Top 10 Sky High Thrills
July 28, 2006 — -- The summer is a wonderful time to get away from it all.
So, how about getting above it all, too? "Good Morning America" teamed up with National Geographic Adventure Magazine to bring you the Top 10 sky high thrills in the United States.
* External links are provided for reference purposes only. ABC News is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.
1) Hot Air Ballooning in Sherwood, Ore., and Stowe, Vt.
Vermont:
Chuck Baraw, president of the luxurious Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, www.stoweflake.com, in Stowe, Vt., has been piloting first-time flyers in his magic basket for three decades.
The charming, budget-friendly bed and breakfast next door to the Stoweflake, The Timberholm Inn, www.timberholm.com, has cozy, clean rooms for less than $80 a night.
Oregon:
Fly through the air with the greatest of ease in a hot air balloon on one of Vista Balloon Adventures' daybreak tours of Oregon's wine country, complete with a champagne brunch!
Vista Balloon Adventures: www.vistaballoon.com.
For information on the area, visit Yamhill Valley Visitors Association, www.yamhillvalley.org
Where to stay:
The Black Walnut Inn is surrounded by vineyards and reminiscent of a Tuscan villa. www.blackwalnut-inn.com
Where to eat:
The owners of the picturesque Joel Palmer House are wild about mushrooms. Sample their picks, along with fine wine, in this historic home. www.joelpalmerhouse.com
La Rambla combines Spanish and Northwest inspiration for one-of-a-kind dishes, www.laramblaonthird.com
2) Sky Diving in the Florida Keys, Sugarloaf, Fla.
World champion skydiver Joe Jennings picks the Florida Keys as one of the most scenic drop zones in the country. See the Keys from above and get the thrill of a lifetime during a 40-second free fall from 10,000 feet with Skydive Key West.
Skydive Key West: www.skydivekeywest.com
Visit Joe Jenning's Web site, www.skydive.com and find the drop zone nearest you using an interactive map.
Where to stay:
For a private, romantic setting, try Chelsea House, www.chelseahousekw.com
For a large, luxurious setting, try the Grand Key Resort, www.grandkeyresort.com
Where to eat:
Mangoes has lots of seafood with Caribbean flair. www.mangoeskeywest.com
A typical wharf-side dive with ramshackle charm, the Schooner Wharf serves affordable food. www.schoonerwharf.com
3) Hang Gliding at Lookout Mountain, Rising Fawn, Ga.
Legendary views and great wind conditions draw beginners and pros alike to the flight park and hang gliding school at Lookout Mountain, www.hangglide.com
Chattanooga Area Visitors Bureau www.chattanoogafun.com
For hang gliding certification rules and a list of other flight parks, visit the U.S. Hang Gliding Association, www.ushga.org
Where to stay:
In the rustic, cozy cabins at The Landing, 1-800-803-7788
Where to eat:
Geneva herself serves up home-cooked meals at Geneva's Restaurant, (706) 398-1749
4) Bungee Jumping off Bridge to Nowhere in Los Angeles
Take the plunge -- 10 stories off the Bridge to Nowhere -- and experience the thrill of bungee jumping! The jump site is a two-hour hike through the beautiful Angeles National Forest, so make a day of it and get both an adrenaline-pumping free fall and a chance to enjoy the outdoors.
For information, rates and reservations, visit Bungee America, www.bungeeamerica.com/nowhr.htm
Angeles National Forest: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/
Where to stay:
Live like a movie star in the glamorous Mondrian Hotel, just west of Hollywood and right on Sunset Strip. www.mondrianhotel.com
Where to eat:
Katana has authentic Japanese cuisine and a large sushi bar in lush, trendy surroundings, www.katanarestaurant.com
5) Glider Plane Tour of Sedona's Red Rocks, Payson, Ariz.
Get a whole new perspective on the beauty of Sedona's Red Rocks by seeing them from above. On one of Sky King Soaring's gliders, use motor power only during takeoff, then stay afloat by riding thermal wind currents.
Sky King Soaring, www.skykingsoaring.com.
Where to stay:
The Majestic Mountain Inn is set amid Payson's tall Ponderosa Pines. www.majesticmountaininn.com
Where to eat:
Fargo's is the best steakhouse in town, www.fargossteakhouse.com
Cucina Paradiso is a family restaurant and offers homemade Italian fare. www.cucinaparadiso.com
6) Ride El Toro Roller Coaster, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, N.J.
All the excitement of running with the bulls -- without the risk of being trampled! Newly opened this last June, this wooden coaster holds the world record for steepest drop!
For more information on Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari, which has El Toro, visit www.sixflags.com/parks/greatadventure/.
Where to stay:
For a list of nearby campgrounds and hotels, visit www.sixflagslodging.com
Where to eat:
Country Stop Kitchen, (732) 833-0322, has a great country feel, just like the name promises.
7) Zip Lining in Durango, Colo.
Tighten up your harness and zip through Colorado's famous Aspen forests like Tarzan himself -- just skip the vines, and replace them with state-of-the-art sturdy cables. Soaring Colorado's zip line adventure is only accessible by historic railroad ride, so climb aboard and enjoy stately scenery en route to a thrilling ride!
For rates, information and reservations, visit Soaring Colorado,www.soaringcolorado.com
For information on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum, visit www.durangotrain.com
Where to stay:
In secluded luxury, at Tall Timber Resort, www.talltimberresort.com
In the center of town, at General Palmer Hotel, a 19th-century Victorian landmark, www.generalpalmerhotel.com
Where to eat:
Try the bison bratwurst and the Iron Horse oatmeal stout at Carver Brewing Co., www.carverbrewing.com
8) Base Jumping on Bridge Day off the Bridge at New River Gorge in Fayetteville, W.V.
The annual largest extreme sports sports event in the world will be taking place this year on Sept. 16, when 450 BASE jumpers and more than 200,000 spectators will gather on New River Bridge to experience daring dives into the pristine New River Gorge.
BASE jumpers take off from the 876-foot bridge, then free-fall before opening a parachute to help them float gently to safety.
General Bridge Day Information: www.officialbridgeday.com
Base Jumping-Specific Bridge Day Info: www.bridgeday.info
Area information: www.newrivercountry.com
Where to stay:
Relax in spacious cabins at Opossum Creek Retreat, www.opossumcreek.com
Country-style lodging is yours at The Ponderosa Lodge B & B, www.theponderosalodge.com
Where to eat:
Get just what the name suggests at Pies & Pints Pizzeria,www.piesandpints.net
Enjoy Cajun flavor at Gumbos, www.wvgumbo.com
9) Climbing Grand Teton, Grand Teton National Park, Wyo.
Wildlife and beautiful mountain scenery abound in the Tetons, but the real draw is the range's signature peak. At 13,770 ft, Grand Teton's majestic heights beckon. Exum Mountain Guides will lead you on a multiday expedition to the top!
Exum Mountain Guides, www.exumguides.com
Grand Teton National Park, www.nps.gov/grte/
Where to stay"
After your climb, reload lakeside at Signal Mountain Lodge http://signalmountainlodge_com.itinio.net/
Kick back in high style at Jenny Lake Lodge, www.gtlc.com/lodgeJen.shtml
Where to eat:
Top off hearty Italian fare with a cone of moosetrack ice cream at Leeks Marina and Pizzeria, 307-543-2494.
10) Indoor Skydiving in Las Vegas
Flyaway Indoor Skydiving is home to America's first vertical wind tunnel, where those who suffer from vertigo can still experience the feeling of flight! Experts help you gear up and get you flying faster than you can say,"Bombs away!"
Flyaway Indoor Skydiving, www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com
Where to stay:
The Venetian is a miniature Venice in the heart of Vegas, complete with an indoor canal and on-site casino. www.venetian.com
Where to eat:
The food and the scene compete for top billing at trendy, brand-new Stack, http://www.mirage.com/dining/fine_dining_stack.aspx