Adventurous Activities in Major Metropolises

Who says you have to leave the confines of your city to find an adrenaline fix? Here, our GoTravelDaily locals share a selection of adventurous endeavors in the heart of some of the world’s largest metropolises, from in-line skating on the streets of Paris to a fearsome spice challenge in Singapore.

Wakeboarding in the Centre of Seoul

With 25.6 million people living in the South Korean capital, snagging a quiet spot beside the Han River is sport enough for most. Those looking to go the extra mile, however, can take to the chilly waters to try wakeboarding, where brave participants are towed behind a speeding motorboat, gliding across the calm waters on a small, lightweight board.

While it may not boast the same glamour as waterskiing along the Mediterranean coast, there’s something very James Bond about stepping from one of the city’s skyscrapers, slipping on your sunglasses, and skimming past a crowd of rush-hour commuters scurrying through this neon metropolis: just try not to ruin the illusion by falling in.

How to do it: Contact River City directly or secure a package on Trazy. A package, including lessons, two 15-minute rides, and board rental, starts at 27,000 won.

For the come down: Visitors seeking a more leisurely way to enjoy the Han River can float down it in a giant, six-person tube (complete with parasol for sun protection). Food and drinks are allowed on board, and the night-time views are phenomenal.

Speed Skate Through Paris’ Streets

Whizzing through the bustling French capital on in-line skates isn’t without its challenges, not least the cobblestones and unexpected descents. However, it’s an exhilarating way to see the city’s famous landmarks alongside local skaters.

If you’re an experienced rollerblader (capable of turning at speed and, most crucially, knowing how to brake), you can join a three-hour Friday night mass skate organized by Pari Roller from Montparnasse. Beginners may participate in gentler, three-hour family-oriented courses facilitated by Rollers & Coquillages from Bastille. Both options are free and led by yellow-jersey-clad staff. Routes are published online prior to each event.

How to do it: Skates can be rented (starting from €8 per day), along with essential safety gear, at Nomadeshop.

For the come down: Rest your legs and rehydrate at cafes lining Boulevard du Montparnasse and Place de la Bastille, or survey your traveled ground from a rooftop bar like Le Perchoir.

Ride the World’s Fastest Train in Shanghai

A fitting introduction to one of China’s most thrilling cities, Shanghai’s Maglev, which stands for magnetic levitation, is the fastest commercial train in the world, connecting Pudong International Airport with the city in just eight exhilarating minutes.

Passengers can observe the speedometer rise, along with their pulses, on LCD screens as the train speeds toward the metropolis. However, inside the carriage, the ride is remarkably smooth, offering comfortable seating and air conditioning. The real thrill comes from watching the outside world whiz past the large windows while waiting for the train to reach its staggering top speed of 430 km/h.

How to do it: The train operates between Pudong Airport Station and Longyang Road Station from 6:45 am to 9:40 pm. A single fare is 50 yuan.

For the come down: Slow your pace and explore this remarkable feat of engineering at the Maglev Museum located in Longyang Road Station.

Take on a Curry Challenge in Singapore

Singapore’s diverse cultural landscape has spawned one of the world’s most dynamic and mouth-watering food scenes. However, those who wish to truly test their taste buds—and pain thresholds—should head to Lagnaa Barefoot restaurant in Little India for a chance to be immortalized in local culinary lore.

The curry served here is seriously spicy, with heat levels ranging numerically from mild ones and twos to an unattempted ten. Customers who can manage a level three (finishing the bowl clean without cooling aids like lassi or yogurt) will earn a personalized peg on the Curry Challenge wall. If you conquer a level six, you’ll be invited to the monthly Full Moon Chili Challenge, where serious spice lovers can tackle levels seven and above. Gluttonous glory awaits.

How to do it: Lagnaa Barefoot operates from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm. Prove your mettle by finishing a level six to receive an invitation to the Full Moon Chili Challenge where participants can aim to make history by finishing the level ten.

For the come down: Walk off your meal with a soothing stroll along the winding Singapore River. Take in the colonial architecture at the Asian Civilisation Museum and the Fullerton Hotel (formerly the General Post Office), before arriving at the stunning Gardens by the Bay.

Navigate the Historic Waterways of Istanbul

Rowing the Golden Horn (an inlet of the Bosphorus River) in a quad scull offers Istanbul views worthy of a sultan. Although the Ottoman rulers had oar-wielding servants who powered their imperial caïques around the city, you’ll be doing the rowing yourself, which adds to the thrill.

Your early-morning adventure starts with a brief lesson at a rowing club in Kasımpaşa before venturing into the open water. Navigate choppy conditions and dodge fishing vessels en route to Eyüp, where the gravestones of a leafy hillside cemetery cascade down to the shore. On your return, take a moment to admire the views of Istanbul’s minarets, church steeples, and ancient towers awakening in the morning light—a sight worth the early start.

How to do it: Istanbul Tour Studio offers a Golden Horn rowing experience starting at $95 per person.

For the come down: See some of the vessels that have traversed Istanbul’s waterways, plus models of all of the city’s piers, at the shoreside Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Hasköy.

Scale the Rock Face of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio

Most first-time visitors to Rio flock to the iconic Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), ascending this 396-meter monolith in air-conditioned cable cars. However, thrill-seekers have an exhilarating option: donning helmet, harness, and climbing shoes to reach the summit the traditional way.

Whether you are an experienced climber or a complete novice, a good level of fitness, coupled with guidance from an experienced instructor, makes reaching the summit—through a combination of trail hiking and vertical ascents—achievable. Climbing the rock face will offer tons of adrenaline, spectacular views (if you dare to look down), and a gratifying sense of superiority over the cable-car crowd when you reach the top.

How to do it: Engaging a guide is essential for summiting the Sugarloaf. Reliable guides and climbing gear can be arranged through Companhia da Escalada.

For the come down: Located in the shadow of Sugarloaf, Bar Urca’s serene setting is the ideal spot to unwind with a well-deserved post-climb caipirinha.

Seek Out Chicago’s Underwater Ghosts

Scattered along Lake Michigan’s bed just beyond the shadows of Chicago’s gleaming skyline are nearly a dozen wrecked ships—sunken relics from the city’s past as a primary port linking the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes and the Atlantic.

From paddle steamers and masted schooners to enormous steel ferries, the wrecked vessels—many casualties of collisions and harsh winter storms—rest in an eerie state of preservation, awaiting underwater exploration. Keen divers peering at these ships’ mussel-covered hulls or venturing into their ghostly interiors are likely to encounter the spirits of the departed crews and passengers, not to mention the essence of Chicago’s bygone era.

How to do it: Windy City Diving organizes wreck excursions for certified divers of all levels (from $95 plus equipment rental).

For the come down: Steady your nerves and warm up after diving by savoring a drink at Wicker Park’s maritime-themed Queen Mary, whose rich wood decor and low lighting evoke an old captain’s quarters.