in Savannah

Tybee Island

Find out more about accessible travel on Tybee Island

Jekyll Island

Find out more about accessible travel on Jekyll Island

St. Marys

Find out more about accessible travel in St. Marys, the gateway to Cumberland Island.

Cobb Travel & Tourism

Find out more about accessible travel in Cobb County, located in the Atlanta metro area.

Liberty County

Find accessible attractions in Liberty County, located on the Georgia coast.

Madison

Find accessible attractions and places to stay in historic Madison, Georgia.

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Find accessible attractions and places to stay at Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.

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