Myrtle Beach SC | Myrtle Beach is known for its laid-back atmosphere with beautiful beaches and breathtaking views of the Atlantic, but thrill seekers can find a few heart-pumping attractions to keep them busy on their vacation.

Mixed in with all the Myrtle Beach hotels and high rises are some gravity-defying rides and attractions sure to get your adrenaline going. Here are a few of the thrills that await in Myrtle Beach.

Parasailing

Get a bird’s eye view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Myrtle Beach oceanfront with a parasailing adventure. Most trips offer single, double or triple rides, and you’ll be hoisted up to 500 feet above the water by a giant parachute. This is a mild thrill, suitable for younger children with slow takeoffs and landings. Here are some parasail operators along the Grand Strand:

• Downwind Watersports, 2915 Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-7245. Web site
• Myrtle Beach Watersports, multiple locations. (843) 361-3322 Web site
• Ocean Watersports, 3rd Avenue South, Myrtle Beach (843) 445-7777 Web site

Waterslides

Several Myrtle Beach area hotels, including Dunes Village and Sands Resorts, have waterparks for use by their guests. For everyone else, there are public waterparks with plenty of spills and thrills to keep your family entertained.

• Myrtle Waves, 3000 10th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach. (843) 918-8725.

  Myrtle Waves features a variety of rides, including the heart-pumping Turbo Twisters, which reach 10 stories tall. Riders spiral down in darkness at 50 feet per second.

• Wild Water & Wheels, 910 Highway 17 South, Surfside Beach.

  This south-end waterpark also has plenty to offer from kiddie rides to mat slides, but if you’re looking for a thrill ride, the Free Fall Cliff Dive is the way to go. It’s a body-only speed slide that rockets riders at up to 45 mph with a near vertical drop. Hang on to your bathing suit on this one!

Ropes course and zipline

Ropes course, Broadway at the Beach, between 21st and 29th avenues North, Myrtle Beach

Broadway at the Beach, a longtime Myrtle Beach shopping and entertainment complex, now features the WonderWorks ropes course and zipline.

The ropes course, which is 40 feet tall and challenges participants with 33 elements, becomes more difficult as you make your way through. You can twist and turn your way through the course as a family or challenge one another to see who can make it through first.

The zipline takes riders on a thrilling 1,000 foot ride between two towers and back and soars 50 feet above water.

Slingshot ride

Slingshot ride, 1201 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach. $27 per rider.

Two riders sit side by side in this thrill ride on Ocean Boulevard. The slingshot catapults its riders over 300 feet in the air at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Even if this isn’t the thrill for you, definitely stroll by to watch other brave souls take on the slingshot. The looks on their faces are priceless.