Top 5 Bungee Jumping Places Near Chicago 2024
The people of Chicago enjoy extreme sports like Bungee jumping during the summers and springs. A common practice for adventure lovers is tying themselves with elastic harnesses before jumping off. Then they go for a free fall from the high ground like skyscrapers, high bridges, balloons, helicopters, and custom-made towers head first.
Places for bungee jumping in Chicago are limited due to the weather being unfriendly most of the time. However, the sport is become famous in recent years. Sports companies and amusement parks are introducing places for bungee jumping near Chicago. Here’s a list of some places to jump off near Chicago.
Bungee jumping in the United States is an exciting game. Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Orlando, Miami, Maryland, Houston, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Austin, Ohio, New Jersey, Cancun, Michigan, Georgia, Washington, and Sacramento are Developing Areas for Bungee Jumping. Very soon, those places will be open to the public.
List of Top 5 Bungee Jumping Places Near Chicago
1. Six Flags Great America in Gurnee
Six Flags Great America Park is a famous retreat for thrill-seekers in Gurnee, and the place is a 45-minute ride away from Chicago. It’s a great United States visiting place. The Dare Devil ride is the most prominent among all the adventure sports, and It’s a free fall of 125 feet from a metal tower. People taller than 54 inches can jump solo; those below 42 inches need a partner.
Up to 3 people can jump off together. After a free fall of nearly 12.5 stories, the safety cable will swing you like a pendulum due to momentum. The drop speed is almost 65-70 mph.
Address: 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States.
Cost: A single ride costs $18, and a double ride costs $44. With a Park ticket, the price is reduced to half.
2. Extreme World – Bungee Jumping Chicago
Extreme World in Wisconsin Dells is another place for bungee jumping near Chicago. The bungee jumping weight limit is 80 lbs or 36 kg (minimum) and 265 lbs 120 kg (maximum).
It’s a three-and-a-half-hour ride from downtown Chicago. The amusement park is considered a good option for adventure lovers. The bungee jump is performed from a 120 ft high suspended platform of an arch metal column.
First, you have to dive off the platform. A slight drugging is applied to pull you up feet-first. It stops for a second descent toward the ground. One can experience multiple free falls here. People taller than 40 inches can jump off.
Address: 1800 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy #8483, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965, United States.
Cost: The price of the park entry ticket is $21. For bungee jumping, an extra charge is applicable.
Read How Old Do You Have To Be To Bungee Jump?
3. John Hancock Center
The 100-story skyscraper of the windy city has introduced this new attraction for their guests. People visiting the 360 observation deck of the building above the 94th floor can upgrade their tickets to enjoy bungee jumping from there.
Adventure lovers need to sign off a disclaimer and pay some hundred dollars to jump off headfirst to the street. It seems like an incredible stunt for adrenaline junkies.
Address: 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
Cost: The entry fees to the building for adults are $20 per person and $13 for children between 3 to 11 years. Additional charges are applicable for bungee jumping and double visits within 48 hours.
4. Willis Tower Bungee Jump
Being the third tallest building in America, the Willis Tower offers the city’s best view. Besides the thrilling Skydeck on the 103rd floor, this skyscraper is one of the perfect places for bungee jumping in Chicago. MilesHighSky club is arranging bungee events from the Willis Tower.
A permanent structure was built on the 108th floor of the building, and adventure lovers like to perform bungee jumping from there. They must sign a disclaimer form, pay some more dollars, and accompany a trained bungee jumper. Summer is the perfect time to do this.
Address: 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States.
Cost: For adults (aged 12 years and above), the ticket price to enter the building is $30-$44, and for children between 3-11years, the ticket price is $22-$36. An additional fee is required for bungee jumping.
5. Young’s High Bridge Bungee Jump
The Young’s High Bridge may be very far from Chicago, but it can be considered the haven for bungee jump lovers. Whether you’re a pro or a first-timer, this place should be on your list of jumping-off. Young’s High Bridge is 240 ft above the Kentucky River.
Vertigo Bungee has purchased the bridge to get the sole right to authorize the programs there. It is a 100 feet free fall from the top of the bridge. The company provides an expert bungee crew to help everyone. Thrill-seekers need to pay a nonrefundable charge with membership fees for the performance.
Address: US-62, Versailles, KY 40383, United States.
Cost: $129 for individual jump and $160 with Vertigo Bungee membership.
Who should not do Bungee jumping?
Pregnant women and people with NCDs (non-communicable diseases) are recommended not to do bungee jumping. People with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck injuries, or bone fractures should avoid this sport.
Older women and people with weak bones or diseases like osteoporosis should also avoid these sports. The adrenaline rush is unsuitable for people with neurological problems like epilepsy. Such candidates must avoid taking part in bungee jumping.
Is Bungee jumping dangerous?
There are some risk factors in Bungee Jumping. From time to time, jumpers face injuries that can be leveled from moderate to high levels, like bone fractures, neck injuries, heart problems, and even death.
Risk assessment: Check company history before going for an adrenaline rush. Jumpers must have physical fitness and undergo a proper medical check-up for NCD detection.
Always go for Experienced Companies. The licensed instructors perform multiple jumps for a safety check before opening up to visitors daily.
How does it feel to bungee jump?
As an Extreme sport, the adrenaline rush is a common factor in bungee jumping. People who have participated in this sport say that all you need is the courage to face your fears, faith in your instructors and friends, and trust yourself to jump off. The result is heavenly.
Also, do not forget to scream. Once you overcome your fears, you will feel the wind on your face and a feeling of satisfaction in your heart.
Is Bungee jumping legal in California?
Division of Occupational Safety &Health (DOSH) of the State of California provides licenses to Bungee jumping Companies performing within California. A company must meet the requirements of DOSH to get a permit, which is pretty rigorous in terms of safety protocols.
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10 Facts about Bungee Jumping
- The earliest event of something like bungee jumping was performed by the men of Pentecost Island of Vanuatu Archipelago. They used to tie their legs with vines and jump off from wooden platforms during formal events. It proved their manhood.
- Alan John Hackett from New Zealand invented the bungee ropes in 1980.
- Four Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club student members performed bungee jumping with nylon ropes from the Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol in 1979. They were the first to attempt the sport. Luckily, they survived and got arrested immediately.
- Bungee jumping name is derived from the stretchable cables used to tie up luggage.
- China’s Macau Tower(764 ft) holds the Guinness World Record for the highest commercial Bungee jumping. It is 4-5 secs of freefall at 125mph from the top to the ground.
- Bungee jumping is pretty safe despite the adrenaline rush and inherent risk factors.
- A licensed and experienced bungee instructor is the most important thing for a safe jump. Instructors strictly follow all the safety protocols and call off a jump with the slightest hint of danger.
- The Bungee cable should be smaller than the leaping platform for proper stretching.
- The most common injuries associated with Bungee jumping are bone dislocation, rope burns, eye trauma, and spine injuries.
- Bungee jumping is a typical stunt used in the movie industry, like the 2002 007 James Bond Movie Golden Eye.
Conclusion
Sports companies have developed a modern version of Bungee jumping in Chicago. That is a euro bungee. People must rent the equipment and set up a jumping platform in a carnival or backyard to enjoy jumping off.
The activity is mainly done from a Bridge, Tree, Dam, or Rock. Jumpers are strapped with multiple harnesses and swung up and down. However, it’s a punishable offense in Chicago and a life-risking endeavor to organize one with a licensed instructor.
