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.
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.
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.
Sara Hardy Farmers Market
The Sara Hardy Farmers Market is held in Lot B—aka the Farmers Market Lot—just off of Cass Street in downtown TC. The parking lot is fully paved, and accessible parking is available in an adjacent parking lot or along Cass Street.
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.
Area Trails
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:
View more Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore accessibility information.
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:
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.
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