Things To Do In Austin

Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo's troupe of snake-taming animal lovers tend to dozens of species of reptiles and amphibians, creating a nurturing environment that cares for the creatures and educates the public. From lizards and snakes to crocodilians and tortoises, the zoo's menagerie contains specimen both docile and hostile, and visitors often pose for pictures with animals to commemorate their visit to the zoo. After being successfully raised by sage clans of snapping turtles, each keeper draws on their years of experience and love of animals to conduct presentations and seminars during visits to the zoo.

Safety and excitement go hand-in-hand at Minneapolis Skydive, where experienced instructors guide thrill-seekers on adrenaline-filled leaps through the sky. First-timers are paired with one of these professionals for a tandem jump. After an instructional video and a Q&A session, guests board the plane, get strapped to their instructor's four-point harness, and leap into the sky. They'll move at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour during a 40–60-second free fall; then, once the parachute hatches from its cocoon, skydivers enjoy a 5–7-minute float to the ground. Videographers are available to capture the entire flight on camera, and the video can be delivered digitally. Minneapolis Skydiving Adventures also offers programs for advanced skydivers to become licensed and participate in solo jumps.

There’s nothing more exhilarating, albeit unnatural, than hurtling towards earth unimpeded. The instructors at Southern Minnesota Skydiving agree, and by adhering to the United States Parachute Association’s safety standards, they facilitate tandem and solo skydives. For tandems, the pros regulate the entire jump, from 45 seconds of free-fall to about four minutes of floating beneath a large ram-air parachute, which enables soft landings. For the thrill seeker who’d rather fly alone, experienced instructors offer the Static Line course to teach students how to skydive solo or explore options for prosthetic wing surgery.