Hello, everyone!
During the past couple of weeks, the summer heat has been inescapable — I've spent time in Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, New York City and St. Louis, where temperatures have all been above the historical average. A respite does not appear to be on the horizon, as my August travels will take me to destinations like Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee.
In this newsletter, I will focus on my recent trips to Pigeon Forge and the Big Apple, share some recently published articles, and preview the destination for the first Wheelchair Travel Group Trip of 2026!
Thrilling Pigeon Forge getaway
Stevie and I made a quick trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee last week — it was my first time in the city that refers to itself as a "playground for vacationing families." It was certainly that, with tourist attractions on every block, from dinner theaters and thematic museums to go-kart tracks, mini-golf courses and even a ferris wheel. Our trip was short, but we found a (partially) wheelchair accessible mountain coaster that proved to be a real highlight. Read about it here:
John Morris
There are a lot of places to stay in Pigeon Forge, and I booked a room at a retro-themed motel that is part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio. Here's my review of the wheelchair accessible hotel room:
John Morris
Our trip was a quick one, but we had a fantastic time. I would certainly be interested in exploring more of Pigeon Forge and nearby Gatlinburg in the future. After a few days amidst the tourist crowds, I might be looking to escape to a wheelchair accessible cabin in the Smoky Mountains — do you know of any?
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A memorable weekend in NYC
Last week, I traveled to New York City to attend a funeral. One of my very best friends sadly lost his stepmother, and I made the trip to offer my condolences. The trip was planned on short notice and, given that it is summer vacation season, hotel room rates were high. I managed to find a decent deal at a Hilton Garden Inn near Broadway and Central Park; you can read my review here:
John Morris
The family thoughtfully considered accessibility before extending an invitation (that's a sign of true friendship in my book), ensuring that there were working elevators at the church (Saint Thomas Episcopal Church on Fifth Avenue) and at a private dinner for family and friends.
The dinner, held at The Russian Tea Room on West 57th Street, proved to be a memorable dining experience. Founded in 1927 by former members of the Russian Imperial Ballet, the restaurant claims to be a "cultural hotspot, frequented by artists, intellectuals, and celebrities." I'm no celebrity and only occasionally intellectual, but truly enjoyed the delicious meal at what is an iconic NYC restaurant.
Check out these recently published articles
It has been awhile since my last general newsletter, and you may have missed these stories which have appeared on the blog. First up is a look at the MICHELIN Guide's new "Key" distinction for hotels:
John Morris
Airlines track disability assistance requests using Special Service Request (SSR) codes, but the codes do not cover every customer need. In the following article, I suggest a new code that, properly implemented, could significantly improve the experience of wheelchair users:
John Morris
You may have missed this one — The long-awaited story from my Austrian adventure with Stevie and Robert has been published, as an exclusive for paid members. Check it out here and let me know what you think about Innsbruck as a travel destination:
John Morris
Preview: February 2026 Wheelchair Travel Group Trip to Sydney, Australia!
Leading Wheelchair Travel Group Trips throughout the year is the highlight of my work, and I am always looking to add new destinations to share with readers. Next year, I will have the honor of leading what I believe is the first-ever wheelchair accessible group tour in Sydney, Australia — I hope you will travel with me!
The Wheelchair Travel Group Trip to Sydney, Australia is scheduled to take place from February 8 to 17, 2026! An incredible mix of experiences will reveal Australia's art, culture, natural beauty and gastronomy on what is truly a once-in-a-lifetime accessible tour.
The complete tour itinerary will be released on Monday, August 4 at 10:00 a.m. ET (New York time) exclusively to paid members of this newsletter. Paid members will have a private booking window of 48 hours. If spaces remain (and that's a big if!), bookings will be opened to free subscribers on Wednesday, August 6.
If you would like to be among the first to receive this trip opportunity and future information about accessible group tours, please upgrade your subscription in advance of the tour release.
I will be back next week with the group trip itinerary, plus some new content from our family trip in Richmond, Virginia, and details about my travel plans for August. Thank you, as always, for your continued readership and support!
Talk to you soon,
— John
