Skydive Over Lake Superior, Swing on a Trapeze and Soar Above Wisconsin with These Epic Adrenaline-Pumping Adventures

Whether you scale mountains, skydive in your spare time, plan to get your pilot’s license, or simply dreamt of being Superman as a kid, the Midwest is packed with high-flying fun. Skydiving, paragliding, hang gliding; take your wanderlust to new heights with these epic options for air time from places like Mackinaw Parasailing in Michigan, Quarry Trails Metro Park's Via Ferrata in Ohio and Hang Glide Wisconsin.

Mackinaw Parasailing, Mackinaw City, Michigan

Experience the cobalt blue waters of the Third Coast on a single, double or triple parasail flight with Mackinaw Parasailing. Once your chute is deployed, expect a steady ascent 600 feet above the iconic Straits of Mackinac between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. While parasailers can certainly stay high and dry, those who prefer to get their feet wet can ask the captain to slow down near the end, creating a free-fall sensation that culminates in a refreshing glide through the water. 

Quarry Trails Metro Park’s Via Ferrata, Columbus, Ohio

Imagine scaling a sheer rock cliff rising from a sparkling quarry pond before tiptoeing across a narrow wire bridge. The first urban via ferrata in the country, Columbus’ Quarry Trails Metro Park brings the heart-pumping adventure to the Midwest. Via ferrata, Italian for “iron path” and popular in alpine regions, uses rungs, ladders and cables to allow people to climb across cliff faces. The best part about Columbus’ iteration? It’s a completely free guided experience. 

Hang Glide Wisconsin, Whitewater, Wisconsin

Hang Glide Wisconsin offers folks the chance to soar like a bird above southern Wisconsin. On a tandem Discovery Flight, you’ll hang underneath a lightweight nonmotorized wing that rides the wind. Experiences range from 10 to 35 minutes and ascend as high as a mile in the air. Afraid of heights? Don’t be. According to owner (and pilot) Danny Lange, even the most hesitant flyer requests to go higher on their next adventure.

Get a Grip Trapeze School, Chicago

Twelve years ago, Birgit Hampton bought a Groupon for a trapeze class on a whim—and met her future husband there. Today, the two own Get a Grip Trapeze, a year-round school that brings gravity-defying circus feats in reach for anyone. (As a nice perk, trapeze classes are held outdoors in summer.) There’s a robust lineup of other aerial options, too: trampoline, lyra, aerial silks, aerial hammock and static trapeze classes. 

Skydive Duluth, Superior, Wisconsin

Why skydive in Duluth? Breathtaking views of Minnesota and Wisconsin’s Lake Superior waterfront while you free fall from 11,000 feet. Skydive Duluth—based just across the bay in Wisconsin—offers tandem excursions from June through September. Owner and instructor Dean Beaudoin has more than 35 years and thousands of jumps on his resume and approaches each excursion with professionalism and infectious enthusiasm. 

Paragliding Unlimited, St. Louis 

Powered paragliding (PPG) is basically a real-life jet pack, blending paragliding and parasailing for a beginner-friendly flying experience. Paragliding Unlimited in St. Louis offers personalized PPG lessons as well as guided excursions: The pilot wears the motor on his or her back, which provides a thrust of power that propels adventure seekers into the sky.