Traveling to New York City with a Disabled Child

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 Traveling to New York City with a Disabled Child
 
Tips for Family Fun and Accessibility

New York: a fascinating city comprised of over 8 million people spread across the five boroughs of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

The city boasts of attractions such as Wall Street, Broadway, the Empire State Building, NBC Studios, the Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden and several famous bridges and tunnels.

But if you are vacationing with a disabled child there are items to be considered. Traveling with a disabled child usually requires additional time, planning and special accommodations. Luckly, there are some great hotels and attractions in the New York City Metro area which will help you and your child make the most during your stay.

First up: Hotels. Hotel's must feel comfortable to the child and also provide accommodations to suit you and your child. The Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in Times Square provides just that and more. With children in mind, the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel houses an entire floor of child proof suites along with a kids club for children ages three to twelve. Handicapped accessible rooms are of plenty and can be reserved with an added special touch for your child. Doubletree offers a Build a Bear Workshop package which includes one Build a Bear Bunk Trunk with a Build a Bear blanket and pillow set, Build a Bear Dental Kit and a bear tree provided to fit the bear. As mentioned, the rooms on the kids’ floor are all child proof, which means your stay with your child will also be a safe stay.

Traveling on a budget? The Newton Hotel, located on the corner of 95th street and Broadway provides all of the accommodations of an upscale New York City Family Hotel with a lower cost. Located in an excellent location, the Newton Hotel offers four handicap accessible rooms which all include a roll in shower, removable shower modules and lower face plates for all light switches. The Newton Hotel is close to many popular, kid friendly attractions in the neighborhood, such as Central Park, Broadway Theaters, Times Square, The Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum and Lincoln Center. The Newton provides the perfect solution to those traveling on a budget and is within short walking distance or quick cab rides to many of New York City's most sought after attractions.

Aside from the hotel options which are kid and family friendly, getting to your destination is one of the most important, if not the most important aspect of your trip. LaGuardia Airport is located in the Borough of Queens, NY and is eight miles from Midtown Manhattan. JFK, the area's other major airport, is located in Jamaica, NY and is also close distance to Midtown Manhattan and all of New York City's best attractions. Traveling with a disabled child requires extra time and attention, so choosing the right airport can be vital for ensuring a smooth trip. Both airports offer on site car rentals, taxi cab stands and information on train and bus travel throughout the city. A great tip to remember is that if you are in need of a taxi, using the airport's taxi stand provides the safest, quickest and most reliable taxi travel. Both LaGuardia and JFK also offer handicap accessible restrooms and wheelchairs for those in need.

While hotel accommodations and air travel might be the top priorities on parents’ minds, attractions and fun things to do are the top concerns on your child's mind. Fun activities need to be found for your child and the rest of the family. New York City boasts some of the largest attractions that your whole family can enjoy. Broadway, which is famous for fantastic musicals and play can be a great stop for you and your whole family during your trip to New York City. Kid friendly plays and musicals are always offered on Broadway, and currently include the selections of Shrek the Musical, The Little Mermaid and the Gazzillion Bubble Show. Since there are numerous plays and musicals on Broadway, you and your family can find the perfect show for your entire family. If your family or child needs special assistance, you can call 1-800-broadway, and someone will be there to work with you.

While the Statue of Liberty is one of the most sought after attractions in the area, there are some tips to remember if you are planning to visit the Statue of Liberty with your family and child while staying in New York City. Guide dogs are welcome in the park, but wheelchair access is on a first come, first serve basis. Those with limited mobility are able to visit the lobby, museum and Fort Wood promenade level. If planning a stop by the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island, plan ahead by visiting http://www.nps.gov/elis.

At the heart of the city, rests Central Park, which is a wonderful experience for families with children who are visiting the area. Home of the Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Center, and the Children's Zoo, there is plenty to keep children of all ages occupied and fascinated. While large in size, Central Park boasts lots of benches for rest, grass for picnics and restrooms.

While it may be the largest metropolitan area on the map in the United States, New York City is a kid and family friendly city which is full of great attractions and amenities for children with disabilities and their whole families.


READ MORE: New York City for Families Travel Guide It's packed with attractions, insider advice, hotels and tons more--it's worth the download!

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