All Over Albany

Flight Trampoline Park

For years, I would watch my young son practice flips on his gymnastics studio's trampoline, sitting on the sidelines with the other parents and think to myself, "Gosh, that looks like fun" -- knowing that unless I invested hundreds of dollars into my own backyard trampoline, I'd never experience the fun he was experiencing. I was too big. Too old.

Enter Flight Trampoline Park, which recently opened in Colonie. I don't even know how to describe this place. But I'll try.

A handful of large-format photos are above -- click or scroll all the way up.

Flight is located in a giant warehouse -- a former postal service sorting facility -- just off Route 155 in Colonie. Large portions of the space -- almost 15,000 square feet -- are covered with more than 50 heavy-duty trampolines. There is no age limit, and people from all walks of life are allowed to jump. Be prepared to sign a waver (you can do so online ahead of time), and jump with your bare feet.

In the corner there is a kids section where children under a certain height can jump from a trampoline into a giant pit of foam blocks. On the other side of the park, there are trampolines leading to giant air bags. Want to practice that mid-air flip? Go ahead, now's your chance. Want to jump off of trampoline & slam dunk a basketball? No problem, they offer that too. Want to play dodge ball on trampolines? You're in luck, there's a section dedicated to that.

Before I knew it, I was sweating up a storm, jumping and flipping, chasing my six year old from trampoline to trampoline. And my goodness, it was so much fun. It makes you feel like a kid again.

The thing that struck me about Flight was its efficient organization. Patrons sign up for 30-minute increments, and they're given a sticker displaying their allotted "jump time." A giant digital clock towers overhead with verbal announcements every half hour. If anyone violates the safety rules, or tries to stay on past their allotted time, a team member is quick to blow a whistle. If you need to take a break, or don't feel like jumping, there is an entire waiting area equipped with chairs & couches on the side of the park. They also offer lockers, vending machines, and of course, birthday party packages.

Tickets during "open jump" are $9 for a half hour, $13 for an hour, and $23 for two hours. Kids (under 46 inches tall) are $8 per hour, $15 for two hours. Tickets are available online, and reservations are "highly encouraged."

Friday and Saturday night from 9-11 pm is "Club Flight" where the lights go out and the lasers go on (ages 14 and up only). They also offer weekday theme nights, special needs nights, and they're planning trampoline fitness classes in the near future.

Flight just opened this past June. But another trampoline park is also planned for the area -- Sky Zone is aiming to open its own park in a warehouse in Menands this summer.