Is USA trip feasible for limited mobility DH?

[itchylionpaw]

My DH has mobility problems though does not rely on aides such as a wheelchair or stick.

He does however struggle to walk too far without pain and breathlessness. This is due to medical conditions which are managed well.

The crunch is we really want to visit USA together.

I have been when you get (west coast) but DH has never visited and would love to go before it's "too late".

I have also done city breaks such as NY (and other places in Europe) that require a bit of stamina to get the most out of - using subways, navigating crowds, queuing etc ... this is something DH struggles with and takes shine out of holidays for him.

I love the hustle and bustle of cities but less so for him nowadays.

So much question is - would a fly drive in USA allow us to see enough and experience USA without being too challenging?

I was thinking about Deep South or perhaps Florida (avoiding Disney etc..)?

I can't walk that far either, I can manage a small bit. We have just come back from a New York to Tennessee road trip.

We had a week in a town in the Smoky Mountains called Gatlinburg. We picked a central hotel and the town was small enough for me to walk up and down in and close to all amenity's.

Some lovely road trails to drive round. Close to Pigeon Forge as well. You could nip over to North Carolina as well. Some beautiful places there.

95% of the USA is set up so you never have to walk 5 minutes from the car. I think you'd be able to see enough to make a fly drive worthwhile

Would he be open to hiring a mobility scooter there? Then he could enjoy attractions/ museums or whatever without worrying about how far it is to walk

I agree with @DataPup the US is set up for being in a car. If you'd prefer not to wrangle city centre traffic in a car consider visiting smaller cities and other towns which would give you a real flavour of 'small town USA'.

We were living there 20 years ago and even then places like museums and even Walmart would have scooters for visitors to use so I am sure things are better now and should mean he can enjoy himself.

Yes, a fly/ drive holiday would be very doable, especially if you were to go to the west coast and especially any of the national parks in the west.

Driving through Yellowstone, for instance, would be great. Stop to see scenic spots, the geysers, etc. Get back into the car, drive on. Check on all national park websites to see if you need a timed entry pass or if you can buy a pass in advance, if this sounds appealing. Also check for average seasonal highway closures so you won't find yourselves unable to get somewhere because of snow. It can linger well into spring in the mountains. This wouldn't be a problem for Grand Canyon or other desert areas.

Thanks all - some good planning ideas and glad that it's possible.

I know that USA is very car friendly but didn't want to imply that Americans are lacking in mobility IYKWIM!

I think DH would decline a mobility scooter but it does sound a good option for museums etc..

I love driving so am happy to go anywhere - cities/mountains etc... it's the actual city centres when walking I was concerned about.

Ideally I think we'd like to do Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans and possibly Florida. Less fussed about national parks - well I would like to go some time but when I can go with more able traveller and be a bit more outgoing and adventurous (and DH happy with that too).

Check out travel insurance too with your husband's conditions. USA can be very expensive.

I went to uni in California many years ago and while I was there one of my friends broke her leg. It was surprisingly easy for her to cope. She drove an automatic car, could park close to all of her destinations so had minimal crutching to do, and all the places we went to like shops and malls and casinos lol lent her a mobility scooter to get around so she didn't get tired from crutching.
By contrast when I broke my leg in England it was so restrictive and I was really reliant on other people. I was very bored and frustrated. America is more accessible I think.
I hope you do go on your big trip and have a lovely time.

@Musicaltheatremum yes agree we have it sorted thankfully (not cheap!)

@ilikecatsandponies that's good to know (not that your friend broke her leg) but the accessibility issue - thanks for best wishes!

If you're thinking Nashville - Memphis- New Orleans you could follow the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, and you'd be in civil war territory which we found interesting. I would say don't write off the National Park Service offerings, as I think DH would be able to access much more that you might imagine, I think they work hard to make them accessible to all including those with limited mobility.

Cities - research hop on hop off bus. In NYC I used this and managed to see everything I wanted and I have limited walking capacity.

You can rent mobility scooters in Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans. Do your research beforehand though, and make sure you can reserve one. Florida - look up places you'd like to see.

I get what you say about the National Parks, but there really is so much you can do on accessible paths. The Everglades, for example, has surprisingly accessible short paths, and of course there are boat and airboat rides to enjoy.

Hiring a portable scooter would be the best plan and it opens up so much opportunity to see and do more, although obviously it’s your DH’s choice.