Thrillseekers...Adventures in Kansas City

Show your family a screamingly good time at one of these gravity-defying adventures in Kansas City.

Embark on an adventure soaring to new heights, plunging to new depths and traveling at incredible speeds in Kansas City this year.

Soar to New Heights:

A Walk on the Mild Side: Hot Air Balloon Rides

If you’re looking for a thrill that is safe, serene and peaceful (yes, peaceful), then hot air ballooning is the adventure for you. Passengers float above rooftops as they enjoy a breathtaking view. Old World Balloonery (913.338.2628) offers rides for passengers ages 10 and up, and KC Balloon (913.649.2359) requires a minimum age of 12.

A Walk on the Wild Side: Zip Line, Rappel and Ropes Challenge Courses

At TimberRidge Adventure Center (913.856.8849) in Olathe, groups can experience an eagle’s eye view of nature through challenge courses at the center's certified ropes course, 200-foot zip line and the Eagle’s Nest 40-foot climbing tower with two different sides for climbing, a dangle-duo and vertical play pen, and rappelling. At TimberRidge, you also may enjoy hiking, fishing, archery, canoeing and paddle-boating. This is a great adventure for Scout groups, families and even businesses.

Or, head to Adventure Zip KC (913.302.8881) in Bonner Springs, where you can enjoy a 143-acre park with a 300-foot elevation change. They offer a variety of zip line tours with up to five zip lines and a mix of hiking and zip lining for an unbelievable and unforgettable adventure.

Make a Splash:

A Walk on the Mild Side: Learning Adventures Sailing and Scuba Diving

Have you ever dreamed of setting sail on the high seas? We may not have high seas in Kansas City, but we do have big lakes! Learn to sail at Lake Jacomo in Missouri with the Jacomo Sailing Club (816.678.7761) or on Lake Perry in Kansas with Clifton's Columbus School of Sail (913.220.5177). Lessons are offered for beginning sailors and can quickly become a family sport. Or, become a spectator of the sport and watch sailboat races every Sunday afternoon at 1:30 from May to October on Lake Jacomo, where boats sail from both Sailboat Cove on the east side and the marina on the west side.

We may live more than 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean, but scuba diving adventures are much closer than you may think. Adventure Sports (913.962-2323), KC Dive Shop (913.677.3483), Midwest Aquatics (913.402.0403) and Frogman Dive Center (816.200.2881) offer scuba diving sessions and lessons for youngsters. They also offer excursions, including adventures at the Bonne Terre Mines and Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas lakes. The truly adventurous can even embark on a Caribbean trip.

The Need for Speed:

A Walk on the Mild Side: Seven World-Class Roller Coasters

Kansas City’s own Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun (816.454.4545) are two theme parks enjoyed for the price of one ticket. Worlds of Fun is a roller coaster enthusiast’s dream park! It’s home to seven world-class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world, the Mamba, with a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant inverted coaster that carries the daring through four inversions at a top speed of 65 mph. The extremely daring can pay an extra fee to experience the Ripcord, a Sky Coaster attraction that sends riders in a free-fall pendulum motion from 180 feet in the air at speeds of up to 80 mph. At Oceans of Fun, enjoy a huge water park with waterslides, rapids, an 800-foot rapids river and a wave pool.

A Walk on the Wild Side: Ride or Drive a Race Car at Kansas Speedway

The Richard Petty Driving Experience (800.237.3889) at Kansas Speedway (913.328.3300) lets fans ride shotgun at speeds of up to 165 mph or get behind the wheel and drive a 600-horsepower NASCAR race car for eight to 18 laps. And now, even teens can get in on the action! The newest program gives teens ages 14 to 19 the opportunity to receive a complimentary three-lap high speed ride-along when accompanied by an adult.

This summer, before you wile away all your days reading peacefully on the lounge chair overlooking your favorite pool or lake, consider a break from your books and try a thrilling adventure you’ll never forget.