Key West is a popular vacation destination, and as the city that dubs itself “one human family,” it tries to be inclusive to all. Sidewalks have curb drops making it easy for wheelchairs to get around, but some of the older brick streets may make that a bit more difficult. Most lodgings, restaurants, attractions and some activities are specially equipped to accommodate those with physical handicaps, yet in some cases visitors with mobility disabilities may need assistance to utilize these areas or they may not be entirely accessible. Some of the historic buildings will not have wheelchair access due to codes protecting the heritage or the enormous sums of money necessary to convert these historic properties properly.
Accommodations
Florida state requires licensed lodging facilities to provide at least 5% of the guest rooms with certain handicapped accessible criteria. Features vary, so visitors should discuss their needs when they contact the particular establishment that they plan on staying at. And all lodging pool and spas are required to be handicap accessible.
Parks & Attractions
Many attractions are designed to offer fun for visitors with mobility issues; many are designed with wheelchair-wide entrances for ease of entry. Below is a list of a few places that make it easy for those with mobility issues to visit.
- Aquarium – wheelchair accessible.
- Audubon House – main floor and grounds are wheelchair accessible, but as an historic building, the upper floors are not accessible.
- Butterfly Conservatory – wheelchair accessible.
- Cemetery – wheelchair accessible.
- East and West Martello Towers – both wheelchair accessible.
- Eco Discovery Center – wheelchair accessible.
- Harry Truman Little Whitehouse – the grounds and main floor are wheelchair accessible. There is a film and books showing the upper 2 rooms.
- Hemingway House – main floor and grounds are wheelchair accessible, but upper floor is not.
- Mallory Square – wheelchair accessible.
- Shipwreck Historeum – the main floor is wheelchair accessible and there is a lift to the second floor where you can view a video to see the remainder of the Key West museum.
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum – wheelchair accessible with elevator.
- Oldest House – main floor and grounds wheelchair accessible.
- St. Mary Star of the Sea Basilica – wheelchair accessible.
- Southernmost Point – wheelchair accessible.
- Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden – wheelchair accessible.
- USCG Ingham – Main deck wheelchair accessible.
- White Street Pier – wheelchair accessible.
- Wildlife Center – wheelchair accessible.
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park – contact the park prior to visiting to ensure that necessary equipment such as beach wheelchairs are readily available.
- Public theatrical venues throughout the Keys are ADA-accessible, featuring wheelchair-accessible seating, as well as convenient parking and ramps for people with disabilities.
Activities
- Fury Adventures – Glass bottom boat tour can accommodate manual wheelchairs only.
- Sunset Watersports – Dinner cruises, sunset cruises and charters are wheelchair accessible on the main deck where food, beverages and heads (restrooms) are located. There are no wheelchair ramps so the crew with have to lift you up or down onto the ship.
- Some fishing boats can accommodate for wheelchairs or walkers.
- Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas Ferry is wheelchair-accessible; this must be booked well in in advance.
Transportation
- Key West’s Five Sixes Taxi provides a Para-transit taxi which can accommodate wheelchairs. They provide local transportation as well as any destination in the Florida Keys.
- For touring the island, the Conch Tour Train and Old Town Trolley are handicap accessible with motorized lifts for scooters and wheelchairs.
- Key West West also provides accessible public bus service.
- Ferry transport service between Key West to Sunset Key is wheelchair accessible.
Equipment Rentals
It is recommended to travel with your own or rent and bring a collapsible wheelchair, but wheelchairs can be rented on a daily or weekly basis from Four Star Rentals and from Island Comfort Mobility.
To see what is happening on the island during your visit, check out our Key West Events Calendar and see other upcoming special events.
There are so many places to eat in Key West. Before you decide where to go, be sure to read my Key West restaurant reviews; check out our restaurant review section of this blog.
For more information about the fun side of Key West… things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site.
Feel free to Email Me if you have any questions about Key West!!
