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SPINE-TINGLING COASTER

RIDE DEBUTS

Thrill seekers won’t want to miss the new 15-story-tall roller coaster debuting at Lake Compounce, a family theme park in Bristol, Conn. The Phobia Phear Coaster features a cobra roll inversion at 150 feet in the air — touted as the tallest in the Northeast — as well as multiple launches, ascending and descending twists, and speeds up to 65 miles per hour. The new roller coaster’s technological and environmental features include advanced magnetic launch, power modulation systems, and high-tech, military-grade hardware. Other park attractions include more thrill rides, water rides, classic and kiddie rides, and live entertainment. Park admission, $42.99; under 52 inches tall, $31.49; seniors, $20.49. 860-583-3300, www.lakecompounce.com

MARITIME HISTORY

CELEBRATION

Celebrate the Kennebunks’ seafaring history at the first-ever LAUNCH! A Maritime Festival at locations throughout Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel, Maine, June 17-19. Activities include Clam Jam at the Seafood Center of Maine (with homemade clam cakes, ice cream, buoy decorating, and kid activities; Shipbuilding Odyssey program at Brick Store Museum; chef competition, chowder cook-off, and food truck gathering in downtown Kennebunk; authentic lobster bake at the Pilot House overlooking the Kennebunk River; Wine & Waves river cruise; River Lights boat parade; historic walking tours with costumed interpreters; brewery tours at the Kennebunkport Brewing Company; craft fair on the river green; and more. The festival culminates with a traditional Blessing of the Fleet in Cape Porpoise village. Tickets vary per event. gokennebunks.com/pages/events/launch-a-maritime-festival

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SMALL GROUP TOURS

IN THAILAND

Journey to historic Siam with Odysseys Unlimited’s new 15-day small group Treasures of Thailand tour. The itinerary for the tour, which debuts Oct. 6, features vibrant Bangkok including Wat Pho Temple, home of the Reclining Buddha; Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital; Kanchanaburi, where guests take a long-tail boat ride along the River Kwai to their floating hotel; Chiang Rai, home to diverse hill tribes; Khum Lanna, a nature preserve; and the relaxed northern capital of Chiang Mai. In addition to guided sightseeing, the itinerary includes close-up looks at Thai farming, classes on Thai herbs, trips to local markets, Thai cooking classes, and visit to an elephant rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary. Limited to 12-24 guests. From $3,592 per person, double occupancy, air and land included. Optional four-day extension to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, $1,195 per person. 888-370-6765, www.odysseys-unlimited.com/tours/asia-and-far-east/treasures-of-thailand

TAKE A WALK

ON THE WILD SIDE

If you’ve ever imagined strolling along the treetops, consider a visit to Wild Walk, an elevated path located at The Wild Center, an experiential science and nature museum situated on 81 acres of land within the nearly 6 million acres of the Adirondacks. Follow a winding trail of bridges and platforms that meander from ground level up to a breathtaking treetop landscape. Nature-driven experiences include a four-story twig treehouse, swinging bridges, a human-size spider’s web hovering 24 feet off the ground, a spiral walk inside a tree’s thriving core, and — at the highest point — an oversize bald eagle’s nest where visitors can imagine life soaring above the forest. The 54,000-square-foot main building offers live exhibits, outdoor experiences, multimedia shows, and hands-on everything. Tickets are good for two consecutive days. Adults $17; youth $10; seniors $15; age 4 and under free. wildcenter.org/wildwalk

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VERSATILE CAMERA STRAP

The lifestyle and product designers at Peak Design have debuted a new camera strap designed specifically for mirrorless and small dslr cameras. SlideLITE is a slimmed-down version of their popular Slide pro-camera strap. The 1.25-inch-wide strap can be worn as a sling, neck, or shoulder strap, and aluminum quick-adjusters let you easily change length while on the go. Attaches to any camera’s strap loops or tripod socket using the included ARCA-compatible tripod plate. Newly upgraded Dynemma-corded anchors can each hold well over 200 pounds and feature best-in-class abrasion resistance. $49.95 www.peakdesign.com/product/straps/slidelite/

STAY CONNECTED OFF-GRID

Worry about getting separated from your travel buddy when hiking or in a crowd? When there’s no cell coverage or Wi-Fi, you can create your own off-grid network in under a minute with goTenna, a digital radio combined with an app that generates its own signal and automatically coordinates with other units within range. To activate, pull the antenna out and then wirelessly pair to your iOS or Android device via Bluetooth-LE. The device enables users to text and share GPS locations on detailed offline maps. Range is dependent on terrain and elevation, and comparable to other 2W VHF radios. From $199 per pair.

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