What do you give someone who says “nothing” or “I don’t know” when you ask them what they want for Christmas or Hanukkah?
Well, you could give them socks, but they’d be much more excited if you give them an experience. Something to DO rather than have. And what better experience to give than one of the many experience gifts NYC has available.
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Best Experience Gifts, NYC
New York is already awesome, but if you are planning a trip to New York City, or even if you live here like I do, supplementing your time in the city with an experience or activity that is unique to the city will make your time here that much better.
Are you wondering what to experience in New York? Here are my top 25 of the best experience gifts in NYC. They make the perfect gift – either as an add on to a trip you will already take it or as the impetus for a weekend getaway (or longer trip) to the most exciting city in the world (IMHO).
For the Adventurer
1. In the air: helicopter flight
If you like a bit of a thrill and want to see NYC from a perspective that very few do, then one of the best experiences in NYC has to be a helicopter ride over Manhattan and New York Harbor. Seeing the towering buildings, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge from the air is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that makes the perfect gift.
2. On land: cycle Brooklyn Bridge
Cycling over the Brooklyn Bridge is another of the unique things to do in New York that makes the perfect gift. There is a dedicated bike lane above the traffic, and cycling over the bridge gives you a unique perspective. The two-hour tour takes the stress out of knowing how to get there and off so you can focus on enjoying the experience and the incredible views.
3. On the water: jet ski in New York Harbor
Another of the most incredible unique New York experiences is to get on to the water. Manhattan is an island, so get wet! Not in the middle of winter, but if you’re visiting New York later in the year, a fun gift to give us a jet ski tour in New York Harbor. A fun four-hour trip to see the Statue of Liberty and the Downtown skyline.
For the Romantic
4. Dinner cruise in New York Harbor
Will you be traveling to New York with your significant other? It’s an incredibly romantic city, and what could be more romantic than a candlelit dinner cruise around New York Harbor with the city lights sparkling. Upgrade for a table for two with champagne. One of the absolute best NYC experiences for couples .
For the Foodie
New York is foodie heaven. I have a whole post on six NYC food crazes not to miss. But if your loved one is a foodie, then these New York food tours make perfect gifts.
5. Greenwich Village food tour
When it comes to experience gifts, New York has so many on offer that it can be overwhelming. So why not start eating your way around my neighborhood. Give the gift of a 3.5-hour food tour that takes in the High Line and then a walking and cultural tour of Greenwich Village, stopping off along the way to sample New York treats. This is a great gift for a first-time visitor to New York.
6. Lower East Side food tour
The Lower East Side has changed a lot in the last couple of decades. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the incredible food. So, another of my favorite unique NYC gift ideas is a three-hour food tour to try some of the best Tacos, dumplings, bagels in the Lower East Side.
7. Little Italy and Chinatown food tour
Another of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC. Who doesn’t love Italian and Chinese food? Learn the history of these fascinating areas and try delicious food. This food tour of Little Italy, Chinatown is a gift you could just give yourself!!
8. Brooklyn pizza food tour
Eating a slice of authentic New York pizza is another of my top unique things to do in NYC. So, give a gift of pizza! How can you go wrong? Leave Manhattan and head to Brooklyn for a tour of some of the best pizza in New York.
For the Nature Lover
9. Take a walk in Central Park
New York isn’t all about architecture and people. Central Park is an oasis of nature smack bang in the middle of it. I’ve seen turtles, hawks and even a raccoon in Central Park’. This 2-hour walking tour around the park and many of its highlights makes the perfect present.
For the TV Lover
10. Visit locations of a classic TV show
I love Sex and The City (well, other than the final movie) partly because New York features so prominently. Live out your loved one’s SATC fantasy on a 3+-hour tour of many of the places that featured in the iconic TV show. Having a drink at one of their bars and snacking on a cupcake from their favorite bakery will be one of their favorite New York experience gifts to get. Plus, they’ll be regaled with lots of fun facts along the way.
11. Learn about NYC’s media moguls
Give the gift of a walking tour of Midtown Manhattan that focuses on the legendary media moguls who founded and/ or led major media outlets like CBS, NBC, Warner Brothers Movies, and more.
For the Street Art Lover (or Street Artist)
You can experience street art by seeing it or by doing it. New York has both.
12. Take in some street art
Street art is elevated to a true art from in New Work. From Keith Haring, Banksy or JR to other less famous but equally talented artists, there is no end of art to admire on the streets of NYC. Which is why a walking tour of Brooklyn street art is another of the best New York travel gifts.
13. Try your hand at making street art yourself
If you don’t want to stop at admiring art, why not try it yourself. Give a gift of a lesson in making graffiti art in Brooklyn. How awesome is that?
For the Art Lover (or Artist)
New York has something for people who appreciate art and people who want to try their hand at creating art.
14. Tour the Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met for short) is my favorite museum in New York. In fact, I have written a blog post about different ways to experience the museum.
One of my favorite New York travel gift ideas, therefore, is a private tour of the art of the museum. Getting personal insight into some of the major pieces makes the perfect gift for art lovers.
15. Take a photography class with Manhattan as your classroom
Have an even deeper experience with art and try it yourself. Take a location-based workshop with a professional photographer. Get photography tips and take some amazing shots.
16. Tour an art studio
Meet contemporary New York artists and tour their studios. This cool tour of artists’ studios is a great way to forge more personal connections with the vibrant NYC art community.
For the Dance Lover (or Dancer)
Whether your loved one loves to watch dance or wants to dance the night away with you, New York has an experience for you to give them.
17. Watch a dance performance
One of the best NYC Christmas gifts you could give for someone who loves dance is a ticket to a Broadway musical. There is nothing more iconic than an all-dancing, all-singing show on Broadway!
18. Take a dancing lesson
Inspire the dance lover in your life and give a salsa dance lesson with you and your lover. Has to be one of the most unique gifts NYC has.
For the theater buff (or budding actor)
Catch a show, or get up on stage and learn to act or try your hand at improv.
19. Watch a Broadway show
You can’t visit New York City and not see a Broadway Show. This makes the perfect gift and a very special night out! Check out the different options available here.
20. Join in a Gospel performance
At the Off Broadway performance of “God Doesn’t Mean You Get to Live Forever”, the audience gets to participate. So, give them a gift where they get to sing, clap, dance, and shout for joy! (or not, of course), and then end with a soul food sampler.
21. Take in a comedy show
No trip to New York City is complete without taking in one of the downtown standup comedy shows. Gift the gift of a good time. The comedy tour includes a bus tour of many iconic comic spots in NYC, and a live comedy performance at one of the NYC’s iconic comedy clubs.
For the Fashionista
New York City is one of the fashion capitals of the world, and there are so many ways to experience fashion in the City.
22. See inside a fabric flower factory
Give an insider look into the Garment District. Give them a tour inside a 100-year old fabric flower factory!
23. Find a bargain
Of course your loved one will want to shop in New York City! Keep things affordable on a tour of cheap and chic second fashion hand stores so they can pick up some awesome bargains.
24. Go shopping with a personal stylist
Shop in style with the help of a personal stylist to hand-curate your shopping selection. If your loved one likes shopping (and who doesn’t?), this is the perfect gift!
25. Be a New York fashion designer
Does your bestie fantasize about being a New York fashion designer? This is the perfect gift for someone visiting New York who wants a chance to see inside the real-life NYC fashion industry. They will tour a real-life fashion factory and meet actual artisans – and then get to create their own souvenir (a t-shirt or tote bag).
New York City truly has something for everyone. No matter what you and your travel companion(s) like, there is a New York travel experience to give them (and give yourself at the same time, of course!!)
Happy holidays!
Do you have any other NYC experiences that would make great gifts ? Let me know. Comment below.
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Get more gift ideas:
Read other New York experiences:
- Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Fun NYC food crazes to try
- Summer movies in Bryant Park
- The ultimate guide to Christmas in NYC
About the author
James Ian has traveled to 82 countries and all 7 continents. He is passionate about experiential travel, i.e. meaningful travel that actively engages with the environment and culture. He helps people have similar experiences that involve active participation in activities and festivals; engaging with the local food and handicrafts through lessons and food tours; and interacting positively with environment by hiking, riding, rowing, diving and low/no impact animal encounters.
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