Feel the adrenaline rush as you speed through the tree tops. Marvel at the breathtaking views as you glide through the air. Challenge yourself as you balance on a tight rope while harnessed in the air.
This is the fun you could be having in the Upper Valley if you love adventurous activities.
Paragliding/Hang gliding
Morningside
Morningside in Charlestown offers an array of fun activities: hang gliding, paragliding, ziplining, laser tag, kayaking, powered paragliding (PG), and more.
To experience hang gliding or paragliding you receive a lesson and the opportunity to glide. It takes about 3-4 hours. They also offer the experience for kids too where adults hold the hang glider. Kids or adults will feel like flying only 5-7’ off the ground (this is something I would do). You can also hang glide with an instructor, called tandem hang gliding. On the weekened you can get two days worth of flight experiences, 4 hours per day for $329.
Cost:$175 lesson and experience hang gliding or paragliding, $50 3 flights for low flying, tandem hang gliding $175
Hours: Daily 9 -6 pm
Zip lining
Morningside
Zip through the air on either the mountain canopy or superman tour at Morningside. The mountain canopy tour ranges from 45 min. to 2 hours and includes 4 zip lines, 2 suspension bridges, and 1 Bermuda bridge. The superman tour is 2-3 hors and has 7 zip lines and 2 suspension bridges.
Cost: Mountain Canopy $49, Superman Tour $89
Hours: Daily 9 -6 pm
Mt. Sunapee Adventure Park
The Mt. Sunapee Adventure Park has 8 zip lines from the top of the mountain to the bottom. It takes 2-2 1/2 hour to zip down the mountain. It’s best to reserve your spot ahead.
Cost: Adults $79, Kids 10-15 $69
Hours: Daily 9-5 during the summer and fall weekends and holidays 9-4
Rock Climbing
The Wall in Quechee
This is super fun and a great wall to climb. You can belay with a friend, rent a belayer by calling ahead for $20 an hour, or learn to belay with the belay course ($10). You can also climb alone by bouldering (low climbing) without learning to belay.
Cost: Day Passes: $20 adults youth $15, belay lesson $10, bouldering $12
Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 12 – 7 pm, Tues. and Thurs. 12 pm – 9 pm, Sat and Sun 12 – 5pm
Climbing Wall at the River Valley Club
I had so much fun doing this and highly recommend it. They have open climb hours where this is someone on staff to belay you. Shoes and gear are provided. For ages 13+. You can also climb without a rope up to the four foot line on your own during normal hours of the River Valley Club.
Cost: $20, $15 per visit if using a punch pass
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 5:30-8:00 pm open climb, Mon. – Thurs. 4:45 am – 10:00 pm, Fri. 4:45 am – 9:00 pm, Sat.-Sun. 7 am – 7 pm.
Climbing Wall and Air bag at the Sunapee Adventure Park
Climb the wall and jump into the air bag. This looks like so much fun!
Cost: 6 jumps or climbs $25
Hours: Daily 9 am -5 pm during the summer and fall weekends and holidays 9-4.
Mountain Biking
Local Trails
The local mountain bike association maintains a series of trails in the Upper Valley for your mountain biking pleasure. Omer and Bob’s and Paradise Sports also have the inside scoop on great rides. The Mountain Bike Project has a list of local trails as well with length and ratings.
Cost: Free
Hours: Usually dawn to dusk for local parks and trails
Mt. Sunapee Adventure Park
The adventure park has 5 miles of single track. You can rent a bike and get lessons too.
Cost: 2 hrs: $20 ($59 with rental), 4 hrs.: $25 ($79 with rental), Full-day: $30 ($109 with rental)
Hours: Daily 9 am -5 pm during the summer and fall weekends and holidays 9-4.
White River Rafting
Great River Outfitters
Kayaking, canoeing, rafting, tubing, and stand up paddle boards can be rented on the Connecticut River in Windsor. They have 3, 4, and 8 hour trips. Trips depart a 10, 12 and 2.
Hours: Mon. – Sun. 10:00am to 6:00pm (they are open year round)
Cost: Ranging from $22.50-82.50. See pricing guide here.
Ledyard Canoe Club
Rent a canoe or kayak on the Connecticut River from the Dartmouth Ledyard Canoe Club by the bridge that connects Hanover and Norwich.
Cost: $10 an hr., $70 for the weekday and $80 for a weekend day. You can also rent a stand up paddle board. $15 an hour, weekday $45, weekend day $60.
Hours: Summer – Mon.-Fri.: 11 am- 7 pm, Weekends: 10 am-7 pm, Spring / Fall – Mon.-Fri. 12 pm- 6 pm, Weekends: 10 am-7 pm
One local said you can also raft down the White river in West Hartford at higher water levels and tube at any time.
Laser Tag
Morningside
Play laser tag at Morningside in a woodsy arena.
Cost: $15 an hr 6 people
Hours: Open daily 9 – 6 pm
Disc Golf
Newport Town Forest
There’s free disc golf at the Newport Town Forest next to the high school in Newport. Bring your own equipment.
Sunapee Adventure Park
Take the lift up the mountain and follow the Province Trail. Eighteen holes to challenge yourself. $10 to play, includes chair up the mountain
Cost: $5 Disc Rental
Hours: Daily 9-5 during the summer and fall weekends and holidays 9-4
Other Fun Activities
Sunapee Adventure Park
They offer lots of fun all in one place and even a play all day pass. My favorite is the aerial obstacle course – I gotta try it! Learn more here.
Aerial sky rides
Dangle your feet, look down and around at the beautiful views as you ride the ski lift and hike down the mountain.
Archery course
3d animal targets at differing distances $10 one round bring own equipment
Aerial Obstacle course
Spider nets, rickety bridges and tight ropes and more $39 for four loop session – beginner to advanced courses
Great River Outfitters
Fat Tire Biking
Not just for the winter, you can also bike on sand. Enjoy this experience on the groomed trails of the Path of Life Scuplture Garden in Windsor. Trails range from beginner to intermediate. Rent from 1 to 3 hours Wednesday – Sunday. Read more here.
You can also rent fat tire bikes at Omer and Bob’s. Walk or ride over to the rail trail and have a great ride. Want to go on our other trails? No problem. You can also rent a bike rack.
Looking for more ideas?
Try Unleash Your Adventuresome Side: 6 Activities to Try which includes falconry and a hot air balloon ride.
Adventure awaits you in the Upper Valley. Feel the thrill.
