MOSI Sky Trail Adventure in Our Own Backyard

I’ve been pretty consistent over the last few years with planning a spring break trip of some kind for my son.  This year, that didn’t happen because of so many other plans we have in the works. Instead, I planned one day midweek for us to have some mom and son bonding time.   As I’ve shared before, the dynamic with teenagers is a little different,t but I try to keep our lines of communication open.  

The best way for me to get him to open up and to really get a pulse for how he’s doing is when we’re eating something ridiculous — cuz we’re foodies and that’s our thing — or when we are doing something fun (and slightly dangerous).  Fun for us happens often; I guess it’s a perk of having a child young.  I’m still a big kid even in my mid thirties.  Oh dear God…mid thirties.  Did I really just say that?  Anywho, it was the perfect opportunity for us to take advantage of an invitation to experience the MOSI Sky Trail, which is a rope course and zip line.

When I think of MOSI, the museum of science and industry, I think of science experiments, planetarium, and learning activities.  It’s not the first place you think of when you think of adventure.  When I got the invite I almost felt sheepish for not knowing this existed.  It’s literally down the street from where we live and 5 minutes away from where I work.  I’ve passed that big blue contraption many days without giving it a second thought.  I also had no idea there was also a zip line.

We decided to tackle the MOSI Sky Trail early to avoid being in the heat of the day.  There were a few people already on the course but it wasn’t too crowded.  Standing there beneath the ropes course, I could truly appreciate the size of this apparatus.  From the road, it doesn’t look quite as menacing.  This is most certainly a challenge, which is great when you have an adrenaline junkie kid.   I decided that I would let him go up first and I would stay below to take pictures and then I’d go up after he was finished.

After getting our equipment and the safety rules, he was ready to climb.  My son has always been a climber.  He climbed out of his crib.  He would climb up you if you let him.  He climbed trees.  He’s a natural born spider-monkey.

As I watched below, I couldn’t help but get just a little bit nervous watching my first born (and only child) as he climbed higher and higher from the first level up to the highest 4th level, 36 feet high.  You would think that being a football mom veteran and seeing him jump from heights and swing from things this would get easier to watch, but it really doesn’t.  He’s still my baby.

I marveled at his agility as he maneuvered obstacle after obstacle on the MOSI Sky Trail.  I remember his very first rope course similar to this but not nearly as big or high in Orlando at Wonder Works. He was probably 9 or 10.  He was nervous and he actually got stuck and someone had to come and help him because he got all tangled up.  I was helpless on the ground. However, today was not that day.  He’s clearly a big boy now and he didn’t need any help at all.

Once he made it to the top level it was time for zip line.  The zip line at MOSI is more than a football field in length to the other platform.  I watched from the outside level of the main building where I was eye level with the him as he zoomed by me.

TIP:  If you want to get a picture of your child or whomever you are with on the zip line this is your best bet.  They don’t have anyone taking photos for you.  After he made it to the other side he climbed higher in the other tower and zipped back, but this time it was from 65 feet high.  Of course he was Mr. Calm, like he just zooms off of platforms everyday.

The rope course tower allows you to simply walk down the stairs after you complete your zip line.  You don’t have to do the ropes course again to make it back down.

Now it was my turn.  We were also headed to Orlando for some fun at Disney so I didn’t have time to complete the whole course.  I conquered a few obstacles as my son cheered me on from the ground. I explored the 1st level before taking the shortcut and walking up the stairs directly to the zip line level.  The beauty of the rope course is that you don’t feel stuck at any point.  You can truly do the challenges you want to for your comfort level.

I’ve zipped quite few places before but I still enjoy that feeling of flight.  I enjoy the feeling of the wind rushing by and looking all around as I glide through the air.  I made the climb, huffing and puffing, and then I glided back over like a champ.  If you have yet to zip line but you really want to get over this fear, this is a good place to get over your fear.

The MOSI Sky Trail staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.  They made us feel über safe.  There was staff on the ground and staff walking around throughout the course if anyone needed assistance while in the air.  I saw small children and other parents.  The staff said they’ve also had senior citizens.  If you’re wanting to challenge yourself physically this is a great place to do that.  It works great as team building or a birthday party or just a fun day out with family or friends.

Visit MOSI’s website for details on height and weight requirements.   It’s $10 for each experience, ropes and zip line separately. You can get more information about the group pricing, members pricing, and the lower pricing if you are adding these on after already having a ticket for MOSI.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy this adventure right in your own backyard!

I received a complimentary ticket to try this experience in exchange for sharing it with my audience.  As always my opinions are my own. Full Disclosure.

Lauren G. , Outdoorsy Diva™

“Adventure is a lifestyle!”