Free Fall Park, Myrtle Beach

One second, a pair of friends is nestled in a sling on the ground. The next, they're soaring 300 feet into the air at speeds of up 100 miles per hour. That's what happens during The Sling Shot thrill ride at Myrtle Beach Thrill Rides, where a lineup of heart-pumping contraptions coaxes as many smiles as it does screams:

• Sky Bounce: Strapped into harnesses, participants safely bounce up to 20 feet in the air on this family-friendly bungee trampoline.
• Sundance: This contraption spins participants 360 degrees in the air and even upside down for a whirlwind experience.
• SkyScraper Thrill Ride: An enormous crane whips riders 170 feet in the air at speeds of up to 60 mile per hour for a glittering view of the beach below.