Tourists not yet ready for skydiving but raring to soar the skies should try hang gliding. This experience lets passengers enjoy an expansive view of landscapes, with an expert flying with them to ease their worries. Soaring like an eagle, gliders will be introduced to the playful thermal wind that pushes them higher – to the best seat in town.
While paragliding uses a parachute-like wing that carries riders, a hang-glide works with a fixed metal fixture, with the passenger suspended from the said frame. There are many gliding spots in the United States, thanks to its varied landscapes that work in unison to deliver bliss.
10 Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
When tourists crave soaring the skies, where else to go but Kitty Hawk? It is home to the world’s largest hang gliding school, serving the community since the 1970s, so riders are assured of top-notch services. Gliders will soar at least 2,000 feet, with the views of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and the countryside working together to create a masterpiece for the flyers. The training institution doesn’t just offer tandem flights but lessons for those who want to take soaring seriously.
9 Big Sur, California
Tourists who want to soar the sky with the salty breeze as a companion should head to Big Sur, one of California’s coastal wonders. The Pacific waters await travelers thirsty for thrilling adventures not offshore but above the waves. When the wind is friendly and willing to play with gliders, beginners will have fun soaring. The launching site reaches over 3,000 feet above sea level, affording outdoor revelers superb views of the ocean, the rugged mountains, and the long coastline.
8 Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley is flocked by skiers who want to glide and slide Bald Mountain, a winter wonderland for those raring alpine adventures. Those who can’t get enough of this ski resort’s terrain might as well glide the skies next. After all, who said that gliding could be done with skis alone? There are more adventures in the skies courtesy of hang gliding. The launch site reaches 2,788 meters above sea level, an enticing number to kick in that adrenaline rush.
7 Kahului, Hawaii
In Hawaii, bliss is everywhere, whatever tourists do. However, if they want to get the most out of a Pacific escape, they should take to the skies. Hang gliding over Maui means playing with the tropical breeze and clouds, making for an unmatched outdoor experience. Tourists can take off from the majestic Mount Haleakala, soaring 1,000 feet for an adventure of a lifetime. The panorama of Maui and the Pacific work together for thrill-seekers and bucket-list travelers who want sky-high moments.
6 Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Gorgeous Georgia is more than just its capital Atlanta and the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere as it also boasts of its clear, windy skies. To reach the airborne playground, tourists should head to the scenic Lookout Mountain, which Peach State shares with Tennessee. Whichever side thrill-seekers stay, they can experience the wonders of hang gliding. In Georgia, gliders can soar the sky up to 3,000 feet – or higher than the Empire State Building. Flying over Lookout Valley, tourists might be tempted to join a lesson next.
5 Charlestown, New Hampshire
Tiny Charlestown is big on wonders, especially when viewed from the skies. This small town by the pristine Connecticut River attracts hang gliders thanks to a training school that has been operating since the 1970s. With decades of experience up their sleeves, those joining a tandem flight or taking part in lessons in Charlestown are assured of safety and fun. It boasts of a “near-perfect training hill,” an enticing prospect for those who want to further their flight skills after an initial tandem glide.
4 Draper, Utah
In Utah, harnessing (pun intended) the power of the wind is always possible, thanks to the presence of Point of the Mountain. The said spot is one of the state’s best hang gliding spots – one big playground for those raring to fill their adrenaline cups. The wind conditions in the area are so ideal that it was designated a state recreation area. Tourists can soar the skies for 20 minutes or more if they opt to have a repeat flight. An encore is not unusual once tourists see the majestic views.
3 Orlando, Florida
Sure, the resorts of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando ooze with adrenaline, but those who want to experience the real deal should try hang gliding. In Orlando, amusement is in its truest form when experiencing it with Mother Nature. Wallaby Ranch has the “first and largest aero-tow hang gliding flight park in the world,” where adrenaline rush floods. Soaring the skies 2,000 feet for 15 minutes, gliders over this humble Orlando destination will realize that the happiest place on earth is above-earth.
2 Mount Howard, Oregon
Mount Howard is the proud home of the Wallowa Lake Tramway, the “steepest vertical gondola ride in North America.” The tramway takes tourists to the peak of Mt. Howard, where an expansive view of the Wallowa region awaits them. Those visiting the summit from August to September should join a tandem hang gliding escapade. After take-off, gliders will be welcomed by a kaleidoscope of views, from the lake and the mountain to rivers and canyons. Mt. Howard and Wallowa know how to wow, indeed.
1 Golden, Colorado
In Colorado, golden is not just a town’s name but an experience, especially when playing in the sky. Golden’s location at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains makes it an ideal hang-gliding spot, with the alpine setting offering the needed wind. The flight starts at 7,000 feet of mean sea level (MSL), or five to 10 minutes of soaring – or beyond if there’s generous rising air. During the flight, there’s a lot to take in: snow-capped peaks, lakes, meadows, and the city, all working together for a serene airborne adventure.
