Accessible Travel In Fairfax County

Fairfax County welcomes visitors of all abilities to our parks, historic sites, museums, restaurants and a multitude of other memorable experiences. Below you'll find information to plan your next trip or make sure to check out our blog post about a weekend getaway to Fairfax County packed with accessibility resources.

Photos with a Spin - Wolf Trap - Accessible Travel

Things to Do a year ago

Concerts, Movies, & More at the Accessible Wolf Trap

4 minute read

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is the only national park dedicated to the performing arts. Pretty cool. In a unique fusion of arts and nature, the National Park Service manages 117 acres of park, grounds, and buildings, while the Wolf Trap Foundation oversees…

Maggie in front of an Enjoy Virginia Wines mural at the Winery at Bull Run in Fairfax County, Virginia

Things to Do a year ago

Sip Virginia Wines at the Accessible Winery at Bull Run

3 minute read

For a picturesque “farm-to-table, grapes-to-glass” family-friendly escape from the hustle and bustle of life, travel back in time at The Winery at Bull Run, the closest winery to Washington, DC. The Setting Image courtesy The Winery at Bull Run The winery strikes a…

Maggie in front of George Washington's Mount Vernon in Fairfax County, VA

Things to Do 2 years ago

A Weekend in Fairfax County: An Accessibility Gem

7 minute read

Nestled in the heart of Northern Virginia, close to the nation's capital, Fairfax County, Virginia is an accessibility gem. As locals and wheelchair users, we discover new things about where we live almost daily. We love our extended neighborhood and how it prioritizes the…

Wheelchair user in front of National Museum of U.S. Army Campaign Wall in main lobby entrance

Things to Do 2 years ago

A Humanistic, Interactive & Accessible Look Inside the National Museum of the U.S. Army

5 minute read

Trust us when we say that you’ll conclude your visit to the National Museum of the United States Army with expanded knowledge and reverence for Army personnel, their stories, and the sacrifices and impact the Army has had on the world we see today. With an emphasis on…

Things to Do 2 years ago

There's No Place Like Home: Accessible Travel at George Washington's Mount Vernon

4 minute read

Sitting high on the banks of the Potomac River not far from Washington, DC, step back in time to the days of the Revolutionary War and the birth of this nation at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the home of the Father to the Nation and America’s first president…

Man in wheelchair in front of main entrance to Air and Space Museum with blue skies in background

Things to Do 2 years ago

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: An Accessible Treasure Trove of Aviation History

4 minute read

At the free Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA, aviation buffs, NASA fans, and those who love letting their inner child take flight can spend hours exploring and learning about the over 3,000 air and space artifacts on…

Great Falls Park - Photos with a Spin - Accessible Travel

Outdoor & Sports 2 years ago

Outdoors for All: Accessible Travel at Great Falls Park

2 minute read

Scenic spot: check! Recreational activities spot: check! Photography spot: check! Great Falls Park in Virginia is for our early-riser, outdoorsy, nature-loving friends (but really everyone). Here, mighty Mother Nature puts on a stunning show as the Potomac River builds up…

Maggie at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Fairfax County, VA

Outdoor & Sports 2 years ago

Escape City Life at the Accessible Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

3 minute read

As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, "The Earth laughs in flowers." There's no better place in the Northern Virginia region to see this in action than at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. An area for lovers of gardening, flowers, trees, and quiet, serene settings…

Getting Around

Airports

Fairfax County is flanked on our eastern and western borders by two of the most iconic airports in the nation. So if you are arriving by plane you have multiple arrival options and dozens of airlines to choose from.

Washington Dulles International Airport - is adjacent to Fairfax County to the west, and welcomes flights from around the world daily. Here is a full list of the disability services they offer, including wheelchair service and elevators equipped with Braille buttons.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport - is located just to the east of Fairfax County in Arlington County. From shuttle buses equipped with wheelchair lifts to accessible security checkpoints, here are the disability services they offer.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport - is an hour or so north of Fairfax County. People visiting sometimes utilize this airport as well if certain carriers or discounted flights are available. Here is a comprehensive list of their disability services.

Metro Stations

Fairfax County is served by ten Metrorail stations located at West Falls Church, Merrifield/Dunn Loring, Vienna/Fairfax/GMU, Huntington, Franconia/Springfield, McLean, Spring Hill, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, and Wiehle-Reston East. You can view a map of the entire metro system here. MetroAccess is a shared-ride, door-to-door, paratransit service for people who cannot independently use the accessible bus and/or rail system due to a disability. Stations feature accessible priority parking near station entrances, information on station pylons in Braille and raised alphabet, and extra-wide faregates, among other features. Here is a list of their Accessibility Services. You can also utilize the MetroAccess Paratransit service - a shared-ride, door-to-door, paratransit service for people whose disability prevents them from using bus or rail.

Wheelchair Accessible Transportation Companies

Here in Northern Virginia there are several companies that offer door to door for those with limited mobility. While we offer no specific endorsements, you can browse the independent services like MML Transport, Diamond Transportation, or any other vendor listed on the disAbility Navigator website.

Hotels

Fairfax County has over 100 hotels that cater to visitors from all over the world. To make it easier on those travelers with special needs when staying overnight, we are listing the hotels by region below featured on the accessiblego hotel booking platform. Accessiblego collects hotel accessibility info you can browse to make travel easy for you. They also offer free accessibility confirmation - with 48 hours notice, they convey your accessibility requirements to the hotel and alert you immediately if there’s an issue.

Historic Sites and Museums

People and places that helped shape our nation call this area home. Meticulously preserved historic sites and estates where you can reconnect with American history dot our landscape. Monuments and memorials dedicated to iconic people and events offer perspective. And numerous museums that bring our diverse nation’s storied past to life fill visitor’s to-do lists. Here is accessibility information for some of the most accessible historic sites and museums in Fairfax County.

You can take the Metrorail system from Fairfax County to many of the iconic sites in Washington, DC including the U.S. Capital, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, White House, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums, and the Library of Congress.

In addition, below you'll find some of Fairfax County's major attractions - all of which have various accessibility protocols in place for you.

Parks and Trails

With thousands of acres of parkland, fun trails and outdoor activities, and plenty of big city amenities to take advantage of when your adventure is over, you're invited to make us your next stop for outdoor fun. Discover paved trails and playgrounds for all abilities across Fairfax County.