Zip It Good In NC

In case you haven't heard, ziplining is one of the hottest things going in adventure travel these days, and North Carolina is one of the hottest places to do it.

A recent article in USA Today listed ten of the top American ziplines according to Michael Smith, the creator of ZiplineNirvana.com, a social media website for zipline enthusiasts. In the article, Smith says that the best zipline tours offer a "sense of place, exploration, and entertainment" along with the thrill ride. Smith calls North Carolina a "leading state for ziplines", and lists two NC ziplines in his top ten:

At Navitat Canopy Adventures in Bernardsville (near Asheville), Smith says "the sense of being in a remote location is overwhelming". He says the company blends environment and aesthetics into the zipline ride, and mentions the sky bridges and unique tree platforms as particularly pleasing.

Meanwhile, the brand new Zipquest (opened in July 2010) in Fayetteville also got top marks for blending adventure into its natural surroundings. "It explores this cool waterfall and a hidden ecosystem", says Smith. The Zipquest tour offers eight ziplines, three skybridges (think Indiana Jones), and three spiral staircases, including one suspended from a cable.

So, if you're looking to zip it good this fall, there's no better place than in North Carolina. For a more complete listing of NC ziplines, check out this article.