Accessible Philadelphia: A Complete Guide for Disabled Travelers

Museum of the American Revolution

A short walk from Independence Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution (101 S. 3rd Street) offers an in-depth, inclusive look at the fight for independence. Through immersive galleries, interactive exhibits, and an impressive collection of art and artifacts, the museum tells the stories of both well-known figures and everyday people who shaped the Revolution.

The building is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps, elevators, and push-button entry. Free manual wheelchairs are available at the front desk, and accessible restrooms are located on every floor. All films are closed-captioned, and assistive listening devices and audio transcripts are available. ASL interpreters can be arranged with two weeks’ notice.

Blind and low-vision visitors can explore with touch guides, tactile graphics, and replicas, including a 3D-printed version of Washington’s War Tent. Touch tours are also available by request.

The museum is a Certified Autism Center, offering sensory guides, noise-reducing headphones, and a quiet space for watching films privately.

Whether you learned about the revolution in the classroom or you’re brand new to the subject, this museum makes the story of the American Revolution accessible, engaging, and personal.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Overlooking the city from the top of the iconic Rocky Steps, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway) houses one of the nation’s most impressive art collections, with works spanning ancient history to contemporary movements.

Accessibility is thoughtfully addressed throughout the museum. Visitors can enter via barrier-free west and north entrances, and elevators connect all public areas. While the Rocky Steps themselves lack ramps, the top landing is reachable through the museum, and the area around the Rocky statue is accessible. Restrooms, water fountains, and seating in most galleries support a more comfortable experience.

Manual wheelchairs and adjustable-height canes are available at each entrance. Films in the galleries are closed captioned, and assistive listening devices, audio guides, and transcripts are offered. ASL interpretation is available for guided tours with advance notice.

Blind and low-vision guests can book touch tours, tactile graphics, and explore 3D reproductions of select works. Personalized tours with trained guides are available for individuals or groups with disabilities with at least two weeks’ notice.

National Constitution Center

Located at 525 Arch Street, the National Constitution Center is the only museum in the country dedicated entirely to the U.S. Constitution. Visitors can explore hands-on exhibits, view rare artifacts, experience the live 360-degree theatrical show Freedom Rising, and walk among life-size bronze statues of the 42 delegates who attended the 1787 Constitutional Convention.

The museum is wheelchair accessible throughout, with elevators to all public spaces and barrier-free entrances. Complimentary manual wheelchairs are available at the Information Desk. Accessible restrooms are located on the first floor behind the main staircase and on the second floor near the auditorium.

Most videos and interactive displays are open-captioned, and printed scripts are available. In the Sidney Kimmel Theater, assistive listening devices, large-print scripts, and iPod Touch captioning devices support access to the hourly Freedom Rising show. Similar devices are also available for events in the F.M. Kirby Auditorium. ASL interpreters for guided tours can be arranged with at least five days’ notice.

The museum includes several tactile features, including the bronze statues themselves, which invite touch. Sensory-friendly days are also offered throughout the year, making the experience more welcoming for neurodivergent visitors.

It’s an engaging, thoughtful place to explore the living document that continues to shape American life.

Franklin Institute

Philadelphia’s most visited museum, The Franklin Institute (222 N. 20th Street), brings science to life for visitors of all ages. From hands-on robotics and space exploration to interactive biology exhibits and tributes to Benjamin Franklin’s groundbreaking experiments, this museum is packed with curiosity-sparking fun.

Accessibility is thoughtfully integrated throughout the building. Elevators connect all public areas, and accessible entrances are available via 20th Street and the Bartol Atrium parking garage. Complimentary manual wheelchairs can be picked up at the Ticketing Desk. Accessible restrooms are located near the Planetarium and lunchroom on the first floor, and by Wisdom Hall and the Atrium on the second. The Eatery offers wheelchair-accessible seating as well.

ASL interpreters can be arranged for guided tours with three weeks’ notice. For neurodivergent guests, sensory backpacks are available and include items like noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and sensory guides. If the experience becomes too overwhelming, return vouchers are offered within 30 minutes of ticket purchase.

Philadelphia Zoo