Any recommendations on wheelchair friendly date ideas in NJ?

Submitted by captain_moonstone t3_10lr58v in newjersey

Hi! I’m a recent immigrant from Canada and I’m adjusting really well so far, but my partner is mobility impaired and can’t stand for more than 10 minutes at a time and requires a wheelchair for longer activities, so we have to plan dates in advance and check that it’s wheelchair friendly- We really want to get out and do more things together but are unsure of things to do in the area, We had a blast at the Camden aquarium, but are quickly running out of date ideas - any advice?

Edit: someone said it might be helpful to give a general location - we’re in Camden area :)

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GoldenPenman t1_j5yfr1a wrote

Are you in the South Jersey area? Narrowing down your location may help folks give you better recommendations.

If you're into art and the outdoors, consider "Grounds for Sculpture" in the Hamilton area.

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captain_moonstone OP t1_j5yfy5a wrote

We’re in Camden area - but from a quick google search this place looks awesome!!

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SierraSeaWitch t1_j60duop wrote

Grounds for Sculpture is lovely! It is a bit of a drive from Camden but Battery Lewis in Highlands, NJ is a great outdoor spot. Paths are paved and there are wheelchair accessible restrooms. Gorgeous views of the NY Harbor and (on a clear day) the NYC skyline. Recommend packing a picnic and enjoying a sunny day there. Then get lunch/dinner in one of the many delicious restaurants of Highlands.

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DuTcHmOe71 t1_j60egzg wrote

That is correct. Even on the deck in Atlantic Highlands 1st Avenue has an elevator to bring you up to the 2nd floor where you eat and take a wonderful view of the Harbor the boats and New York City

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s1ugg0 t1_j60z6lq wrote

The area between the Camden Aquarium and the USS New Jersey is enjoyable but only in warm weather unfortunately

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Wildwilly54 t1_j5ywg1c wrote

I would give Atlantic City a go. All of the casinos are very wheelchair friendly , and the boardwalk is huge and very easy to navigate.

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GoldenPenman t1_j5ympt5 wrote

When I lived in S. Jersey, I was a fan of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Just looked at their website and they are open late from 5 pm - 8:45 pm every Friday.

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ProfessorKnifey t1_j5znn4j wrote

Princeton area is walkable with lots of sidewalk and pedestrian access! Lots of cute places to eat and fun shops to browse!

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Appropriate-Car-2663 t1_j6093i2 wrote

There are at least four wheelchair accessible restaurants in Palmer Square, and the parking garage on Spring Street has a ramp out to the street. When I was in a wheelchair for foot surgery, my favorite place was Kristine's, which is a French bistro next to the public library. But there also is Witherspoon Grill, a white tablecloth steak house, next door. They are both in the library plaza, which is all flat with chairs and tables. Down the street on Hulfish is Mediterra, which serves tapas, and there's Teresa's Pizza on Palmer Square East. All of these restaurants have wheelchair accessible restrooms. There are other places too within a block of each other and most if not all of the shops are street level, though some are small and might be a bit tight for a wheelchair but the area is safe and you can leave the chair outside for a quick visit. The town is revamping part of Witherspoon to be one-way, and from what I can tell, this area will be wheelchair friendly also. You can spend a nice day just in the Palmer Square area, as u/ProfessorKnifey, says. Many people don't know this, but there is an original Norman Rockwell mural behind the bar in the Yankee Doodle Taproom. It's not in the best condition (and I am not recommending the food) but worth looking at. To get to it, use the Nassau Inn entrance across from Teresa's and take the elevator down. Good luck and enjoy your visit!

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GoldenPenman t1_j5ymwf7 wrote

OP: Nice artwork by the way, and welcome to NJ!

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Flashinglights0101 t1_j5yuw1u wrote

When the weather is nice, go to the shore. Most boardwalks have ADA ramps and a lot of ADA parking. Check out Seaside Heights for example. The ramps are gorgeous. Most of the smaller town boardwalks all have ADA ramps too.

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Tullamore1108 t1_j5ziydv wrote

Also do some research; I know Cape May, for example, has beach wheelchairs available for free at certain entrances. Not sure if other beaches have these, but it’s a very cool amenity where available.

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GuadDidUs t1_j5zzq5f wrote

Wildwood has these as well, but they need to be reserved in advance

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Flashinglights0101 t1_j5yv5tn wrote

Believe it or not, NYC is reasonably accessible if you do your research before hand. NJ Transit has good accommodations for wheelchair accessibility and the MTA website will show you which stations have working elevators. So much to do, see, and eat in NYC.

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BYNX0 t1_j601msg wrote

they said they live in camden... ny is over 2hrs away

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hopopo t1_j5yz0sm wrote

If you want a really nice dinner at the restaurant with the view than check out Molos. Easily accessible with a big parking lot and a nice river walk next to it.

Also NJPAC is wheelchair accessible and the tickets are very affordable in comparison to NY counterparts. I find my self going fairly often.

Once it gets warmer NJ Botanical Garden as well as Liberty State Park and surrounding areas can be really nice as well.

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okaymostly t1_j5z0mc8 wrote

If you like scenic drives, the Edwin B Forsythe wildlife reserve down in Absecon/Galloway (right off Rt. 9) has a stunning 11?ish mile loop you can drive on. Bring binoculars and snacks and you can easily spend 2-3 hours driving around the loop. There are also some boardwalk areas. Nearby is Historic Smithville, which would be accessible to look around and take in the atmosphere, but most shops are not really accessible.

Cohanzick Zoo down in Bridgeton is accessible and free.

Cape May County Zoo is as well, plus it's a beautiful town to visit. Just do research first since many of the buildings are older and accessibility can be iffy.

If you like trails, there are numerous accessible ones in the Pine Barrens: http://www.accessnaturenj.org/

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speedx5xracer t1_j5yfj5l wrote

Where in NJ are you willing to drive?

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captain_moonstone OP t1_j5yfqot wrote

We’re in Camden and I’m p much willing to drive anywhere in NJ Or nearby Pennsylvania (we go out to Philly sometimes for the awesome food out there) :)

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speedx5xracer t1_j5yg4jz wrote

During the summer most of the shore boardwalks are accessible (they are open now but most store fronts and games there aren't).

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pantslesseconomist t1_j5ywdd4 wrote

Adding to this, most beaches have beach wheelchairs available to borrow, though I think you're supposed to reserve them in advance.

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GM-the-DM t1_j5zvp0e wrote

It'll be a bit of a drive but the Delaware Water Gap's Dingman's Creek Trail, George W. Childs Park Trail (currently closed for construction), the Pocono's Environmental Education Center's sensory trail, and part of the McDade Recreational Trail are accessible.

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Edit: The Dingmans Creek Trail says on the website specifically that it is accessible for wheelchair users.

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There's also The Trail for Everyone which is ADA accessible.

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Flashinglights0101 t1_j5yuzof wrote

Not sure if you have kids but the Please Touch Museum in Philly is awesome and completely ADA accessible.

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Kayfabe666 t1_j5zc34p wrote

Welcome. Not sure if you'd be interested but many of the local sports teams (major and minor) have events. I'm sure you'll see just about any time of music within a 35 minute drive. Off season I'd go to the Pinball Museum in Asbury or the retro video games in Red Bank. Again welcome to Jersey

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Pcakes844 t1_j6033kb wrote

Asbury Lanes is a good place to check out. They've got bowling and live music

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bigwigmike t1_j60s2sr wrote

FINALLY A POST THAT ISNT DMV, WHERE SHOULD I MOVE, OR JURY DUTY! You could do the camden aquarium.

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StinkyCheeseMe t1_j60uaux wrote

There are some nice tourist railroad lines so long as getting up some stairs is possible. Some trains have elevated platforms too so there aren’t any stairs.

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SuccessfulPlastic739 t1_j61gvqg wrote

Grounds for sculpture has a lot of wheelchair accessible paths and is worth the trip, take a minute to talk to the peafowl. They enjoy the engagement

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Uncleknuckle36 t1_j62cj6e wrote

Take a day trip out to Longwood Gardens in Chadford, PA…not really that far from Camden. I think it has gone up in price $20 but a beautiful place if you enjoy flowers, foliage and some great landscapes with fountains

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Cold-pressedBean t1_j639kxd wrote

Check out the Brandywine Museum and surrounding area in PA. Years ago we had a book, Day Trips in New Jersey. It had nice trips in the tristate area and provided a fair amount of information on each destination. See if they have an updated version.

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HotDogWalter t1_j63yraa wrote

Sandy Hook has a nice long paved bike/walking path. you could go to any of the parking lots to explore different areas in smaller clips rather than walk the length

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Meatyminion t1_j677q5l wrote

Check out peddlers village or new hope, PA. They are very close to each other and are a fun day trip.

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[deleted] t1_j5yqa8d wrote

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Engibineer t1_j5yul1m wrote

It says businesses are supposed to be accessible, but I don't think the act makes them. Someone has to sue the business to make it happen.

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bros402 t1_j5yx9ib wrote

older businesses aren't required to have their buildings become fully compliant unless they do a good deal of renovation

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Dicksapoppin69 t1_j5yxj9s wrote

But it doesn't tho. A lot of places pull the old "historical protection" bullshit. As if there was a fucking Starbucks in colonial Philadelphia, and that's why they HAVE to keep the steps there and can't put a ramp.

And the most businesses will do is maybe have a ramp, or automatic doors. But other than that, it's a big ol "go to hell".

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