1. Captain Zipline. Salida, CO. Open year-round since 2005, this was the third zip line to debut in the United States. Owner Monty Holmes, who hopes to someday open the first permanent urban zip line, says his guests have as much fun learning about the area’s rich history and joking with the guides as they do on their thrill-filled ride. The zip line tours range from 200 to 700 feet in length and offer the beauty of snow-capped fourteeners and the Arkansas River as backdrop. Children six to twelve ride with a guide. Contact: 1-877-947-5463; www.CaptainZipline.com.
2. Icy Straight Point. Hoonah, AK. If your Alaska cruise itinerary includes a stop at Icy Straight Point or if you plan to be in the area, be sure to sign up for what their representatives call the highest and longest zip line in the world. Six riders travel together, rushing at speeds of up to 60 mph, some 1,300 feet toward the sea. You’ll cruise 300 feet above the treetops before coming to a stop at the beach. Zipliner riders must weigh between 90 and 275 lbs. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.IcyStraightPoint.com.
3. Skyline Eco-Adventures. Maui, Hawaii. The fun begins when you join your guides in an outdoor vehicle and travel to the West Maui Mountains. Gear up and 
cruise through the pristine environment via eight different zip lines. Catch Pacific Ocean views in the distance and mountain streams, waterfalls and lush valleys below. The company opened the country’s first zip line here in 2002 and now operates two zip line adventures in Maui and one in Pigeon Forge, TN. Riders must be 10 years or older and weigh between 80 and 260 lbs. Contact: 808-878-8400; www.zipline.com.
4. Cypress Valley Canopy Tours. Spicewood, TXMeander through a cypress-lined ravine via sky bridges and zip-lines, 40 feet in the air and up to 350 feet long. Three different tours offer a range of options for varying degrees of challenge and interest. The Canopy Tour is the most family-friendly, while the Canopy Challenge includes faster and longer rides and pathways requiring more balance and agility. Bird enthusiasts will find the Sunrise Birding Tour, led by a wildlife biologist, of particular interest. Riders must be 10 years old and weigh between 70 and 250 lbs. Young people ages 10 to 17, must be accompanied by an adult. Contact: 512-264-8880; http://cypressvalleycanopytours.com
5. Zip lines at Sea. You won’t be cruising through tree branches or canyon walls. Rather, rig up for this raucous ride and you’ll sail through the salty air, suspended amid nine decks of Royal Caribbean cruise cabins. Mega-craft Oasis of the Seas, introduced last year, was the first cruise ship to incorporate a zip line into the family fun zone. Sister-ship, Allure of the Seas, which debuts over the Thanksgiving holiday, will also sport the high-rise ride. Families can also look forward to the DreamWorks Experience, featuring special character breakfasts for kids, delivered by the folks who created Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. Contact: (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN; www.RCCL.com
