Adventurers sail 250 feet above the treetops on this two-hour, guided canopy tour, which includes seven ziplines<\/a>, two suspension bridges and a rappelling descent. For those seeking a little calmer experience, ride the Grafton SkyTour at Aerie\u2019s Resort. Choose either the open-air chairlift or an enclosed gondola. Both aerial rides offer birds-eye views of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Coming this fall, the resort plans to open the state\u2019s only Alpine Coaster. Riders top speeds of 25 mph as they twist and turn through wooded bluffs.<\/p>\n Begin with the shorter Treetop Journey (one hour) and if m ore time allows, monkey around on the Treetop Adventure with multiple ziplines and obstacles. Also bounce around on Treetop nets, which are like a jungle gym in the trees.<\/p>\n Warm up with three short zips on this guided Canopy Tour through the forest. The last three lines are considerably longer, topping more than 700 feet each. Level up with the nearly three dozen elements of the Challenge Course, including ziplines, ladders, tree houses and the grand finale: a dual zipline race.<\/p>\n The Shawnee National Forest<\/a> surrounds this eco-friendly<\/a>, tree-based tour company. Choose either the two-hour tour that includes five ziplines, two aerial bridges and two hikes, or the longer tour, which adds three more zips and another hike. Both options are fun for the whole family and include digital pictures.<\/p>\n Fun-seeking families will find every level of excitement with more than 15 heart-pounding, stomachlurching roller coasters and 30 kid-friendly rides. The nationally known theme park boasts some of the country\u2019s wildest rides, including Maxx Force, which launches riders from zero to 78 mph in less than two seconds, all before the world\u2019s tallest double inversions and zero-G roll. More extreme thrills come on the Raging Bull, the world\u2019s first hyper-twister coaster. Bigger thrill seekers can soar on X Flight, a one-of-a-kind wing coaster. Riders slice through the sky on 3,000 feet of twisted steel with extreme drops and intense fly-throughs\u2014all with no track above your head or below your dangling feet. There\u2019s plenty for even the littlest of kiddos too. Enjoy the Big Easy Balloons, a spinning, gently floating ride. Live shows and plenty of food options are on hand when you\u2019re ready to recharge before the next daring feat.<\/p>\n A 110-foot outdoor climbing wall, a large boulder and 65-foot silos with top-rope routes, lead climbing routes, and auto-belays test the limits for beginner or experienced climbers at this attraction.<\/p>\n Technical climbing comes amid jaw-dropping views in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. Here, boulderers and climbers have access to the largest number of in-state climbs, topping 425 different routes. For those looking for a challenge, many technical climbs range from 50 to 80 feet up the sandstone bluffs.<\/p>\n Take the stairs to reach three levels of observation decks at 50, 100 and 150 feet for views of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The confluence of the two rivers marks the spot where explorers Lewis and Clark began their westward journey. An elevator also reaches all three levels for those looking for less of a lowerbody workout.<\/p>\n Adrenaline addicts can get their fix at the country\u2019s largest aerial challenge course. With three levels of elements (easy, moderate and hard), there are literally hundreds of options. This adventure playground also boasts the three tallest climbing, rappelling and ziplining towers in the United States. Fans of ground-level thrills can mountain bike and hike or kayak and canoe.<\/p>\nGo Ape Zipline and Adventure Park, Western Springs<\/h3>\n
Long Hollow Canopy Tours, Galena<\/h3>\n
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour, Makanda<\/h3>\n
Six Flags Great America, Gurnee<\/h3>\n
Upper Limits, Bloomington<\/h3>\n
Jackson Falls, Shawnee National Forest<\/h3>\n
Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower, Hartford<\/h3>\n
The Forge: Lemont Quarries, Lemont<\/h3>\n
Navy Pier, Chicago<\/h3>\n