Image via Complex Original
Gravity is crucial. It allows us to go from point A to point B without much difficulty, and, more importantly, it keeps our phones from floating off our tables. However, there’s a part of us that just can’t help but wonder what it might be like to lighten up and float around.
Part of the reason kids dream about becoming astronauts is the idea of drifting through outer space without anything dragging them down. While there isn’t anywhere in America where we can go that actually has zero gravity, there are some cool spots and activities that will let you temporarily escape its pull—or at least feel like you’re weightless. Some of them require you to live a bit dangerously, but who ever had the time of their life playing it safe?
The Zero Gravity Research Facility
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
This is the ultimate zero gravity experience. Designed by NASA, this facility performs drop tests in a vacuum chamber to research the reactions of different components in a zero gravity atmosphere. Getting a shot requires a little more than purchasing a ticket, but if you have a plug at NASA this is the most official way to experience life without gravity—completely weightless.
Spook Hill
Location: Lake Wales, Fla.
Although this isn’t the most exciting way to defy gravity, it’s definitely the creepiest. Spook Hill is home to one of America’s many gravity hills: a spot where the layout of the surrounding land produces the optical illusion that a downhill slope is actually uphill. At Spook Hill, a car, rock, or empty can will appear to be rolling uphill, almost like it’s disobeying gravity’s lame law. This clearly isn’t as riveting as a trip to space, but if you want to see something peculiar and a little scary, Spook Hill is the place for you.
Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
Location: Jackson, N.J.
One of the more thrilling ways to defy gravity is on a roller coaster, and the Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure is one of the wildest rides in the nation. After going up 230 feet, you immediately drop 215 feet at 80 mph, leaving you feeling like you’re absolutely weightless. Yeah, that may be a pretty scary drop, but if kids as young as 10 can do it then you probably can too. Just make sure you don’t eat before strapping in.
Om Factory Yoga Center
Location: New York City
If going on a scary ride at an amusement park isn’t really your cup of tea, maybe aerial yoga will be. By using a makeshift swing of sorts, you can practice traditional yoga moves while suspended in the air. You won’t feel your weight, therefore making it feel like there’s no gravity. Aerial yoga actually makes some of the difficult positions easier on your joints, although we wouldn’t call it easy. Luckily for you, they have classes for beginners, too.
Zero Gravity Corporation
Location: Arlington, Va.
If you’re really trying to get the full outer space experience you should try jumping on Zero Gravity Corporation’s G-Force One. On a Boeing 727, parabolic arcs are performed to create a weightless environment where you can float, backflip, and perform every cool trick you’d ever want to try in outer space.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t come without a heavy price. A trip for one person costs $4,950 (plus 5% tax). Hey, if you have the money then this is definitely worth it, but a roller coaster is almost as much fun and about 1,000 times cheaper.
Skydiving
Location: Various
Of all of the activities on this list skydiving is by far the scariest. You’re dropping so quickly, accelerating each second, that after three or four seconds it doesn’t even feel like you’re falling. Once you reach terminal velocity it feels like you’re laying face down, but there’s nothing there. Depending on your skillset, skydiving is a great way to test out all the flips you could do in outer space until your parachute opens up.
Zero Gravity U.S.A.
Location: St. Petersburg, Fla.
If you like the idea of going on an airplane to feel the remarkable effects of weightlessness, but you’re not trying to pay $5,000, then Zero Gravity U.S.A. is for you. Zero Gravity U.S.A. uses similar techniques as Zero Gravity Corp. in Virginia, but you’re on a personal plane. So instead of sharing space with a bunch of other people trying to do somersaults, it’s just you, the pilot, and your “weightless coach.” Prepare to have as much fun as possible, and even yell cool tag lines (like “Cowabunga”) without being judged. This trip comes in around $2,500.
Mugar Omni Theater
Location: Boston
IMAX Theaters are becoming commonplace these days, but none are as epic as the one at Boston’s Museum of Science. This theater is five stories tall. It completely wraps around the audience and immerses you in the movie that you’re watching. There are times it literally feels like you’re on top of the theater about to fall, and you’ll grab your seat just to make sure gravity still exists. When you leave, it takes a minute to get your footing back, but it’s well worth it.
Scuba Diving
Location: Various
Being completely submerged in water is similar to being in outer space: you can float around weightlessly, do backflips, and hold weird poses without falling. You are free from the limitations of gravity to some extent. Also, you get to look at some of the coolest stuff earth has to offer. Land is kind of boring—the sea is filled with adventure.
Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure
Location: Jackson, N.J.
This is the tallest, baddest roller coaster out there. Also at Six Flags Great Adventure, Kingda Ka goes 128 mph and has a 45-story drop. Supposedly it leaves you weightless for a full eight seconds, which is almost the same feeling you’ll get from the zero gravity flights on this list. You won’t be able to do tricks in an airplane, but you’ll be so scared that backflips will be the last thing on your mind.