Natural Bridge: Skylift
Slade, Kentucky
Natural Bridge of Kentucky may not be as photogenic as the rose-colored arches of the West, but it's so sturdy that visitors are encouraged to walk across it -- and they don't have to exhaust themselves to reach it. That's because in 1967 Kentucky built a ski lift from a parking lot up the mountainside to the Bridge, calling it a "Skylift." You can watch a video next to the Skylift squished penny machine that tells you how to ride the Skylift. "If you are like most visitors, this is probably your first time on a Skylift...." The ride takes 11 minutes each way.
The arch is 78 feet across and 24 feet wide. It has no guardrails, so walking across it in icy weather is not recommended. Hikers or visitors on a budget can look at the Skylift, turn around, drive to the other end of the road, park at the far end of the Hemlock Lodge lot, and climb a trail up the mountain to Natural Bridge for free. But this lacks the unique, sweat-free thrill of effortlessly riding a Skylift to visit a wonder of nature.
The gift shop behind the Skylift ticket booth sells 12 flavors of fudge.