Travelling With Family is Always an Adventure

by Jared Wayland

Travelling with family is always an adventure, especially when planning a trip with accessibility needs. Recently, my wife, our three-year-old son, and I took a journey from St. Catharines, Ontario, to The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. As a Stretto user, accessibility is a key factor in planning any trip. Fortunately, we found this journey to be both manageable and incredibly rewarding. The Journey to Rochester Our trip started in St. Catharines, and we opted to drive. This gave us the flexibility to bring everything we needed for our toddler while comfortably accommodating my wheelchair in our accessible van. The drive itself is about 90 minutes, but border crossings can add some unpredictability, so we planned ahead by checking wait times and ensuring we had all the necessary documents ready. We crossed into the U.S. at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. The drive from there to Rochester was smooth, with rest stops along the way if we needed them, although we’ve found that accessible washrooms are limited at some stops. However, the travel plazas along the New York State Thruway had well-maintained, wheelchair-accessible restrooms. Arriving at the Museum The Strong National Museum of Play is located in downtown Rochester and has an easily accessible parking lot with designated wheelchair-accessible spots. The museum’s entrance is step-free, with automatic doors, making it easy to navigate right from the start. Once inside, we were immediately impressed with how thoughtfully the space is designed the space is for visitors of all abilities. The museum provides:

• Wide, open pathways, making it easy to maneuver my Stretto power wheelchair.
• Accessible elevators to all floors, ensuring I could explore every exhibit without difficulty.
• Family-friendly restrooms with accessible stalls and changing tables, which was a great help with a three-year-old in tow.
• Seating areas throughout the museum, perfect for resting in between exhibits.

Exploring the Exhibits Our son was absolutely thrilled by the museum’s interactive exhibits. Some highlights included:

• Sesame Street Exhibit – This was a hit with our little one! The pathways through the exhibit were wide, and I had no trouble getting close to the interactive stations. Watching our son’s eyes light up as he recognized his favourite characters was truly heartwarming.
• Wegmans Super Kids Market – A kid-sized grocery store where children can play-shop. I appreciated that the checkout lanes were spacious enough for my wheelchair, so I could fully participate in my son’s fun. Seeing him proudly “buy” his groceries and scan items was an absolute joy.
• Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden – While this area was accessible, I found it a bit tighter for maneuvering, but the staff were incredibly helpful in ensuring we had a great experience. The look of wonder on our son’s face as butterflies fluttered around was priceless.
• The Build, Drive, Go Exhibit – Our son had a blast testing out different modes of transportation in this interactive space. We loved watching him experiment and explore, and it was incredibly fulfilling to see his imagination take off.
• The Reading Adventureland Exhibit – As parents, we appreciated the opportunity to foster a love of storytelling with hands-on literary-themed play areas. Seeing our child so engaged reminded us of the joy of discovering new worlds through books.

Dining For lunch, we visited the Food Court, which had a variety of options, including healthy choices for kids. The seating areas were spacious, and tables were at a comfortable height for wheelchair users. We also packed some snacks, as the museum allows small food items, which was helpful with a toddler. Final Thoughts The Strong Museum of Play is a fantastic destination for families, and it exceeded our expectations in terms of accessibility. Every exhibit was designed with inclusivity in mind, making it easy for me to explore alongside my wife and son without barriers. More than just a day of play for our toddler, this trip was deeply fulfilling for my wife and I as well. There’s something incredibly special about watching our son explore, learn, and experience pure joy in a space designed to ignite imaginations. The shared laughter, curiosity, and excitement made this trip just as meaningful for us as it was for him. If you’re considering a visit, I highly recommend it! Whether you're a wheelchair user or traveling with young children, this museum makes it easy for everyone to have a fun and stress-free experience. Our son is already asking when we can go back – and honestly, I can’t wait either!