Courtesy of Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park in St. Louis
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
1. Helicopter over the city. Soar over the city for a bird's eye view you can't get from the Arch. Gateway Helicopter Tours offers aerial tours that show off of our city's best views, from a quick flight over the riverfront to a deluxe tour that covers downtown to Forest Park. All flights start at the riverfront and prices start at $37 per person for a quick three-minute flight. The helicopters can accommodate three passengers, with a strict combined weight limit of 550 pounds. Flights are offered seven days a week, and no reservations are required. 50 N Leonor K Sullivan (Downtown).
2. Take a whirl on Spinsanity at Six Flags St. Louis. Swing by Six Flags for its newest family thriller: Spinsanity. The ride is a giant disk attached to a five-story half-pipe track. Riders straddle motorcycle style seats and hang on while the ride spins and swirls up and down the track at 35 mph. Spinsanity riders must be at least 48 inches tall. 4900 Six Flags Road (Eureka).
3. Quench your need for speed. Take your tweens and teens out for a day of action-packed karting and laser tag at one of St. Louis' newest indoor amusement centers: Amp Up Action Park in West County. Amp Up has high-performance electric go-karts that reach speeds of 45 mph—plus a thrilling three-level laser tag arena. Kids must be 52 inches tall to drive the go-karts. There are no double carts, and riders must wear closed-toe shoes and a provided safety helmet. Pricing is per activity, with no fee for a racing license. Kart races are $19.99 for one race or $49.99 for three. Laser tag is $7.99 per game. 13901 Manchester (Town & Country).
Flying Spider
4. Climb and jump at Flying Spider. Does your kid love climbing and jumping like a hyperactive Spider-Man? Then head over to the Flying Spider, a trampoline park with a twist. Besides the usual trampoline zone, Flying Spider has a Ninja Obstacle Course, a slack line to challenge your balance, a trapeze (over a bed of foam), and Aerial Silks. Flying Spider is for the whole family, with special KidJump mornings, family nights, college nights, and fitness classes. Admission covers all activities and starts at $11 per hour for kids under 6 and $15 per hour for everyone over 7. 14820 Manchester (Ballwin).
5. Channel your inner Tarzan at Creve Coeur Park. Swing through the trees and test your balance as you navigate a treetop adventure through Creve Coeur Park's Go Ape. Staff will fit you with a safety harness, show you the ropes (literally), then let you and your family explore a forest obstacle course dangling in the trees. The course takes 2–3 hours to complete and offers various levels of difficulty. You'll find rope ladders, slack lines, zip lines, Tarzan swings, and tons of fun. You must be 10 years old and 55 inches to play, with a maximum weight of 285 pounds to fit in the harness. Kids under 16 must be supervised by an adult going through the course with them (not on the ground) to assist with the safety harness. You'll want to dress for adventure in sneakers, comfy pants, and no backless shirts. Prices start at $38 for kids under 15 and $58 for adults. 13219 Street Car (Maryland Heights).
6. Zip, zip, and away with Adventure Valley. Who said you need wings to fly? Adventure Valley has 10 zip lines that soar over a mile and a half over Jefferson County woodlands, with one line that can hit 50 mph. (Don't worry: The lines also have hand brakes.) Adventure Valley is also home to a paint ball park, and for a little extra you can play paint ball from the zip line. You can even rent a GoPro Camera to record your adventures hands-free. Any other type of camera must be safety zipped in a pocket while on the lines. Zip line riders must be under 250 pounds and under a 44-inch waist to fit the harness, but there are no age restricts as long as you can fit in a harness. Small children are able to ride tandem with a trained guide. Paintball players must be over 12. Zip line tours are $65 for seniors and kids under 10, and $70 for adults. Paintball starts at $15 for admission, plus $30 for pistol rental and 500 paintballs. Body armor is free to use and you can save money if you own your own equipment. 5320 State Road M (House Springs).
