New Jersey Wheelchair Travel Tips

New Jersey, affectionately known as the Garden State, offers a wide variety of wheelchair-accessible attractions, from scenic beaches and historic sites to vibrant boardwalks, cultural hubs, and amusement parks. Whether you’re looking for a nature retreat, a nostalgic Jersey Shore experience, or thrilling entertainment, this guide ensures that travelers of all abilities can fully experience the best of New Jersey.

Top Attractions

• The Jersey Shore & Iconic Boardwalks: A visit to New Jersey wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the famous Jersey Shore. Here are some of the most iconic and wheelchair-accessible boardwalks:
  • Atlantic City Boardwalk – The world’s oldest and longest boardwalk, featuring casinos, shops, and restaurants.
  • Ocean City Boardwalk – A family-friendly 2.5-mile boardwalk with accessible amusement parks, mini-golf, and food stands.
  • Wildwood Boardwalk – A 1.8-mile boardwalk home to Morey’s Piers, arcades, and Doo-Wop architecture, offering a nostalgic, retro feel.
• Six Flags Great Adventure: For thrill-seekers, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township is one of the largest theme parks in the world. The park offers wheelchair-friendly entrances, pathways, and ride accommodations. Guest Services provides accessibility guides and special assistance passes to help visitors navigate the park.

Accessible Beaches

New Jersey’s coastline includes several wheelchair-friendly beaches, offering beach wheelchairs, ramps, access mats, and other accessibility features. Here are the verified locations:

• Asbury Park – Beach wheelchairs available, accessible ramps.
• Cape May – Free beach and surf wheelchairs.
• Ocean City – Beach-accessible wheelchairs available at the 46th Street Information Center (Call 609-554-0352 for reservations).
• Sea Isle City – Free beach wheelchairs, long flat wooden accessible walkways.
• Wildwood – Free beach and surf wheelchairs.
• Island Beach State Park – Beach wheelchairs at First Aid stations, accessible restrooms, roll-in shower, and outdoor rinse-off area.
• Margate – Mats for easier sand access, transportation over dunes available (call 609-517-5245).

Outdoor Attractions

• Cape May Point State Park: A haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers, featuring the 0.5-mile Red Trail, a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leading to scenic observation platforms. The park is also home to the Cape May Lighthouse, where visitors can enjoy a wheelchair-friendly visitor center and gift shop.
• Somers Point Bike Path: This 6.5-mile paved trail is perfect for wheelchair users looking for a smooth and scenic ride. Connecting Somers Point, Linwood, Northfield, and Pleasantville, the path passes through parks, wetlands, and neighborhoods, with accessible rest areas, fishing piers, and boat ramps along the way.
• Brendan T. Byrne State Forest: This 37,000-acre Pine Barrens forest offers the Cranberry Trail, a fully wheelchair-accessible route that takes visitors through lush woodlands and cranberry bogs. The historic Whitesbog Village, located within the forest, features accessible pathways and exhibits about New Jersey’s blueberry farming heritage.
• Duke Farms: A 2,700-acre ecological preserve in Hillsborough, Duke Farms offers over 18 miles of wheelchair-friendly trails, indoor and outdoor gardens, and eco-friendly exhibits. Visitors can explore meadows, lakes, and forests, all connected by smooth, well-maintained paths for a comfortable, barrier-free experience.
• Sandy Hook: Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook is a 6-mile barrier peninsula offering accessible beaches, restrooms, and parking. A paved multi-use path runs the length of the park, providing stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Sandy Hook Bay.

Cultural and Entertainment Venues

• Count Basie Center for the Arts: Located in Red Bank, the Count Basie Center for the Arts is one of New Jersey’s premier performing arts venues, hosting concerts, plays, and dance performances. The theater has 12 wheelchair-accessible platforms, accessible restrooms, and enhanced seating arrangements for visitors with mobility impairments.
• Grounds For Sculpture: A must-visit for art lovers, Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township is a 42-acre outdoor museum featuring over 270 contemporary sculptures surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. The park features paved pathways, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and accessible dining options.
• New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center: In Franklin Township, the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara is home to one of the largest Buddha statues in the U.S., standing 30 feet tall. The meditation gardens and visitor areas are wheelchair-friendly, providing a peaceful space for relaxation and reflection.

Transportation

• NJ TRANSIT:
  • Buses – Equipped with lifts, ramps, and designated wheelchair seating.
  • Trains – Many stations, such as South Amboy Station, feature high-level platforms and elevators.
  • Light Rail – The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Newark Light Rail provide level boarding and accessible stations.
• PATH System connects New Jersey to Manhattan with elevators and level boarding at select stations like Grove Street in Jersey City.