You don't need to head to the countryside to find adventure in the States – plenty of the USA's coolest metropolises cater for adrenaline junkies. From horse riding to rock climbing and flying to skiing, here's how to get your thrills in America's greatest urban playgrounds.

Even the lofty skyscrapers of Chicago will seem small on this adventure. On a skydiving experience with Skydive Midwest, you'll sweep over sprawling Lake Michigan and be able to spot the striking cityscapes too. Don't worry, novice divers are strapped onto an experienced instructor for a tandem ride and should you wish to go it alone, special courses are available. 

The skyscrapers of downtown New York City rise behind this perfectly-placed pair of climbing walls. Known as 'The Cliffs', they can be found in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The walls are built for a specific type of climbing named 'bouldering', involving a shorter wall, without any ropes, and climbing shoes are included in your admission. First-timers will be given an orientation, and if you take to the sport, month-long passes are available. 

During the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, hundreds of kaleidoscopic balloons take to the New Mexico skies. But you can have a cloud-based adventure all year round with Rainbow Ryders, who organise hot-air-balloon expeditions over Albuquerque, plus Las Vegas, Colorado Springs and Phoenix too. Opt for one timed for sunrise or sunset for the most epic vistas.

The aptly named 'Slotzilla' zip line hurtles riders over Fremont Street at 12 storeys above the ground. In true Sin City fashion, the zip line platform is modelled on a giant slot machine, complete with neon lettering and two, 35-foot model show girls. Riders can choose between the Zipline and the Zoomline: the former begins 77 feet up, while the latter reaches a dizzying 1,750 feet during its course.

There's little shortage of outdoor adventure in the 300-plus acres of Seattle's Seward Park, but the biking/hiking trails are the highlight. The outer trail clings to the shoreline for 2.4 miles and offers a fairly gentle ride. Head southeast for views of Mount Rainier too.

While celebrities may zoom around the city in their Cadillacs, there's a better way to discover the City of Angels – on horseback. Sunset Ranch Hollywood runs one- or two-hour tours around Griffith Park, and en route you'll spot the Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory and the glittering lights of Tinseltown. Prices start from $50 (£38) per person and you can head out in the evening if you'd prefer to explore by twilight. 

Recognised as one of the best kiteboarding spots in the States, Boston's Pleasure Bay suits the sport due to its calm, flat waters. Many choose to crowd around the shoreline and watch the pros, but if you're keen to have a go yourself, book a lesson. New England Kite School and Kite Boston offer sessions in and around the city, depending on conditions. If you do end up at Pleasure Bay, beware of any rocks lurking beneath the water's surface. 

A lush haven within the city limits, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is much-loved among Austin's residents and a rock-climbing session is one of the most exciting adventures you can have within its borders. Austin-based Rock About runs courses for both novice and more experienced climbers here and they provide all the gear while professional guides are on hand to build your confidence.

You may well have spied Lady Liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry – but once a year, you can see the famous statue from a different perspective. Usually taking place in July, the annual swim around Liberty Island has been organised by several different parties over the years. This year's event, drawing hundreds of swimmers, was put on by Sharkfest Swim, routing participants past Ellis Island, before finishing up at Liberty Landing Marina.

There are few better ways to view the Golden Gate Bridge than from the water. Various outfitters run kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboard sessions in the area, and Sea Trek are one of the best. Their Paddle the Gate route takes you right under the bridge's bright red span, and along the Marin Headlands. The round trip will last three hours, and is suitable for novice and expert kayakers alike (over 16s only on this adventure). 

Get lost in Oregon's backyard on an expert-led Discovery Hike in Portland's Forest Park. Free to join, hikes vary in route and theme, from those exploring the history of the woodland, to those leading participants in search of herbs and healing plants. If you'd prefer to go it alone, more than 80 miles of trails loop through the area. Look out for the 'Stone House' or 'Witch's Castle', an atmospheric abandoned building (once a restroom), crumbling and covered in moss.

It's not often you can kayak on white water right in the centre of a city, but in Denver, you can do just that. Cherry Creek and the South Platte river meet at Confluence Park (hence the name), and there's a man-made stretch of white water for the keenest of kayakers. If you're after a more low-key afternoon, there's a little beach area perfect for paddling.

There are fantastic waves up and down the Californian coast, but for city surf, San Diego takes some beating. If you're already a seasoned surfer, head to La Jolla, where giant swells break far from the shore. If you're a newbie ready to learn, the San Diego Surf School runs lessons (group sessions and private classes) from Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. 

You may not have heard of 'flyboarding', but you can learn all about it in Nashville. Powered by jets, you'll rise over a body of water on a 'hover board' and, according to the folks at Nashville Flyboard, "experience the sensation of flying". They insist it's easy to master, but a guide will be on hand all the same. You can try it out in various locations within and just outside of the city limits, including Percy Priest Lake, 15 minutes' drive from the Downtown area. 

For the most part, you'll get the best snorkelling experience if you travel beyond Hawaii's cities. But Queen's Surf Beach in Honolulu is an exception to that rule. Fronting the popular Waikiki neighbourhood, its clear, calm waters offer perfect snorkelling conditions, and you'll spot colourful coral (near to the Waikiki Aquarium) and schools of tropical fish. As its name suggests, the beach offers fantastic surf too.

When the winter chill descends on Atlanta, residents take to the rooftops. Debuting in 2017, the “Skate the Sky” pop-up sees an ice rink opened  on top the city's Ponce City Market. Skaters glide (or stumble) across the ice, with glorious cityscapes in view, and hot toddy stands are ready to warm them up after a session. Look out for the 2018 opening towards the end of November. 

There are few better ways to escape the sticky Austin heat than by taking a dip in Barton Springs Pool. Tucked within rambling Zilker Park, the pool is manmade, but the water comes from natural underground springs. With average temperatures of around 20°C, the waters don't bite and you'll share them with locals and tourists alike. The entire pool is three-acres though, so you'll have plenty of space to make a splash.

It doesn't come much more nail-biting than this. See Sin City from new heights, as you dip and loop and dive over its neon-clad expanse and beyond. Sky Combat Ace allows daredevils control of their own aerobatic plane, and while it may sound extreme the dual controls and the expert pilot by your side mean you'll have a smooth(ish) ride. Choose from basic to advanced level aerobatic sessions, or if you're dizzy just thinking about it, opt for a (cheaper) spectator package.

Few cities offer great cross-country skiing, and fewer still offer the chance to ski with a four-legged friend in tow. 'Skijoring', where a canine companion pulls you along on cross-country skis, has gained in popularity throughout Minnesota. Annual races take place across the state in winter, and one inner-city 'skijoring' spot is Bde Maka Ska, a lake in Minneapolis. Check the Loppet Foundation website for race details, and look out for free introductory sessions in Theodore Wirth Park. 

This curious sport is inspired by Wisconsin's 19th-century lumberjacks or 'loggers', whose work often involved 'riding' logs across bodies of water. Dangerous as it was, it became a source of light competition among them. Today 'log rolling' is a recognised sport and you can try it on Madison's Lake Wingra. Try rolling solo, or a 'duel' in which you use specially taught techniques to knock an opponent off your log. Want to pair your practise with a pint? Opt for the adult-only 'lager loggers' sessions.

If you're feeling the need for speed then this high-octane tour of Miami is for you. A journey with Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures is as much a sight-seeing jaunt as it is an adrenaline hit. You'll zip you past some of Miami's top attractions, from well-heeled Fisher Island to South Beach. An expedition takes 45 minutes and shoots you off from the Bayside Marketplace in the city's Downtown area. 

Gliding over the Golden City's bays is bucket-list stuff. Take in the skyline and the windswept shores on a hang-gliding session with one of a slew of outfitters here. If you're a beginner, try a Tandem Discovery Flight with Big Air Hang Gliding, and circle the San Francisco Bay area. The price includes a video of your flight, so you can relive the vistas whenever you want. 

If you've explored Manhattan on foot, then it's time to take to the water. You'll see the Big Apple's skyscrapers rise before you as you tear up the Hudson River. Numerous organisations offer rentals or guided sessions, and New York Harbor Jet Ski's tours are among the most lauded. Choose from various trips, from a three-hour 'Grand Tour' of the city, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, to a 1.5-hour-long sunset splash. 

Ever dreamt of skydiving, but been afraid to take the plunge? You can whet your appetite at iFLY in Orlando, whose indoor wind tunnels allow you to experience the feeling of floating above the clouds without the heady heights. With locations in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta too, iFLY delivers 1.5-2 hour sessions with basic instruction from trained guides, a chance to defy gravity in the tunnel, and a showcase from the experts to finish. 

Come springtime, Washington DC is filled with buds and blossoms, and the tree-lined Potomac is an ideal spot for viewing them. Rent a single or double kayak and paddle out onto the water for a self-guided tour, absorbing the sight and scent of those delicate pink blossoms. Alternatively, you can pay a higher fee to have a guide take you to all the best spots. When the season comes around, check the Boating in DC website for rentals and tours (usually from the Wharf Boathouse, or the Key Bridge Boathouse in Georgetown). 

Los Angeles locals are famously fit, and it helps that miles of paved cycle paths hug the city's river. The Los Angeles River Bicycle path slices through the Glendale Narrows, and includes a stint in Griffith Park and the trendy Elysian Valley neighbourhood. A second section of pathway also exists, though the two are not currently joined. Rent a pair of wheels downtown and trace the water's edge.

If you've ever dreamt of running away with the circus, this fun trapeze school in Chicago could give you just the skills you need. Soar through the Windy City skies during a two-hour session, led by expert instructors. You'll learn beginner's tricks and techniques and, if you're feeling brave, you can launch yourself through the air and be caught by your teacher. Don't worry, there are special safety belts available for newcomers. Other locations include New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC.

The city will feel world's away when you're whizzing through the treetops of this adventure park. If you've a head for heights, book yourself onto an Orlando Tree Trek Adventure, an aerial ropes course a stone's throw from the theme parks. Depending on how brave you're feeling, choose courses from 10- to 50-feet high, and tackle obstacles of increasing difficulty as you progress. If you've got little ones in your clan, book them onto the route specially tailored for kids. 

You don't need to wait until winter to twirl around this rink as Philly's Blue Cross roller skating rink is a summer affair, popping up once spring has sprung. Edged with sunloungers, the rink is part of the city's Summerfest, and a mini-golf course, refreshment shacks and fairground rides (including a 60-foot-plus Ferris wheel) can be found here too. All the action takes place down by the waterfront on Christopher Columbus Boulevard.

For a more gentle adventure, make for the Big Easy's City Park. You can cruise the park's waters to the tune of traditional Italian music in a Venetian gondola, feasting on cheese and crackers (included in the price) as you go. The 50-minute tours are run by Nola Gondola, and are led by gondoliers in the full uniform of striped shirt and boater hat. Tours run Wednesday through to Sunday from 1pm–7pm and can be booked online. Find more urban adventures in our gallery of US cities with amazing wildlife.