Summer Travel Tips & Spots for Families with Visually Impaired Students

In July 2025, airlines like United and Southwest reported a rebound in travel demand after a sluggish first half of the year. Travel activity picked up in July and is expected to rise further into August (Reuters, 2025). During this summer vacation, parents of students with low vision may be wondering: How can we plan an accessible travel that’s fun for our kids?

This article highlights travel destinations that are friendly for visually impaired students, as well as some tips for planning accessible vacations.

What Makes a Destination Low Vision-Friendly?

Low vision-friendly spots usually feature accessible facilities and offer rich sensory experiences. Many major cities or specialized attractions emphasize accessible facilities to make visits easier for those with visual impairment.

Features to look for include:

• Audio description
• Tactile objects or areas
• Clear, high-contrast signage
• Wide, smooth walking paths
• Sensory experiences involving sound, touch, and smell
• Ideal places include museums, botanical gardens, parks, zoos, and historic sites.

Top August Travel Destinations for Students with Low Vision

American Museum of Natural History, New York City

Parts of the entrances at the museum are ADA-compliant and step-free, including those at the Gilder Center and Rose Center. The museum offers audio descriptions and Science Sense Tours. The Science Sense Tours is a 75-minute tour designed for blind and visually impaired visitors and led by professional guides. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance and are free with the purchase of museum admission (American Museum of Natural History, n.d.).

There are also a series of tactile objects in the museum, including meteorites in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, specimens in the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth, and models in the Hall of Biodiversity, etc. Students can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and biological evolution through audio guides, guided tours, and tactile experiences.

Muir Woods National Monument, California

Muir Woods is home to towering redwood trees. There are 6 miles of trails, including loops of 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 1.5 hours. Most trails are asphalt or boardwalk paths. The main trail is 2 miles long, with widths ranging from 37 inches to 48 inches and an average slope of 2%. So it is highly suitable for students with low vision. As resources and funding permit, the existing asphalt in Muir Woods will be gradually replaced with accessible raised boardwalks (National Park Service, n.d.).

Additionally, the visitor center provides accessible resources, including assistive listening devices for ranger-led tours and MP3 players containing an audio description of the Muir Woods brochure along the main trail.

SeaWorld Orlando, Florida

For guests who are blind or have limited/low vision, SeaWorld Orlando offers complimentary park guidance upon request, which can be booked up to 14 days in advance (SeaWorld Orlando, n.d.). The park features animal encounters that are ADA accessible, including:

• Marine Mammal Care & Dolphin Nursery
• Flamingo Encounter
• Wild Arctic

Through these tours, children can touch or feed dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions, and flamingos.

The Accessibility Guide on the official website clearly outlines Ride Access, Height Requirements, Ride Requirements, and Physical Requirements for each attraction. Parents and children can review the projects in advance and plan their itinerary accordingly.

How to Check If a Spot is Accessible

Through Official Websites, Email, or Phone

Check the “Accessibility” or “ADA Compliance” sections on attraction websites. Focus on areas like Blind/Low Vision Accessibility, Accessibility for Disabled, Accessibility for Visually Impaired, or Vision Disabilities to see whether audio tours or guided services are available. Many require advance reservations.

Look at maps or descriptions of walking routes. Are paths flat and wide? Is there tactile signage or guide rails? For large parks, check if there are shuttle services or transport aids.

If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to email or call the venue directly for answers.

Use Apps and Search Tools

Google Maps: Search the location, then check reviews using keywords like blind friendly, accessible for visually impaired, audio guide available.

AccessNow: A user-driven accessibility app. You can search for locations with specific accessibility features and discover accessible locations nearby and around the world, including restaurants, parks, hotels, and more.

Turn to Online Forums

TripAdvisor’s Traveling with Disabilities Forum: Offers reviews and guides from blind and low-vision travelers. Search keywords like low vision, blind traveler, tactile maps, and audio tours to find relevant attractions.

Yelp: Use search terms like accessible, low vision, ADA accessible, or blind friendly. Filter by accessibility features and check if services like audio guides or other support are mentioned.

How Does Digital Magnifier Improve the Travel

ZOOMAX Luna 6

Luna 6 is a stylish handheld magnifier. It is very compact and lightweight, and can be easily carried in a pocket. When visually impaired students need to view a map, they can simply take out Luna 6 to enlarge the map. When entering museums or aquariums, they can also open Luna 6’s built-in handle to easily view text descriptions. It can store over 400+ photos, helping children save useful information such as signpost information, interesting sections from museum introductions, or fascinating fossil specimens or models.

ZOOMAX Snow Pad

Snow Pad is a portable magnifier that integrates with an iPad and features a dedicated app. When traveling, you may need to use an iPad to look up information or access itineraries. ZOOMAX transforms the iPad into an integral part of the visual aid system. A high-efficiency image processing unit provides high-definition, smooth visuals, so that children with low vision can more clearly see the information while organizing materials and planning their trips with parents. The OCR & TTS functionality can capture pages on travel magazine, convert them into text, and output them as audio. Children absorb information more effectively through their eyes and ears simultaneously.

ZOOMAX Acesight VR

Acesight VR is a wearable electronic glasses designed for individuals with low vision. It does not require manual holding or a stand. Once the user wears it, clear images appear in front of the user’s eyes. Children can use Acesight VR to view vibrant and clear performances at SeaWorld, remembering beautiful moments of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals. 3.5–4 hours of battery life allows you to enjoy an entire performance seamlessly. Acesight VR also features high-contrast colors and freeze-image functions, with adjustments made via a wireless controller. Please note: Not recommended for outdoor navigation.

ZOOMAX Snow Eye

If heading out into nature, bring along the laptop and Snow Eye. They can be easily stored in a backpack, especially since Snow Eye weighs only as much as an apple. When visually impaired students want to enjoy the scenery, they can place it on the small table in the rest area. No hardware installation is required. Simply connect the laptop and Snow Eye, then long press the power button of Snow Eye and activate the camera on the laptop, the distant scenery will appear on the screen. Rotate the Snow Eye lens left, right, up, or down allows you to adjust the direction.

Traveling with a low vision student takes extra planning, but it can be a deeply rewarding experience. Use official resources, apps, and forums to identify accessible routes, accommodations, and attractions. Leverage the power of ZOOMAX magnifiers to enrich every step of the trip. With the right preparation, your family trip can be fun, educational, and truly unforgettable.

References

• Reuters. (2025, July 30). U.S. travel bookings rebound in August, boosting companies’ revenue outlook. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-travel-bookings-rebound-august-boosting-companies-revenue-outlook-2025-07-29/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• American Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). Accessibility. Retrieved August 4, 2025, from https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility
• National Park Service. (n.d.). Accessibility. Retrieved August 4, 2025, from https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
• SeaWorld Orlando. (n.d.). Guests with disabilities. Retrieved August 4, 2025, from https://seaworld.com/orlando/help/guests-with-disabilities/