15 Travel Experiences to Gift this Christmas (USA)

Even better than a physical gift is an experience that will last your loved one a lifetime. Giving a friend or family member the gift of a bucket list experience, be it an unforgettable view, a mighty adrenaline rush, or a city of their dreams, a travel experience is a meaningful way to express how much you care about someone.

Today at Civitatis, we’ve picked out 15 fantastic experiences to gift your partner, friend, or family member this Christmas, focusing mainly on experiences in the USA, so you don’t have to break the bank. Read on for our suggestions!

New York

New York, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, is a fitting place to open this list of dream-making experiences. This iconic city is an endless playground for travelers, and it ranks at the top of many travelers’ bucket list cities. However, even if your loved one has visited NYC, these Civitatis activities offer the kinds of experiences they’ll never forget.

1. Helicopter Tour over New York City

One of Civitatis’ most popular experiences in New York, a helicopter tour in New York is a show-stopping gift to give to someone you care about. On this helicopter tour of New York City, you’ll soar above the Manhattan skyline, you’ll see the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, and other icons of NYC. Alternatively, you might pick this night helicopter ride over New York City to see the city lit up at night.

• See more helicopter rides in New York with Civitatis.

2. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

An icon of New York and the United States as a whole, visiting the Statue of Liberty should be a must on every American’s bucket list. For millions of immigrants, the Statue of Liberty was the first glimpse they had of the New World. For them, Lady Liberty symbolized the possibilities of a new life that promised opportunity and freedom.

Right beside the Statue of Liberty is Ellis Island, the main entry point where immigrants were processed upon arrival to the United States between 1892 and 1954. During this time, over 12 million people passed through the facility. Today, the island is home to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, a fascinating insight into the lives of immigrants arriving in the US during that time.

If your loved one is interested in the history of the US, why not gift them a visit to these iconic sites? On this Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tour, you’ll be brought to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close, before heading to Ellis Island

3. See the New York Yankees

Another emblem of New York is the legendary New York Yankees, a team that is woven into the cultural fabric of the city, and going to see them live is a gift any sports fan would be thrilled to receive.

The Yankee Stadium is a uniquely legendary venue in all of sports. It was here that Babe Ruth forged his legacy, where Don Larson threw the only perfect game in the history of the World Series, and where Derek Jeter concluded his career with a walk-off single.

Aside from the sport, even if baseball isn’t exactly your passion, this authentic New York afternoon brings different frills. An epic crowd, passionate energy, ballpark food, and that unmistakable Bronx atmosphere.

• Buy a ticket to see the New York Yankees at the Yankee Stadium.

Nevada

Nevada is best known for the electric buzz of Las Vegas, a city built on spectacle and entertainment. This city is constantly offering blockbuster artist residencies, world-famous casinos, and epic parties, as well as adrenaline-filled experiences like bungee jumping. Outside of Las Vegas, there’s lots more to see, none more epic than the Grand Canyon. Whether you’re buying for someone who loves neon-fuelled nightlife, jaw-dropping views, or pure adrenaline, Nevada has a gift for every type of traveler.

4. A Visit to the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders on the planet. This other-worldly landscape with steep cliffs was caused by a combination of desert erosion, the steady carving of the Colorado River, and the tectonic uplift of the Colorado Plateau.

There are lots of ways of seeing the Grand Canyon with Civitatis, depending on who you’re buying for! The classic option is the Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas, which includes a visit to Grand Canyon West, along with other cool stops in the area like the Joshua Tree Forest, the Hoover Dam, and the Hualapai Ranch.

If your loved one is a bit of a risk-taker, you might also consider getting them this Grand Canyon scenic flyover. Departing from Grand Canyon Village, you’ll soar above the canyon, the Colorado River, and the Kaibab National Forest. Or, even crazier, why not get them this Grand Canyon skydiving experience?

• See more tours & experiences at the Grand Canyon.

5. Bungee Jump in Las Vegas

Another great option for thrill seekers, the SkyJump at The Strat experience is one of the most exhilarating activities to be enjoyed in Las Vegas. As part of this experience, you’ll climb 820 feet (250 meters) to the 108th floor of the Strat, before bungee jumping, and reaching speeds of 40 mph (65 kmph). Gift someone an adrenaline rush they’ll never forget!

6. See a Show at the Sphere in Las Vegas

Despite only opening last year, the Sphere has already become one of the most legendary venues in the US. This massive, high-tech arena looks like something out of the future, with a crisp LED display wrapping around its entirety.

Inside is even more jaw-dropping. The interior also has a floor to ceiling screen, which creates a stunning, immersive, three-dimensional experience. Currently, you can buy tickets to see the Wizard of Oz at the Sphere, an immersive remake of the musical fantasy film, with multisensory effects. This is a great gift for anyone who is a fan of the original, and it would make for a lovely night out in Vegas!

San Francisco

San Francisco is an epic city to discover, with natural beauty, history and culture to beat the band. Whether your loved one has visited SF before or not, there are lots of experiences they mightn’t have discovered that you could get them to celebrate the season!

7. Alcatraz Island

Imagine how cool it would be to get an Alcatraz Island tour for Christmas? For better or for worse, Alcatraz Island is an icon of SF, as one of the United States’ most notorious prisons. The island prison held inmates like Al Capone, and gangster Machine Gun Kelly.

On this Alcatraz Island tour, you’ll sail out to the island by ferry, passing the icy waters that made escape almost impossible. It’s the perfect moment to look out across the bay and consider whether any of those legendary escape attempts could really have succeeded.

• See more tours & experiences on Alcatraz Island.

8. Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Gift your loved one another iconic SF experience with a San Francisco Golden Gate Bay cruise. On this cruise, you’ll see North Beach, Hyde Street Pier, and the San Francisco Maritime National Park, as well as the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Hawaii

If you want to gift a warm-weather escape, Hawaii is hard to beat. These islands offer wildlife encounters, volcanic landscapes, and some of the most beautiful, crystal clear waters in the world. For anyone who loves nature or the ocean, an experiential gift in Hawaii is hard to beat!

9. Snorkel with Turtles in Oahu, Hawaii

Did your loved one grow up wanting to be a marine biologist? Gifting them a snorkeling holiday in Oahu, Hawaii, will make their childhood dreams come true. On this Oahu dolphin watching and snorkeling with turtles tour, you’ll be picked up in Honolulu before heading out on a boat onto the Pacific Ocean to watch pods of dolphins glide through the water. Then, you’ll have the chance to snorkel alongside Hawaii’s famous sea turtles. Check it out!

10. Whale Watching Cruise on Hawaii Island, Hawaii

Another fantastic wildlife experience, why not treat your loved one to a whale watching cruise off of Hawaii Island? Between December and April, the waters off the Big Island become a migration corridor for humpback whales. These whales hold a special place in Hawaiian culture and mythology, often seen as protectors of the ocean, which you can learn more about on this humpback whale watching cruise!

More Experiences

11. Day trip to Tijuana from San Diego

If you (or your loved one) are based near San Diego, and you’ve never made the trip down across the border to Tijuana, this entry is for you! Right across the way from San Diego, Tijuana is one of the most exciting culinary cities in Mexico. This city is home to endless legendary taco stands, including the Michelin guide recommended Tacos el Franc.

With Civitatis, you can enjoy a guided day trip to Tijuana from San Diego, which will bring you on a walking tour around the city’s historic center, before bringing you to enjoy a traditional Mexican meal!

12. Niagara Falls

Another bucket list item in America, a visit to Niagara Falls is a true ‘wow’ gift to give to a love one for Christmas. Sitting along the border between the US and Canada, these falls are one of the most iconic natural sights in the world, and for good reason. Watching as 3,160 tons of water falls over the falls every second is a truly unforgettable experience, and one you can gift to the person you love in a number of ways with Civitatis. Check out your options below!

• See tours & experiences at Niagara Falls with Civitatis.

13. Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Ride

In Phoenix, a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Sun at sunrise is an experience any thrill-seeker would be excited to experience. Soar above the Sonoran Desert and Deer Valley, as the sun paints the red-rock desert gold as you climb higher into the sky. After your flight, you’ll be treated to a mimosa to celebrate! Cheers!

14. Boston Whale Watching Cruise

For anyone who loves wildlife or time on the water, a Boston whale-watching cruise is a brilliant gift idea. Boston sits right along Stellwagen Bank, one of the foremost whale-feeding grounds in the US, so sightings here are consistently excellent. On this whale-watching cruise in Boston, your loved one will head out into open waters to watch humpbacks and fin whales breach, feed, and swim alongside the boat!

15. Lower Antelope Canyon Hike

Lower Antelope Canyon is one of the most unique landscapes in the American Southwest, and gifting someone a hike through it is one way to show that you care about them! The narrow sandstone corridors, twisting rock formations, and beams of light filtering down into the canyon make it feel otherworldly.

• Check out this hiking tour of the Lower Cantelope Canyon.

Last Minute Travel Experiences

If you’re running out of time and want to give an experiential gift that doesn’t require immediate planning, take a look at the Civitatis catalogue of activities in your local area, so that you don’t need to organize travel or accommodation. Otherwise, buy your loved one a Civitatis gift card, and plan an adventure together!

Anyway, there you have it! That was our list of the best travel experiences you can gift this Christmas. If you’re still looking for experiences to gift, check out more tours & experiences with Civitatis! Happy holidays!