Zip Through the Summer
Area zip line parks offer thrills and birdseye views
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Want a thrilling activity to do with older grandchildren? Look no further than ziplining.
Using safety harnesses and belays, zipline parks provide a safe way to skim through the treetops. Parks include things to do for younger and older children, but generally are not meant for children younger than 4.
• Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventure in Canandaigua is the best local place to go if you have a mix of ages in your group. Children 4-7 who will enjoy the Kids Adventure Park ($28 each) and pre-teen through teen grandchildren who can join you in the main Aerial Adventure Park ($57 each). Each park is mostly high ropes obstacle courses but includes zip line elements. High ropes courses include walking and climbing on suspended logs and tippy bridges between treetop platforms, plus numerous other climbing elements to challenge your problem-solving skills and sense of balance. The safety equipment ensures you won’t fall far. The courses are ranked by difficulty so you can gradually increase the difficulty as you complete them. If all you want to do is zip line, the Zip line Canopy Tour is for you ($109 per person, must weigh between 80 and 250 pounds). It features seven different rides measuring more than 5,000 feet. The admission is for an all-day pass (not per ride). The only exception is Bristol’s The Launch ($20 or $16 as an add-on to park admission), which as its name denotes launches a single rider 63 feet in the air with up to 3.8 Gs of force. It’s like being the pebble in a giant slingshot.
More info: www.bristolmountainadventures.com
• Calypso’s Cove Family Fun Park in Old Forge includes a 300-foot zip line as part of the park’s high ropes course. The two-level course is new this year, in addition to the g-karts, rides, arcade and bumper boats. Zip line guests soar over the park’s mini golf course at speeds of up to 21 mph. Pricing for the new attraction is not currently available.
More info: www.calypsocover.com
• The zip lines at Outdoor Adventure Center at Greek Peak in Cortland offer speeds up to 40 mph. The rate is $64 per guided tour. Stick around for more thrills with the park’s mountain coaster, high ropes course, ski lift ride and laser tag. There’s plenty to do to make a day of it at Greek Peak.
More info: www.greekpeak.net/outdoor-adventure-center
• Soaring Eagle Zip Line at Thunder Island Event Center in Fulton is only $3 with a water park band, $4 without a band. A second ride on this 700-foot course costs an extra dollar. This pricing and the tandem, seated ride with a buddy is perfect for children who aren’t sure if they want to ride a zipline a second time. Since there’s plenty of other fun at Thunder Island, those who discover they don’t like zip lining still have plenty of other things to do, like the water park, GellBall, mini golf, and go-karts.
More info: www.thunder-island.com
• Bad weather? No worries. Destiny USA in Syracuse has you covered, as the Canyon Climb Adventure at WonderWorks represents the largest indoor ropes course in the world. Its 80 elements include zip lining and some of its 35 platforms go up to almost 70 high. Tickets are $18.
More info: www.wonderworksonline.com
Staying Safe
To enjoy your day at an adventure park:
• Thoroughly understand the park’s height, weight and health recommendations. A grandchild who is too small to participate in most of the activities will feel disappointed.
• Wear appropriate clothing, such as closed-toed shoes with good treads, close-fitting clothing and sturdy fabric, like denim. Tie back long hair and skip dangling jewelry.
• Bring along water bottles, snacks, bug repellent, sunglasses and sunscreen.