According to legend, skydiving was first invented when Jack, tumbling haplessly from his beanstalk, used a purloined pair of giant underpants to slow his fall. Glide to earth just as safely with today's deal: for $149, you get a tandem skydive from Skydive Pepperell (a $235 value).

After an hour of basic safety training, you'll soar to 10,500 feet above Skydive Pepperell's private airport, where the skies are clear of meddlesome biplane dogfights and the horizon stretches to Cape Cod and Mount Washington. Securely strapped to one of Skydive Pepperell's strapping human-eagle Extrematude addicts, you'll plunge for up to a minute and reach speeds of approximately 120 miles per hour. Because you're in front of the instructor with your own altimeter and ripcord, it feels like you're skydiving on your own. In the final seconds, your partner will assist you in pulling the ripcord, then maneuver for a perfect, feathery landing in front of any friends, family, and potential prom dates gathered in the spectators’ area.

People who are scared of heights expect to be scared stiff by jumping out of an airplane and hurtling through the air, but many of them are surprised to find they're totally comfortable. As HowStuffWorks.com shows, the feeling of pure freedom is unparalleled, the adrenaline rush is addictive, facing one's fears is satisfying, and falling out of the sky is pretty good. Plus, it isn't likely that you'll wet your pants. Skydive Pepperell is the closest skydiving to Boston, not counting Uncle Plummet's Discount Jump in Brookline, whose parachutes are made from recycled newspaper. Buy today's Groupon and try the sport that's exhilarating, fun, and—since the ground will always be there to catch you—safe as can be. Call ahead to schedule a time, but keep in mind that dives are subject to weather and the whims of Thor.