Try Something New. Savor This Summer.
Half the fun of traveling is trying new things. Each new location has unique foods to sample, special sites to see, and different festivals and events to attend. What many people don’t realize is that when they’re on vacation - whether in a spot they visit often or somewhere they’ve never been before – is that there are also lots of opportunities to learn how to do something new. In fact, there are opportunities all over Upstate New York. In almost any destination, there are certified professionals waiting to teach you their specialty. Scuba lessons, sailing lessons, and water skiing lessons are popular, but there’s more. Whatever you choose to do, learning something new this summer will make your trip more interesting and could even open up a new hobby. Upstate New York is teeming with opportunities to do something bold and adventurous this summer. Even if you don’t imagine yourself as the thrill-seeking type, trying a new experience can spice up a vacation. There’s a thrilling activity fit for just about everyone.
Horseback Riding
A more mellow activity, horseback riding is a way to get up close and personal with nature without setting out on foot. And, as many people realize when they saddle up – it can be pretty exciting to see things from this perspective. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a great way to get some exercise and get your heart pounding. Explore with a guided tour, or go it alone; either bring a bike or rent one, but always make sure you have reliable maps. You can get lost easily in the woods. This a great alternative to hiking.
Jet Boating
Riding on a jet boat is just pure fun. Sylvan Beach’s 2,000 horsepower Screamer speeds across Oneida Lake at 40 miles per hour—while that wouldn’t seem like much on land, it’s incredibly fast on the water. The ride lasts half an hour, and will cost around $18 per person; well worth it for the adrenaline rush. You’ll feel exhilarated long after you get back on land.
Water Skiing/Wakeboarding/Tubing
Water skiing or wakeboarding is one of the original good-weather, on-water traditions for thrill seekers. Zipping behind the boat, gliding atop the water, feeling the spray on your face; few things come closer to pure joy. It’s fairly easy to learn, though balance-challenged family members may want a little extra instruction to get them up on their feet. With a bit of practice, water skiing and wakeboarding can be a fun way to spend a day together. Bonus: family members who don't want to ski can relax in the boat and enjoy the ride while the rest take turns. Tubing is a fun alternative for those who choose not to ski. There’s no learning curve – just get on the tube, hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
Parasailing
You’ve probably driven by a lake or spent the day the beach and seen someone high in the air behind a speedboat, dangling from a parachute. While it looks precarious, parasailing is actually one of the milder versions of up-in-the-air fun. If you choose to do it, you’ll be harnessed in and lifted off into the sky for an amazing ride and unparalleled views. The sensation is more like floating than flying, so this activity is good for those who want the feeling of soaring.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving provides a different kind of experience . Rather than the intensity of high speeds or the distance of flight, scuba’s fun comes from the element of exploring a world that looks like it belongs on a different planet. Sunken ships and underwater seascapes are more than fulfilling to the scuba diver. After all, exploring shipwrecks isn’t something you do every day.
Jet Skiing
Jet skiing feels like riding a motorcycle on the water. Climb atop a jet ski and you’ll find an adventurous and versatile alternative to boat rides, one that allows you to play around with friends as well as see things from a different perspective. Easy to ride and easy to race, jet skis are available for rental at many marinas. And getting the hang of it is no problem.
Whitewater Rafting
Few things provide the same thrill as slamming your rubber raft into a wall of whitewater and coming out the other side drenched, scrambled, and in one piece. Though many trips aren’t that intense—whitewater is an activity that can be fun for families and thrill seekers alike—the promise of an exciting time is a constant. Trips are available in most regions, from an excursion of a few hours to an outfitted expedition of a few days, and intensity level changes depending on course, time of year, and water level. At the very least, it’ll be a day of fun; at the most, it’ll be a wild ride; but either way, a day of whitewater rafting is a day you’ll never forget.
Sky Diving
Skydiving has a reputation for being the ultimate in thrills for crazy adrenaline junkies. But it doesn’t have to be that way. While this activity’s not for everyone, there are professionals who will be happy to introduce anyone that fits the safety parameters (over the age of 18, in fairly good physical shape, etc) to the ultimate thrill of parachuting from a plane. With a mandatory safety briefing and tandem jump with an instructor, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Seaplane Rides
The feeling of being in a small plane is unlike anything else in the world. The aerial views are unparalleled, Seaplane rides combine all the fun and the opportunity to get an intimate look at the wilderness with a licensed and experienced guide. The water landing is a thrilling experience in itself.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
The floating ride in a balloon’s basket is second to none when it comes to an up-close-and-personal experience in the air. Your guide will direct your course so that you travel over landmarks and enjoy gorgeous unobstructed views. Hot air balloon rides have long been a favored activity for couples—some places offer packages that allow you to sip champagne on your romantic ride. Stop and see our friend Dwight Cramer at Airborne Adventures in Munnsville, (315-495-6544 www.flyairborne.com), and don’t forget your camera; this is a once-in-a-lifetime photo op for sure.
Horseback Riding
A more mellow activity, horseback riding is a way to get up close and personal with nature without setting out on foot. And, as many people realize when they saddle up – it can be pretty exciting to see things from this perspective. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a great way to get some exercise and get your heart pounding. Explore with a guided tour, or go it alone; either bring a bike or rent one, but always make sure you have reliable maps. You can get lost easily in the woods. This a great alternative to hiking.
Jet Boating
Riding on a jet boat is just pure fun. Sylvan Beach’s 2,000 horsepower Screamer speeds across Oneida Lake at 40 miles per hour—while that wouldn’t seem like much on land, it’s incredibly fast on the water. The ride lasts half an hour, and will cost around $18 per person; well worth it for the adrenaline rush. You’ll feel exhilarated long after you get back on land.
Water Skiing/Wakeboarding/Tubing
Water skiing or wakeboarding is one of the original good-weather, on-water traditions for thrill seekers. Zipping behind the boat, gliding atop the water, feeling the spray on your face; few things come closer to pure joy. It’s fairly easy to learn, though balance-challenged family members may want a little extra instruction to get them up on their feet. With a bit of practice, water skiing and wakeboarding can be a fun way to spend a day together. Bonus: family members who don't want to ski can relax in the boat and enjoy the ride while the rest take turns. Tubing is a fun alternative for those who choose not to ski. There’s no learning curve – just get on the tube, hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
Parasailing
You’ve probably driven by a lake or spent the day the beach and seen someone high in the air behind a speedboat, dangling from a parachute. While it looks precarious, parasailing is actually one of the milder versions of up-in-the-air fun. If you choose to do it, you’ll be harnessed in and lifted off into the sky for an amazing ride and unparalleled views. The sensation is more like floating than flying, so this activity is good for those who want the feeling of soaring.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving provides a different kind of experience . Rather than the intensity of high speeds or the distance of flight, scuba’s fun comes from the element of exploring a world that looks like it belongs on a different planet. Sunken ships and underwater seascapes are more than fulfilling to the scuba diver. After all, exploring shipwrecks isn’t something you do every day.
Jet Skiing
Jet skiing feels like riding a motorcycle on the water. Climb atop a jet ski and you’ll find an adventurous and versatile alternative to boat rides, one that allows you to play around with friends as well as see things from a different perspective. Easy to ride and easy to race, jet skis are available for rental at many marinas. And getting the hang of it is no problem.
Whitewater Rafting
Few things provide the same thrill as slamming your rubber raft into a wall of whitewater and coming out the other side drenched, scrambled, and in one piece. Though many trips aren’t that intense—whitewater is an activity that can be fun for families and thrill seekers alike—the promise of an exciting time is a constant. Trips are available in most regions, from an excursion of a few hours to an outfitted expedition of a few days, and intensity level changes depending on course, time of year, and water level. At the very least, it’ll be a day of fun; at the most, it’ll be a wild ride; but either way, a day of whitewater rafting is a day you’ll never forget.
Sky Diving
Skydiving has a reputation for being the ultimate in thrills for crazy adrenaline junkies. But it doesn’t have to be that way. While this activity’s not for everyone, there are professionals who will be happy to introduce anyone that fits the safety parameters (over the age of 18, in fairly good physical shape, etc) to the ultimate thrill of parachuting from a plane. With a mandatory safety briefing and tandem jump with an instructor, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Seaplane Rides
The feeling of being in a small plane is unlike anything else in the world. The aerial views are unparalleled, Seaplane rides combine all the fun and the opportunity to get an intimate look at the wilderness with a licensed and experienced guide. The water landing is a thrilling experience in itself.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
The floating ride in a balloon’s basket is second to none when it comes to an up-close-and-personal experience in the air. Your guide will direct your course so that you travel over landmarks and enjoy gorgeous unobstructed views. Hot air balloon rides have long been a favored activity for couples—some places offer packages that allow you to sip champagne on your romantic ride. Stop and see our friend Dwight Cramer at Airborne Adventures in Munnsville, (315-495-6544 www.flyairborne.com), and don’t forget your camera; this is a once-in-a-lifetime photo op for sure.