Are you looking for a special experience gift for family or friends?
It can be challenging when you are buying for the person who has everything or if you don’t want to add more clutter with a gift that may or may not be used.
When you purchase a fun experience gift around Cincinnati you are helping put dollars back in the community by supporting small businesses, local restaurants, attractions and museums.
Experience gifts are a great gift idea around the holiday season, special occasion, birthdays and/or mother’s or father’s day.
Experience Gift Ideas With Annual Passes
One of the best things about a family membership or annual pass is that its the gift that keeps on giving all year long! Consider one of these fun options:
- Kings Island Amusement Park (pass holders enjoy free parking)
- Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (pass holders enjoy free parking)
- Newport Aquarium, featuring a 75-foot long Shark Bridge suspended above 385,000 gallons of open water
- Cincinnati Museum Center (Includes the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, and Museum of Natural History & Science)
- Perfect North Slopes
- Cincinnati Nature Center
- Behringer-Crawford Museum (Museum located in Devou Park)
- Gorman Heritage Farm
- Creation Museum
- Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
- Cincinnati Observatory
- Great Parks of Hamilton County (Annual Vehicle Motor Permit)
- Coney Island Amusement Park (Summer Waterpark)
- Kirkwood Adventure Park (Summer)
- Land of Illusion Adventure Park (Summer)
- Wake Nation Cincinnati (Summer)
Experience Gift Ideas for the Sports Fan
Surprise that special someone with tickets to an upcoming game, match, or race.
- Bengals Tickets
- Cincinnati Reds Tickets
- Reds Heads Kids Club – (Recommended for kids ages 3-12)
- Redsfest – Annual Event in December
- FC Cincinnati Tickets
- Cincinnati Cyclones Tickets
- Western & Southern Tickets
- Kentucky Speedway
- Cincinnati Rollergirls
Experience Gifts that are Fun With a Group
- Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati (Learn more about fowling…hint: football fans who enjoy bowling would love fowling)
- Archery Arena (Combat Archery) (Reader discount 20% off using code “ArcheryAdventure2021”)
- Top Golf
- Foam Warriorz
- Pedal Wagon
- Tokyo Kitty (Rent a private karaoke room in downtown Cincinnati)
- Cincinnati Curling Club (Learn to curl)
Ax Throwing Locations
- Urban Axes Cincinnati
- Flying Axes
- Class Axe Throwing
- Full Throttle Adrenaline Park (Florence and Cincinnati)
Indoor Go Kart Locations
WHERE YOU CAN TRY DUCKPIN BOWLING AROUND CINCINNATI
REGULAR BOWLING AND AN INDOOR BOCCE COURT
Experience Gift Ideas for Escape Room Lovers
The following are escape rooms around Cincinnati:
- Houdini’s Room Escape (We’ve tried the Lab)
- The Escape Game Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Escape Room
- Breakout Games
- OTR Escape
- Sherlock’s Escape Rooms
- Escapology Escape Rooms Cincinnati
- Escape Room Family LLC
- Delhi Who Dunnit
- Great Room Escape
Experience Gifts to Cross Off Your Bucket List
Experience Gifts for History Lovers
American Legacy Tours does a FANTASTIC job when it comes to making history interesting and FUN!
You can’t go wrong with any of the American Legacy tours ranging from historic, underground, food and drink, and haunted. I’ve taken several of their tours and I learn something new each time.
A few of my favorite American Legacy Tours are:
Experience Gift Ideas for Sightseeing Around Cincinnati
- BB Riverboats on the Ohio River
- Cincinnati Segway Tours (Eden Park Segway Tour and Segway of Cincinnati Riverfront Tour)
- Cincinnati Dinner Train (Read more about our experience on the Cincinnati Dinner Train)
- Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad
Experience Gift Ideas for Foodies
I personally think that food tours are one of the BEST ways to see a city for both locals and tourists alike.
Learn more about the history of the area and great restaurants to visit during a food tour.
- Cincinnati Food Tours (Self-guided walking tour at Findlay Market, which is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market, or with a guide at multiple locations) Use discount code “CINCY” for 10% off any of the Cincinnati Food Tours
- Riverside Food Tours
- Mystery Picnic
- Jungle Jim’s International Market (Be sure to stop by their tasting room for a wine tasting!)
- Afternoon tea at Bonbonerie
Cooking Classes in Cincinnati
The following local businesses offer cooking classes:
- Tablespoon Cooking Co.
- Sur La Table
- The Learning Kitchen
- Out of Thyme Kitchen Studio
- Findlay Kitchen
- Afromeals
- Del Gardo’s – (Cannoli making class)
- Carobello Coffee shop (Barista Basics class or try a Tasting Experience at their Analog Coffee Bar)
Experience Gift Tours for Craft Brew, Wine and Spirits
Learn more about the art of craft brewing, distilling or winemaking during one of these tours around Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati Wine Wagon, Cincinnati Brew Bus, & Cincinnati Bourbon Bus (Use Promo code “BeerLove21” for 10% off gift cards now until 1/4/22 to be used toward any wine, beer, or bourbon tours)
- Brewing Heritage Trail
- Craft Connection – Cincinnati Brewery Tours
- Rhinegeist Brewery
- New Riff Distilling (Be sure to check out their happy hour offerings too!)
- Stamp Passport on the B Line
- Grilled to Perfection Dinner at Vinoklet Winery
- Second Sights Spirits
Experience Gift Ideas for Animal Lovers
- Wolf Encounter at Wolf Creek Habitat and Rescue (Yes, that’s a wolf playing with my hair)
- Behind the Scenes Experience at the Cincinnati Zoo (Encounters with the giraffee, penguins, wallabies, elephants, hippo, or Red Panda)
- Backstage Animal Experience and Penguin Encounters at Newport Aquarium
- Kitty Brew Cafe ( You can even adopt a cat while you’re there)
- Purrfect Day Cat Café
Experience Gift Ideas for Art Lovers
Regardless of your recipient’s skill level, consider gifting an annual membership or art class(es) at the following museums and centers:
- Cincinnati Art Museum (Annual Membership)
- Taft Museum of Art (Annual Membership)
- Contemporary Arts Center
- The Carnegie
- Baker-Hunt Art & Cultural Center (Classes)
- Art Academy of Cincinnati (Classes)
- Artworks Mural Tour
Paint and Sip Classes Around Cincinnati
- Not Your Average Paint and Sip Class
- A Stroke of Art
- Soul Palette
- Painting with a Twist
- Pinot’s Palette
- Board & Brush Creative Studio – Crestview Hills
- The Splatter Room Cincinnati
Museums with an Admission Fee
- American Sign Museum (The largest sign museum in the United States and a must-see museum for neon sign lovers!)
- Reds Hall of Fame Museum at Great American Ball Park
- Cincinnati Fire Museum
- Krohn Conservatory
- Cincinnati Museum Center
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- The Historic Loveland Castle & Museum Chateau Laroche
Experience Gift Ideas for Crafters/ Makers
The following are some of the best places to connect with local artists and make something of your very own.
Where You Can Make a Custom Candle or Soap Around Cincinnati
Where You Can Make Jewelry or Something With Glass in Cincinnati
Where You Can Make Pottery or Paint Your Own Pottery Around Cincinnati
- Queen City Clay
- Mad Potter
- The Pottery Place
- Doodlin Pottery Studio
- DIY Pottery-Florence Mall
- Color Me Mine
- Art On Fire Of Cincinnati
- Star Glazers
- Core Clay
- Covington Clay
Floral Workshops Around Cincinnati
Experience Gift Ideas for Concert Lovers
Whether its general admission tickets or front row seats, tickets to a concert are the perfect gift for the music lover in your life. Give them something to look forward to with tickets to see their favorite artist or band.
Check out the upcoming shows and live music coming to the following venues:
- PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation
- Riverbend Music Center
- Bogart’s
- Cincinnati Music Hall
- Taft Theatre
- The Ludlow Garage
- Heritage Bank Center
Experience Gifts for Live Performance Lovers
A live performance is a great experience gift for anyone for appreciates the theatre. If you are looking for an additional gift to go with the tickets, you may want to consider a gift card to your favorite restaurant near the venue.
Check out upcoming live performances and special events at the following venues in Cincinnati:
- Broadway in Cincinnati tickets – Aronoff Center for the Arts
- Playhouse in the Park
- Know Theatre of Cincinnati
- Taft Theatre
- Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
- Covedale Center for Performing Arts
- Warsaw Federal Incline Theater
- Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
- The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
- The Carnegie
- Cincinnati Ballet
- Circus Performance at Bircus Brewing Company
Experience Gift Ideas for Active Kids/ Teens
- Happen’s Toy Lab (Build your own toy-currently temporarily closed)
The following trampoline parks are a great way to burn off some energy:
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park
- Rockn’ Jump
- Get Air Trampoline Park
- Urban Air Adventure Park
- DEFY Florence Kentucky
- Silverlake The Family Place (*Non-members can book for birthday parties)
Indoor Multi-Activity Attractions
Indoor Playgrounds
- LilyPad
- Run Jump-n-Play
- We Rock the Spectrum – Cincinnati
- Wonderland Playground and Party Venue
- Dig ‘N Play
- Jump & Jack’s
- Discovery Zone
- Jump!Zone Party Play Center
- Happy Hangout West Side
Obstacle Course
- Swift Movement Studio
- USA Ninja Challenge
- ELMNTL fitness
- EarthJoy Tree Adventures (Extreme tree climbing)
Indoor Rock Climbing
- Climb Time Oakley
- Climb Cincy
- RockQuest Climbing Center
- Climb Time of Blue Ash
- Mosaic Climbing
- Silverlake The Family Place
Swim Lessons
Swim lessons can be a great gifts for all ages and skill levels.
- Silverlake “The Family Place” (Northern Kentucky)
- Goldfish Swim School
- Bear Paddle Swim School
Experience Gift Ideas for Movie Lovers
Consider a gift card for the following movie theaters around Cincinnati:
- Cobb Liberty Luxury 15 & Cinébistro
- AMC Newport On The Levee 20
- Cincinnati World Cinema at the Garfield Theatre
- Esquire Theatre
- Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater
- Cinemark Oakley Station and XD
- Cinemark Western Hills 14
- Mariemont Theatre
- AMC DINE-IN Anderson Towne Center 9
- City Base Cinemas Cincinnati
- RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom
- Regal Wilder
Drive-in Movie Theatres
Use this drive-in movie checklist before you go.
Ice Skating Experience Gift Ideas
You can give the gift of ice skating year-round between all these options around Cincinnati.
OUTDOOR ICE SKATING RINKS AROUND CINCINNATI
- Ice Skating/ Bumper Cars on the Ice at Fountain Square
- Fifty West Burger Bar Ice Rink
- Ice Rink at Summit Park
INDOOR ICE SKATING RINKS AROUND CINCINNATI
ROOFTOP IGLOOS AROUND CINCINNATI
- Frosthaus Covington
- Upper Deck at the AC Hotel
- The View at Shires’ Garden
- Braxton Brewery (Covington, KY)
- Kon-Tiki’s Fire Lounge Igloo Experience (Newport on the Levee)
Unique Overnight Stays Around Cincinnati
Give the recipient something to look forward to with a unique overnight stay in the great outdoors.
- EarthJoy Treehouse Adventures (I’ve stayed in each of their treehouses and had a great time at both!)
- The Swing House (Airbnb with a Giant Swing inside)
- 21c Museum Hotel (Art-themed boutique museum hotel)
- Great Wolf Lodge (Learn more about what to expect at Great Wolf Lodge)
- Kings Island Camp Cedar (Luxury campground with cabins and RV campsites)
- Great Parks of Hamilton County (Cabins and campsites at various campgrounds) We had one of the best experiences when we camped at Winton Woods.
- Hueston Woods Lodge
- Family Twiga Overnight the Cincinnati Zoo
- Overnight at the Newport Aquarium (Sleep with the sharks)
Websites With Additional Savings for Cincinnati Experiences
Enter to Win the Ultimate Experience Gift Prize Pack
With the holidays right around the corner, I too am giving away the gift of experience! Check out this AMAZING Ultimate Experience Gift Prize Pack including unique things to do in the Cincinnati area:
- $50 Gift Card for Cincinnati Food Tours (Can be used toward any food tour)
- 1 Night Stay in a Treehouse from EarthJoy Tree Adventures (1 night stay, valid Sunday-Thursday)
- 4 Admission Tickets to Kirkwood Adventure Park (2022 Season)
- $25 Gift Card to Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati (Can be used on fowling, bar purchases, merchandise in the gift shop, etc)
- $25 Gift Card to Tablespoon Cooking Co. (Can be used toward a cooking class)
- Taft Museum of Art (family membership for 2022, a tote bag, and a collection highlights book)
- A pair of tickets to opening night of My Fair Lady at the Aronoff from Broadway in Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Arts Association on February 8, 2022 (See their Vaccine Policy and Protocols)
- Free Private Birthday Party Package for Archery Dodgeball or Dart Wars at Archery Arena (includes 10 people; does not include birthday cake or ice cream)
Jennifer Dawsn
I really need to try more of these things! Great list, Nedra!!!
Paula A
We travel from Columbus to Cincinnati at least once a year because there is SO much to do there – and your suggestions are invaluable as I plan our trips. A stay in the Treehouse would be the ultimate adventure for my son.
Deb
What an incredible list of gift ideas! Makes me want to plan a long visit to the area. I’m definitely a go for the tree house overnight.
Melissa Braden
Thank you for the chance to win. I’d love to try some of these places
Emily Adams
You have given me a lot of information about things to do in Cincinnati. These are some great ideas! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sue Walters
I love your amazing adventures! Thanks for the opportunity to win some amazing adventures as well. Merry Christmas!
Linda Huber
What a great list and thanks for the giveaway!
J Ortenzi
Thanks for all the great ideas!!!
Jamie S
This list is amazing!! Can’t imagine how much time that took!? And this prize package is incredible! Someone is going to be very lucky!
LaurieK
Love all these ideas! Thanks for getting them together!
Ann
I love getting ideas from you on fun things to do! I get inspired from reading about your adventures. Would love to win and experience these adventures with my family!
Katie
Fabulous roundup of adventure ideas!
Sarah Showalter
What a great opportunity for a staycation in our city!
Steph
So many great ideas! Love that there were Cincy things I had never heard about before!
Lauren
So many fun ideas in one list and there are so many I never knew about. Shared with my sister who is coming into town next week, as she wanted to go ice skating and I didnt know of all the places available. Our family would love to win the giveaway to experience Cincinnati and make lasting memories.
VanessaD
This is an awesome list! Could have used this yesterday when my brother and sister-in-law asked me what experience they can buy gift cards for my girls. This is such a complete list, so many of these I had forgotten about. Plus, this is an awesome giveaway package. Wow! Merry Christmas!
Michelle Perkins
I love this post! There are so many great ideas for not only gift giving ideas but just things to do in general. Thank you for posting this and sharing this info!!
Kathy Roaden
This is so helpful & that is one heck of a give away! Definitely some great ideas!!
Heather Scroggins
This is a amazing list of local stuff to do with my family! Thank you! My boys would love to do so many things on this list! Thank you for the giveaway and chance to try a few of them!
Jennifer Dent
What a great list of things to do around Cincinnati! Experiences make great gifts
Ann Williams
Totally book marking this list to refer back to throughout the year. Had no idea Del Gardo’s had cannoli making classes! Love it!
Emily S.
We are definitely focusing on more experiences as gifts this year. Thanks for the helpful post!
MDC
This is an awesome list of experience gifts. I will definitely save this list for gift ideas throughout the year. It’s so easy to get caught it up buying friends and family more stuff. More toys, more clothes, more home decor, more electronics. This list and your prize pack can provide more quality time with the ones you love enjoying this amazing city.
Dorothy Gillstrap
What an amazing list of ideas!!!
Brandy
What an awesome list!!!!! Saving this for sure
Lindsay Millward
I have lived here my whole life and not heard of some of these things! Definitely going to make a 2022 bucket list with my kids using some of these ideas! Thank you!
Andrea
These are incredible ideas and an amazing giveaway! Thanks for sharing!
Aleia
Love this information! Great ideas for my “experience” gift for my husband. Would love to win the giveaway! Been in Cincinnati 4 years now and am loving it. So many cool things to do.
Heather Scarborough
Oh! What a great gift package! Everything looks so fun!
Ryan Wenstrup-Moore
I’d love to win and be a tourist in my hometown
Amanda
I’ve lived here my whole life and have only done maybe a handful of these. I’d love to win the giveaway so I can try some of these amazing things.
Heather Johnson
i’ve been wanting to do the treehouse thing forever!!!!
Lisa M
All of these are so amazing! I’d love to win for my daughters.
Sarah
What a great list of experience gifts!
Beth
Wow! Never knew there was so much to do there! And what an amazing prize package!
John Ravi
Hi Nendra,
I didn’t know about the experience gift before reading your post. So, thank you so much for familiarizing me with the term. I was looking for a gift for someone close to me, and after reading your article I have so many great ideas. I wasn’t aware of the things you could do in Cincinnati, your post really helped me plan an amazing adventure gift. Thank you for taking the time in putting this together. Hope to steal more gift ideas from you in future.
Nedra McDaniel
That’s great to hear Melanie! Hope you found some great experience gift ideas for friends and family.
Melanie Moore
LOVE this article and I am a avid reader of everything you post on here. I appreciate all the insight on local venues.
Jamie
Love it! Any of those prizes would be awesome, but my favorite would be the tree house !!!
Nedra McDaniel
Thanks Jennie! Hoping it helps people find experience gift ideas for everyone on their list.
Jennie
What an amazing post with so many great ideas!