Buzz
Everyone craves the rush of adrenaline, but no one dares to seek it. Well, I've done the hard part for you. Strap in, adjust your harness, and hold on for the ride of your life.
10. Air Combat USA
At some point, every kid dreams of becoming a 'fighter pilot.' Now, Air Combat USA makes that dream possible for adults, offering an exhilarating day of aerobatic stunts and dogfighting. You’ll start with a preflight briefing where you'll learn about the S1A1 Marchetti SF260, a remarkable Italian plane known for its unlimited aerobatic capabilities. Your instructor sits beside you, not behind, which means you'll have control of the aircraft most of the time. Plus, you get to gear up in your very own flight suit, helmet, and parachute! After gearing up, you'll take the skies with your instructor, practicing the maneuvers you’ve learned during the briefing.
When you think you’ve got the hang of it, the real dogfight begins. The planes are equipped with an electronic tracking system that triggers sound effects and releases smoke from the tail of your opponent’s plane when you score a hit. Cameras are placed in various angles, including one right from the gun sight. After landing, you’ll get a chance to relive your flight from the enemy’s perspective and review it with your instructor. To keep the adventure going (and to show off), you can take home the video footage. They even offer the chance to bring a friend along so you both can battle it out in the skies.
9. Covert Ops Miami
What's also a common dream? Becoming the ultimate soldier. This experience doesn't hold back. Set near Miami, Florida, Covert Ops gives you the chance to learn all the counter-terrorism tactics your brain can absorb. Choose from a two-day condensed version or go all-in with the hardcore four-day adventure. Both options include firearms training (pistols), Krav Maga (the Israeli martial art designed to neutralize opponents quickly), and techniques for disarming enemies in close combat. You’ll also practice shooting from moving vehicles and identifying ambushes. If you're up for the full four-day experience, you'll dive deeper into these skills, plus gain expertise in military gas training, combat first aid, close-quarter battle tactics, vehicle takedowns, and assault rifle handling. In short, you’ll learn to become a total badass. On the final day, you’ll carry out real-world missions to test everything you’ve learned.
8. Stock Up
Get ready to put your skills to the test in your very own stock car race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama (or one of eight other tracks across the U.S.). You’ll race in Sprint Cup Series cars, but before you hit the track, you’ll go through ground school, learning all about the cars, the track, and safety protocols. After suiting up in your jumpsuit, helmet, and HANS device, you’ll get a track orientation and then take to the course with about eight other drivers. These cars can reach speeds of up to 275 kph (170 mph), and you’re free to draft and pass as you please. No pace car required. Bring your friends to cheer you on, but come Monday morning, you’ll likely be replaying the race in your head while stuck in traffic—though it’s probably more exciting than the thoughts of the guy next to you.
7. World War II Underwater
In the heart of the Pacific, nestled within the Caroline Islands of Micronesia, lies the tranquil waters of Truk Lagoon (also known as Chuuk Lagoon). Once dubbed ‘Japan’s Pearl Harbor,’ it served as a major base for the Japanese Empire during World War II. The site was home to everything from aircraft carriers to destroyers and submarines. On February 17, 1944, American forces launched Operation Hailstone, a surprise two-day attack that devastated the Japanese fleet. While some larger ships had already moved out to sea, many remained anchored in Truk. By the end of the assault, 12 warships, 32 merchant ships, and 249 aircraft were destroyed. Today, the wrecks lie beneath the clear, warm waters of Truk Lagoon, making it a dream destination for scuba divers.
One of the most thrilling ways to explore the area is aboard the dive ship SS Thorfinn, which offers access to over 70 dive sites—ranging from shipwrecks to aircraft and even a submarine. Wrecks are scattered at depths from the surface to over 60 meters (200 ft). Some of the larger ships still contain incredible cargo like tanks and Jeeps that have remained in their holds. You can swim through the wreckage and explore rooms and artifacts left behind when these ships sank. Be mindful that many shells and munitions are still considered “live,” so dive with caution. If you're a diver with a passion for history, this could be an unforgettable adventure.
6. Heli-Intense
Yearning for speed and untouched powder? Ever dreamed of skiing or boarding down the wide-open face of a mountain? Telluride Helitrax in the San Juan Mountains is ready to make that dream a reality. They offer 200 square acres of rugged terrain, all accessed via a Bell 407 helicopter. Ski from altitudes between 3,050 and 4,115 meters (10,000 to 13,500 ft), with each run covering 305 to 915 meters (1,000 to 3,000 ft) in vertical drop. You’ll get at least six runs a day, ensuring you rack up some serious vertical, with most runs ranging from double-blue to double-black difficulty. Telluride provides everything you need, including food, water, avalanche beacons, safety gear, and powder skis/poles. Boarders will need to bring their own board—preferably a big one. This isn’t for the faint-hearted; you should be an experienced skier (or an advanced snowboarder) in great shape and comfortable with black diamond runs. Groups of four to five will be guided by an expert. For those craving even more intensity, they offer two- or five-day heli-skiing trips.
5. Basic Instincts
Ever binge-watched *Doomsday Preppers* and wondered if you'd actually survive? Or questioned why Bear Grylls *drinks his own pee*? The BOSS course might be just what you need. BOSS stands for the Boulder Outdoor Survival School in Boulder, Utah. It offers a range of courses where you’ll learn and practice traditional and primitive survival skills. This school doesn’t just teach you how to survive; they make you live it.
Take the ultimate challenge, the 28-Day (“Standard”) Field Course, which is the most rigorous course they offer. You’ll team up with up to 11 other students, relying only on a knife, a water bottle, a blanket, and a poncho. You’ll cover 25–50 kilometers (15–30 mi) each day, learning as you go. Some of the vital skills you’ll acquire include making fires, building shelter, purifying water, and identifying edible and medicinal plants. One part of the course includes learning how to process large game (typically a sheep; you don’t have to watch if you’re squeamish, but you will have to learn how to prepare and store the meat). A unique challenge, called the “solo,” will put you in a remote location to live on your own using your new skills. You’ll also experience an expedition where you and your class travel without an instructor. The most mysterious part? The “Final Challenge” on the curriculum—no one knows exactly what it is. The best part? Completing the course typically results in shedding 10–30 pounds by the end.
4. Get Mushy
Seriously, you've never driven your own Alaskan dog sled team? It's time to step up. The Golsovia Lodge Mushing Trip in St. Michael, Alaska, could be the adventure you’ve been waiting for. Founded by Jerry Austin, a member of the Iditarod Hall of Fame, this trip lets you mush for up to 40 kilometers (25 mi) each day. One leg even takes you across 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) of ocean ice to a deserted Eskimo village, while another challenge brings you 11 kilometers (7 miles) uphill. Each night, you'll rest at lodges or heated tent camps with your dogs. If you're going to be part of a sled dog team, you might as well bond with your team properly.
3. One Tough Mudder
At the top of this list is not just an ultimate adventure, but an ultimate test of endurance. Are you ready? Created by a former member of the British Special Forces, Tough Mudder is a 16–19 kilometer (10–12 mi) obstacle course that pushes your physical, mental, and emotional limits. It’s not a race, but if you’re feeling competitive, you can time yourself. The average participant takes about hours to finish.
The real reward comes from simply completing the course and conquering the obstacles. There's a whole boot camp to get you in shape for the challenge ahead. You'll encounter mud—lots of it—and obstacles like crawling through long pipes under barbed wire, swimming through freezing water (the “Arctic Enema”), and sprinting through wires charged with 10,000 volts of electricity. You’ll also scale towering walls, crawl under nets, drag tires, and run through flames before crossing the finish line. And yes, everyone who finishes gets a free beer. Tough Mudder also supports the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides assistance to injured veterans. Events take place in the US, UK, Australia, and Germany. If you’re feeling extra tough, you can sign up for the World’s Toughest Mudder and test yourself in a 24-hour obstacle marathon.
2. Skydiving And White Water Rafting
In Millinocket, Maine, the *Jump and Raft* adventure combines two epic activities: skydiving and white water rafting. You can choose to experience them over two days or tackle them separately. The tandem skydiving begins with a 30-minute ground briefing, where you'll learn the basics. Your jump will be near the majestic Mount Katahdin, giving you stunning views as you descend. Jumping from 3,350 meters (11,000 ft), you'll freefall for almost a minute, racing toward Earth at 195 kph (120 mph), before a smooth 5-9 minute glide after your parachute opens. The rafting, on the wild Penobscot River, features Class V rapids (Class VI being the most intense). You'll rush through 21 kilometers (13 mi) of white-water chutes and holes, tackling rapids with names like 'Exterminator.' Get ready for an adventure!
1. Scenario Paintball
Ready to save the world? It’s time to check out *scenario paintball events* in Indiana. This isn’t just your average paintball – it’s a themed adventure with missions tied to military and law enforcement operations. Thousands of players show up for the fun, taking on challenges in one of 11 themed fields, like ‘Cambodia,’ ‘Omaha Beach,’ and ‘Jungle,’ along with an indoor arena. The game’s terrain includes everything from towns and towers to forts and vehicles. There are even special missions like ‘search and rescue’ and ‘demolitions.’ You might even encounter some epic paintball gear, including grenades, rocket launchers, and, yes, tanks. And no, we’re not kidding about the tanks.
