- Things To Do
- Top Things To Do
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Trails
- Arts & Entertainment
- Art Galleries
- Historic Movie Theatres
- Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Museums
- Attractions
- Free Things to Do
- Historical Sites
- Lighthouses
- Shipwrecks
- Tall Ships
- Casinos
- Kids' Activities
- Scavenger Hunt
- Spring Break
- Shopping
- Downtown Traverse City
- Farmer's Markets & U-Picks
- Grand Traverse Commons
- Malls & Shopping Centers
- Port Towns
- Spa & Salon
- Tours
- Beer Tours
- Bike Tours
- Boat Tours
- Cherry Blossom Tours
- Fall Color Tour
- Scenic Drives
- Wine Tours
- Tours & Exhibits
- Outdoors
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Trails
- Beaches
- Dog Beaches/Pet Friendly
- Beaches Around the Region
- Biking
- Bike Tours
- Fishing
- Golf
- Golf Courses
- Golf Packages
- Hiking
- Parks
- State Parks
- Trails & Nature Walks
- Ecotourism Responsible Adventures
- Watersports
- Boating
- Boat Tours
- Kayak, Canoe & SUP
- Jet Skiing & Rentals
- Winter Sports
- Ice Skating Hockey
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Tubing & Sledding
- Seasons
- Spring
- Serendipitous Adventure
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Events
- Annual Events
- Traverse City Events This Weekend
- Fall Events
- Beer Week
- Pride Week in Traverse City
- Winter Events
- Spring Events
- Traverse City Uncorked
- Summer Events
- National Cherry Festival
- Traverse City Film Festival
- International Fireworks Championship
- Holiday Events
- Concerts & Live Music
- Sporting Events & Races
- Tours & Exhibits
- Wine Events
- Add Your Event
- Food & Drink
- Places to Eat
- Outdoor Dining
- Eat Like a Local
- Farmer's Markets & U-Picks
- Farm to Fork
- Food Trucks
- Kid Friendly
- Restaurant Guide
- Waterfront Dining
- Wineries
- Wine Tours
- Wine Events
- Traverse City Uncorked
- Traverse Wine Coast
- Distilleries
- Microbreweries
- Beer Tours
- Traverse City Beer Week
- Man Vs. Draft
- Cideries
- Taprooms & Taverns
- Plan
- Request a Free Visitor's Guide
- Digital Guide Request
- Enewsletter Signup
- About Traverse City
- Accessibility
- Destination Autism Certification
- Cherry Industry
- A Very Cherry Passport
- Climate & Weather
- Driving Distances
- General Information
- Historical Sites
- Accessibility
- Regions
- Benzie County
- Leelanau County
- Blog
- Coupons & Packages
- Gift Certificates
- Information
- Health Care
- Ask-a-Nurse
- Virtual Urgent Care
- Local Chambers
- Local News Outlets
- Parking
- Places of Worship
- Public Safety
- Relocation Information
- LGBTQ+
- Traverse City Pride Week
- Traveling with a Pet
- Dog-Friendly Activities
- Dog Beaches/Pet Friendly
- Pet-Friendly Hotels
- Trip Ideas & Itineraries
- Beer Lover
- Beer & Wine Weekend
- Day Trips
- Benzie County
- Grand Traverse County
- Leelanau County
- 1-Day
- 2-Day
- 3-Day
- Explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Outdoor Adventure
- Family Time
- Food Tour
- Girlfriend Getaway
- Guy's Weekend
- Lighthouse Tour
- Romantic Getaway
- Personal Wine Tour
- Transportation
- Airport Info
- Printable Maps
- Visitor Center
- Weddings
- Wedding Venues & Lodging
- Wedding Resources
- Getting a License
- Places of Worship
- Request a Wedding Guide
- About Traverse City Tourism
- Contact Us
- Economic Impact
- Hospitality Awards
- Staff Directory
Accessibility in Traverse City
The Traverse City region offers enjoyment and exploration opportunities for everyone. Our area continues to add and enhance accessible experiences, and Traverse City Tourism is dedicated to providing information so that travelers of all abilities can find and explore the places they love.
If you have questions while planning your trip or visiting the area, we recommend reaching out to Disability Network Northern Michigan, which provides resources, programs, and support for people with disabilities who live in or visit our community. Contact them directly at 231-922-0903 or info@disabilitynetwork.net.
Navigate to:
Accommodations and Transportation
(Back to top)Accessible Accommodations and Transportation
Accommodations
Find ADA-accessible accommodations in the Hotels section of our website. Check under “Amenities” for details on accessibility. You can also find more information by visiting the hotel’s website or calling their reservations line.
Transportation with Cherry Capital Airport
Traverse City (TVC) Cherry Capital Airport is fully accessible. The airport is all one level (with a slight incline from check-in and baggage claim to the airline gates), with no stairs, elevators, or escalators to navigate. TSA offers resources for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions, and all airlines have wheelchairs upon request. Accessible seating, dining, and restrooms are available throughout the airport, and curbside pick-up makes it easy to get to your next destination.
Transportation with BATA
The Bay Area Transit Authority (BATA) offers wheelchair accessibility on all of their Link and Loop buses, which can take you all around northern Michigan. They also provide a 50% discount for riders with disabilities. View additional information about accessibility with BATA.
Mobility Rentals
Thompson Pharmacy and Medical has scooters, wheelchairs, or walkers available for daily and weekly rental. Beach wheelchairs are also available for off-pavement adventures.
Wheelchair-accessible vans are available for rental through Clock Mobility.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is offered in all city parking lots and all four city parking structures on the first level or near the elevators on the upper levels. Designated accessible street parking spots are also available throughout downtown. Click here for more information on accessible parking in Traverse City.
Attractions
(Back to top)Accessible Attractions
Downtown Traverse City
Downtown TC is a great place to explore, with many accessible boutiques, restaurants, and businesses. View more accessibility information from Downtown Traverse City.
The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park
Nestled near the beautiful Village at Grand Traverse Commons—formerly the Traverse City State Hospital—the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park are a must-visit. Wide pathways take you through the park (which is free to use) to see stunning seasonal displays native to northern Michigan and two beautifully preserved barns.
The Dennos Museum Center
One of Michigan’s most unique museums, the Dennos Museum Center is wheelchair accessible for all indoor exhibits and the outdoor sculpture park. (Free on-site wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.) The museum hosts one of the largest collections of Inuit art in the world, as well as rotating artists and exhibits. Their performance venue, Milliken Auditorium, is also wheelchair accessible.
The State Theatre & Bijou by the Bay
The State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay have made a commitment to accessibility, from parking and entrances to seating and restrooms. They also offer infrared sound amplification, Contacta Infoloop for telecoil hearing aids, and Sony Access Glasses, which allow moviegoers to see closed caption text superimposed onto the screen. View additional information about accessibility at both theaters.
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
The red-spired buildings of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons are well worth a visit while you’re in Traverse City. Explore the paved paths around the facility, visit the shopping Mercato (accessed via elevator), or dine at an outstanding restaurant. Although walking tours of the property are not wheelchair accessible due to stairs, tunnels, and changing terrain, private tours can be arranged for groups of nine or more.
Trails and Outdoor Activities
(Back to top)Accessible Trails and Outdoor Activities
Area Trails
- TART Trail: The Traverse Area Recreation Trail is a paved, 10.5-mile trail running through TC. Explore from Acme Township to downtown and beyond. The TART links up with The Leelanau Trail (paved, 22 miles, running through Leelanau County, the Boardman Lake Trail (paved, 4 miles, adjacent to Boardman Lake, and Three Mile Trail (paved, 2 miles, alongside Three Mile Road).
- Arcadia Dunes: A beautiful nature preserve featuring dunes, forests, and Lake Michigan views, Arcadia Dunes offers the 1-mile universally accessible Overlook Trail as part of their Baldy Trail system.
- Betsie Valley Trail: Located in beautiful Benzie County, this 22-mile trail is partially paved (other parts are crushed limestone). The trail is home to the free Joy 2 Ride program, which offers specially designed wheelchair bikes to help all users enjoy the trail.
- Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve: Welcome to the home of the Grand Traverse Conservation District! Explore their accessible boardwalks throughout the reserve.
- Michigan Legacy Art Park: The outdoor art and sculpture park features the ADA-compliant Access for All Trail. They also have all-terrain golf carts to assist those with limited mobility.
- Mission Point Lighthouse: Though the wooded trail system is not set up for accessibility, an accessible pathway runs from the parking lot to the lighthouse and beach for great views.
- Ransom Lake Natural Area: Part of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, this trail includes a fishing dock, accessible trail, and accessible restrooms.
- Timbers Recreation Area: Just outside Traverse City, Timbers Recreation Area boasts frontage on three lakes. It also has an all-new universal access trail that starts right from the main parking lot.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
(Back to top)Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
It's no surprise The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was recently named one of the Most Accessible National Parks in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler. There are many ways to experience the park, including accessible campsites, overlooks, and facilities, as well as park brochures available in Braille. Here are a few ways to explore the dunes:
- Sand wheelchairs are available to see the dunes up close on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail has 27 miles of paved surface to experience the park at the surrounding Michigan towns.
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive has several accessible overlooks for stunning lake and dune views.
View more Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore accessibility information.
Beaches and Boat Launches
(Back to top)Accessible Beaches and Boat Launches
Disability Network Northern Michigan has been hard at work making our beaches and waterways more accessible for travelers with disabilities. Their Access for Everyone program has developed beach walkways at the following locations:
- Clinch Park Beach
- Bryant Park Beach
- Greilickville Harbor Park Beach
- Veterans Memorial Park Beach
- Elk Rapids Rotary Park Accessible Kayak Launch (in progress)
Michigan Water Trails also has a helpful map of universally accessible boat launches in the state.
For further information about accessibility in the state of Michigan, visit the Disability Resources page at Michigan.gov or Pure Michigan’s Accessibility Center.