Ways to seek adventure in Connecticut
Ready for some adventure this summer? Here are some recommendations to get your adrenaline surging!
By Lidia Ryan
on May 18, 2016 2:29 PM
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Photo: Brian Koonzphoto-15855953.129765 - |ucfirst
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Zip Line
You don't have to go to the jungle to get the rush of soaring through the trees on a zip line–you can do it right here in Bridgeport. Head to Portland if you want to try rock climbing and cliff jumping as well as zip lining.
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Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
Brownstone Park Ziplines
Skydive Danielson and the Adventure Park at StorrsZip LinePhoto: Brian A. Pounds
You don't have to go to the jungle to get the rush of soaring through the trees on a zip line–you can do it right here in Bridgeport. Head to Portland if you want to try rock climbing and cliff
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Skydive
The ultimate adrenaline rush is jumping out of a plane. Head over to Storrs where experienced skydivers and first-timers can feel the rush.
SkydivePhoto: Contributed Photo
The ultimate adrenaline rush is jumping out of a plane. Head over to Storrs where experienced skydivers and first-timers can feel the rush.
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Bungee Jump
The sky coaster at Lake Compounce isn’t exactly bungee jumping, but it’s the closest thing to it here in Connecticut. You will be strapped into a harness and dropped from 180 feet. You’ll be flying at about 65 mph.
lessBungee JumpPhoto: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News
The sky coaster at Lake Compounce isn’t exactly bungee jumping, but it’s the closest thing to it here in Connecticut. You will be strapped into a harness and dropped from 180 feet. You’ll be
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Hot Air Balloon
Go up 5280 feet in the air and enjoy views of Connecticut and surrounding states from a hot air balloon. If you don’t want to go quite as high, Adventure Balloon offers a one-hour sunrise flight when the winds are calm.
lessHot Air BalloonPhoto: Neil Barris, Associated Press
Go up 5280 feet in the air and enjoy views of Connecticut and surrounding states from a hot air balloon. If you don’t want to go quite as high, Adventure Balloon offers a one-hour sunrise
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Fly a seaplane
Sport Flying of Connecticutoffers 20-minute intro flights on their seaplanes. If you like it, purchase lessons and learn to fly one yourself.
Fly a seaplanePhoto: David Hopper, Freelance
Sport Flying of Connecticutoffers 20-minute intro flights on their seaplanes. If you like it, purchase lessons and learn to fly one yourself.
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Ride a river
Hold hands along the smooth waters of the Farmington River, but be prepared for exciting rapids.
Ride a riverPhoto: TOM REEL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Hold hands along the smooth waters of the Farmington River, but be prepared for exciting rapids.
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Man a boat
Head out onto the open sea – or at least onto the open Long Island Sound. Longshore Sailing School in Westport offers affordable boat rentals by the hour. You can also try paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking.
lessMan a boat
Head out onto the open sea – or at least onto the open Long Island Sound. Longshore Sailing School in Westport offers affordable boat rentals by the hour. You can also try paddle boarding, canoeing
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Explore caves
Tory’s Cavein New Milford offers an opportunity for experienced and first-time spelunkers to explore an underground cave.
Explore cavesPhoto: PHOTO: MIKE MOFFITT/SFGATE
Tory’s Cavein New Milford offers an opportunity for experienced and first-time spelunkers to explore an underground cave.
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Go Kart
The whole family can go like the wind in go karts on Stratford Speedway’s outdoor track or inside at one of On Track Karting’s locations.
Go KartPhoto: Mike Lauterborn
The whole family can go like the wind in go karts on Stratford Speedway’s outdoor track or inside at one of On Track Karting’s locations.
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Paint ball
Grab a group of friends and battle it out on the paintball field. Extreme Paintball in Waterbury offers 10 different courses on 75 acres.
Paint ball
Grab a group of friends and battle it out on the paintball field. Extreme Paintball in Waterbury offers 10 different courses on 75 acres.
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Go on a bike trip
Connecticut offers many scenic routes for bikers. Popular ones include the Northeast Country Loop starting in Ashford, the Scenic Durham to Old Saybrook route and the Lovely Litchfield Loop. Check them out here.
lessGo on a bike tripPhoto: Bailey Wright, For Hearst Connecticut Media
Connecticut offers many scenic routes for bikers. Popular ones include the Northeast Country Loop starting in Ashford, the Scenic Durham to Old Saybrook route and the Lovely Litchfield Loop.
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Ride a horse
Take a horse out on the trails or even get riding lessons together at Spruce Farm. Experienced riders can head to Mead Farm in Stamford for trail riding through Stamford and Greenwich.
Ride a horsePhoto: Brian A. Pounds
Take a horse out on the trails or even get riding lessons together at Spruce Farm. Experienced riders can head to Mead Farm in Stamford for trail riding through Stamford and Greenwich.
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Climb Connecticut's highest peak
Bear Mountain(2,316 ft.) is the highest peak in Connecticut and offers spectacular views from the top.
Climb Connecticut's highest peakPhoto: Post Photo/David W. Keyes, Contributed Photo
Bear Mountain(2,316 ft.) is the highest peak in Connecticut and offers spectacular views from the top.
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Hike a trail
You might not think it, but there are many hidden gems of beauty in Southwestern Connecticut. From the Mianus River Park in Stamford and Greenwich to Tarrwille Park in Danbury and the Lower Paugusset State Forest in Newtown, you will find hikes for all fitness levels. Check out some trails here.
lessHike a trailPhoto: Dru Nadler
You might not think it, but there are many hidden gems of beauty in Southwestern Connecticut. From the Mianus River Park in Stamford and Greenwich to Tarrwille Park in Danbury and the Lower
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Hike a waterfall
If you’re not an experienced hiker, Kent Halls offers an easy hike along a scenic waterfall. Make a day of it and bring a picnic or check out the shops in downtown Kent.
Hike a waterfallPhoto: Contributed
If you’re not an experienced hiker, Kent Halls offers an easy hike along a scenic waterfall. Make a day of it and bring a picnic or check out the shops in downtown Kent.
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Explore a water trail
If it's too hot to hit a hiking trail, try a water one. Connecticut is home to water trails where you can kayak or canoe your way through the wooded landscape.
Explore a water trailPhoto: Brian A. Pounds
If it's too hot to hit a hiking trail, try a water one. Connecticut is home to water trails where you can kayak or canoe your way through the wooded landscape.
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Water yoga
Test your strength with paddleboard yoga in Rowayton. Take a class and then relax with a seaside dinner from SUP Yoga.
Water yogaPhoto: Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Test your strength with paddleboard yoga in Rowayton. Take a class and then relax with a seaside dinner from SUP Yoga.
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Looking for slightly less extreme thrills? Try a water slide or make some breeze on a roller coaster. Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury and Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Bristol are two of the most popular amusement parks in the state. They aren't the only options though. Check out five water theme parks in and around Connecticut.
lessPhoto: Brian KoonzLooking for slightly less extreme thrills? Try a water slide or make some breeze on a roller coaster. Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury and Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Bristol are two of the most
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Six Flags New England is home to the region’s largest–and probably most thrilling–water park, but it's not the only one. If you want a summer adventure that the little ones can enjoy check out these water parks.
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Six Flags New England
Quassy Amusement and Water Park
Bayville Adventure Park
Splish Splash Water ParkPhoto: Christian Abraham, Hearst Connecticut MediaSix Flags New England is home to the region’s largest–and probably most thrilling–water park, but it's not the only one. If you want a summer adventure that the little ones can enjoy check out these
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Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. Click here to sign up.
lessPhoto: HOLLY PARKER, MBRGeocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that
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Go up 5280 feet in the air and enjoy views of Connecticut and surrounding states from a hot air balloon. If you don’t want to go quite as high, Adventure Balloon offers a one-hour sunrise flight when the winds are calm.
Go up 5280 feet in the air and enjoy views of Connecticut and surrounding states from a hot air balloon. If you don’t want to go quite as high, Adventure Balloon offers a one-hour sunrise
... more