While building a pile of perfectly wrapped boxes under the tree can feel rewarding, gifting an experience can be even more magical and memorable. From dazzling farm dinners and cooking classes to glass-blowing experiences and glamping trips, here are some fantastic experiences throughout the South to gift this year!
FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES
Enroll at Viking Cooking School | Greenwood, MS
The little Mississippi town of Greenwood is home to a serious culinary academy attached to a top-notch hotel to elevate your stay. The Viking Cooking School at The Alluvian is a revered place to learn everything from kitchen basics to themed classes like dishes from hit movies, holiday desserts, black-tie entertaining, and pasta from scratch.
Private Whiskey Tasting at Castle & Key | Frankfort, KY
While Kentucky is full of rustic distilleries near sprawling farmland and history-rich towns, Castle & Key in Frankfort takes the cake on all fronts. This place is dripping with historic charm, botanical beauty, and, of course, bourbon magic. On one of the tours (privately planned or publically reserved), you’ll explore the 1887-built old distillery that looks like a literal castle, wander through the manicured fairytale gardens, and ogle the 140,000-gallon naturally limestone-filtered Springhouse.
Dinner at The Inn at Little Washington | Washington, VA
This an apt follow-up to our Luxe Loves gift guide; who wouldn’t want to dine at our region’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant? D.C. native Patrick O’Connell is a self-taught chef who pioneered a refined, regional flavor of American cooking in the Virginia countryside. He opened The Inn at Little Washington in a former garage in the tiny town of Washington, VA, in 1978 and has been making delicious waves in the culinary world ever since.
The Inn’s (beautiful, might we add) gift certificates are perfect for hard-to-impress friends, relatives, and coworkers. They can be applied to dinner and wine, accommodations, and purchases from the on-property shops.
‘Outstanding in the Field’ Dinner Tickets | Florida, Alabama, and Beyond
Outstanding in the Field puts on global culinary productions like you’ve never seen. The traveling team sets up expansive, winding tables on hills, vineyards, beaches, meadows, fishing docks, and city streets. They partner with celebrated chefs and organic, sustainable farms to bring multi-course, communal meals to the most delightfully unexpected places. They’re back in Florida and Alabama this January and February for five dinners. Get planning here!
THRILLING & ACTIVE GETAWAYS
Guided Fly Fishing Trip | North Georgia
Join expert guides in privately accessed water chasing brown, rainbow, and brook trout for a day. There’s nothing more relaxing than a day wading on the water fly fishing — even if you’re still a novice. While you can opt for a boat trip or a shorter one, full-day trips run from $495 to $1095, last between seven and nine hours, and include lunch and drinks, plus a cooler with ice for all your favorite snacks and beverages. Find out more here.
Nighttime Glowing Kayak Adventure | Weeki Wachee, FL
Guests rave (through thousands of five-star reviews on TripAdvisor) about Get Up and Go‘s clear kayak adventures through Florida’s most pristine springs. On their sunset and nighttime excursions, hop into your LED-lit kayak as a tour guide leads you through quiet estuaries and crystal-clear lagoons. Stargaze above and get ready for some surprise wildlife beneath and around you. You’ll see birds, plants, turtles, fish, and maybe even otters, manatees, dolphins, alligators, and sting rays. Weeki Wachee is also home to the famous mermaid show and the country’s only spring-fed water park, Buccaneer Bay. Make a weekend out of it!
Quail Hunting Package at Windy Hill Farm | Loudon, TN
Windy Hill Farm is the perfect gift for anyone interested in learning about a traditional upland hunt. Curated by the all-inclusive resort’s General Manager and Founder, Steven Brewington, the upland program works to restore the natural habitat and introduce new hunters to the fundamentals. You’ll get personal expert instruction, gun rental, ammo, practice in the sporting clay stands, and time in the fields with their highly trained hunting dogs. Find out more here.
Hot Air Balloon Ride | Asheville, NC
As Asheville rebuilds from Hurricane Helene’s devastation, invite your loved ones to support the area with the gift of a hot-air balloon adventure with Asheville Balloon Company. While every season has something unique to offer, witnessing spectacular fall foliage from the air is a truly unforgettable experience. Flights cost $300 per person in a public basket and $800 per couple for a private flight.
ARTSY ADVENTURES
Photo Safari at Greyfield Inn | Cumberland Island, GA
David Wright is an award-winning wildlife filmmaker and photographer who’s worked with clients like National Geographic and BBC. He’ll lead you through old-growth forests, along the 18+ miles of beachfront, and all over Cumberland Island’s historic sites and buildings. The event is a five-day stay at Greyfield Inn from February 23 through 27, 2025. Built by the Carnegie family in 1900, this all-inclusive destination is only accessible by private boat. Enjoy cozy fires, moss-drenched verandas, fine dining, beach lounging, and more. Book the safari here.
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“Learn To Turn” Workshop at the North Carolina Pottery Center | Seagrove, NC
North Carolina Pottery Center’s “Learn to Turn” workshops make the perfect hands-on gift for anyone interested in nurturing their creative side and learning a new hobby. These beginner-friendly sessions (for 16 and up) provide a comprehensive ceramic experience, from centering clay and crafting basic forms to glazing and firing. Plus, this adventure takes them to Seagrove, renowned for its rich pottery heritage and Appalachian folk arts.
Hot Glass Blowing Class at Janke Studios | Atlanta, GA
Janke Studios in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward offers immersive glassblowing workshops that make a great gift for couples, friend groups, and families. With Mr. Janke’s instruction and help, you’ll create a unique glass piece like a tumbler, vase, or paperweight. The studio offers a range of small group and private classes perfect for your artistic adventure seeker. See more about pricing (a date for two people ranges from $210 to $298) and how to book here.
LUXURY LODGING & WELLNESS
Winter Wellness “BEtreats” at The Horse Shoe Farm | Hendersonville, NC
Whether you’re staying for a meal, a night, or a week, The Horse Shoe Farm (home to a delicious farm restaurant) is a sanctuary where time seems to slow. In January 2025, they’ll debut a Winter Wellness BEtreat Series, where guests will embark on a two- or three-night program by renowned wellness coaches. Enjoy luxe lodging, three meals a day at The Silo Cookhouse, access to all farm amenities (hello, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and saltwater pool!), plus $50 to use at The Stable Spa during your retreat.
Glamping at Little Arrow Resort | Townsend, TN
Families, couples, and friend groups love Little Arrow Outdoor Resort in Townsend, Tennessee, for its proximity to the country’s most-visited National Park and vibrant array of on-site activities for all ages. Beyond cozy accommodations like luxurious cabins, airstreams, or safari tents (with heat/AC!), the proprietors offer so many “extras.”… book a treatment at the mobile spa, order a Bigfoot bedtime storytime, dine at the Campfire Cafe, rent a golf cart, and so much more. Let your giftee create their own stay with a gift certificate that can be purchased here.
Luxurious Relais & Châteaux Gift Card | Multiple Locations
The Relais & Châteaux stamp of approval denotes the finest boutique hotels with luxurious amenities and outstanding service. Tennessee’s famed Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are both members, as well as Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, NC; Planters Inn in Charleston, SC; The Swag and Cataloochee Ranch in Waynesville, NC; and The Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro, NC. A Relais & Châteaux gift card is accepted at roughly 562 properties in 67 countries. There is no better gift for the wanderlust-prone, so get shopping here.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Go Platinum to High Water Music Fest | North Charleston, SC
One of the South’s best and buzziest music festivals, High Water, returns to North Charleston on April 26 and 27, 2025, showcasing artists like Mt. Joy, Lord Huron, Counting Crows, Arcade Fire, and more hot artists. For $1,762 per person, you’ll get front-of-stage viewing at the Edisto and Stono stages, a parking pass, access to the Platinum Lounge with AC-ed restrooms, complimentary food and beverages, and many more perks!
Grand Ole Opry Circle Room or VIP Backstage Experience | Nashville, TN
A show at the Opry is a must for all country music fans. Add the Circle Room VIP experience to your tickets, and you’ll get exclusive access to the Circle Room premium lounge before the show through the end of intermission, special hors d’oeuvres and delicious bites from Nashville favorites, two drinks at the top-shelf private bar, and a visit with the performing artist. Go even bigger with the VIP Backstage Experience, where you’ll enter via a golf cart through the artist entrance, meet the performers, and more. Click here for more upgrade information.
While this list has merely touched the surface of fun, outside-the-gift-box experiences, we hope we’ve sparked some ideas for you … with minimal wrapping required!
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