New York

New York's big museums put a lot within reach. In Manhattan, The Metropolitan Museum of Art says the museum is accessible to wheelchair users and others who need to avoid stairs, with accessible entrances at Fifth Avenue and 81st Street and through the parking garage. The American Museum of Natural History says all its exhibitions are accessible for wheelchairs and every public area can be reached by elevator, and it lends manual wheelchairs at no cost.

On Pier 86, much of the aircraft carrier at the Intrepid Museum is reached by ramp or elevator, including the hangar deck and the flight deck with the Space Shuttle Pavilion. The museum doesn't lend or rent wheelchairs, so bring your own.

In Corning, the Corning Museum of Glass says it is fully accessible to wheelchair users, with every entrance accessible and all public floors reached by elevator or ramp. Wheelchairs there are free of charge.

Check opening days before you set out, and plan your parking ahead.