Balloons Over Letchworth:
The vast scope of Letchworth State Park, “the Grand Canyon of the East,” is best seen from above—take to the skies with Balloons Over Letchworth. F.A.A. licensed pilot Sean Quigley takes groups of up to ten people soaring over sprawling farmland to the 600-foot-deep canyons carved out by the Genesee River. Hanging silently over the roaring torrents of Big Falls, the majestic panorama of New York State captures beautifully on film and indelibly in the memories of everyone sharing the basket under the red, white and blue balloon. (585) 493-3340
Adirondack Whitewater Rafting:
Guides at Adirondack River Outfitters Adventures refer to rafting the class-V rapids of New York’s Moose River in the spring as “slam-dancing with Mother Nature” for good reason—it is the wildest and most extreme rafting an adrenaline junkie can find in the Northeast. Fortunately for the rest of us, there are tamer rapids to conquer on the Black and Hudson rivers, as well as calm family cruising and inflatable kayak trips to soak in the delightful experience of a day on the water. (800) 525-RAFT (7238). For additional whitewater rafting resources: http://visitadirondacks.com/recreation/whitewater.cfm
Scuba Diving in the Niagara:
You may not think of New York as a scuba-diving destination, but Sport Diver magazine consistently ranks the Niagara River in the top ten North American dive spots. That’s where you’ll find
Captain Bill's Upper River Diving. Drift-diving the Niagara River is an exciting ride for beginners; or search for antique bottles and cannonballs around the sunken remains of tall ships and steamers while shipwreck diving in the warm clear waters of the St. Lawrence. If you’re looking for some company on your next dive, there’s diving with California sea lions at the
Aquarium of Niagara. Captain Bill's: (716) 283-DIVE (3483); Aquarium of Niagara: (716) 285-3575
Western Riding in the East:
Saddle up for a Western Frontier adventure in Eastern New York. Western Riding Stables offers a variety of riding packages, from a casual trot to more rugged rides, for visitors of any experience level. Discover the mysterious beauty of New York on a nine-mile moonlight ride topped off with a cowboy dinner cooked over an open flame, take on a challenging overnight pack trip riding parallel to the Appalachian Trail, or just clip-clop into the town of Millerton and hitch up outside any of the quaint restaurants for Sunday brunch. (518) 789-4848
Paintball:
Eager enthusiasts and World Cup Champions alike travel from all over the country to test their skills and stamina at the East Coast’s most comprehensive paintball powerhouse—High Velocity Paintball on Long Island. An hour from the Big Apple, you’ll find your heart racing as you stealthily creep through the woods, storm the outdoor WWI-style trenches, cross battlefields littered with crashed helicopters and settle scores once and for all in the Wild West. The 15,000-square-foot indoor facility’s constantly changing layout presents new challenges to even the most seasoned veterans, and everyone goes home with thrilling combat stories for their disbelieving friends. (631) 242-2096
The Gunks:
More than 1,200 routes crisscross the dramatic cliffs and ice caves of New York's Shawangunks, the most popular climbing destination in the United States. Only a select few are authorized to be your guides as you tackle the mountain range, but they know every ridge and crevasse like the back of their super-strong hands. Carefully protected to preserve its natural wonder, there’s no doubt as you rappel down the Gunk’s vertical faces or shimmy up a natural crack high above the colorful treeline of the Mohonk Valley that this is way more than a workout—it’s a one-of-a-kind adventure. For additional rock climbing resources in the area: www.ulstertourism.info/todo/climbing.html