Some people go on vacation so they can get a chance to relax. They want to lie down by calm waters and soak up the sun for hours – with no responsibilities or obligations to distract them. But for others, this is boring and a waste of time.
If you find the idea of relaxing to be unacceptable, you’re probably the type who wants to experience thrills on vacation. You want to feel an adrenaline rush, pushing your body to its limits and/or exposing yourself to risky, exciting conditions.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of vacation activity ideas that can give you that adrenaline rush you crave.
Best Vacation Activities for Thrill Seekers
These are some of the best ways to challenge yourself and get that rush you want while on vacation:
- Thrill rides. If you’re new to the world of thrill seeking or if you just want something familiar and accessible, try starting out with thrill rides. These mammoth constructions, usually found in amusement parks, are designed to make you feel excitement – and a little bit of fear – in a safe environment. Jump on one of the tallest or fastest roller coasters in the country, or experiment with a ride that drops you straight down from a significant height.
- Wakeboarding. Next, consider trying wakeboarding. If you like being on the water, you’ll love wakeboarding; you’ll get to ride behind a powerful, speeding boat while feeling the wind in your hair. And as you get more experienced, you’ll learn how to do impressive tricks. Best of all, wakeboarding is beginner-friendly, and all you need is a few pieces of equipment to get started.
- Cliff diving. Cliff diving isn’t available everywhere, but if you can find a spot, there are few experiences like it. The basic idea is to jump off a cliff, with no equipment, into the water far below. If you’re afraid of heights, this definitely isn’t the activity for you. But if you love the idea of free falling for several seconds into a pool of water, go for it.
- Free climbing. Rock climbing is a physically demanding and exciting activity, but if you’re looking for something even more exhilarating, try free climbing. Free climbing is a type of rock climbing in which you can use ropes and other climbing equipment for personal protection – but not to assist your ascent. It’s for experienced climbers only, though, so you may want to get some practice before trying it.
- Hang gliding. If you like the idea of soaring through the sky, hang gliding may be right for you. It requires minimal training and minimal equipment, but you’ll need to be okay with heights to make the most of it. You can also try the close cousin of hang gliding, paragliding, for a change of pace.
- Bungee jumping. Not for the faint of heart, bungee jumping has you leaping from enormous heights, tethered by a thick, elastic cable that prevents you from hitting bottom. Instead, you’ll bounce back up, fall again, and repeat as you lose momentum. It’s the closest you can get to falling to your death without actually doing it.
- Skydiving. If you like the idea of bungee jumping but the cable freaks you out, or if you just want to fall from someplace even higher, consider skydiving. Though incredibly nerve-wracking your first time, you’ll gain a lot more confidence once your parachute deploys. After free-falling for 30 to 90 seconds, depending on how far up you go, you’ll get to coast gently back down to the ground – and wait for your heart to stop beating so hard.
- Ziplining. If you like the feel of high speeds, but you don’t want to be so high up, give ziplining a try. There are dozens of ziplining courses across the United States, and all of them have something unique to offer.
- Whitewater rafting. In whitewater rafting, you’ll have to fight against strong currents using your own muscles, mental fortitude, and sense of balance. It’s a tough and dangerous activity, so start with an area that’s welcoming to beginners.
- Spelunking. You can also try spelunking. Cave structures are often unexplored or rarely explored territory, giving you a chance to venture deep into the rocky abyss. Just bring plenty of protection and a way to call for help.
Finding Your Next Challenge
If you’ve already tried all the options on this list, or if you’re just interested in seeing what else is out there, you’ll need a way to discover new potential activities and hobbies. The best approach is to find someone who’s just as interested in death-defying activities as you are. Consider joining local groups or meeting more people with the same mindset as you. Upon connecting, you can share ideas, trade tips, and possibly go on your next adventure together.
