Top Thrill Rides and Extreme Sports Near Detroit

ATV Rentals

Dennis Macdonald/Photolibrary/Getty Images

Where: Several locations throughout Michigan
Cost: Starts at $75

The northern part of Michigan is abundant with ATV trails, providing ample opportunity to enjoy an exhilarating ride.

Dog Sledding

Where: Boyne Highlands, Michigan
Cost: Starts at $75

Experience the thrill of dog sledding by taking a tour with Iditarod sled dogs from Nature’s Kennel, ideal for a group of two to three people.

Dune Buggies and Off-Road Vehicles

Where: Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan
Cost: Starts at $16 per adult for a tour and $95 for a vehicle rental

Whether you prefer a guided tour with Mac Wood’s Dune Rides or the excitement of driving your own vehicle, Silver Lake Sand Dunes offers thrilling off-road experiences. You can choose to drive your own jeep in a guided caravan with Parrot’s Landing or rent a dune buggy through Silver Lake Buggys.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Where: Throughout Michigan
Cost: Starts at around $15

Although Metro-Detroit lacks natural rock formations, several indoor climbing facilities are available across Michigan, providing a safe and enjoyable activity for both beginners and experienced climbers.

Roller Coasters and Amusement-Park Thrill Rides

Where: Michigan and Ohio
Cost: Starts at $26 for Michigan’s Adventure and $45.99 for Cedar Point (adult)

The two closest amusement parks to Metro-Detroit include:

  • Cedar Point, featuring the Top Thrill Dragster and MaXair.
  • Michigan’s Adventure, home to the Thunderhawk and Shivering Timbers roller coasters.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour

Where: Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada
Cost: Starts at $59 per adult

This adventure combines the excitement of a roller coaster with the elements of a water ride, offering thrilling journeys through class IV rapids in a flat-bottomed jet boat.

Stunt Airplane Ride

Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: Starts at $180

Embark on an adrenaline-pumping adventure in a 2001 Pitts aerobatic biplane, which includes thrilling barrel rolls, tail slides, and impressive spins.

Zip Lines

Where: Howell and Mackinaw City
Cost: Starts at $7 per person

These locations offer adventurous zip lining experiences, including:

  • Adventure Tour with a zip line, forest canopy bridge, and nature trail climbing wall.
  • Challenge Program at Howell Nature Center.
  • Zipline Adventure at Boyne Highlands.

Zorbing or Sphering

Where: Mt. Brighton
Cost: $28.50 per person (as of 2006)

Robert Pelon introduced the first sphere ride in the USA in 2006 at Mt. Brighton, featuring a 12-foot hamster ball experience with safety features for an exhilarating ride downhill.

Note: The original operator of the sphere rides is no longer active in Michigan.

For more information, consider viewing a YouTube video of Sphering at Mt. Brighton or reading an article titled Have you got the balls? by Sarah Klein / Metro Times (7/19/2006).

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