Above and beyond: 6 ways to enjoy Atlanta from a skyview

Credit: Courtesy of Balloons Over Georgia

Credit: Courtesy of Balloons Over Georgia

Taking its name from owner Wendy Bridle, who in turn took hers from the famous flying girl Wendy in J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan," Fly Wendy Fly offers sunrise and sunset hot air balloon flights on weekends. Soaring up to 2,000 feet above Atlanta's northern suburbs, there are few views that match the 360 degree panoramic views of Atlanta afforded to those taking this private hot air balloon ride.

Flight time runs about an hour, while the entire experience is a little longer than two hours, which includes things like safety and inflating the balloon.

By throwing an aerial party for two with Prestige Helicopters

770-458-6047

Not to be mistaken with Prestige Worldwide, Atlanta's Prestige Helicopters offer the city something a little different from the pomp and circumstance of, say, the Catalina Wine Mixer; Helicopter tours for any occasion.

"Seeing people working at their desks fifty stories up can be a pretty cool experience," says Andy Whitaker, Prestige spokesman.

With Prestige, aerial adventurers can take scenic tours ranging from 10 minutes up to an hour. They even have a program that lands at the W Hotel helipad in Midtown, which lends itself to things like engagement proposals, wedding entrances and exits.

Take a bi-plane ride over Atlanta

770-457-5757

If you take a bi-plane ride over Atlanta, you'll see something new. The planes can take you through aerial maneuvers for the thrill of high-G force or crop dust your friends' houses just to prove a point. You can also tout being vintage - the antique, open-cockpit bi-planes are flown with plans for every budget.

Skydive over Atlanta with Skydive Atlanta

706-647-9701 (Views over Marietta, Alpharetta and Lawrenceville)

skydiveatlanta.com
Save the plane jumping for Skydive Atlanta: one of the leading skydiving teams in Georgia.

If you are normal, the thought of jumping out of a plane can be a little scary. However, the Skydive Atlanta team has an established operation—more than 30 years in the business —and they are the only facility in Georgia certified to carry military skydivers. If they're good enough for the U.S. Army, they should be good enough for anyone. They offer tandem jumps for first timers, solo certification and more.

Rock a wingsuit at Skydive Spaceland

770-748-2200

Okay, you'll need to have 200 dives under your belt before the folks at Skydive Spaceland will take you up in a wingsuit. But hey, if you want to experience something completely different than everyday life, jump out of an airplane flying over Atlanta while wearing a wingsuit. Is it dangerous? Perhaps. But its also the most hardcore thing you can do above Atlanta.

Fly private with Peachtree Aviation

877-510-5387

Another way to get above it all? A G6. If you're looking to splurge on your skyview adventure, there isn't a more luxurious way to get into the air. Peachtree Aviation offers charter flights anywhere you want to go, with a pricing model that makes sense.

Crazy as it sounds, if you are about to fly your entire family somewhere, it may just be cheaper to fly private than to buy a half-dozen domestic tickets.