Adventure Awaits Students in Durham Region

There are so many things to do when you’re a student in Durham Region. Not sure where to start? We can help, as luck would have it, we (pretty much) have a Ph.D. in all things Durham. With quaint downtowns and busy urban centres, rolling countrysides and wide-open spaces to explore, Durham offers adventure to students of every age and interest.

To make your adventuring easier, we’ve created a massive list to get you started. Full disclosure, there are way more things to do in Durham Region than what is listed here. But like you, we love to learn. So go forth and adventure on! And when exploring, if you find a hidden gem worth noting, drop us a DM. Afterall, we are big believers in lifelong learning...and eating donuts. Which, lucky for you also, is kind of a big deal here.

Post-secondary campuses in Oshawa and Whitby are in the heart of Durham Region, which also includes Pickering, Ajax, as well as the Townships of Brock, Uxbridge and Scugog and the Municipality of Clarington. Durham is a large region—taking about an hour to travel north to south, or east to west.

To get around in Durham, check out Durham Region Transit On Demand—a personal, flexible service that provides customers public transit options based on their trip needs through a shared ride service. Enjoy exploring!

Choose your own student adventure

From bowling to archery tag, virtual reality to old school arcade games, there is plenty of adventure in Durham Region. Choose your own with this curated list of boredom busters.

Bowling
- Leisure Lanes (Oshawa)
- Ajax 5 Pin Bowling Centre (Ajax)
- NEB’s Fun World (Oshawa)
- Playdium (Whitby)

Archery and Axe Throwing

Archery 2 You Archery and Axe Throwing (Oshawa)
BATL Pickering Axe Throwing (Pickering)
Stoick Axe Throwing (Bowmanville)

Mini Golf
- Cedar Park Resort (Bowmanville)
- Pickering Playing Fields (Pickering)
- Whitby Putting Edge (Whitby)
- Harmony Creek Golf Centre (Oshawa)
- Sandbaggerz (Port Perry)

Pool Halls
- Riley’s Pub (Oshawa)
- Michelle’s Billiards and Lounge (Whitby)
- Diamonds Billiards and Lounge (Pickering)
- The Edge (Ajax)

Social Spaces and Clubs
- Club 717 Durham Region’s LGBTQ+ Social Club (Oshawa)
- Women of Colour Durham Collective (WOCDC)
- RESOUND Choir
- Oshawa Camera Club
- Durham Region Mountain Biking Association
- Durham Region Triathlon Club
- Durham Pickup Soccer Club

Gaming and Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality
- Eternal VR (Pickering)
- Playdium (Whitby)
- NEB's Fun World (Oshawa)

Board Games and Arcades
- Brew Wizards Board Game Café (Oshawa)
- Critical Hit Gaming Lounge (Courtice)
- Big Time Gamers and Players Lounge (Pickering)
- NEB’s Fun World - Arcade (Oshawa)
- Xtreme RC + Raceways (Oshawa)
- 8 Bit Beans (Whitby)
- Playdium (Whitby)

Escape Rooms
- Durham Escape Rooms (Whitby)

Creative Culture and Historic Sites
- Station Gallery (Whitby)
- The RMG (Oshawa)
- Parkwood Estate National Historic Site (Oshawa)
- Biltmore Theatre (Oshawa)
- Regent Theatre (Oshawa)
- Oshawa Little Theatre (Oshawa)
- Visual Arts Centre (Bowmanville)

Adrenaline Rush
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park (Whitby)
- Flying Squirrel Indoor Trampoline Park (Whitby)
- Ajax Rock Oasis (Ajax)
- Pinnacle Indoor Rock Climbing (Bowmanville)
- Aspire Climbing Whitby (Whitby)
- Playdium Ropes Course and Zip Line (Whitby)
- Treetop Eco Adventure Park (Oshawa)

Curate Your Collections
- Kops Records - Record Shop (Oshawa)
- Vintage 905 - Vintage Clothes (Whitby)
- Worlds Collide - Comic Book Shop (Oshawa)
- Another Spin Records - Record Shop (Oshawa)

Get outside

Natures Bounty Farm, Port Perry. Photo courtesy of: @jennywrennn

Summer Experiences

From on-farm experiences like goat yoga, to endless adventures on the water, hitting buckets at the driving range, or ziplining through a forest, there are tons of outdoor adventures to be had in Durham Region. Check out our quick summer guide to build your warm weather bucket list.

Winter Experiences

When the weather turns cold, Durham Region transforms into a winter wonderland. From outdoor ice rinks, to snow tubing and skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing and maple syrup making, you can bundle up and head outside to enjoy how Durham does winter. If you’re really adventurous, you can even try fat biking!

When in doubt, pedal it out

There is no shortage of great spots to do a little biking in Durham—with numerous cycle tours that combine great sites with great bites.

To discover Durham’s most popular trails and routes, and even some hidden gems, visit DurhamTourism.ca/cycling.

If you’re more into mountain biking, check out the Durham Region Trails Guide. And, if a foray into mountain biking turns you into an enthusiast, then consider joining the Durham Mountain Biking Association!

Nestled in the centre of the East Duffins Headwaters and Durham Forests network of trails, Trail Hub is a community hub for mountain bikers, hikers, nature lovers, snowshoers and cross country skiers to access over 240 kilometres of local trails. The view is magical. The trails are epic. The food is delicious. Your adventure awaits!

Need supplies? Check out these shops:

Cycle Life (Pickering and Port Perry)
Northern Cycle (Ajax)
Impala Bicycles Ltd. (Whitby)
Bike Depot (Pickering)
Bicycles Plus (Whitby)
The BodyFirm (Beaverton)

Food and drink for students on a budget

Roam, Bowmanville

Durham’s culinary scene is hopping. From seasoned chefs serving up fine foods to creative cafes, and quite possibly the best BBQ you’ve ever had, there are so many cool things to eat in Durham Region. We have so much great food, there is a citizen-led Facebook group dedicated to it called Durham Region Eats with nearly 50,000 members. While we haven't listed every restaurant for you (after all…this isn’t a thesis paper), we have picked our top favs for you to crush your cravings:

Cool Independent Cafes
- Deadly Grounds Café – A Horror theme coffee destination (Courtice)
- The Piano Café – A quaint café and eatery (Port Perry)
- Roam – Insta-worthy café with baked goods (Bowmanville)
- Cork and Bean – Great food and strong coffee (Oshawa)
- Isabella’s Chocolate Café – Serene vibes and light bites (Oshawa)
- Jacked Up – Coffee in a great repurposed space (Whitby)
- Brock Street Espresso – Serious coffee for serious coffee lovers (Whitby)

Must-see Patios
- PORT – A meal with a view of sail boats (Pickering)
- Canadian Brewhouse – Roof top and close to campus (Oshawa)
- Slabtown Cider – Go for a day in the country (Uxbridge)
- The Jube Patio – A meal by Oshawa’s lakefront (Oshawa)
- Check out our list of 14 patios in Durham Region’s Downtowns.

Amazing Atmosphere
- Chúuk – Chic with a hip vibe (Pickering)
- Los Cabos – Texmex cantina (Whitby)
- The Captain’s Boil – An experience as much as a meal (Ajax)
- The Foundry – Memorable cuisine (Port Perry)
- Berry Hill Food Company – brunch destination (Oshawa)
- The Brock House – Upscale casual (Whitby)
- Shrimp Cocktail – Seafood and cocktails (Oshawa)
- Bistro ‘67 – Durham College Centre for Food’s amazing restaurant (Whitby)

Burgers, BBQ and Fusion
- Butchies – Southern food and curated craft beverages (Whitby)
- Starr Burger – Classic burger joint (Whitby)
- Ban Ban Korean Fried Chicken – Widely popular Korean fried chicken (Oshawa and Ajax)
- Karahi Boys – Karahi perfection (Ajax)
- aZian Cuisine – Sushi, pho, and curry (Oshawa)

Sweet Treats
- Village Bakeshop – Famous fritters (Whitby)
- Hanks Pastries – Loosen your belt! (Port Perry)
- Crave Donuts – Donut icons (Oshawa)
- Hollywood Cone - Home of the Mutant Shake and Titanic Split (Whitby)
- Cupcake Goodness - Baking from the heart (Oshawa)

Tempting Takeout
- Mona’s Roti - Handcrafted Caribbean Roti (Ajax)
- Bangrak – Thai Street Food (Brooklin)
- Starapples – Jamaican Restaurant with a great brunch (Bowmanville)

Day trips for students

Second Wedge Brewing Co., Uxbridge

Weekends are made for day trips. Whether you want to hit a farm fresh market, find your new favourite food truck, sample craft beers, or try a gourmet donut, there are plenty of resources to help you plan your day trip.

Check out these curated lists to help you plan your next weekend adventure:

Discover Durham's downtowns

Old Newcastle House Taps & Grill, Newcastle

Whether you are on the hunt for the perfect iced coffee, craving some ice cream or want to hit-up a patio, there is always something to see and do in each of the Downtowns of Durham. Here are some curated lists of things to see and do as you explore Durham Region’s 14 Downtowns! Learn more at DowntownsOfDurham.ca.

Insta-worthy selfie spots

Parkwood National Historic Site, Oshawa

Want to show your friends where you’re spending some free time off-campus? Snap a pic of your insta-worthy ‘fit, take a selfie for your mom, or record the perfect transition for your tik tok in these stunning spots. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Life is Beautiful mural (Oshawa) (Map)
Parkwood Estate National Historic Site (Oshawa) (Map)
Lakeview Park (Map)
Hello Beautiful mural, (Whitby, On the side of South Beach Beauty) (Map)
Station Gallery (Whitby)
Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (Oshawa) (Map)
Pickering Village 'Gateway Mural' (Ajax) (Map)

Explore more

Visit Durham Region’s 14 Downtowns. Learn more at DowntownsOfDurham.ca.

Follow @DurhamTourism on social media.

Learn more at DurhamTourism.ca.

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