Perhaps you know the feeling all too well: Your heart is racing, your palms are sweaty and you are so freakin’ excited. No, you aren’t about to put on that graduation cap, get married, announce you’re preggo or any of the other life-changing events that can come your way. That high is just a typical feeling in the world of adrenaline junkies. These thrill-seekers are often addicted to the rush of excitement, and we can’t really blame them. To help fuel said addiction, we found 15 jaw-dropping, curse-inducing (sorry, Mom) activities around the world for all you adrenaline junkies out there. Buckle up; you’re in for a wild ride.
1. Paraglide in Interlaken, Switzerland: Interlaken is practically the capital of all things adrenaline, so of course this breathtaking city made the list. Paraglide your way through the jaw-dropping Jungfrau region of Switzerland to feel like a bird. (Photo via The Original Alpin Raft)
2. Slide Down the World’s Tallest Water Slide in Kansas City, Kansas: This isn’t like the water slides of your youth. That is, unless you went down a slide that dropped 168 feet straight down and shot you back up only to drop you again 50 more feet. Totally your standard water slide, right? (Photo via Schlitterbahn Waterpark)
3. Wade in Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Africa: Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, so that alone is worth the trip. But if you want to take things up a notch, head to Devil’s Pool. When the water levels are just right (usually between September and December) it forms a lovely rock barrier between you and the edge of a massive waterfall. (Photo via South Luangwa Safaris)
4. Hike the Most Dangerous Trail in the World on Mount Huashan, China: This hike is definitely not for those with a fear of heights. But if you’re an adrenaline junkie, that concept doesn’t exist. Labeled as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world, Mount Huashan features steep staircases, vertical ascents and some boards bolted into the mountainside. NBD, right? (Photo via Travel China Guide)
5. Enjoy Dinner in the Sky: Talk about dinner with a view. Starting in Belgium, Dinner in the Sky has now spread to over 40 countries and is becoming all the rage. Imagine having an amazing dinner as you float high above gorgeous cities like Paris, Milan and Brussels. Don’t worry, you’re buckled in — but you can dangle your feet. In fact, we totally encourage it. (Photo via Dinner in the Sky)
6. Bike Death’s Road in La Paz, Bolivia: The name of this road surely says it all. This 40-mile ride is inhabited by thrill-seeking cyclists on the daily. The 11,000-foot decent and narrow road with sheer drops — sans guardrails in most places — is the ultimate rush. (Photo via Vertigo Biking)
7. Ride the World’s Steepest Roller Coaster in Fujiyoshida, Japan: Looking for a little speed in your life? Venture over to Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park in Japan and home to the world’s steepest roller coaster, named Takabisha. This roller coaster uses launch motors to blast cars from 0 to 62 miles per hour in two seconds flat. It also holds the record for the highest angle of descent (121 degrees). And that view is definitely something to scream about. (Photo via Highland Resort)
8. Become Weightless in Vienna, Virginia: Who hasn’t wanted to float around in space? Well, now’s your chance without going all intergalactic. At Space Adventures, you’ll board a specially modified Boeing 727. Once in the air, the plane dips and arcs its way to a weightless environment through movements called parabolas. Each series of dips and arcs takes 10 miles of airspace to perform, during which you get to float on and have a blast. (Photo via Space Adventures)
9. Zorb in Rotorua, New Zealand: Truly a ball of fun, going zorbing is an experience like no other. Tossing and turning in what can only be described as a giant hamster ball, you’ll go over hills and through a fun-filled course. The best part? The water inside the ball that’ll make you slip and slide with every turn. (Photo via Zorb Homepage)
10. Wing Walk in Gloucestershire, England: Want to catch some major air? Wing walking is the answer. You’ll be taught by a team of wing-walking pros and then strapped to, that’s right, the wing of a plane. Then the pilot will work their magic in getting your heart rate up. Your daredevil wish is their command. (Photo via Breitling Wingwalkers)
11. Walk on Water in the Florida Keys: Gaining in adrenaline popularity, jetpacks are bursting onto the scene. You’ll feel just like some sort of cool superhero as you float above the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys. (Photo via Florida Keys Jetpacks)
12. Canyon Swing in Queenstown, New Zealand: If bungee jumping isn’t your thing, try the equally as awesome/less jerky canyon swing. You can hit up the world’s highest canyon swing in another adrenaline junkie capital: Queenstown, New Zealand. You’ll free fall for almost 200 feet and then swing out into the gorgeous Shotover Canyon. Oh, and you can pick from over 70 different type of jumps. Want to be strapped to a chair? You got it. (Photo via Shotover Canyon Swing)
13. Sky Dive from 20,000 Feet Up in Hawaii: Of course skydiving made the list. But this isn’t your standard jump. Take skydiving to new heights (literally) and do a H.A.L.O jump, where you’ll leap out at 20,000 feet. Yes, you read that number correctly. At that altitude, temperatures can be -25 degrees, not taking into account the windchill, as you reach up to speeds of 120 mph. (Photo via Sky Dive Hawaii)
14. Cage Dive With Crocs in Darwin City, Australia: Dubbed the Cage of Death, on this adventure you and a friend can go face to face with some of Australia’s largest salt water crocs. The glass enclosure will make you forget that you’re actually in a cage, fueling that adrenaline rush of yours to the fullest. (Photo via Crocosaurus Cove)
15. Bungee Jump Off Macau Tower in China: This tower is home to the highest bungee jump in the world (764 feet, to be exact). You can choose to take the plunge during the day or at night and then brag to all your friends about what an adrenaline junkie you are. (Photo via AJ Hackett Macau Tower)
What has given you the biggest adrenaline high? Tell us in the comments below.
(Feature photo via The Original Alpin Raft)