From bungee jumping, skydiving, heli-skiing, or swimming with sharks, the following is our list of the must-try experiences for any adrenaline junkie. Each entry offers a unique blend of intensity and adventure – perfect for you to test your limits.

Skydiving

Skydiving is the ultimate adrenaline test – leaping from a plane at 13,000 to 15,000 feet & freefalling at 120mph for nearly a minute before your parachute deploys. That rush is followed by 5 minutes of serene descent, where the wind quiets and the world unfolds below.

Top U.S. spots for Skydiving:

Monterey Bay (California) – Jump from 18,000 feet! This is the longest freefall time in the U.S. with epic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaii (Oahu) – Soar over the North Shore beaches and mountains, with ocean views from takeoff to landing.
Zion (Utah) – Jump over red rock canyons and desert plateaus with stunning southwest scenery.
New England (Maine) – Lush forests and Atlantic coastline below make for an unforgettable East Coast experience.

Average cost: Usually somewhere between $200-$300 for a tandem jump from 13,000-15,000 feet. And most companies have photo or video packages to add-on which usually cost $100-$200 extra.

Bungee Jumping

Step off a platform or bridge up to 300 feet high and plunge headfirst at 60-70mph until the cord pulls you back in a breathless rebound. It’s fast, raw, and over in seconds – but the surge of emotion lingers long after you stop bouncing.

Top U.S. spots to Jump:

Bridge to Nowhere (California) – This is a classic West Coast jump.
Royal Gorge Bridge (Colorado) – Giant gorge with next-level views (event-based access).
High Steel Bridge (Washington) – Hardcore only.
White Canyon Bungee (Kentucky) – One of the few full-time bungee operations east of the Mississippi.

Average cost: Roughly $100–$200 per jump. Note: Some jumps require permits or guided access, which can raise the total cost.

Whitewater Rafting

Navigate roaring Class IV and V rapids on West Virginia’s Gauley River or the Salmon River in Idaho. Speeds can hit 25mph as you paddle 10-20 miles of churning whitewater per day. You’ll crash through waves, dodge boulders, and laugh in pure exhilaration. Between rapids, the quiet flow and canyon walls remind you nature is both wild and wise.

Top U.S. spots for Rafting:

Gauley River (West Virginia) – The king of East Coast rapids.
Salmon River (Idaho) – Wild and scenic backcountry flow.
Nantahala/Ocoee Rivers (North Carolina/Tennessee) – Olympic-caliber whitewater and great for beginners, too!
Kennebec River (Maine) – Big water, dam-released rapids, and guides that know their stuff.
Peshtigo River (Wisconsin) - Offers a unique whitewater experience in the Midwest.

Average cost: Most places charge $75-$150 for a half-day trip or $150-$250 for a full-day. Multi-day expeditions can run you $500-$1,500+ (and these usually include food, gear, guides).

Cage Diving with Sharks

Descend 30 feet into shark-filled waters. Safely enclosed in a steel cage, you come face-to-face with great whites, bulls, and hammerheads – some over 15 feet long! As they glide by at up to 25mph, it’s a primal, pulse-pounding moment of connection with the ocean’s top predator.

Top U.S. spots for Cage Diving:

Farallon Islands (California) – Deep water, deep fear.
North Shore, Oahu (Hawaii) – Wild shark action in crystal-clear water.
Florida Keys (Florida) – Lemon and bull sharks!
Montauk, Long Island (New York) – Summer runs with blue and mako sharks; fast-paced pelagic dives.

Average cost: Most places charge $200-$400 for non-certified divers in surface cages. But for deep cage dives (ex. great whites off California or Guadalupe Island), that’ll cost you $800-$1,500+.

Heli-Skiing

Board a helicopter and get dropped at 12,000-14,000 feet onto untouched slopes. Ski down 2,000-4,000 vertical feet through deep, untracked powder, often reaching speeds of 40mph. No lift lines, no crowds – just you and your guide, surrounded by some of the country’s most stunning wilderness.

Top U.S. spots to Heli-Ski:

Valdez & Tordrillo Mountains (Alaska) – Big-mountain lines and cool, glacier pow.
Jackson Hole Backcountry (Wyoming) – Expert territory with insane verticals.
Silverton Mountain (Colorado) – Cat and heli combo with jaw-dropping terrain.
Mount Washington (New Hampshire) – Limited heli-skiing during backcountry events or custom packages.

Average cost: Usually somewhere between $1,200-$1,500 per day (which typically includes 4-6 runs, guide, avalanche gear, etc.). Upgrade with multi-day lodge packages for $5,000-$15,000+.

Paragliding

Launch from a cliff and catch thermals that lift you to 5,000 feet! Drift for 20 to 45 minutes, covering up to 15 miles at around 20mph. Once the shock of running off a cliff edge dies down, the rest is a surprisingly peaceful ride with stunning views.

Top U.S. spots for Paragliding:

Point of the Mountain (Utah) – World-class air and scenery.
Maui (Hawaii) – Volcano launches with sea views.
Lookout Mountain (Georgia) – Tandem-friendly and breathtaking views.
Burke Mountain (Vermont) – Great fall color flights and forest canopy glides.

Average cost: Roughly $150-$250 for a tandem flight (which normally are 20-45 minutes). Or $1,200-$2,000+ for full certification/training courses.

Solo Backcountry Camping

There’s something raw and deeply liberating about venturing into the wilderness alone, far from crowded trails and creature comforts with no cell coverage or safety net. It strips life down to its essentials – shelter, sustenance, and survival. It challenges your limits, sharpens your senses, and reconnects you with nature in its most untamed form.

Top U.S. spots for Solo Backcountry Camping:

Sawtooth Wilderness (Idaho) – Lakes, peaks, and real quiet.
Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado) – Surreal and starry.
White Mountains (New Hampshire) – Steep, stunning, and perfect for solitude.
Baxter State Park (Maine) – Remote, wild, and home to Katahdin – the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

Average cost: Costs here can vary greatly! Permit/park access is usually $10–$50 (depending on location, duration, and time of year). Gear (if buying new) can cost anywhere from $500–$1,500+ for a tent, pack, sleeping bag, stove, etc.

Zero Gravity Flight

Board a specially modified Boeing 727 and experience true weightlessness without leaving Earth’s atmosphere. Through a series of parabolic climbs and dives, you’ll float, flip, and hover for 20-30 seconds at a time – repeated up to 15 times. It’s astronaut training made thrillingly accessible, turning your body, and perspective, completely upside down.

Top U.S. departure cities with Zero-G Corporation:

Las Vegas, NV
Cape Canaveral, FL
Long Beach, CA
New York, NY

Average cost: This is a pricey one – normally about $8,200 per person for a standard Zero-G flight (includes 15 parabolas, gear, video, and instruction).

If you're chasing the edge of excitement, this bucket list is your blueprint for unforgettable thrills. Whether you're plunging from the sky, facing apex predators, or venturing solo into the wild, each promises a surge of adrenaline and a lifetime memory.

How many have you checked off the list? And if we’ve missed any let us know on social. We’re always on the hunt for a new thrill.