Top Helicopter Tours In Philadelphia

Helicopter tours are not exactly plentiful in the city of brotherly love, but you can find them if you want to look at the city from a different perspective. Many of the companies offering tours have multiple flight options and some can not only personalize your experience, but also offer you your own personal helicopter and pilot for a portion of the day. You can book time with some of these charter companies to learn how to fly if you are interested in getting a license. Helicopter tours are also sought by those who desire that powerful, sometimes addictive feeling of an adrenaline rush. Here are five companies that offer tours of Philly.

SkyRiver Helicopters
Cross Keys Airport
1531 Tuckahoe Road
Williamstown, NJ 08094
(908) 809-5942
www.skyriverhelicopters.com

Highly regarded as one of the best tours in the area and described as an "awesome experience" by aviators, you can take a tour of Philly or Atlantic City.  Skyline Helicopters was established in 2010 and runs about seven helicopters. There is also the opportunity to take flight lessons if you are interested in getting a license. Some additional areas available for tours are the New York City Skyline and the Delaware River. For a special occasion you may be interested in a VIP charter, which is a highly customized flight.

Independence Helicopters
9800 Ashton Road
Philadelphia, PA 19114
(215) 673-0100
www.independenceheli.com

Independence Helicopters has multiple Tours available to suit your preference and budget. Some examples are the Skyline, Sunset, or City Lights tours, all which deal with the city of Philly. Independence Helicopters is located by the airport. You can book online and prices vary (the skyline tour is about $450) and during the week you can get a 25 percent off. You can also purchase gift certificates for a truly unique gift. These tours can take up to three people.

Philadelphia Air Charter
2650 Red Lion Road
Philadelphia, PA 19114
(267) 506-4487
www.philadelphiahelicoptersvc.com

If you are looking to make a special event even more special or over-the-top, you can book a Helicopter from Philadelphia Air Charter to make a grand entrance or exit. This air charter company books helicopters for both leisure activities and corporate functions. You can reach them 24 hours a day, and tours are completely tailored and personalized to fit your needs. Philadelphia Helicopters can fly for one to two hours and can take off from most remote locations near the city or on any helio-pad in center city.

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American Helicopter Museum
1220 American Blvd.
West Chester, PA 19380
(610)436-9600
www.americanhelicopter.museum.com

The American Helicopter Museum is an aviator's delight for knowledge, and is a hands-on experience. The museum showcases over 35 aircrafts that you are welcome to climb aboard. If you want to see some of the countryside sights from up in a helicopter, this is a more affordable option. Adults are about $50 and kids are $40, but only on limited days. For 2015 the dates are set as May 9, June 21, Oct. 19, Dec. 12 (Santa fest). Tours are from 11-1 p.m.

Adrenaline 365
Crosskeys Airport
1531 N. Tuckahoe Road
Williamstown, NJ 08094
(888)992-3736
www.adrenaline365.com

Adrenaline 365 is properly named, for it will service those who are seeking that adrenaline jolt. Besides helicopter tours, they also run other adrenaline type of options such as Skydiving and ballooning. You can tour the Philly Skyline for about $200 at night, or take a 30-minute tour during the day for $188. Adrenaline also runs an introductory flight lesson and tour for $205 for those considering getting a pilot's license. Tours run out of Williamstown Airport Monday through Sunday.

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Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.