Best Experiential Travel Gifts In America

Gift-giving can be fun. But it can also be stressful when you have that person in your life that has everything. That’s especially true for those who love to travel. So, how do you impress those wanderlusters? How about gifting an experience? Yes, instead of purchasing an item, buy something for them to do and give a reason to travel. Best of all, they don’t even need to leave the country. From a Lexus driving school in California to a ski pass that grants access to the best mountains, there are the best experiential travel gifts in America. 

Try Winter Olympic Sports in Lake Placid

The luxury Lake Placid Lodge, the only hotel on Lake Placid, will set up a variety of Olympic sports experiences during the winter. An Olympian adventure in Lake Placid. Two-time Winter Olympics host city Lake Placid is the perfect destination for a sports lover who seeks high-altitude thrills. And the all-suite Whiteface Lodge is the ideal place to stay, just a short drive from Whiteface Mountain—the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies—and other epic adventures like the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience. Experience a range of activities in places rich with history and prestige. Visitors can expect to Ice Skate in the same oval where Eric Heiden won a record five gold medals in the 1980 games, visit the Olympic Center and museum where “The Miracle on Ice” happened, and see the Olympic ski jumping complex. In addition, they can down one of America’s only Olympic bobsled tracks with a pro and visit the Olympic gondola, where a picturesque observation deck awaits you at the top.

Attend Lexus Driving School in California

Epic drives at Pebble Beach. Treat someone who has to be in the driver’s seat to a Pebble Beach Resorts getaway when the Lexus Performance Driving School comes to town, February 18-20, 2022. Your gift will put them behind the wheel of the latest Lexus IS, LC, and RC F models for a day as they elevate their skills as a performance driver, culminating in hot laps on Monterey’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Then, cap off a splendid weekend executing an entirely different kind of drive with a bucket-list round of golf on one of Pebble Beach’s legendary championship courses.

ToursByLocals Gift Card

ToursByLocals is an elite tour marketplace that specializes in curating bespoke, customizable experiences for luxury travelers to discover the true essence of a destination through the eyes of a local. With safety and social distancing best practices baked-in, ToursbyLocals’ goal is to connect travelers with locals for private tours in 193+ countries worldwide – from the most prominent destinations to remote, off-the-grid locales. With their easy-to-use eGift Card, travelers can choose between some highly curated experiences like a private wine tour in Napa led by a Certified Sommelier or this Napa Valley Wine Tour With A Lifetime Local. From Private Guided Skiing on Aspen’s Legendary, four different Mountains, to visit the real Little Italy in New York’s Bronx neighborhood, there is an unforgettable experience waiting for everyone to discover.

Safari Tent Tasting Lounge in Rhode Island

Ideal for scotch and cigar aficionados alike, the Safari Tent Scotch and Cigar Experience is nestled in scenic woodlands at the 3,500-acre Preserve Sporting Club, steps down a scenic path from the new Hilltop Lodge, New England’s newest luxury hotel and spa. The Preserve Safari Tents were created in collaboration with Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, a 200-year-old brand that has been affectionately called “finest whisky in the world” by Prince Charles of England. Also featured in this one-of-a-kind experience are Cohiba cigars, premium handmade cigars blended with the finest tobaccos. The Laphroaig tent will pair the brand’s celebrated whiskies with savory and sweet nibbles, from Charcuterie to infused s ‘mores. In addition, the neighboring Cohiba cigar lounge tent will offer a curated selection of the brand’s luxury cigars.

Go City Pass

With a Go City pass, travelers have access to many experiences at the launch of an app. Inviting travelers and locals alike to visit top attractions, tours, and experiences hand-picked by local experts, at a low price, the app-based multi-attraction sightseeing pass allows travelers to plan exciting trips at their convenience. The passes are available for two years until activated, letting explorers plan excursions at their own pace. It’s a wonderful option for your friend who needs a little more encouragement to go out and travel but doesn’t know where to start.

Heli-Skiing in Utah

Beyond Boundaries Heli-Skiing offers highly exclusive access for intermediate to advanced skiers to an area of backcountry terrain larger than all of Utah’s ski resorts combined. Led by professional freeskier Mitchell Brower and in partnership with the world-famous Powderbirds Helicopter Skiing experts of Utah, this private heli-ski excursion is the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking buddy.

EpicPass Ski Pass

Vail Resorts—the world’s leading ski resort company—knows how to send a thrill-seeking adventure junkie on experiences of a lifetime with their vast array of Epic Pass products. They can take complete advantage of the 2022 ski and snowboard season with the full Epic Pass, offering unlimited and unrestricted access to world-class resorts. Or, pick and choose more limited passes based on your region and number of ski days. The Epic Pass is the perfect gift for anyone looking to hit the slopes this winter. Pricing is $199 to $799.

Private Wine Tour in California

Give your sommelier friend a peek behind the cellar door with an exclusive wine country excursion from MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa. They’ll be whisked away in a luxury SYV or Vintage Land Rover Defender to three off-the-beaten-path boutique wineries – many of which don’t typically open their doors to the public. Have an in-depth look at the vineyards and winemaking process, and enjoy a chef-prepared farm-to-table lunch in the vines along the way—$ 875 for two guests, $265 per additional guest (plus hotel stay).