I turned 22 on Thursday. 
Normally, birthdays for me are pretty low-key. We usually will go out for dinner so I don’t have to cook and my parents often send a small gift. We’re so busy that we oftentimes don’t have the time to properly celebrate, but I don’t mind. It’s really just another day. For my 21st birthday, we did a bit more, but I wasn’t really planning on doing anything special this year for 22.
Andrew is so sweet. He always wants to make sure my birthday is special, so he was trying to suggest going out and doing something different since we both had most of the day off. He suggested bowling, or going to a place called Skyzone where there are wall-to-wall trampolines. He had other suggestions, but none of them really interested me. And then, something popped in my head: what about a helicopter ride?
I looked into some prices online because I’ve always figured they would be too expensive for us to consider, but I found a Groupon for half off and for three people, so it ended up being under $40 a person, which isn’t too bad! They only do rides on the weekend, so we couldn’t actually book a tour on my birthday – which was a Thursday – so we booked one for tonight. Up to three passengers could come, so we asked our friend Alex if he wanted to join us. Of course he said yes. 
We arrived a bit early at the downtown airport (which I didn’t even know existed!) but there was no one that booked before us so they let us go ahead. I was a bit nervous, but as we climbed inside the helicopter and put on our headsets, my nervousness just turned into pure excitement! I felt like I was in a movie. 
The pilot started up the engine and let it warm up for a few minutes before we lifted off.
He flew us around the downtown area, which was so neat because I could point out to Andrew and Alex exactly which building I worked in. He then flew us down Main St. passed Westport towards the Country Club Plaza. We live about a mile from the Plaza, so it was really easy to spot out our apartment buildings! Everything looked so small from above!
The ride was pretty smooth. It was a bit windy, but I wasn’t nervous any during the actual ride. We turned and headed back up north towards downtown. We actually passed through downtown instead of over it on the way back. It was crazy to be flying next to some of the skyscrapers!
We went pretty late in the evening, around 7:00 PM, but I felt like it was the perfect time to go. Most of the day was pretty rainy and cloudy, but the skies cleared a bit and it was beautiful to see the sunset!
I do wish the ride would have been a bit longer because it flew by so fast! It was a twenty minute ride which I thought would be a lot of time, but next time I think I’d pay more to have some more time. I want to go again! It was one of the best experiences, and it made a perfect birthday present.
Now that’s certainly different! Giving yourself a helicopter ride? What a fabulous idea, Becca!
I’m glad you had a blast, despite it being too short. Still, though, I’m glad you found a deal that was reasonable. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve flown in an helicopter! I’ve been in ones that are grounded, but never rode one! I need to change that 
And happy belated birthday to you, Becca! 22! I miss my early 20s! Wish I could go back to those time
Thanks, Tara! I’m enjoying 22, but sometimes I think life might be a bit less hectic once I can get settled down! But I guess we always want to be older, and then we get older and wish we were younger.
And I more picked out the helicopter rise as the present that Andrew was going to give me, haha. Though I guess since we’re married and share finances it came from myself, too! 
That helicopter ride sounds mighty awesome, honestly. I hope it didn’t cost too much, but in the end, what does it matter? As long as you had fun and got great memories out of it. Much love to you and Andrew. Happy Belated birthday Becca! ^^
Thanks, Michelle! I thought that the ride wasn’t too expensive for under $40 a person. Definitely worth it!
becca, that looked (and seemed) fantastic! what a great and unique way to spend your 22nd birthday. i wish you all the best in life, becca! cheers to a new year ahead!
Thanks, Patti!
That’s so cool! I’m glad you had a great birthday!! Happy belated birthday!!
I didn’t wear those headphones like you did though, I don’t think!
I’ve flown in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon which was neat!
Thanks, Laurie!
How awesome! And it seems like you guys handled it like a pro. My first time in a helicopter in high school was a bit rougher. I remember holding my hands over my mouth the entire ride because I was afraid of puking throughout the ride. But definitely such an amazing view, especially if it’s a place you’re familiar with but you get a whole different perspective.
I get motion sickness sometimes, so I was a bit nervous that it might make me sick but it didn’t at all! So I was really happy about that
Happy belated birthday, Becca! Look at you with your fancy mini getaway ;). $40 per person to be up in the air is a good deal! The view of the buildings from the sky is amazing :). I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the celebration ;).
Happy belated birthday!
What an awesome activity to do for your birthday! So different! The views look incredible.
I would really like to experience a helicopter ride but I don’t actually enjoy flying that much (even though I love to travel!). Maybe if I go back to New York I will book myself in for a ride!
Happy belated birthday! Wow, that is an amazing birthday gift! It must have been quite the view and flight, did you get butterflies on lift-off? It’ll be a life time experience that now you can tell as a part of your story!
It must have been amazing!!! What a lovely way to celebrate your birthday, really special. xx
Wow, how exciting! What an interesting and different idea to spend on a birthday. Very cool.
Happy birthday! That was a really cool thing to do for your birthday! Hope the next one is just as exciting as that one. :p
Happy very belated birthday! I’m glad you guys had fun during your first ever helicopter experience. It sounds like a blast, honestly. I’ve never really been in a helicopter whatsoever. Sure, I’ve traveled to San Francisco in an airplane, which was actually my first time in an airplane, and yes, I was super nervous (in fact, one of the chaperones was asking me if I was alright during the flight as she knew it was my first time flying). Of course, the ride back wasn’t that bad. I get used to things pretty quick. Like everyone else is saying that is a pretty cool idea for ones birthday, and I’m glad you got to experience it. I’m also surprised that the fair to ride in an helicopter is relatively cheap. I wonder if they have anything like that, out here?
Thanks, Jamie!
I’ve been on an airplane before several times, but it’s definitely way different. I wouldn’t even really compare the two. I think it was so cheap because of the area we are in, plus I had a coupon. I would imagine that near the coasts it would be a lot more expensive, but I’ve never looked into it so I wouldn’t know, haha. I’m sure they have tours if you live near a relatively big city. You should look into it!
Happy Belated Birthday, Becca!
I saw photos of your helicopter ride on Facebook and I was like “OMG! How lucky!!!”
I have been on a plane only once in my life and I was thrilled by that experience. Helicopter ride is definitely something I would love to do! There are helicopter rides at some tourist places in India, but they are never cheap to actually do it!
I really loved all the photos and I am glad you had a wonderful time!