Do you like the feel of adrenaline pumping through your veins? Are you always on the hunt for the next big adventure? Well, the Tarheel State has plenty of thrilling attractions to keep all you adventure junkies on your toes, whether you’re into heights, speed, or maybe even a combination of them both. So, hold on tight and check out these top North Carolina attractions… if you dare.
Zipquest - Fayetteville, NC
What Is It? If you love adventure and get a thrill out of heights and speed, you’re going to want to check out Zipquest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure in Fayetteville.
Why Do It? Just like the name implies, Zipquest gives brave visitors the opportunity to soar among the trees and over the waterfalls on a series of zip lines, suspension bridges, and spiral staircases. There are different levels of thrills available for everyone – the Treetop Excursion which includes 5 zip lines, 1 suspension bridge, and 2 spiral staircases, for more adventurous types – the Waterfall Expedition that includes 8 zip lines, 3 suspension bridges, and 3 spiral staircases, and for the truly brave at heart, the Swing Shot – a slingshot ride that lifts you up to three and a half stories above the trees and then releases you to swing out five stories above beautiful Carver’s Creek.
Good to Know: If you want to add a little more thrill to your trip, try doing one of the excursions at night and experience the thrill of swinging through the trees lit only by the moon above.
The National Whitewater Center - Charlotte, NC
What Is It? A top attraction in Charlotte, the National Whitewater Center is a must-visit.
Why Do It? At this site, you can experience the thrill of whitewater rafting without having to leave the city. Home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, the Center offers class II-IV rapids that visitors can tackle by raft or kayak. You’ll have a guide with you at all times and can choose to have a more relaxed experience or go all-in and go for the adventurous trip down the river.
Good to Know: On land, you’ll also find plenty more opportunities for adventure including several high ropes courses, a rock-climbing wall, ziplines, mountain biking trails, and for the truly brave, several high jumps that range in heights up to 100 feet!
Mile High Swinging Bridge - Linville, NC
What Is It? Located on Grandfather Mountain, the Mile High Swinging Bridge is America’s highest suspension footbridge, measuring in at over a mile high in elevation.
Why Do It? Brave visitors can walk across this 228-foot bridge that stretches across an 80-foot valley and offers unmatched 360 views of the scenery around them.
Good to Know: This walk is not for the faint of heart – as a suspension bridge, it is free to move and sway with the wind (and it will!), so make sure you have good balance and hold on tight!
NASCAR Racing Experience - Concord, NC
What Is It? Get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping by taking a real NASCAR race car out onto the track at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord.
Why Do It? The NASCAR Racing Experience offers lots of different options depending on what level of thrill you’re looking for. The four basic options include The Ride Along, where you’ll ride shotgun for 3 laps around the track at top speed; The Double Ride, a ride-along experience that lasts twice as long as you go for 6 laps around the track; the Practice that allows you to actually drive a race car on the track for a 5 minute timed session and the most popular experience – The Rookie, where you’ll take the race car around the track by yourself for a full 8 minute timed racing session.
Good to Know: For those that want to take their racing experience to another level, there are 8 more packages to choose from that will have you doing up to 40 laps on the track, with one-on-one feedback from the Pit Road and On-Track Instructors. Don’t forget to add on the instant video option so you can take home a dual-view video of yourself during your ride!
Stone Mountain State Park - Roaring Gap, NC
What Is It? If your idea of a good adventure is going rock climbing, you must visit Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap.
Why Do It? This climb is one of the most thrilling in North Carolina. In fact, the park is named for the massive 600-foot granite face of the mountain that towers above the park.
Good to Know: You must have a permit to climb the mountain face and you will have plenty of places to rest and picnic afterward, but the views from the top will definitely make it worth the effort!
Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures - Tobaccoville, NC
What Is It? Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures will give you the opportunity to see the beauty of North Carolina’s wine country in a whole new way – from high above the treetops.
Why Do It? If you want to experience adventure at a more leisurely pace, you’ll want to try a hot air balloon adventure.
Good to Know: You’ll go from skimming just above the trees to soaring high above the scenic landscape below, all while enjoying some wine from the local RagApple Lassie Vineyards.
