Myrtle Beach has plenty of things to do for folks looking for a relaxing vacation – the beach, golf, shopping and restaurants. But for those who need a healthy dose of adrenaline to have a good time, Myrtle Beach has you covered too. In fact, there are more thrilling spine-chilling attractions than you can possibly do in a week, so here is our list of the top 10 rides to get your heart rate rising:
Adrenaline Adventure: The old Pavilion site in downtown Myrtle Beach is now home to only one thrill ride, but it’s a real doozy. This five-story zipline sends riders flying along the guide wire for more than 300 yards while looking out over the Atlantic Ocean.
JetPack Adventure: Located at the new North Myrtle Beach Sports and Recreation Complex, this jet-propulsion ride puts patrons in the water with a jet pack strapped to their backs. The hand-held controls help riders blast up out of the 50-acre lake and perform breathtaking stunts like running on water.
Myrtle Beach SkyWheel: OK, so this one isn’t so much thrilling as it is amazing. Although the ride operates at a snail’s pace, the enclosed gondolas take passengers to the top of the 190-foot peak, the tallest ferris wheel on the East Coast. The view of the ocean and downtown district are breathtaking.
Parasailing: The ultimate water sports thrill ride is offered by several different outfitters on the Grand Strand. No matter which one you choose, you can look forward to taking flight over the ocean powered by a wind-filled parachute. Experience the feeling of flight and get a bird’s-eye view of the ocean and beach.
The Rocket: Look high over the Broadway at the Beach skyline and you will see this 200-foot attraction that takes patrons for a whirlwind ride through the sky. Riders sit in aerodynamically shaped rocket ships that spin around at high speeds. You can even make the space ships turn upside down if you have the stomach for it.
Rockin' Ray: The latest edition to the Myrtle Waves waterpark is a real thrill. Featuring a pair of funnel-shaped platforms that send riders sliding high up the banks and back down to the other side, this ride has patrons coming back for seconds and thirds.
SkyScraper: Located in the downtown Myrtle Beach district, this pendulum-shaped attraction takes passengers for a spinning ride 160 feet in the air at speeds of up to 55 mph. The elongated propeller spins around while riders sit in open-air cabins and scream to the top of their lungs.
Sling Shot: This downtown Myrtle Beach attraction takes bungee jumping to the next level. Stand on the launching pad and strap into the harness that is attached to the twin towers. Soon you are flying up to 300 feet in the air at speeds of up to 100 mph. Be sure to buy the photo of your frightened face after the ride.
Swamp Fox: The oldest roller coaster in Myrtle Beach might not have all the bells and whistles as the more modern attractions, but this classic roller coaster at Family Kingdom has stood the test of time. Take a fast spin around the wooden course while the familiar clacking sound brings back memories of roller coasters from the past.
Twist 'N Shout: This rock ‘n ‘roll roller coaster is similar to the old “wild mouse” rides that carry riders around a pretzel-shaped track. Sharp turns and speedy straightaways make this the most popular ride at Family Kingdom. One word of warning: Wait to have dinner until after you ride this gut-wrenching ride.
Come out and experience fun with family and friends on your next Myrtle Beach vacation.
(Posted: 8/25/15)
