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Save/ShareOpening this summer: America's highest glass ledge, the world's fastest roller coaster, and the world's longest zipline.
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Imagine walking on air—1,353 feet high that is. Well, starting in June, you'll be able to do just that at Sears Tower (soon to be re-named Willis Tower) in Chicago. In a few weeks, the tallest building in the U.S. will debut The Ledge, a set of sturdy glass boxes extending more than 4 feet from the Skydeck on the 103rd floor. Admission to The Ledge is included in the price for a General Admission ticket for the Skydeck, which is open year-round, including holidays. For the best shot at beating the crowds, go after 5 p.m. and buy your ticket online, says a representative. Summer hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Summer tickets cost $15 for adults and $10.50 for kids ages 3-11 without the audio tour, The Ledge, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, 312/875-9696) —David Cumming
The World's Fastest Roller Coaster
Opening this July in Nürburg, in central Germany: The Ring Racer, a monster that can high-tail it to 135 mph in under three seconds. The coaster is near Nürburgring, an auto racetrack that has long been considered one of the world's toughest (Jackie Stewart famously called it "The Green Hell"), but its new Ring Racer coaster, slated to open in July, promises to give you that Formula 1 feeling without the hazards of spinouts, diesel fumes, or cranky pit crewmembers. Once it opens, it will take home the trophy for fastest roller coaster in the world (nosing out its nearest competitor, previous record holder Kingda Ka, at Six Flags in New Jersey, by about 6 mph). When the crazy 75-second ride is over, you'll be pulling up parallel to the track's actual Grand Prix finish line. Take that, Ricky Bobby. (adults about $26, nuerburgring.de, 011-49/2691-3020) —Mike Iveson
The World's Longest Zip Line
Fly across the sheer cliffs of Eagle Canyon with Thunder Bay's new zip line—the longest in the world. The zip line, which opens in June, spans a half mile across the center of the canyon. Visitors must pay an entrance fee as well as extra for the zip line. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and from mid-April to mid-November. Pricing is not yet available for the new zip line, according to park managers. (eaglecanyonadventures.ca, 275 Valley Road, Dorion, Ontario, 807/857-1475) —David Cumming
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Eagle Canyon Thunder Bay Ontario
We have been several times and taken many guests to visit the bridges at Eagle Canyon. Everyone has had a great time.
This year there is an addition of a zip line. We were all very excited about trying it. A first for all of us.
The people that run the place are very rude. They have no tact when it comes to dealing with people.
We had a group of many ages (19-65).
Even the young ones noticed how rude these people were.
When you first drive in you must stop and go in to pay before you can park your car.
You must pay the entrance fee before you are allowed to use the washroom.
The first question we asked was how much for the zip lining? It came to $92 including the day entrance fee. He said it was the cheapest and longest zip line in Canada. I've since done some research and discovered in Whistler BC you can go on a 3 hour journey that includes 5 zip lines for $99 for Adults and $79 for seniors and kids. Eagle Canyon's zip line is over in 5 minutes. Of course you must walk up the mountain which can take you 15 minutes. Less if you are a senior and get a lift up.
Our next question was is there a weight restriction? Yes was our answer and then he pointed to a man in the shop and said that big fellow could not do it but he is old so he can ride up instead of walking. My son had not arrived yet and I was worried he would not be allowed to go due to his weight. When he arrived the fellow said he should be fine but he would weigh him first. He said he was fine.
One of our group did not have closed toed shoes-a must if you want to zip line. We spent several minutes discussing what we could do so she could try it. The fellow sat and listened to us and offered no help. We later found out that they had extra shoes at the top she could have used.
When asked if we could get a refund if anyone chickened out once they got to the top and saw it we were told no refunds. Too difficult for them to do.
We set off for the top and had a great time on the bridges. Great views and a lot fun walking across the canyon.
When we reached the top we decided to let my son go first and I would go next so I could run his shoes up for the one that didn't have any. When they went to put the harness on my son they started in on him for lying about his weight. They said he had to weigh at least 300lbs. We told them that he was weighed by the owner and was ok'd. Off he went.
I was next and told them about getting the shoes to bring back. That is when they said they had a pair of shoes she could use. Turned out the fellow down below had just promised them to another lady. I don't know why he told her about them and not us. So the other lady went down after me and I ran back up with the extra shoes.
The zip line was great. Make sure to wear glasses because it is so fast the wind will make your eyes water and you won't be able to see the great view.
They also neglected to tell us about the big bang at the end. It rattles your brain. It would have been nice to prepare for that.
Two people in our group are very light and were given just as hard of time about their weight. Comments were made about being too skinny and not eating properly.
Weight is important for this activity but there are tactful ways of dealing with it. Their rudeness left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
I would not pay that much again to zip line now that I know there are better ones out there for even less.
I have found another review made by people from Colorado that visited Eagle Canyon three days before we did. They complained about the rudeness as well. They said they did not feel welcome at all.
It is a shame that something this great has to be run by rude people that over charge. Ouimet Canyon is also great and only costs $2 each and people there are wonderful. It is just a short drive past Eagle Canyon.
Disappointed in Thunder Bay
Posted By kellczar on August 25, 2009, 6:46 PM
Beautiful surroundings, breathtaking sights... but you'd do just as well to skip over 5 minutes more down the road to Ouimet Canyon Park, and avoid the "ZipLine"...it's outrageously priced, the entire staff were abrupt and quite unfriendly, and our group of 4 were made to feel as though we had to rush out of the park, even though the whole ride was quite short. Really looked forward to this but it was very disappointing.
Posted By Guy & Denyse Fleury on September 2, 2009, 8:49 PM
Went 1,300 miles just to do this for my mom's 84th birthday. The day was beautiful and went 45 minute drive down a mud road only to find it closed. They advertise it to be open ever day even if it is windy or rainy they should still be open. Even Pictured Rocks Cruises in Munising stay open when it is storming. Reading about how rude this place is makes me wonder if you should sell this place to someone who appreciates God's gift to you.
Posted By Sue Passinault on October 1, 2009, 7:51 PM