New York City is always dynamic and brimming with life, offering a wealth of experience that can make really special gifts. For instance, for a daredevil who loves to eat or someone who crosses art galleries off their bucket list, NYC has something out of this world to offer.
Companies like Wonderbox is always ready give their consumers unforgettable experience choosing unique gifts with new surprises. Below mentioned are 10 experience gifts you can buy for your friends or family that will be unforgettable and capture the essence of the city.
1. Helicopter Tour Over Manhattan
Gift an experience junkie with a helicopter tour hovering 1,000 – 3,000 feet over the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and many other landmarks. The ride can either be private , meaning you pay around $200 and get to enjoy the tour exclusively by yourself, or get along with other tourists for a tepid $ 100 per person. Adventure seekers get to experience
2. Private Cooking Class with a Michelin-Starred Chef
For Culinary junkies, cooking alongside a Michelin star chef has to be the greatest experience in their life. Do not worry, private show off classes are conducted at places like Institute of Culinary Education and other venues where you compete with other students mixing culinary delights with wine.
3. The Most Dreadful Immersion Ever Theater Experience Sleep No More
Get lost in the eerie world of Sleep No More, an immersive theater experience at the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea. Throughout the show, guests explore a 1920s set and follow characters who act out a wordless interpretation of Macbeth. Tickets are $120 and up, and this haunting experience is perfect for people who enjoy a story…but not exactly the way it’s told.
4. Hudson River Sunset Sailing
For an ultra-relaxing experience, enjoy a two-hour sunset sail on a classic schooner. Classic Harbor Line is known for their cozy cruises which showcase the amazing city lights of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty from afar. Tickets start at around $70-$100 and includes a glass of wine or champagne. This peaceful retreat is great for couples and anyone wanting to escape the madness of the city.
5. Bushwick Street Art Workshop
An unusual gift for art lovers would be a street art workshop in Brooklyn’s Bushwick. Local artists host two hour sessions in which participants use spray paint to design their own graffiti-inspired masterpieces. Brooklyn Unplugged offers these for a price of about 50 to 80 dollars per person. This gift is inexpensive yet colorful and captures the essence of New York City.
6. Skyscraper Yoga with a Skyline
Pamper someone with a rooftop class overlooking Manhattan led by yoga instructors from studios like YogiNest. Classes are an hour long and cost $25-$40, most often smoothie or herbal tea included. Wellness enthusiasts looking to recharge during calming experiences will enjoy this knowing New Yorkers can be hectic. Mindfulness relaxed lifestyle combined with refreshing views of the city are priceless.
7. Behind-the-Scenes Broadway Tour
For every theater aficionado, a guided Broadway theater behind-the-scenes tour is a showstopper. Pretty much all of them toots the Broadway Up Close walking tour reveals secrets like the Shubert Theatre’s ghost stories, opening night drama, and many more timeless tales. Its 90 minutes long and will set you back around $45. What these tours are great for, is the Great White Way enthusiast who adores keeping the stage alive.
8. Secret Speakeasy History Tour
Grows into citizens during Prohibition times, this speakeasy history tour helps relish old secret bar society during it. Guides from East and Lower East Side groups lead smaller groups, sharing outrageous stories of bootleggers and hidden tibetan bars full of art. Part of Urban Adventures offers a cocktail and ranges $80-100. For cocktail lovers like the expert history nerds, this tour enables them both to relish their favorite topics.
9. Liberty Statue Kayaking Tour
An active gift option would be a guided kayaking tour on the Hudson River. Brooklyn Kayak Guides offers 3-hour long tours of paddling near The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island while enjoying the skyline. The price is $90-$120 per person. It is a very exciting choice for fans of water activities who wish to see NYC from the water.
10. Stargazing Capitol at the Hayden Planetarium
Wrap up the list with a cosmological visit to Hayden Planetarium part of the American Museum of Natural History. One incorporates ‘Date Night’ which consists of an escorted journey through the universe, accompanied by live music and drinks served under the stars. The cost is $50 per person, which is a very good price for a dreamy and romantic gift.
What to Consider When Gifting Experiences in NYC
Compared to physical gifts, giving experiences is a way of creating stories. There is something for everyone to explore in the city that never sleeps: adrenaline-filled activities to heartfelt adventure moments. Most of the activities can be scheduled in advance online on Viator or directly with the service providers who also offer gift cards, making the presents easy to personalize. Many of them have bulk pricing or promotional prices so it’s worth doing some checking in advance.
Experience the ongoing surprise of New York City and see how it captures the heart and mind in ways they could’ve never imagined.
