City Guides

13 Thoughtful and Fun Experience Gifts in Cincinnati for 2025

by: Alexandria Taylor

Last Updated on Jan 7th 2025

If you want to give someone a truly unique gift, give them experience gifts in Cincinnati. The city has so much to do and so many unique places to explore. So, why not give someone the opportunity to try a fun experience in the city? Plus, experience gifts are often preferred to physical items. According to a report by US News, experience gifts are expected to increase by 16% and 45% of consumers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, plan to give experiences over physical goods.

Experience gifts can be great because they can be memorable and personalized. There are experiences that cater to all interests, hobbies and passions. And if there is an activity that someone has always wanted to try, an experience gift can be an extraordinary way to show them you care and understand them. You’ll have plenty of options for experience gifts in Cincinnati.

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Unique Experience Gifts in Cincinnati

1. Cooking Classes

Cooking class experience gift in Cincinnati — *Cooking class (via Classpop!)*

Calling all hungry foodies and aspiring chefs! Cooking classes in Cincinnati and online cooking classes are sure to be one of the most memorable gifts they receive. Taught by world-class local chefs, they’ll learn everything from the basics to creating elaborate dishes from scratch.

Cooking classes are unique experience gifts in Cincinnati that can be fun and informative no matter your skill level.

2. Indoor Skydiving

For those who like to get their heart pumping, indoor skydiving is a fun option. This is also a good gift for anyone who wants the thrill but isn’t ready to jump out of a plane. With indoor skydiving, you get a similar feeling, plus you can do it in any weather.

Bring colleagues together for unique team building activities in Cincinnati to bond outside the office. Flying around in this wind tunnel is one of the best experience gifts in Cincinnati.

3. Ghost Tour and Pub Crawl

Anyone who wants to get a little spooky while enjoying a drink will love taking a ghost tour through the city.

Ghost tours are unique experience gifts in Cincinnati, where you can learn about the history of the area and all the ghosts that call the city home. Meanwhile, you’ll stop into pubs to enjoy a few drinks while going on a ghost hunt.

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4. NASCAR Ride Along

Lovers of car racing will enjoy riding along in a NASCAR car. You’ll get to ride in a real NASCAR car with an experienced driver around a real race track.

It’s a thrilling experience that’s sure to feel like an adventure. NASCAR ride-alongs make fun experience gifts in Cincinnati for him, especially if he’s into watching racing.

5. Paint and Sip Classes

Unleash your creativity during paint and sip in Cincinnati. These classes are taught by local artists, who teach you how to create a painting with simple steps. Create a work of art while sipping on your favorite beverages, then display it in your home.

Paint and sip classes are great for groups of friends, colleagues and family. They’re also one of the best experience gifts in Cincinnati for couples. Gift them for unique date ideas in Cincinnati.

Luxury Experience Gifts in Cincinnati

6. Supercar Thrill Ride

Car lovers won’t be able to get enough of these fun experience gifts in Cincinnati. Fans of luxury and supercars dream about getting behind the wheel and with this gift, they can.

With a supercar thrill ride, they can take Lamborghinis, McLarens, Ferraris and more around a race track with elevations and tight turns. They’ll remember the thrill of this experience for years to come.

7. Scenic Flight in a Historic Plane

See the city from above with a scenic flight in a historic plane. With these experience gifts in Cincinnati for adults, you’ll take to the skies to see the charming towns and flowing rivers.

A trained crewmember will take you in a historic aircraft, which is a unique experience of its own. And, if you’re looking for experience gifts in Cincinnati for couples, this can be a great option for a future date night together.

8. In-Home Private Chef

If you’ve ever wanted a curated meal, this might be the gift. In-home private chefs make wonderful luxury experience gifts in Cincinnati for those who like to try new dishes.

A chef will come to their home to whip up a meal with fresh ingredients catered to their tastes and preferences. Whoever receives this gift is sure to feel like royalty during the meal.

9. Spa and Wellness Gift Card

Spa Day Experience Gift in Cincinnati — *Gift a relaxing spa day (via Canva)*

Everyone needs a little rest and relaxation. Give gift cards to a local spa for luxury experience gifts in Cincinnati. With the option of massages, facials, saunas and hair treatments, there are plenty of ways someone can unwind and feel pampered.

Spa cards are especially great experience gifts in Cincinnati for her to show appreciation for everything the women in your life do.

Best Experience Gifts in Cincinnati

10. Riverboat Dinner Cruise

Cruise down the river and take in the city at night. Dinners on a riverboat cruise make wonderful experience gifts in Cincinnati for adults who are looking for a unique date night. Have a lovely dinner with stunning views while enjoying some live entertainment.

Riverboat cruises can also make fun experience gifts in Cincinnati for him for occasions like birthdays and bachelor parties.

11. Hang Gliding

See everything from above in a unique way. Intro to hang gliding courses are one of the best experience gifts in Cincinnati for thrill seekers and those who love adventure sports. This is one of the coolest experiences to feel like you’re actually flying and it might spark a future passion for the sport.

12. Golf Swing Evaluation

If you know someone who’s been looking to improve their golf game, a golf swing evaluation is the ideal gift. A coach will work with them one-on-one to analyze their swing and use technology to help improve it. These sessions are wonderful experience gifts in Cincinnati for her or him before heading back to the links.

13. Mystery Picnic

Mystery picnic experience gift in Cincinnati — *Mystery picnics add a sense of adventure (via Canva)*

These fun experience gifts in Cincinnati will help you explore the city. You’ll solve clues and riddles where the answers lead you to different small businesses and local artisans. As you move through the mystery, you’ll gather food from each stop.

Finally, end at a scenic spot to enjoy your bounty. This is a unique date idea for couples, a way for families to spend time together and a fun get-together for friends.

Experience Gifts in Cincinnati FAQs

Can a Gift Be an Experience?

Yes, absolutely gifts can be experiences. In fact, experience gifts can actually be more thoughtful and personalized than a lot of physical items given as gifts. Experience gifts allow someone to explore their creativity, try an activity they’ve always wanted or live out a dream. They can also create lasting memories that can often be more valuable than an item. Many people prefer experiences over objects, so they’re a great gift to invest in.

How Do You Package a Gift Experience?

While you can’t wrap the experience itself, you can still present a gift experience in a nice way. You can do this by placing the tickets, certificates or experience gift cards into a box and wrapping that box.

This way, the receiver still has something to unwrap. Some experience gifts may even have the option to email them directly to the recipient for them to use. The Classpop! gift card program offers both options; you can email the gift card to the recipient or print it out to wrap up for them to open.

With so much to do and explore in the city, experience gifts in Cincinnati offer special times for friends, families and other loved ones. There’s an experience for everyone! Foodies, creatives and adrenaline junkies alike can all make memories. And they’ll appreciate the giver for giving a gift that’s so personalized and thoughtful. Explore the city and it’s unique offerings through experience gifts in Cincinnati.

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!