Friday, July 11, 2008

Attack Dallas by land, air and sea

Nine things to make Dallas more exciting.

By Scott Guthrie

DALLAS — Break out of your normal routine and try something new. North Texas has something to offer the water, speed and adrenaline-lover. Here's a list of nine things that might spark a new hobby or interest.

WATER -- Just because we're landlocked doesn't mean there isn't aquafun to be had

Trinity River Expeditions

www.canoedallas.com

Canoe the Trinity River.

Owned and operated by Charles Allen, Trinity River Expeditions offers guided canoe and kayak tours of the Trinity River. There are three different tours to choose from and all of them offer their own unique experience. The Elm Fork tour offers a look at wildlife and nature. The Main Stem gives customers a unique look at downtown Dallas before heading into the wilderness that surrounds the river. And the West Fork tour provides a great look at rock formations and bird watching. All canoe trips are about five to 10 miles long and last anywhere from two to four hours. Allen provides customers with transportation, canoes or kayaks, paddles and life jackets. Guided tours start as low as $45 per person while unguided tours will cost around $50 per canoe or Kayak.

Hurricane Harbor

http://www.sixflags.com

Hurrican Harbor

For those of us who like the water but not the wildlife, Six Flag’s Hurricane Harbor is the way to go. Located in Arlington, Hurricane Harbor has 23 water rides and something to offer everyone. Their rides are ranked by thrill level. Small children or people who just like to relax could kick back in the Lazy River or Boogie Beach. Both have a mild thrill ranking. Those looking for a little more adventure could check out Blue Niagara or Kamikaze, which are tagged as moderate rides. People with no fear should check out Geronimo or Shotgun Falls. These rides have been slapped with the maximum thrill rating . Daily passes are available online for $19.99 or $24.99 at the gates. Kids under 48” are always $19.99 and kids two and under are free.

Lone Star Scuba

www.lonestarscuba.com

Lone Star Scuba

Learn to Scuba dive with the people from Lone Star Scuba. Lone Star Scuba has locations in both Forth Worth and Dallas and offers a wide range of educational and certification courses through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and National Association of Underwater Instructors. Beginer classes will start in the classroom before moving to a heated pool and then finally to open water at Clear Springs Scuba Park in Terrell, TX. where the student will make four dives. Upon completion students will receive their dive certificate, which will allow them to scuba all around the world. Classes are held year round

LAND -- not just for air-conditioned SUVs anymore

Dallas Segway Tours

www.dallassegwaytours.com

Giddy up. Ride through this old cattle town on a new type of horse.

Dallas Segway Tours gives people a new way to see sightsee around Dallas. Offering three different tours customers can choose what route they want to experience. The West End Adventure tour shows customers historical downtown Dallas. The Katy Trail Nature Tour gives nature lovers the chance to be around native Texas plants and trees while at the same time allowing them escape from the noise of the big city. The American Airlines Center Tour takes riders on a smooth ride through the high-end shops and passed where the Mavericks and Stars play. Tours range from $45 to $65. There is an orientation and practice session with the Segway before the tour begins and helmets are provided.

DFW Elite Auto Rental.com

www.dfweliteautorental.com

Lamborghini Gallarado

Voted as the No. 1 cool thing to do in Dallas by D Magazine, DFW Elite Auto Rental.com give thrill seekers the chance to rent luxury cars for a day or more. The company maintains one of the largest varieties of exotic rentals in the United States. Whether it’s a Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, bulletproof Escalade or Lamborghini, DFW Elite Auto Rental.com has them all and more. All car rentals come with around the clock emergency service and are delivered to you. Make sure you bring your cash though as most of these cars rent for $400 plus a day.

Richard Petty Driving Experience

www.1800bepetty.com

Richard Petty Driving Experience

You don’t have to be a NASCAR superstar to get on the track at Texas Motor Speedway. Thanks to the Richard Petty Driving Experience anybody with a valid drivers license, over the age of 16 who can operate a standard transmission can act like their favorite racecar driver for the day. Participants can choose from five different experiences. The Rookie Experience lasts about half a day and lets the driver complete eight laps. Programs run all the way up to the Racing Experience where 80 laps will be completed and drivers will get advice on their driving line, increasing speed and side-by-side driving. For more of a hands on experience drivers can purchase the Advanced Racing Experience which offers intensified personal training. The experience will cost you anywhere from $399 to $2,999. Sign ups for July and August are already underway.

AIR -- Flying or Falling?

Zero Gravity Thrill Ride Adventure Park

www.gojump.com

Zero Gravity Thrill Adventure Park

Located only minutes off the I-35E Walnut Hill exit, Zero Gravity is home to five adrenaline-pumping rides. Customers can bungee jump from a seven-story platform, glide 110 ft. in the air at 60 mph on the Skycoaster, blast 150 ft. in the air on the Texas Blastoff, freefall from 16 stories high into a net on the Nothin’ But net, and swing back and forth at 60 mph on the Skyscraper. The park has many safety precautions in place to prevent injuries. All rides are $29 per person for one ride. After that each ride is $12. The park is open Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to midnight, from 4 p.m. till 2 a.m. on Friday, noon till 2 a.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. till 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Summit Helicopters

www.flysummit.com

downtown Dallas

See all of Dallas’ famous landmarks from the air. Summit Helicopters gives tours of Dallas from a helicopter. Fly over beautiful downtown Dallas, Texas Stadium, Six Flags, White Rock Lake and more. Summit Helicopters will even allow you to design your own tour. They fly seven days a week, day or night. A 30-minute tour will cost $295 and can accommodate three people. An hour-long tour offers the customer to see more of the city, costs $495 and can also accommodate three people.

Skydive Dallas

A small clip of the adventure Skydive Dallas has to offer.

If you want to get even higher than the helicopter can take you, drive out to Whitewright and visit the people at Skydive Dallas. One of the premier skydive facilities in the Southwest, Skydive Dallas offers up the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. Using commercial planes, Skydive Dallas takes you 13,500 feet into the air and drops you out of the side of the plane. Customers freefall at 120 mph before the parachute is pulled and then casually float down to the ground. If you haven’t jumped before don’t worry. Skydive Dallas provides tandem jumps where the customer is literally strapped to one of Skydive Dallas’ experienced instructors. However, for even more of a thrill Skydive Dallas will let customers perform their first jump solo after a longer training period. Experienced jumpers are also welcome. Tandem jumps range from $229 up and solo jumps from $329 up. They will even make a video of your jump for an extra cost.

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