Asbury Park
Known for its vibrant, mural-lined promenade, Asbury Park is also noted for popular accessible restaurants like Kim Marie’s Eat n’ Drink Away and its mobility-friendly beach as well. There are entrance ramps to the paved historic beachfront promenade and beach mats that extend from the promenade onto the sand. Looking for a Beach wheelchair? You’ll find them at any ticket booth location on a first-come, first-served basis. WaterWheels Surf wheelchairs are also free and available on a first-come, first-served basis but must be reserved online. To make a WaterWheels reservation click here. The town is proud to work with The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for the #AccessAsbury initiative to promote greater inclusion and transform Asbury Park into the gold standard for accessibility and a model for communities and cities nationwide. Asbury Park is surely off to an absolutely accessible start!
Cape May
This beautiful beach town is graced by stunning Victorian homes and a paved promenade, but you’ll also find wheelchair-accessible and a charming easy-access beach too. Ramps to the promenade are available at 17 streets along Beach Drive, and ramps from the promenade to the beach are located at: Broadway, 3rd and Cove, Grant and Gurney Streets and Trenton Avenue. Beach mats that extend over the sand greet visitors at all beach entrances. A limited number of Beach and Surf Wheelchairs are free of charge and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at: First Avenue Beach, Stegers Beach, Jefferson Avenue Beach, Philadelphia Avenue Beach, Hughes Street Beach, Poverty Beach, Madison Avenue Beach and the Beach Patrol headquarters on Grant Street. Accessible restrooms can be found on Wilmington Avenue, Trenton Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue, Gurney Street, Grant Street, Broadway, and Second Avenue. Visitors will also enjoy another fabulous amenity in Cape May - FREE handicapped parking.
Ocean City
With tasty boardwalk stops like Kohr Brothers and accessible swings and play areas at Sandcastle Park on 34th Street, Ocean City is a family-friendly destination for sure. To make the day enjoyable for all beachgoers, bright blue beach mats grace every beach entrance. Love being close to the water? On 34th Street, there is a beach mat that extends right up to the high tide line. The city is also experimenting with mats stretching onto Surf Road, Waverly Beach, off E. Atlantic Boulevard, Stenton Place, 14th Street and 58th Street beaches that lead to sitting areas with fabulous ocean views. You can get Free Beach and Surf wheelchairs at the 46th Street Information Center. Reservations are strongly suggested. Surf chairs are also available at Beach Patrol Headquarters (1st Street, 12th Street, 34th Street, 58th Street) for temporary use to shuttle visitors onto the beach. Accessible restrooms are located at: 1st Street, 6th Street, Music Pier, 10th Street, 11th Street, 12th Street, 34th Street Playground and 58th Street beach. If you have kids, wheels or both, Ocean City is a must.
Sea Isle City
Whether it’s convenient outdoor dining with friends or a day at the beach, Sea Isle City is the place to be. To provide seniors, small children, people with disabilities and families with strollers easy access to the beach, beach mats and ramps are available at all six handicap-accessible beaches: 32nd Street, 40th Street, John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 44th Street, 63rd Street and 85th Street. There are also beach mats at three-block intervals between 29th and 91st streets. Ramps from the street to the paved promenade are found at 29th Street, 32nd Street, 33rd Street, 34th Street, 35th Street, 40th Street, 44th Street and 57th Street. Beach wheelchair reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling the Recreation Office at 609-263-0050. Public restrooms located at 32nd, 40th, 44th and 85th on the beach and 94th Street at Townsend’s Inlet Park have at least one accessible stall. Separate, fully-accessible restrooms are located at 32nd and 40th Streets on the Promenade and 85th Street at the beach.
Atlantic City
Think of the Jersey Shore and Atlantic City’s FREE beach – and fun-filled boardwalks spring to mind for many. Atlantic City receives high marks for offering a fully-accessible Convention Center and a mobility-inclusive beach as well. Beachgoers can find ADA-accessible ramps to the beach at many locations along the Boardwalk. For a detailed listing, see here. One hundred-and-seventy-five-foot beach mats are located at Tallahassee, Bartram, Albany, and Raleigh Avenue entrances to provide wheelchair, stroller (and feet) friendly access. Visit the Beach Patrol at District 7 on Mississippi Avenue for Free Beach and Surf wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 609-347-5307 for availability. Also, you can find ADA-compliant restrooms on Caspian Avenue. If you seek accessibility, you’ll find it in AC.
This is just a sampling of accessible adventures New Jersey has to offer. Find even more to do in The Garden State by downloading a free travel guide and signing up for our e-newsletter. And, as always, be sure to check the official websites and social media channels of your destination for all the need-to-know info before you go.
