Wheelchair Accessible Attractions in Detroit
Story by Charlotte Bachelor
There are a variety of engaging attractions in the Detroit area that everyone should be able to access regardless of disability. Here are 9 wheelchair-accessible attractions in the Metro area.
This article was written with the assistance of Detroit Accessibility Project, Detroit’s one-stop shop for accessibility information for a variety of arts and entertainment venues.
The Detroit Zoo
Address: 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48607
Phone Number: 248-541-5717
The Detroit Zoo is a destination for the entire family. Its 125 acres hosts over 2,000 animals and 237 species. All outdoor aspects of the zoo are wheelchair accessible, and the Zoo’s newest edition the Polk Penguin Conservation Center has a ramp and elevators to fully access the building. The Tauber family railroad can accommodate folding wheelchairs and the carousel features an ADA-compliant peacock chariot.
Drop off/Pick up Areas: Zoo guests can be picked up and dropped off at the circle drive at the Zoo’s main entrance. Shuttles are also available to transport guests to and from off-site parking at Oakland Community College on 10 mile.
Wheelchair/Electronic Conveyance Vehicle (ECV) Rentals: These items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and you must be 18 and older to rent them. They are available at The Chrysler Main Train Station at the front of the zoo, and the Africa train station in the northwest corner of the zoo.
Restrooms: All restrooms are equipped with an accessible stall. A zoo map with designated restrooms can be found here.
Service Animals: Service animals are allowed at the Detroit Zoo. Upon arrival a Zoo staff member will meet with the guest and provide them a bandana to identify the animal as a service animal and provide a complementary water dish and waste collection bags. For more information, please read the Service Animal Admittance Policy.
Arab American National Museum
Address: 13624 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48216
Phone Number: 313-429-2535
Email: jsalamey@accesscommunity.org
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is the first and only museum in the nation focused on highlighting the Arab American experience, and a founding member of the Michigan Alliance for Cultural Accessibility
Drop off/Pick Up Areas: Wheelchair-accessible entrance/exit is available in the rear of the building.
Parking: Free parking is available in the lot behind the museum.
Wheelchair Rentals: Manual wheelchairs are available for free for museum guest.
Restrooms: Family and Gender-Neutral restrooms are available onsite.
Comerica Park
Address: 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone Number: 313-471-2436 For assistance during an event, guests can message event staff by texting “SECURITY” and including your section number and question to 39844.
Comerica Park is home to the Detroit Tigers and hosts a variety of live entertainment acts. The venue is entirely wheelchair accessible via ramps and elevators throughout the ballpark.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas: Preferred accessible drop-off and pick up locations are: the intersections of Fisher, Service Drive, and John R Street or Adams Ave and Witherell Street at Rocket Entry.
Parking: The closest accessible parking spaces can be found at 61 E. Elizabeth lot, Tiger Garage, and McLaren Garage. All Olympia owned parking facilities have accessible parking on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Wheelchair Rental: Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for transportation to and from seating areas only.
Restrooms: All restrooms at Comerica Park are accessible. Family Assist Restrooms are in: Sections 119, 145, 210, and 342.
Seating: Wheelchair accessible and companion seating is available throughout the ballpark. Tickets can be bought prior to the game or is available at the box office the day of the game. Wheelchair storage is available in each section, just ask an usher.
Service Animals: Service Animals are allowed in Comerica Park and there is a pet relief area outside of the Rocket Entry near Grand Circus Park.
The Fox Theatre
Address: 2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone Number: 313-471-7000
The Fox Theatre is Detroit’s crown jewel. This iconic theatre hosts the biggest names in show business as well as Broadway musicals, and other stage shows.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas: The accessible Drop Off/ Pick Up is on Woodward Ave at West Columbia Street. At select events, accessible entries are available at West Montcalm St.
Parking: Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Comerica Garage and surrounding Olympia-owned parking garages.
Wheelchair Rental: Wheelchairs are available at each entrance for transportation to and from the seating area only. Storage is available for guest who want to transfer from a wheelchair into a venue seat.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are located on the main floor in the Columbia Street vestibule.
Service Animals: Service animals are welcome at The Fox Theatre.
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village
Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48214
Phone Number: 313-982-6001
Email: accessibility@thehenryford.org
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is a 250-acre complex that includes Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, and the Giant Screen Experience which are wheelchair accessible. The complex also has The Donald F. Kosch Village Playground for children of all abilities.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas: Drop off zones are in front of the museum at the Clocktower and Giant Screen entrances and the Greenfield Village ticket building.
Parking: Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the west lot near the Welcome Center and on Village Road by the Greenfield Village entrance.
Wheelchair/ECV Rental: Wheelchairs and a limited number for motorized scooters are available for rental on first-come, first serve-basis, at the Welcome Center and Greenfield Village ticket building. Wheelchairs are $4 per day and scooters are $20 per day. Guests must be 16 years or older and possess a valid driver’s license to rent a scooter.
Restrooms: All restrooms on the complex are wheelchair accessible except for those in the modern glass hallway of the museum and first floor of Lovett Hall. A family restroom is available at the Greenfield Village Ticket building, and two companion care restrooms with adult changing tables are in the museum.
Service Animals: Service animals are welcome, but will be near horses, sheep, and chickens at Greenfield Village.
Legoland Discovery Center Michigan
Address: 4240 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Email: Michigan@LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com
The Legoland Discovery Center is an indoor attraction featuring exhibits and attractions inspired by Lego toys located inside of Great Lakes Crossing Outlets. Please note that adults must be accompanied by a child 16 or younger to visit, except for Adult Nights.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas: For easiest access, drop off/pick up is recommended near Entry 6 of Great Lakes Crossing.
Parking: Free, accessible parking is available on a first-come, first serve basis near Entry 6 of Great Lakes Crossing.
Wheelchair/ECV Rental: Wheelchair and ECV rental is available on a first-come, first-serve basis from the Great Lakes Crossing Security desk in District 2.
Restrooms: All restroom facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Tickets: Free ADA Carer tickets are available for those visiting with someone who requires their assistance.
Service Animals: Service animals are permitted at Legoland.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
Address: 4454 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone Number: 313-832-6622
Email: info@mocadetroit.org
MOCAD hosts a collection on contemporary art that connects Detroit and the global art world with a focus on art as a catalyst for social change.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas: Accessible drop off/pick up is located at the museum’s main entrance off of Garfield
Parking: Free accessible parking is available at MOCAD’s lot located off Garfield Street.
Wheelchair Rental: Wheelchairs are available in the checkroom free of charge.
Restrooms: All restrooms on site are wheelchair accessible.
Service Animals: Service Animals are welcomed at MOCAD.
Little Caesars Arena
Address: 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone Number: 313-471-7000 or 313-471-7929 for Accessible Seating Information, for non-emergencies during an event text LCAHELP to 313-513-HELP (4357)
Little Caesars Arena is a multipurpose arena home to the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings and other live entertainment acts.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas: The accessible drop off and pick-up area is located along the West Fisher Service Drive, near Park Street and the Henry West Garage
Parking: Accessible parking is available at all parking locations within The District Detroit. Trinity Health Garage, United Wholesale Mortgage Garage, and Temple West Garage have the closest accessible parking to the arena. For all accessible parking options check out this map.
Wheelchair Rental: Wheelchairs are available are available on first-come, first serve basis for transportation from the entrance to seating areas.
Restrooms: All restrooms at Little Caesars Arena have accessible stalls. Family restrooms are available on all levels of the arena, click here for a full list.
Seating: Accessible seating can be purchase wherever tickets are sold, companion seating can be purchased by calling 313-471-7929. If a guest needs assistance with accessible seating at the venue, they should visit the XFINITY Box Office across from Portal 5 for assistance.
Service Animals: Service animals are welcome but cannot take up additional seats unless another ticket has been purchased.
Belle Isle Park
Address: 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit, MI 48207
Phone Number: 313-821-9844
Email: info@belleisleconservancy.org
Belle Isle is a 982-acre island park between the United States and Canada operated by the Michigan DNR. Belle Isle is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossing Great Lakes Museum, and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. It also features two accessible kayak launches, fishing piers, accessible trails, and playground. Click here for a map of the island.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas: The island is only accessible via the MacArthur Bridge.
Parking: Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at locations throughout the island.
Wheelchair Rental: Wheelchair rental is not offered on the island.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are located at Bus Stop 7 in the Aquarium parking lot, and at Sunset Point. The 13 other restrooms on the island have accessible stalls.
For more information and more wheelchair-accessible attractions in Detroit, check out Cory Lee's blog from his visit to Detroit.
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