Theme & Amusement Parks in Oshawa

Masked by opaque helmets, eight racers at a time tense up to counteract the G-force pressing them to the sides of their karts. As they approach the fastest sweeping turn on the course, The Catapult, they sharpen their focus in order to out-manoeuvre the other racers, their final position hanging in the balance. Grand Prix Kartways' 47,000-square-foot facility's alternating red and white barriers blur as electric, Italian-made karts accelerate into the last straightaway, cheered on by spectators watching from the VIP lounge. Once across the finish line, the competitors clear the track for the next race, using instant printouts of the results to compare placing, reveal who had the best lap times, and determine who was throwing all the koopa shells and banana peels. Between races, daredevils can relax and take a seat in the cushy trackside lounge equipped with leather couches, a restaurant menu, and a full bar. The arcade also offers a view of one of the track's hairpin curves between billiards shots, simulator races, and video games on Kinect-equipped Xbox 360 systems.

Originally founded in 1919 as a small petting zoo known as the Cream of Barley Park, Bowmanville Zoo has since evolved into one of the largest collections of animals on the continent. More than 300 creatures roam its 42 acres of parkland, including turtles, primates, and large felines seen in feature films and television shows such as Animorphs and Peter Benchley's Amazon. Throughout the week, visitors can ride camels or elephants, see trained critters perform in the 400-seat indoor Animatheatre, or watch as handlers feed the carnivores by throwing them meat to trade with monkeys for delicious twigs.

The rumble of engines. The squeal of tires. The victorious flap of checkered flag. Traditionally, the exhilarating sounds of auto racing have been confined to the zooming packs of Indycars that snake around the streets of Exhibition Place every summer. Now, however, visitors to Go Karts at Polson Pier can keep Toronto's race day spirit alive for months at a time. The 0.75-kilometre track invites up to 20 racers at a time to navigate side-by-side traffic in karts that hit top speeds of 40 kilometres per hour. In addition to outmanoeuvring their fellow racers, drivers must also contend with the track itself, where 10 turns challenge reaction time and racing instincts alike. After races end, drivers can recount tales of on-track adventure at other nearby attractions, including a miniature golf course, indoor rock climbing, and a driving range.

Clowns juggle balls, trained poodles assemble into a line, and aerial gymnasts soar on the trapeze, and that’s all before the bride cuts the cake. Wonderful World of Circus’s artists unfurl high-flying spectacles at weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events. From acrobats to tightrope walkers, their local and international performers showcase feats of derring-do at private events and shows for the general public, which combine acrobatics and dance to tell stories.

Extending a hand through the fourth wall, Wonderful World of Circus brings kids and adults into the circus to learn these skills for themselves. Trapeze bars, silks, and rings hang down from the training centre's walls. Here, colourful mats and padded floors cushion students as, guided by professional circus performers, they flip through the air like Superman MMA fighting a flock of evil geese. Back on the ground, instructors teach other skills such as juggling and break dancing. Aside from its standard classes, Wonderful World of Circus hosts birthday parties, children's camps, and school field trips at the centre.

Business retreats don't usually involve go-kart races, but the entertainment emporium's Stoffel Drive headquarters rolls out corporate events that swap staid luncheons for velocity-filled tournaments. And the establishment welcomes more than just businesspeople. Guests of all ages and careers can join in all the activities and whip around the 1K outdoor track in Sutton, reaching speeds of up to 80 kph, a pace eclipsed only by a cheetah on a treadmill.

Anti-Gravity Trampoline's head coach Stacey Turpin boasts experience coaching both men and women in trampoline and gymnastics and holds several Level 4 certifications from the National Coaching Certification Program. She and her coaching staff train students in the aerial arts on the indoor gym's floor exercise area, dual regulation-size trampolines, and one double mini-trampoline. Coaches help beginners hone basic jumping skills and develop strength, flexibility, and coordination; they also teach more advanced manoeuvres that could help students evade the shadows sewn to their feet. When not leading classes, instructors conduct full- and half-day children's camps filled with trampoline practice, games, and crafts.