Wild and Wacky Adventures in America

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America is full of wild and wacky things to see and experience. We are a country that embraces the different and the odd and because of that, there are some strange, almost unbelievable things that you can do in the U.S.A.

America is a country where, the more over the top an adventure is, the better, including these fun experiences.

Driving a Tank (Multiple Locations)

Believe it or not, there are multiple locations all across the United States that give people the chance to drive a tank. Most places offer different classes of tanks that vary in size and scope. However, almost every single company offers things like crushing cars and firing the guns.

Prices vary widely depending on the tank and what you choose to do. For example, if you want to rent one of the bigger tanks for an hour with some ammo to shoot, it can cost upwards of $5,000. However, simply driving a tank around can cost as little as $150.

Learn to Survive in the Wild (Utah, Colorado)

One odd but exciting experience is taking up the challenge of survival school. This is not a school in the traditional sense, but it does offer a lot of value, especially for an outdoor enthusiast.

This is first hand learning at its finest, and these programs are not for the faint of heart. In fact, the classroom comprises of the wintery outdoors; they don’t just teach survival, they ensure it.

Some of these "classes" last up to a month and have students experiencing harsh conditions using nothing but a knife, water bottle, blanket and their wits to survive.

A typical day means trekking over 20 miles, moving rapidly through the harsh terrain, while learning survival skills.

Towards the end of the class, you are left in the wilderness alone; a challenge that tests all the wilderness skills and survival tactics learned in the last month.

One good thing about this class is that it is a fantastic way to shed a few extra pounds.

Learn Counter Terrorism Skills (Miami, Florida)

Did you know that just outside Miami, Florida there are adventures centered on teaching participants a slew of counter-terrorism skills?

In just two days, they aim to teach all the basics to becoming the ultimate soldier. Throughout the course, participants learn how to act in different covert ops scenarios. This covers almost everything, including how to shoot from moving vehicles, various battle strategies, and even how to spot ambushes. There is also close combat training using the Israeli martial art of Krav Maga.

The four-day training includes extras like military gas training and how to take out vehicles.

With a wide array of arms, weapons and battle techniques, this is one wild and wacky adventure in America.

Drive A Monster Truck (Franklin, Indiana)

America has many claims to fame like Voyager 1, the light bulb and of course, the Roomba. America is also home to towering monster trucks, most reaching over ten feet tall, which made their first appearance in the 1980’s. Since then, they have become a craze in certain parts of the United States.

These massive trucks can go as fast as 100 mph, and can crush almost anything in their path including cars. Today, people can experience all the thrills and excitement from the driver's seat.

There are two options to choose from; either pay to drive the truck once or enroll in the monster truck driving academy (yes that is a real thing) and start a new profession. Before you know it, cars will be turned into dust beneath your wheels, while you will ramp the mammoth vehicle into the air, enjoying the powerful roar of the engine.

Driving a monster truck is extremely affordable, and a unique and wild American adventure you won't forgot anytime soon.

Fly a Stunt Plane / Extreme Sightseeing (San Diego, California)

Take control of your very own stunt plane in an unforgettable rush that people describe as having all the thrills of a roller coaster without the rails. Throughout your day, you become an expert stunt pilot learning both basic and advanced tricks.

Put your new skills into practice as you soar through the air doing tail spins, barrel rolls and making the plane cartwheel through the air. It is an adrenaline filled afternoon of gravity defying thrills.

If the thought of spinning through the air hundreds of feet above the ground while doing crazy tricks in a plane makes your stomach somersault, then there is a slightly tamer plane adventure just for you.

Why not try extreme sightseeing?

Hop into a plane with a built-in bubble canopy that lets you get the best view of your surroundings as you take to the sky. Speed past the deck of an aircraft carrier as you soar down to get a perfect view of the ocean against the majestic shoreline. It is fast-paced and a great way to spend an afternoon in California.

No doubt, these are some wild and wacky things to do that are perfect for adventure junkies looking for an unconventional vacation.

It doesn't matter if you want to fly your own stunt plane, learn to survive the harsh deserts of Utah, drive a tank, or crush cars with a monster truck; the options are varied and plentiful throughout America.

Fun is part of any travel experience, but so is staying protected. Learn more about our policies here, and if you plan on partaking in any of these - or any other extreme adventures - make sure you get a policy that covers you. 

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.