Attractions
For sensory-friendly attractions, The Children's Imaginarium is a museum for children to learn, parents to engage, and families to connect. You'll find interactive exhibits rooted in STEM and designed to be hands-on. The Children's Imaginarium frequently hosts sensory-friendly events with dimmed lights, offering sensory-friendly maker projects, providing access to sensory bins, and much more!
The Monk Botanical Gardens is a free 29-acre park with themed areas such as a meditation garden, extensive trails, and a treehouse. These peaceful, nature-filled outdoor gardens can be soothing for sensory-sensitive individuals. The Monk Botanical Gardens is a favorite for kids, offering a hands-on experience with plant textures and scents that inspire creativity and curiosity. Most of their trails are wheelchair accessible, and benches are spread throughout the gardens for rest and recovery. Currently, wheelchairs aren't available, but the Monk Gardens can accommodate three people during tours or events via a golf cart from June to August. To reserve this service, please call 715-261-6309 at least one week in advance.
JoJo's Jungle is a unique playground where children of any ability can play alongside their friends and families. There is a water feature during the summer months.
The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of its visitors and ensuring an accessible, barrier-free experience for everyone. The Museum’s campus and facilities are fully accessible for individuals with mobility challenges. Curbside van parking is available near the main entrance, and elevators, ramps, and automatic doors provide easy access to gallery spaces. Artwork and labels are positioned at heights that can be comfortably viewed by all, whether standing or seated. Wheelchairs, strollers, and portable gallery stools are available on a first-come, first-served basis near the main entrance. Museum educators are happy to collaborate with teachers and groups to tailor visits to the specific needs of their visitors. To arrange a visit or for more information, contact the Museum at 715.845.7010 or email scheduling@lywam.org. Insightful Audio tours are also available upon request!
The Grand Theater has accessible parking, wheelchair-accessible seating, and different assistive hearing devices are available to improve your listening experience. Ask a staff member or volunteer before the show. Neck loops are available for patrons using hearing aids with T-coil technology (also called “T-switch” or “telecoil”).
Outdoor Recreation
The Rotary Kayak Landing in Schofield and the landing at D.C. Everest Park are both handicap accessible kayak launches. Gulliver's Landing Boat and Kayak Launch in Rib Mountain is fully ADA compliant to allow access to Lake Wasau for those with disabilities and mobility issues.
The RiverLife Park is a scenic walkway next to the Wisconsin River. Enjoy the accessible paths, exercise machines, interactive playground, as well as delicious ice cream at Briq's.
Cycling Without Age is a nonprofit organization that offers recreational mobility to seniors and those unable to cycle on their own in the form of volunteer-piloted trishaw rides.
Wausau Metro Adult Special Olympics is a Wausau area volunteer-driven organization that provides opportunities to enhance athletes' self-esteem, physical fitness, development of teamwork, friendships, and sense of belonging.
See the Parks, Forestry, and Recreation Matrix for the full list of ADA-compliant parks.
Staying in the Wausau Area
Visitors can choose from a wide variety of hotels catering to travelers with special needs.
Visit our hotel page to search for lodging options with ADA-compliant, have ADA doors, wheelchair accessibility, parking accessibility, lower counters, and family restrooms. You may need to call ahead for confirmation of certain amenities.
Dining
Visit our restaurant page to search for dining options with ADA compliance, ADA doors, wheelchair accessibility, parking accessibility, and family restrooms. You may need to call ahead for confirmation of certain amenities.
Getting Around
All Metro Ride buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps to provide accessibility for persons with limited mobility. Riders who do not use a wheelchair but are unable to climb steps may request to use the lift to board the bus. Each bus has two wheelchair securement locations. Metro Ride allows service animals on all buses. Find more information here.
