Looking for Thrills? Don’t Miss These 5 ‘Toys’—But You’ll Need to Travel Abroad to Try Them

Some people travel to enjoy scenic mountains and rivers, savoring the beauty. Others travel for an ‘adrenaline rush.’ Indeed, the daily grind of work and rest can get tiresome, and it’s only natural to seek different kinds of excitement. To cater to this desire, thrilling amusement rides have been created—some so extreme that just looking at them makes the average person’s heart race.

**Canyon Swing, New Zealand**

Located in Queenstown, known as the ‘Adventure Capital,’ this swing has a vertical height of 160 meters. Standing at the edge and looking down at the canyon is enough to make most people tremble. If you’re brave enough and have all the safety gear on, the operator will push you off from 160 meters. You’ll find yourself accelerating through the valley, feeling the rapid descent at a breathtaking speed. Just when you think you’re about to hit the ground, you’ll start swinging in a beautiful arc over 400 meters. Even those who consider themselves bold often let out piercing screams that echo through the canyon.

**Skyslide, Los Angeles**

Dubbed a must-visit destination in LA, the Skyslide is 304 meters high. It’s the first outdoor glass slide, attached to the exterior of the U.S. Bank Tower. Made entirely of glass, it takes visitors from the 70th floor to the 69th. Although it’s only 13 meters long and takes just 4 seconds, it’s more than enough to make your heart pound. For many, simply standing beside the slide and looking down is dizzying—let alone actually riding it.

**Cliffside Zipline, Philippines**

A hotel in the Philippines spent a fortune to build a ‘cliff racer’ on the edge of its 38th floor. Here, visitors can enjoy a better view of the city—if they’re brave enough. Notably, riders can adjust the angle of the ride using a controller mounted on their legs, with a maximum tilt of 55 degrees. At that angle, it feels like you’re practically diving toward the city, giving a sensation of falling.

**Orlando Towers, Soweto**

Originally built as a power plant, these towers were eventually abandoned due to economic reasons. But they found a new lease on life as extreme sports facilities. However, getting there isn’t easy—you have to climb 30 meters up the towers yourself, which is enough to discourage most people. Inside, there are various installations like bungee platforms, steel frames, and ropes, allowing thrill-seekers to try bungee jumping, free-fall drops, and powerful swings.

**Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas**

Las Vegas is packed with entertainment options, and the Stratosphere is one of them. It features many daring outdoor rides, including a rotating swing that combines almost every ‘thrill selling point’—high speeds, suspension in midair, tilting, and spinning. Imagine zipping through the air at 64 km/h, with your seat tilting forward by 70 degrees. What kind of experience would that be?

So, how about it? If you get the chance, would you dare to try any of these five rides?