One of the latest trends in adventure sports and eco-tourism is the zipline and ropes course. These adrenaline-producing thrill rides give guests the chance to experience flight while they zoom along a high wire from Point A to Point B and take in all the sights along the way.
The Grand Strand may have been a little late on joining more rural locales in adding ziplines and ropes courses to its list of attractions, but the area had more than caught up with the recent additions of several venues. Offering views of the Atlantic Ocean, downtown Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach and maritime forests, here are the best places to go ziplining:
Adrenaline Adventure: Located in the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach on the former Pavilion site, this zipline course consists of twin towers on opposite ends of the old Pavilion property. The five-story towers are connected by a series of cables to create a 600-foot course, allowing patrons to fly through the air while watching downtown buildings zip by and the ocean up ahead. Groups of up to six can soar down the ziplines together and race to the other end. Adrenaline Adventure also features a ropes course and a chance to experience a 50-foot freefall from the tower into a safety net. Trained guides show patrons all the ropes before letting them take flight, and there's a viewing stand for those who prefer the sidelines over ziplines.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure: Located at the new North Myrtle Beach Sports and Recreation Park, this new zipline and ropes course gives thrill-seekers an opportunity to fly in a natural and scenic atmosphere. Carved out of the dense pine forest west of the Intracoastal Waterway, this eco-tourism attraction features an obstacle course high in the treetops plus a 600- and 900-foot zipline over a 25-acre lake. Experienced instructors help patrons master the ropes and harnesses during a 30-minute training and safety briefing before it's time to play Tarzan. Swing through the trees and drop into a large cargo net, maintain your balance while climbing through a series of suspended cables and logs. Among the 40 obstacles are the Tibetan Bridge, Spider's Web, Flying Carpet, and Zig-Zag Crossing. Cap the experience on the zipline for a moment you will never forget.
Radical Ropes Course: This new attraction is scheduled to open in June on the south end of Myrtle Beach. Featuring five different components – ziplines, aerial challenges, kid zips, a low ropes course, and mini golf – this entertainment center plans to offer something for everyone in the family. The top ziplines are as high as 85 feet off the ground, and the ropes obstacle course hangs 55 feet in air. The Kids Zips range from 10 to 40 feet above the ground and are launched from a replica of a pirate ship. The existing miniature golf also received a makeover to give some of the less adventurous members of your party something to do while the rest enjoy the thrill of a lifetime.
Soar & Explore: Take a break from the shopping, dining and indoor attractions at Broadway at the Beach for an outdoor thrill ride. The zipline stretches 1,000 feet across Lake Broadway at 40 feet above the water, giving patrons a bird’s-eye view of the complex. Affiliated with WonderWorks, the attraction also features a ropes obstacle course that gives guests the chance to use their physical and mental powers to work their way through a maze of cargo nets and other pitfalls. Take a break from a busy day at Broadway to add a little excitement to your Myrtle Beach vacation.
(Posted: 5/18/15)
