Things to do / Travel Guide
There are plenty of options for mid- to high-risk, thrilling adventures in the western New York and south-central Ontario areas. Experience the beauty of Niagara Falls and the Finger Lakes from a new vantage point: thousands of feet in the air! Western New York and Toronto offer a range of high-altitude, adventurous excursions from skydiving and hang-gliding to hot-air balloon rides.
Skydiving
Finger Lakes Skydivers, located at the Ovid Airport near the town of Trumansburg in NY, offers skydiving jumps for experts and tandem jumps for beginners. The dives provide unique and spectacular views of the Finger Lakes region.
Hang-gliding
If hang-gliding appeals to you, the small working-class town of Elmira, NY calls itself the “Soaring Capital of America.” There, the National Soaring Museum, offers a history of the physics of unpowered flight and the Harris Hill Soaring Center, where the public can ride in a glider for around $55 for a 20-minute flight.
Hot-air Balloon
A ride in a hot-air balloon is a thrilling way to get a sense of the Finger Lakes, Toronto, and their surrounding geography. Hot-air balloon-ride companies are available in Auburn, Canandaigua, and Portageville, New York, and in Toronto, and usually operate from about April or May through October, weather permitting. “Balloons Over Letchworth,” in Portageville, New York, offer stunning rides over Letchworth State Park's numerous waterfalls. Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park is located between the Niagara Falls and Finger Lakes areas. The balloons often reach altitudes of 1,000 feet or more.
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