Exploring NYC’s Zipline Thrills: Where to Soar

For a Sweet Zipline near NYC: Candytopia

While you won't be zipping amongst the treetops here, there is a zipline at the new iteration of Candytopia. The updated experience is 24,000 square feet with 17 different interactive environments, Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, and delectable tastes of various treats. Unique experiences include an infinity mirror room, Ring Swing Garden and Sugar High Theater. Returning favorites include the signature Candytopia marshmallow pit, a New York-inspired candy art gallery, and a state-of-the-art candy confetti room with confetti-farting pigs. You'll have tons of fun riding one of the sweetest ziplines near NYC.

111 W. 32nd St.
Penn Plaza
Online: candytopia.com

For a Zipping & Climbing in Westchester: Boundless Adventures

Boundless Adventures is an aerial obstacle course incorporating many ziplines of varying heights and lengths. You can choose from four courses, with challenges ranging from easy to difficult. Relatively new, the six-acre park opened in late 2019 and is located on the campus of SUNY Purchase. You get discounts for going on a weekday; they offer a night climb (complete with lasers) and host birthday parties. There is an age minimum of seven to zip or climb. 

735 Anderson Hill Rd. 
Purchase, NY 
Westchester
Online: boundlessadventures.net

For the Zip at the Zoo: Treetop Adventure and Nature Trek at the Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo's Treetop Adventure and Nature Trek is home to a couple of ziplines. Spanning more than 400 feet in each direction, the pair of ziplines travel 50 feet above the Bronx River, with the platform for the zip back even higher than the initial launch pad. (You zip across, then dash back.) The zipline is outfitted with dual, side-by-side lines for double the zipping fun. Additionally, each course of the ropes course Treetop Adventure does include a short zipline element in various forms, such as the boat zip, pictured above. Participants must be age seven or older, between 50 and 275 pounds, and able to reach 5'6″ from flat feet. Visitors can choose to do just the ropes course, just the zipline, or opt for a combo ticket to do it all. Tickets must be reserved in advance. 

2300 Southern Blvd.
Bronx
Online: bronxzoo.com

To Zip Along the Beach & Lots of Options: Wild Play Jones Beach

This extremely fun spot features a 700-foot zipline along the beach, and there are four ziplines side-by-side, so you can zip as a family if you like. (Kids must be seven or older, and the minimum height is 4' 8".) There are also adventure courses (rope ladders, platforms, ziplines, etc.) for all levels—classic, extreme, and a kids' course just 15 feet in the air. In search of even more thrills? Try the WTF Jump (What's To Fear? Jump), a quick but safe descent from 40 feet off the ground.

2600 Ocean Pkwy.
Wantagh, NY
Online: wildplay.com

For Glow in the Park & More: The Adventure Park at Long Island

The Adventure Park at Long Island's "Aerial Forest Adventure Park" is an elevated obstacle course comprising 15 ziplines and 140 challenge bridges. (Its newest one, "Grand Rapids," has nine ziplines.) Spread out over seven acres of woodland, the park features five different color-coded trails (similar to those found at ski resorts), so each family member can pick their degree of difficulty. For tiny ones ages three to six, an Adventure Playground is just 24 inches off the ground. Reserve tickets online for three hours of fun, including the park's safety orientation. Ziplining is for those ages seven and up. 

75 Colonial Springs Rd.
Wheatley Heights, NY
Online: longislandadventurepark.org

To Tag Team with a Friend: Camelback Resort

Just 90 minutes from New York City in the Pocono Mountains, Camelback Mountain Adventures at Camelback Resort is home to the longest twin Zip-Flyers in North America (4000 feet!). However, the 1000-foot dual zip lines, a TreeTops adventure course for kids 6-10, and Pennsylvania's only Mountain Coaster are open. Riders must be at least six years of age and 60 pounds for ziplines, and drivers on the coaster must be at least nine years old. Other height and weight restrictions may apply. 

301 Resort Dr.
Tannersville, PA
Online: camelbackmountainadventures.com

To Get Your Adrenaline Pumping: The Adventure Center at Skytop Lodge

Not for the faint of heart, Skytop's 3000-foot Treetop Adventure Course includes 16 ziplines, plus obstacles like elevated bridge-ways, logs hanging from ropes to walk across, ladders, and a cargo net. Reservations for the four-hour experience must be made in advance, and if one high-octane journey isn't enough, you can opt to stay the night at Skytop's historic mountain lodge and do it all again the next day. (Two-hour experiences are available as well.) Paintball, rock climbing, and more await the adventurous. Riders must be over 10 years old, be able to reach 5'11, weigh less than 275 pounds, have a waist size smaller than 42 inches and thigh size smaller than 26 inches.

1 Skytop Lodge Rd.
Poconos, PA
Online: skytop.com

To Make the Most of a Day Trip: Essex County Treetop Adventure Course at the Turtle Back Zoo

Here's another place to combine your zipline with a zoo—although you can do the zipline and the Treetop Adventure Course, a "world-class aerial obstacle course," without entering the zoo. There are two adventure courses here, Junior and Adult, 10-feet and 35-feet high, respectively. You must be at least 6 years old and weigh 60 pounds to do the Junior adventure and the zipline here. To get a guaranteed spot, make a reservation online. 

560 Northfield Ave.
West Orange, NJ
Online: turtlebackzoo.com/ropes-course

To Do 2 in 1: Boating and Ziplining at Kittatinny Canoes

Despite the company's name, Kittatinny Canoes can also hook you up with a zipline — dual racing ziplines, and the only one on the Delaware River. Zip from Kittatinny's private mountain and drop 36 stories at speeds up to 60 miles per hour before hitting land again. (The up to two-minute ride features views of the Delaware River, the trees below, and cars you can wave to.) Zipliners must weigh at least 60 pounds and be eight or older, but children who are 40 pounds or more can canoe, kayak or raft even if they can't fly through the air.

3854 State Route 97
Barryville, NY
Online: kittatinny.com

To Adventure Locally: Adventure Course at Alley Pond Park

If you dream of an American Gladiator zipline experience for the family, prepare to pinch yourself because that exact scenario exists in Queens. Created as a team-building exercise for groups, the Adventure Course at Alley Pond Park tests a participant's courage, strength, and endurance for free on Sundays — and it's within city limits! The free Sunday programs are held from August - October 31, weather permitting. Individuals are welcome; make sure to get there early; participation is first-come, first-served. 

Alley Pond Main Path and Winchester Boulevard, off Union Turnpike, Queens.
Online: nycgovparks.org

For an Indoor Starter Zipline: Kids 'N Shape in Queens or Staten Island

If you want to start a little less extreme, check out either location of indoor playground and kids fitness center Kids' N Shape, where in addition to lots of other diversions (bounce houses, slides, ball pits, tumbling mats, and oversized blocks and balls) there are indoor ziplines. Both locations (Staten Island or Howard Beach) hold Open Play sessions throughout the week, and the ziplines are opened periodically throughout these times. (A staff member supervises.) Check the open play calendar for times. You must make a reservation in advance. 

162-26 Cross Bay Blvd.
Howard Beach

153 Main St. 
Tottenville, NY
Online: kidsnshape.com