Adventure comes in many forms, including in an urban environment like that of New York City. A trip to the Big Apple doesn't have to follow the traditional circuit of restaurants, museums and tourist spots. With a little imagination, it's easy to have a truly unique and exhilarating city experience.
Blow off Steam
Whether you live there or are just visiting, New York can be a stressful place. The incessant pace, non-stop noise and crowded places can send the blood pressure levels flying. Release some of that stress by heading to the Westside Rifle & Pistol Range, a nearly unmarked, underground space in midtown where you can learn to handle a rifle and take your aggression out on a paper target. Another perfectly cathartic experience is a thrilling ride on one of the world's most famous roller coasters, the Coney Island Cyclone.
Be a Freak
If you've ever dreamed of running off to join the circus, New York offers a chance to learn the necessary skills. Out in Brooklyn, you can learn to walk a tightrope from a Frenchman who was crazy enough to walk a wire strung between the Twin Towers in 1974. If you prefer to be a non-conformist without risking your neck, take a lesson from the freaks at the Coney Island sideshow.
Take a Different View
The city skyline is beautiful no matter where you stand. But to see it from the air can take your breath away. Helicopter tours are available from a handful of companies. The view from the top of the Empire State Building is a standard stop for most tourists, but not everyone makes it to the top of the Statue of Liberty. And then there's the view from the water, which can be arranged through one of several boat tour companies.
Long Arm of the Law
The city's police officers are known as "New York's finest." To join the ranks involves years of training and preparation. But the force offers the public a chance to ride along with police officers for two hours, to get a first hand look at what it means to patrol the streets of the city. Contact the department of community affairs for details. Then take a walk through the police museum to learn about the history of the NYPD.
Out-of-Town Adventures
For a serious adrenaline rush, consider heading slightly out of town. In Long Island, you can take a heart-pounding 30-minute swim with blue sharks. Or head for the hills to run an elevated obstacle course through the tops of trees in the Adirondack Mountains. Not enough of a challenge? How about a game of tricycle polo at the Mohonk Mountain House to get the blood pumping?
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