The writer was hosted
I may live in the Midwest now, but I’m still New Yorker. I was born in the Bronx, and grew up on Long Island.
“The City,” as we called it, was a place to go for Broadway shows, museums, and other events as I was growing up. As a teenager, I’d go for the day with my friends during school vacations. I would take my daughter in later years and return, even after I moved to Illinois, to see shows and the holiday decorations in Time Square.
In all those trips, I never made it to Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. When I had a chance to check it out recently, I found out what I was missing—and it was all accessible from my wheelchair.
Reasons to Pick Chelsea for Your NYC Trip
Chelsea is on the edge of the Hudson River. It’s gone through a lot of transformation over the last two decades. I had reasons for picking Chelsea beyond the fact that it was new to me. Friends were correct in telling me it is:
- A haven for foodies
- Art lovers coming together
- A place for affordable hotels and activities
- Filled with free outdoor spaces
- Wheelchair accessible throughout
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Here Are Some Wheelchair-Accessible Things to Do in Chelsea
- Take a tour of Chelsea Market
I enjoyed Like A Local Tours. It was a lot of fun and also included enough food samples to keep me full for hours. Some areas had steps, but the vast majority was easy to navigate in a wheelchair.
- Go to the Whitney Museum
With its wide walkways, it is perfect to wheel through and enjoy the American art. Even the elevators are spacious. While there, be sure to see the Edward Hopper Collection. They have more of his work than anywhere in the world. You’ll also find art galleries throughout Chelsea, which is home to many artists, including fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg.
- Visit Hudson River Park
This park is actually an indoor/outdoor complex across from Chelsea Market. It includes the Hudson River Pier, Hudson Yards, Chelsea Pier, and Market 57. Market 57 is a building filled with restaurants, and the Platform Culinary Experience by the James Beard Foundation. You can watch chefs prepare and cook through the large window.
Where to Go in Chelsea When You Want to Enjoy Outdoors
I found plenty of areas I could just wheel into without any cost while I was in Chelsea. The highlights were:
- The High Line
This 1-1/2-mile public park is on top of buildings. Elevators can take you up to the elevated areas that include gardens and walkways. Food and drinks are available at the High Line from May to October. - Chelsea Park
If you are looking to play, Chelsea Park is filled with places to play basketball, baseball, and handball. It is also home to a World War I Memorial statue nicknamed the “Chelsea Doughboy.” - Little Island
Little Island is a floating public park created in 2021 from what was left of Pier 54. All areas are ADA compliant and have pathways.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Before you go to Chelsea, check out the concert schedule at Little Island. It’s a fun place to see a show in the warmer months.
How to Get to the Chelsea Neighborhood of NYC
My cousin, Marissa, picked me up at LaGuardia Airport in a van with a ramp. We had a quick 30-minute ride to Chelsea. You can contact New York City Wheelchair for an accessible ride from LGA or JFK Airports. Or, you can take the AirTrain from JFK to Penn Station and it’s only a 20-minute walk to Chelsea.
Once in Chelsea, it’s easy to get wheelchair accessible van transportation through cabs, Uber, and Lyft. The cost is the same for the WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) as you would pay for a standard car.
Places for an Accessible Stay in Chelsea
- Hyatt Place New York Chelsea
I chose this hotel for my stay. I liked the central location and reasonable price ($125 per night). The accessibility of the room was exactly what I needed. The bed was low, and the room and bathroom had plenty of room to move around in the wheelchair. I had a picture-perfect view of the Empire State Building from my room. Hyatt Place also has a complimentary breakfast bar. - The Standard Hotel
It may look like a strange object from the outside, but The Standard Hotel is an eclectic space with floor-to-ceiling windows. Every room has a view of New York City or the Hudson River. - The Gansevoort Although it is actually in the Meat Packing District, just on the north corner of Chelsea, but the short walk to The Gansevoort is worth it if you are looking for a luxurious stay. I checked it out and it is wheelchair friendly. It also holds some memories: I partied there in my younger and more mobile days.
SheBuysTravel Tip: I also highly recommend a meal at Hav & Mar, which is owned by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Be sure to order their cornbread plate.
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