Located across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, the Abita Mystery House is a must-see on any Big Easy visit. Although it began as the UCM Museum, it’s now grown; and with that growth came the new name. Housed in an odd assemblage of old buildings the collection includes found objects, hand-made inventions and even a miniature town. Highlights include Curator John Preble’s collection of handmade animated scenes constructed from recycled objects, the world famous Bassagator, a collection of paint-by-number treasures, the bicycle house, and the RV for aliens. Patterned after Tinkertown in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Abita Mystery House also features a vintage service station, a hand crank organ, a comb collection and the much photographed House of Shards. And although there are a few tight spaces, the majority of the museum is doable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. And don’t miss the gift shop, as that’s almost an exhibit by itself.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
The Pine Leaf Boys perform at the New Orleans Jazz Fest
The 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest is scheduled to run from April 24 to May 4, 2025. Live music will be presented on April 24-27 and May 1-4 at the Fair Grounds Race Course, which is located about 10 minutes from the French Quarter. This massive venue features multiple stages that offer continuous music from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. And the good news is, wheelchair access at the New Orleans Jazz Fest has not been overlooked.
Music at the festival ranges from jazz, blues and zydeco to folk, rock and rap. There’s even a kid’s tent for the little ones. And as more musicians stream into New Orleans, you’ll find more street performers in the French Quarter. In short, everywhere you look there’s music.
There’s also a large variety of food vendors at Jazz Fest, who feature everything from crawfish and alligator to vegetarian plates and even the standard burgers and brews. And don’t miss the crafts area, where artisans from around the world demonstrate and sell their wares.
For more information about the complete entertainment lineup or to buy tickets for this years Jazz Fest, visit www.nojazzfest.com. And for information on specific access features at this annual event, check out the information below.
Getting There
At the top of the list for wheelchair access at the New Orleans Jazz Fest is getting there. Accessible parking is available near the main gate on Gentilly Boulevard. There is a $50 per day fee for parking on Thursdays and Fridays, and a $65 fee on Saturdays for these limited accessible spaces. They are only available to folks with a valid accessible placard or plates, and the person who owns the plates or placard must be in the vehicle. These accessible spaces are available on a first-come basis, and credit cards are the only accepted method of payment.
If you’d prefer to let someone else do the driving, then buy a ticket on the Jazz Fest Express (www.graylineneworleans.com/jazz-fest-express/), which is operated by Gray Line Tours. The buses run continuously from the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street, the Wisner Boulevard parking lot at City Park (5700 Wisner Boulevard) and the Steamboat Natchez Wharf in the French Quarter. They drop passengers off at the main gate on Gentilly Boulevard, which is the accessible entrance. Not all of the buses are lift-equipped, so call (504) 569-1401 or (800) 233-2628 to make advance arrangements if you need accessible transportation.
Accessible public transportation to the Jazz Fest is also available on RTA buses (www.norta.com/ride-with-us/know-before-you-go/transit-accessibility)
and on the red streetcar line. Alternatively, you may be able to arrange for accessible transportation through RTA ADA Office (504-827-8345); however advance reservations are a must and the demand is usually quite high during Jazz Fest. This option is only available if you are unable to ride public transportation due to a disability. A valid paratransit card is also required.
Jazz Fest Access Center
Jazz Fest Access Center
The Jazz Fest Access Center is also an integral part of wheelchair access at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. It’s conveniently located in front of the grandstand. That’s where you can pick up an access map of the grounds, which includes the accessible routes, viewing areas and the locations of the accessible porta-potties (www.nojazzfest.com/downloads/2024-Access-Map.pdf). The combinations to the accessible porta-potties are also available there.
The festival grounds are comprised of a variety of surfaces, including grass fields, a dirt track and paved pathways in the infield. Reinforced surfaces are also installed across the dirt track to increase accessibility. The accessible routes are clearly marked, so be on the lookout for these signs. And don’t hesitate to ask the folks in the Access Center if you need any assistance.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America booth is located next to the Access Center. They can provide loaner wheelchairs to folks who can’t manage distances. There’s no charge for the wheelchairs, but donations are always appreciated.
Wheelchair-Accessible Seating
Wheelchair Seating at the New Orleans Jazz Fest
The final component of wheelchair access at the New Orleans Jazz Fest is accessible seating, which is available at all the Jazz Fest music venues. General seating for the main stages is located on the lawn area. Concert-goers either bring their own folding chairs, or spread blankets out on the ground.
Accessible seating and parking is also available in the VIP packages (https://www.nojazzfest.com/tickets/), which must be purchased in advance.
Accessible seating for the main stages is limited to wheelchair-users and one companion. To be admitted to the accessible seating section, you must have a wristband, which can be obtained at the Access Center.
Accessible seating for wheelchair-users and one companion is also available at all the tent stages and the grandstand stages. And if you need a break from the heat, keep in mind that the grandstand stages also have air conditioning.
It should also be noted that the accessible seating is designated for patrons who use a wheelchair or scooter, and not those with limited mobility, a temporary injury or who are pregnant. The accessible seating rules are enforced, so that people who need these accommodations will have access to them. If a person does not meet the eligibility requirements, they will be removed from the accessible seating area.
Bottom line — access rocks at Jazz Fest. And so does the Jazz Fest staff and volunteers. If you have any access related questions, just e-mail access@nojazzfest.com or call (504) 224-9767.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Factory Tours offer a fun peek into the manufacturing process, and many even give out free samples and substantial discounts at their factory stores. And although not all areas of many factories are wheelchair-accessible, more and more companies are making their factory tours doable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Additionally, factory tours are easy on the the wallet, as many are low-cost or free. With that in mind, here are some fun wheelchair-accessible factory tours across the US.
At the top of the list of wheelchair-accessible factory tours is Ben & Jerry’s in rural Waterbury, Vermont. This fun tour chronicles the story of childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, and details how they started their business by taking a correspondence course on ice cream making.
Accessible parking is available near the information booth (just follow the signs), but if you can’t do distances, there is a drop-off point in front of the main building. There is level access to the lobby, and a wheelchair is available for loan at the tour desk. The entire tour is wheelchair-accessible, with level access to all areas.
The 30-minute tour begins with a movie about the history of the company, then continues to the mezzanine viewing walkway. Although you don’t go directly in the factory, you get a good birds-eye view of the ice cream making process from this overhead vantage point. There are free samples at the end of the tour, but if you’d like more than a sample, there’s a scoop shop outside. And although it’s not on the tour, be sure and visit the Flavor Graveyard outside. There is a small charge for this popular tour, and it’s a good idea to get your tickets online to avoid disappointment.
Hyundai
www.hmmausa.com
For a look at how Hyundai and Genesis vehicles are made, make sure and take the Hyundai Factory Tour in Montgomery, Alabama. There’s plenty of accessible parking in the visitors lot, with level access to the visitors center, where you’ll find a display of newly minted Hyundai and Genesis vehicles.
The 1.5-hour tour begins with a short movie, after which visitors are escorted to a wheelchair-accessible tram. Head sets and safety glasses are issued to everyone, and then the tram begins its trek through the factory. Along the way the tour guide explains the production process as the tram weaves through the stamping shop, welding shop, general assembly shop and engine shop. The tour ends with a short trip out to the test track. It’s a very interesting tour, and although it’s free, advance reservations are required. The tours are offered during the days on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and in the evenings on Thursdays. Sorry folks, no free samples on this one.
Next up on our list of wheelchair-accessible factory tours is Abita Brewery. Located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, this Louisiana mainstay brews a healthy selection of craft beers and craft sodas.
There is level access to the factory, except the bottling room, which has one step. Still you can get a good look at the bottling process without entering the bottling room. The informative tour last 30 minutes, after which visitors can enjoy a pint in the Tap Room. Alternatively the family-friendly tour offers a walk or roll through the craft soda section of the brewery. This 20-minute tour offers a close-up look at the brewing process, and includes samples of the sodas brewed there. As with the craft beer tour, this tour also offers good wheelchair access.
There is a charge for both tours, and although tickets are available in advance, spots are also held for walk-ups on every tour. These guided tours are held daily in the afternoons, except on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Closed toes shoes are required for all tours.
If you’ve ever wondered how jelly beans are made, than a trip the the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, California is a must. There’s a small charge for this self-guided tour, but advance reservations are not required. Accessible parking is available in front, with level access to the building. And if you can’t manage the short walk from the parking lot, there’s also a drop-off area near the front door.
All areas on the self-guided tour are wheelchair-accessible, with an elevator up to the second floor gallery that circles the plant. Employees are stationed along the way to answer questions, and videos detail the whole production process. There are even lowered windows in the viewing gallery, so wheelchair-users get an excellent view of everything.
The sugary confections start out as slurry which is poured into molds to create the jelly bean centers. The centers are then transferred to spinning drums filled with sugar to form the hard outer shell. Finally the beans are polished in another set of drums filled with syrup. After all that, they are stamped with the Jelly Belly logo, packaged and sent on their way.
After the tour visitors can browse through the art gallery, which contains jelly bean mosaics of presidents, rock stars and fashion icons, have a jelly bean shaped burger in the cafeteria, or try some fudge in the chocolate shop. And don’t forget to pick up some tasty treats in the gift shop.
Last but not least on our roundup of wheelchair-accessible factory tours is the Tillamook Creamery. Originally established as a cheese shop in the 1950s, this Oregon cheese factory has offered free tours since 1968. And although it’s probably the most touristed attraction in town, it’s still worth a stop.
There’s plenty of accessible parking in front, with level access to the building. The self-guided factory tour starts in the Farm Exhibit Hall, which focuses on the basics of cow care by Tillamook farmers. After that, visitors take the elevator to the second floor gallery, which offers an expansive view of the factory floor. Videos and touch screen presentations help describe the production process, as the cheese is transported from station to station on conveyor belts. Visitors are able to view the whole process from start to finish, after which they they head back downstairs for a sample of the finished product.
There is level access to the first-floor sample buffet, where you can try the many different varieties of Tillamook cheese. And if you’d like to take home some cheese, there’s also a cheese shop nearby. There’s level access to the adjacent restaurant which features a variety of cheesy treats. And don’t forget to stop by the ice cream counter to order a scoop of Tillamook ice cream. It’s the perfect way to top off a Tillamook Creamery visit.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
22275 Highway 36
