Before go-karts, thrill-seeking humans raced each other on big cats, a practice that provided the added excitement of watching your vehicle eat a gazelle midrace. Whir without wildlife with today's Groupon: for $12, you get five go-kart or bumper-boat rides at Lilli Putt Miniature Golf in Coon Rapids (a $25 value).

Lilli Putt Miniature Golf thrills groups and families with colorful go-karts, buoyant bumper boats, and miniature golf. Speed solo around Lilli Putt's tree-lined go-kart track or zoom in tandem in a double kart, ideal for adults with younger children or imaginary friends. Bumper boats are armed with squirt guns so riders can recreate the historic Battle of Trafalgar, in which the British Royal Navy splashed the entire Spanish coast.