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Every year around the holidays, there’s this pressure to link our favorite products and make a few dollars. But this year, I wanted to do something different. I’ve been challenging myself the last few years to gift experience based gifts instead of physical gifts to my friends, partner and family! It is so rewarding to be part of helping someone create lifelong memories. Here are the best and most unique experience gifts for your favorite adventurer.

Unique Experience Gifts for the Outdoor and Travel Lovers

1. Gift a Guided Experience

There are SO many incredible guided activities and tours that are available to book online. Surprise someone with a booked experience or a Gift Card to book their own! They have everything from full day guided National Park Tours, Canyoneering, Climbing, Food Tours, photography tours, and Wine & Beer tours!

If you’re based in the Pacific Northwest check out Indigo Alpine Guides. I did an incredible Porta-ledge experience with them!

2. Book or Gift a Unique Glamping Experience

I love using HipCamp when looking specifically for unique Glamping experiences and it would make a fantastic unique experience gift. I’ve found so many unique stays or camping spots very last minute using this platform and can’t recommend it enough! Book a Stay or buy a Gift Card for your friends!

3. Create a Genetic Travel Experience

Okay – I’ve been wanting to do this for myself for a long time and finally have this in motion! I bought a DNA genetic testing kit from Ancestry.com and plan to create either a virtual travel experience there (watching movies, cooking shows, wine from that region, cultural history) OR actually plan a trip there. I’m GUESSING it’s going to be 90% German, but who knows and I’m super excited for the adventure of it all. 23andme.com is another DNA testing provider. I went with Ancestry because it was on sale.

4. Gift a Photography Class

There are a few different options for this unique experience gift! If you know their favorite photographer or photography style, you can look for specific classes offered by those people. Here are some general and specific recommendations that are usually offered at a per month price:

• Skillshare.com : offers many videos and courses on different aspects of photography
• Masterclass.com :offers courses from well known leaders in the industry (Jimmy Chin, Tyler Mitchell)

I have personally used both of these and greatly benefitted from the knowledge and inspiration offered.

5. Gift a Road Trip with Camper Van Rentals

I have rented Camper Vans several times for National Park trips and road trips and it is SO memorable! You’re essentially gifting your friends or loved ones a rental car AND lodging. There are many reasons why this is such a unique experience gift, and MANY companies to choose from. Here are some of my favorite:

• Outdoorsy.com Use my link HERE for $50 off (gift cards not currently available)
• EscapeCampervans.com (gift cards available)
• GoMoterra.com (gift cards available)

6. Give the Gift of a Cabin Getaway

Who doesn’t love a cabin escape?! Me being the Type A friend that I am, I’ve gifted an Airbnb gift card along with a curated list of nearby cute cabins (you can share saved lists through Airbnb). In general, a gift card to Airbnb is something most travelers would DEFINITELY benefit from.

Need Cabin Recommendations? Check out my Unique Washington Cabin Recommendations

7. Climbing Gym Passes

Gifting a month or a punch card to a climbing gym is a great gift for someone that already climbs or has expressed interest in trying it out! Climbing gyms are soo nice in the winter when you’re not getting outside as much. It still lets you tap into some of the adventure.

If you’re in the Seattle area, my favorite was Seattle Bouldering Project. Not only are they a climbing gym, but they offer climbing classes, Yoga classes, and have normal gym equipment as well.

8. Post-Travel Experience Gifts: Spa, Massage, Sauna

There’s nothing quite like getting home from a long road trip and remembering you have a gift card to the Spa!!! I’ve been gifted this several times and it is always SUCH a treat. Find a nearby spa, massage, or sauna pass for your friend to book a much needed vacation from the vacation.

In Portland, Oregon, top on my list is Knot Springs Spa. You know, just in case any of my family is reading this haha.

Unsure of what Spa to gift? Gift a giftcard from SpaFinder and they can decide which spa to go to!

9. Find Local Small Businesses offering Adventurous Experiences

When I’m trying to book experiences through local businesses instead of through an agency like GetYourGuide, I search “Adventure Guides [city you’re searching in]”. I found some really neat experiences in Portland by searching this and hope to treat friends and family that eventually come visit!

10. Gift a Bucketlist Experience

A friend recently introduced me to a service called Tinggly, and I LOVE the concept. It’s such a great way to find unique experience gifts, but still let the person CHOOSE their own adventure.

How it works is you gift an experience box or email based on price. The person then receives a list or booklet of experiences to choose from!

Conclusion: Unique Experience Gift Guide

So, clearly there are SO many options to gift an experience to your adventurous friends, family and partners. I hope this list inspires your next gift, or even your next trip!

• Guided Trips
• Photography Class
• Ancestry DNA Travel Plans
• Spa Pass
• Glamping
• Cabin Getaway
• Rock Climbing
• and more!!

Let me know if I missed something you think should be on this list!

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