Skip to main content

Search the middle of everything...

Shedd Aquarium

Explore with Confidence

Welcome to your Illinois adventure! This page has information on accessibility throughout Illinois. We're a state of world-famous sights, friendly folks, unforgettable experiences and your journey of a lifetime.
 


We're here to help everyone travel with confidence. So here you'll find inspiration and advice for visitors with disabilities, including independent and assisted wheelchair users and people with hidden disabilities.
 


Everyone should have the chance to discover everything that makes our state amazing. So let your journey begin here!

Jump down to one of the sections:

Chicago & Beyond

Chicago & Beyond

Land of Lincoln

Land of Lincoln

Great Rivers Country

Great Rivers Country

Trails to Adventure

Trails to Adventure

Accessible Transportation

Accessible Transportation
The Bean

Accessible Travel in Chicago & Beyond 

  • Kids looking at a whale through the glass

    Shedd Aquarium

    From exhibits to restrooms, most of Shedd Aquarium’s spaces are fully accessible. A complete list of resources is available to accommodate guests with vision and hearing impairments, service animals, and more personal care needs.

    Shedd Aquarium
  • Millennium Park

    Everyone is welcomed to interact with the art, stroll through the gardens, and attend events at Millennium Park. Whatever draws you to visit, resources are available for mobility, audio, visual, and sensory support.

    Millennium Park
  • People on the skydeck looking down at the buildings below

    Skydeck Chicago

    Overlook Chicago and beyond in a fully accessible, ADA-compliant space. Sensory bypasses are available, service animals are welcome, and strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs are easily accommodated. 

    Skydeck Chicago
  • The Art Institute of Chicago

    The Art Institute of Chicago

    This museum’s collection of artwork and exhibitions are here for all to experience, regardless of mobility, hearing, vision, or sensory needs. Discover the resources and specialized programs available for your visit.    

    The Art Institute of Chicago
  • The view of the city

    360 CHICAGO

    Enjoy 360-degree views of Chicago in a fully ADA-compliant attraction. Ramps, accessible entrances, elevators, and sensory bags help support guests with mobility or sensory needs.

    360 CHICAGO

Accessible Travel in Land of Lincoln

  • Girl playing with a fan

    Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal

    The power of hands-on play is accessible to all kids and adults. This museum is wheelchair-, stroller-, and mobility-aid-friendly, and offers sensory resources and quiet spaces for special needs visitors.

    Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal
  • Statue of Abraham Lincoln and his family in front of the White House

    Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

    Discover Lincoln’s legacy with resources to support your visit. The library and museum offer accommodations for wheelchairs and strollers, ADA devices for visual or hearing impairments, and sensory-friendly resources.  

    Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  • Actors stand by an old vehicle at the Lincoln Home

    Lincoln Home National Historic Site

    Before you visit, be sure to review which areas of the site are physically accessible. Some historic homes have mobility limitations, and not all surfaces (gravel, boardwalk planks) are ADA-compliant.

    Lincoln Home National Historic Site
  • Illinois State Capital

    Illinois State Capitol

    The Illinois State Capitol offers accessible entrances, elevators, and restrooms. Access to certain areas may vary based on tours, security procedures, or legislative sessions.

    Illinois State Capitol

Accessible Travel in Great Rivers Country

  • Galena Trolley Girlfriends on a sunny day

    Galena, IL

    The best of Galena's picturesque charm is included in this set of accessible attractions, shops, accommodations, restaurants, and more.

    Galena, IL
  • An aerial view of green hills at Cahokia Mounds

    Cahokia Mounds

    Enjoy a one-mile, wheelchair-accessible concrete trail, designated accessible parking in asphalt lots, and audio tours and a tactile display exhibit upon request, along with other amenities to support your visit. 

    Cahokia Mounds
  • Peoria Riverfront Museum

    Peoria Riverfront Museum

    Peoria Riverfront Museum offers on-site wheelchairs and welcomes accommodation requests to help every visitor feel included.

    Peoria Riverfront Museum
  • River Boat

    Quad Cities

    The Quad Cities offer a wide range of accessible attractions, riverfront paths, dining, and lodging. Accessibility features may vary by location, so reviewing individual venues ahead of your visit can help ensure the best experience.

    Quad Cities

Accessible Travel in Trails to Adventure

  • Shawnee National Forest

    Shawnee National Forest

    Even if you have limited mobility, this national forest offers accessible trails for you to explore. Check out ten recommended routes, along with photos and videos to help you visualize the experience. 

    Shawnee National Forest
  • A climber hands from a rock in Giant City State Park

    Giant City State Park

    Giant City State Park offers accessible parking, restrooms, campsites, and the 1/3-mile Post Oak wheelchair-friendly trail for a nature visit for all.

    Giant City State Park
  • Green Earth's Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve

    Green Earth's Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve

    Green Earth’s Chautauqua Bottoms offers accessible crushed-gravel trails with ADA-friendly features and improved parking so visitors of all abilities can enjoy nature.

    Green Earth's Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve

Accessible Transportation

#AccessibleChicago Docuseries

A docuseries from Fun4theDisabled, introduces us all to the ways that people with disabilities can explore Chicago's attractions. You can find all videos on the Fun4theDisabled YouTube and click the links below to view videos for each attraction.

Sensory-Friendly and Accessibility Resources 

Both O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport provide travelers with an inclusive and supportive experience. Explore their newly released sensory maps and POV videos designed to assist neurodivergent travelers, and discover resources that support individuals with mobility, visual, hidden, and other disabilities. 

O’Hare Accessibility Guide

Midway Accessibility Guide

Accessible transport in Chicago
Chicago has many transport options for disabled visitors. Choose Chicago, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, and Access Living have details about these, including airport, bus, train, taxi, and parking accessibility.

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.