Top 10: All-Time Adventure Vacation Deals

Are you a thrill-seeker looking for an adventure this summer? Fortunately, you won’t have to travel abroad. America is full of regions in which you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of adventure sports at reasonable prices. Whether you’re into adventures in the air, on the ground or in the sea, there are plenty of spots just calling your name. Here are our top 10 all-time adventure vacation deals.

No.10 - Eloy, Arizona

Available adventures: Skydiving

Eloy, Arizona, is a small town of less than 20,000 residents, but it’s a key spot on the map if you’re interested in skydiving. The town is home to Skydive Arizona, the largest skydiving site in the U.S. If you’re a beginner or advanced jumper, this may be a place you’d want to visit. Hundreds of skydivers visit the region each year to enjoy the view of Arizona from 13,000 feet in the air -- just be prepared to go fast. Skydive’s website advertises that divers travel 120 miles per hour when in free fall.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Phoenix/Chandler

No.9 - Sebastian, Florida

Available adventures: Skydiving, deep-sea fishing Skydiving is pretty much the same regardless of where you’re doing it, but if you’re looking to soar high above a picturesque setting, jumping in Sebastian, Florida, might be your best bet. In this region, skydivers jump from planes over the Atlantic Ocean and soar above the coastline in what is perhaps America’s most scenic skydiving location. If you’d rather stay out of the air, Sebastian offers some great deep-sea fishing; in particular, the famed snook fishing season in September.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Vero Beach

No.8 - Fayetteville, West Virginia

Available adventures: BASE jumping

BASE jumping is illegal in many parts of America, not that that stops daredevils. If you want to stay on the right side of the law while trying one of the most extreme sports out there, consider visiting the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, Virginia. The third Saturday of each October is dubbed Bridge Day, and for six hours, BASE jumping is legal. The annual event attracts nearly 500 jumpers (many make more than one jump) and close to 200,000 people turn up to see what the fuss is about. The bridge is 876 feet above the river, but you won’t free fall for long before having to pull the cord on your parachute.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Beckley

No.7 - Pierce County, Washington

Available adventures: Mountain climbing, hiking

Mount Rainier, an active volcano, is one of the top mountain-climbing sites in the U.S. Each year, roughly 10,000 adventurers flock to this region to attempt to navigate their way to the peak, more than 14,000 feet in the air. The mountain features the largest glaciers south of Alaska, so the ascent isn’t easy. Most experienced climbers take two to three days to get to the top, but if you’re not as daring, the wilderness around Mount Rainer offers some excellent hiking trails and camping areas.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-North/Lynwood

No.6 - Rising Fawn, Georgia

Available adventures: Hang gliding

Located near the Tennessee border, Rising Fawn, Georgia, is a small town that’s known for being passionate about hang gliding -- and with good reason. The region boasts Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding, the largest hang gliding school in the U.S., complete with a 55-acre property that features beginner and advanced hills from which to take off. The school teaches hundreds of people to hang glide every year and many more flock to the area to perfect their craft.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Chattanooga-W-I-24/Lookout Mountain

No.5 - White Mountains, New Hampshire

Available adventures: Mountain climbing, rock climbing, hiking

New Hampshire’s White Mountains offer some of the best outdoor adventures in the Northeast. With several schools located in the area, and a number of climbing areas for adventurers of all skill levels, this is a great region to learn a new pastime or perfect your craft. If you’re really daring, the White Mountains feature enormous ice walls that will challenge even the most advanced climbers. The mountains are a bit of Everest right in America’s backyard.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Tilton

No.4 - Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Available adventures: Surfing

Considered one of the best places to surf on the East Coast, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, is popular among thrill seekers because of its structure. In this area, the continental shelf drops off very quickly, resulting in bigger waves reaching the shoreline quickly and powerfully. Cape Hatteras isn’t necessarily for beginners, but if you’ve surfed in some tough locations and want to try somewhere that will get your heart racing, this region might be the answer. Residents and tourists have been surfing the area since the 1960s and, since then, it has boomed in popularity. Just be careful: This region has the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic” because of the havoc it traditionally wreaked on ships. Make sure not to bite off more than you can chew in the water.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Sanford

No.3 - Flagstaff, Arizona

Available adventures: Mountain biking, hiking

Flagstaff is a popular spot for retirees from across the U.S., but it’s quickly growing in popularity among the younger crowd, too. When it comes to mountain biking, no spot is better than Flagstaff, Arizona. Several dozen trails, ranging from short, simple tracks to long, challenging ones are located in and around Flagstaff. Mountain biking websites offer detailed reviews on which courses are toughest to master, so make sure to brush up on the region before unloading your bike. Also, be prepared to share the path -- many of these courses are also used by hikers.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff

No.2 - Grand Canyon, Arizona

Available adventures: Rafting, hiking, bungee jumping

Every year, thousands of domestic and foreign tourists make the trek to see the Grand Canyon. And while many visit for the views, plenty hit the area with adventure in mind. If you’re looking for perhaps the best rafting site in the U.S., the Canyon’s Colorado River runs could be your answer. You can camp along the banks of the enormous river, and regardless of your experience level, explore the variety of hiking trails around the region.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff

No.1 - Oahu, Hawaii

Available adventures: Surfing, scuba diving, mountain biking

You may think of Hawaii as a place to brush up on a little R&R, but if you’re adventure-minded, it’s a great spot for getting the adrenaline rushing. If you’re into board sports, the legendary surf scene on Oahu’s northern shore is a must-see spot. If something a little more tranquil is on your agenda, the scuba diving off Oahu is out of this world. Back on land, check out the many mountain trails for biking, ATV riding and horseback adventures.

Nearest Hampton Hotel: Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club

Resources:

• www.adventuresportsholidays.com
• www.trails.com
• www.hangglidingclub.info
• www.surfline.com
• www.visit-newhampshire.com
• http://en.wikipedia.org
• www.nps.gov
• www.skydiveseb.com
• www.skydiveaz.com