There’s something special about seeing the world from a great height. We don’t know if it’s because it reminds us of how small we are in relation to the larger planet, or simply how the adrenaline surges when our bodies sense the possibility of danger, but it’s good to stand above it all, feeling awestruck, from time to time.
There are plenty of great attractions across the country that’ll give you views from so high up that you’re sure to leave feeling at least slightly dizzy. Plus, you’ll get to pretend to be royalty as you look down at all the silly peasants while riding your transparent fiberglass slide.
Intrigued? Good! Here are the best experiential attractions across America that’ll keep you feeling high on life.
Sip Champagne On The Observation Deck At CEB Tower — Washington, D.C.
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We’re going to start things off on the less extreme end of the spectrum. If you love the idea of seeing all that Washington D.C. has to offer from a bird’s eye view but don’t want even the slightest possibility of danger, the Observation Deck at CEB Tower is perfect for you. Outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and standing at nearly 400 feet, enjoy unobstructed 360-degree views of our nation’s capital.
If you’re big on history, be sure to check out HoverDC, an audiovisual tour of areas of the capital that even drones are prohibited from flying in, like right above the Pentagon! But the real draw here is The View — a champagne bar that overlooks the Potomac and stands as probably the best view of D.C. Honestly, getting drunk on champagne and taking in the sights of Washington D.C. may just be enough to make you forget for just a second all the insanity that is this country.
Admittedly… it’s going to take a lot of champagne.
Take In The Pacific Northwest At The Sky View Observatory — Seattle, Washington
400 feet not high enough for you? Well, how about 900! The Sky View Observatory is the tallest public-accessible viewpoint in the entire Pacific Northwest. Mt. Rainer, the Cascade Mountains, Elliot Bay, the Space Needle and the entire city of Seattle are all viewable from the 360-degree observation platform.
Seattle is already such a beautiful city to look at from the ground level, but we guarantee taking in the full beauty of the Emerald City from on high amplifies that experience ten-fold. Just try not to think about the fact that you’re almost 1000 feet above the ground if you have any wariness about heights.
Ride The Skyslide at OUE Skyspace LA — Los Angeles, California
Ahh, the aforementioned slide. Yes, for some reason somebody thought it’d be a good idea to affix a 45-foot fully-transparent slide 1,000 feet above Downtown LA. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the San Gabriel Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and the entire city of Los Angeles from the U.S. Bank building — one of the most iconic buildings in LA. Which is all well and good, but you aren’t going to be thinking about any of that because you’re going to be too busy wondering why you’re about to ride a slide above an earthquake-prone city.
If you’re in need of a little liquid courage, you can check out the Skyspace Bar beforehand until you’re drunk enough to talk yourself into riding the sky slide. If it’s just not for you, you’re still able to enjoy 360-degree views of the city as well as access to a few interactive exhibits such as a mock red-carpet (complete with paparazzi camera flashes) and a digital graffiti canvas. Our tip is to go on a rainy day or just after one, if possible, that’s when the city is at its best.
Take A Helicopter Tour Of The Big Apple — New York City, NY
New York City has a sense of grandiosity to it unmatched by any other American city and you’ll never, even after living in it for years, see it all. So take to the skies and soak it all in from a helicopter. Because the Empire State Building looks amazing enough from a distance, but from the sky? C’mon, it’ll have you thinking deep thoughts about the ingenuity of the human race. We built that? The same species who thought a Peeps cereal would be a good idea? Amazing!
New York Helicopter offers multiple sky tour options that’ll take you all across the city, from the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, to Central Park, up the Hudson, and across Yankee stadium. Uptown, Midtown, Downtown — you’re in New York baby, sing some Sinatra or Billy Joel or Jay-Z, your pilot will definitely appreciate it.
Parasailing In Marina Del Rey — Los Angeles, California
Alright, so viewing city skylines and sliding down transparent slides is fine and all, but you’re looking for something a little more active. So throw on your favorite swimsuit and a fresh pair of shades and strap yourself into a parasail as you fly upwards of 800 feet above the Pacific Ocean while a speed boat tows you along.
You’ll get to enjoy the sensation of killer views with the added spectacle of the ocean. What will you think about while you’re up there? We don’t know, but we’re sure you’ll be too busy marinating in the astounding beauty of the ocean kissing the shoreline instead of fixating on the possibility of sharks lurking nearby or your whole rig floating away or ripping apart. There definitely won’t be time to think about how falling into the ocean from great heights is akin to hitting concrete.
Flyboard Over Miami Beach — Miami, Florida
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Parasailing is cool and all, but we’re living in the 21st century and since we still aren’t jetting around futuristic cities with our own personal jet packs, the Flyboard will have to tide us over for now. One part Waterworld, one part The Jetson’s makes for a comparison that is way too f*cking dated for us to have any business using, but it’s also the perfect way to describe propelling oneself above the ocean with the power of jet propulsion.
Perform flips and midair dives as you emit thousands of gallons of water while you take to the skies above Miami beach. At Miami Beach Flyboard you can book experiences in both hour and half-hour increments, but we figure it has got to take at least 20 minutes to get accustomed enough to the Flyboard to be able to stage a sweet picture, so go for the full hour. Extra points if you show up in full Costner Cosplay!
Rope Swinging Off Of Red Rocks — Moab, Utah
This one is for the adrenaline junkies reading this list. Contemplating our own existence and appreciating that the world is vast and grand is sweet or cute or whatever, but sometimes the best way to get outside of yourself is for your mind to just go completely blank. If you’re thinking about how crazy you’d have to be to jump from a cliff with some bungee cables and a harness, stop for a moment and think about how you’d feel AFTER you make it out of the experience intact.
Once you jump off a cliff and swing through a canyon you just become a different kind of person. The Rowdy Town Adventures group rope swing tour will take you through the beautiful red-rock cliffs of Moab Utah with their safe and supervised rope swings. Just listen to the scream in the video above, what goes through one’s mind during those moments?
Everything? Nothing? Whatever it is, it’s sure to be unforgettable.
