10 Adventurous Gift Ideas (That Aren’t “Things”)

It’s crunch time now, so if you’re in need of last-minute gift ideas for the hard to please adventurer in your life you’ve come to the right place! The older I get, the less interested I am in “things” and the more I seek out experiences. That said, here is a list of wonderful gift ideas for those who want or need a little more adventure in their life:

1. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

An $80 annual pass offers access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites and covers entrance and standard amenity fees. 2016 marks the National Park Service centennial celebration – so what better time to find, share and support your parks at findyourpark.com. Passes can be purchased in person at a federal recreation site, or by calling 1-888-ASK USGS (1-888-275-8747), Ext. 3 (Hours of operation are: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Mountain time), or online here.

2. Indoor rock climbing gift certificate

Since we can’t always get away foroutdoor adventures, indoor climbing gyms provide an excellent way to stay in shape and work on valuable climbing skills you can take outside. Here in Rochester we are lucky to have North America’s largest indoor climbing and high ropes course facility at RockVentures. RockVentures gift certificates are available online here – but be sure to check deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial for discounted vouchers as well.

3. Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddleboarding Classes

Paddling centers offer kayaking classes, nature tours and stand-up paddleboarding lessons. Depending on how adventurous your loved one is, they might even consider a SUP Yoga class – yoga practiced while on a stand-up paddleboard! Groupon and LivingSocial are great places to check for giftable vouchers with an affordable price tag.

4. Lift Tickets or Ski/Snowboarding Passes

My favorite Christmas gift last year was the Twilight Pass my partner got me for Bristol Mountain ski resort. This was a great beginner option, since the pass was offered through a group ski club program and included lessons. Some ski resorts offer package deals with rentals, lift tickets and lessons included. Check your local ski resort for options, and consider Bristol Mountain’s lift tickets and season passes if you’re in Rochester or the Finger Lakes area.

5. Weekend Getaway

Know anyone that needs a vacation? Don’t we all! A nice holiday gift, particularly for your spouse or partner who loves adventure, would be a weekend getaway in the mountains or woods. Rent a cabin and go get snowed in somewhere! Groupon Getaways and LivingSocial Escapes frequently offer affordable packages that are a short day-trip away. In Western New York you can often find deals at a Finger Lakes bed and breakfast, with tons to explore nearby, or cabins and hotels in the Adirondacks with endless opportunity for adventure any time of year.

6. Whitewater Rafting

A friend of ours purchased a whitewater rafting deal on Groupon for her boyfriend’s birthday last year and we made it a group trip. It was an absolute blast! Some of the best whitewater rafting in Upstate New York is on the Black River in Watertown. We had a great experience with Black River Outfitters and highly recommend them!

7. Tandem Skydiving

I was lucky enough to receive a skydiving gift certificate for my 25th birthday and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. If you know someone who has this on their bucket list, go ahead and give them a gift they’ll never forget. The professionals at WNYSkydiving made me feel very comfortable doing an incredibly risky activity!

8. Race Registration

All runners know that race registrations can get expensive. It’s not uncommon for popular marathons and half marathons to cost more than $100. If you know your loved one has a goal race in the coming year (and always registers at the last minute, like me) why not offer to cover their registration cost? This could even give them more motivation during training. If someone is running a charity race this spring, consider making a donation to the organization in their honor.

9. Themed Fun Run

Maybe instead of paying for someone else’s race registration, offer to do a themed fun run with them! There are a ton of low key running events all over, and the best gift of all is spending time together, right? The Color Run is a great time, check for an event in your area!

10. Yoga Package

There are so many options to chose from! Groupon and LivingSocial are full of low cost packages that allow your recipient to try a new studio or a new style. Here in Rochester you can get a Hikyoga package buy one get one free for a limited time – the perfect gift for you and the outdoor adventurer in your life.

What about you – are there any gifts you’re looking forward to giving or hoping to receive this year? Do you prefer experiences or things? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Keep exploring,