Christmas is just a few days away! Eek... how did that happen?
Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? If you're anything like me, then there's a good chance you're not even half way through! But with only a few days left it's time to get shopping and put those presents under the tree.
The biggest reason I tend to put off Christmas shopping until the last minute is because I never know what to buy for anyone. The kids usually come up with lists that they curate throughout the year, but for many others on my gift list it's not so easy. It becomes extra complicated when they have limited space, live far away (shipping gifts can be costly) or there isn't anything they really need or want.
Gifting experiences to the rescue!
I've been a big fan of gifting experiences for a long time. Living on the opposite side of the world to friends and family long term makes shipping gifts pricey, and sometimes there are strict limitations on what can and can't be sent. Gifting experiences means no shipping costs and you can even leave it the last minute thanks to the internet. I mean, it's always nice to have something wrapped under the tree, but if you're a last minute gift shopper like me, email makes things so much easier.
If you're in Colorado (or have someone on your gift list in Colorado) I've got you sorted with a list of my favorite gift experiences this holiday season.
These are all family friendly options, but great for anyone on your list. I've broken the list into 3 categories:
Museums, Zoos & Gardens
Colorado Railroad Museum
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Children's Museum
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Denver Selfie Museum
Denver Zoo
Meow Wolf Convergence Station
Museum of Illusions
Adventures & Play
Elitch Gardens
Ice Castles
Junkyard Social Club
National Parks Membership
Pikes Peak Railway
Royal Gorge Bridge Park
State Parks Membership
Classes & Hands On
Buff City Soap
Inventing Room
Little Kitchen Academy
Let's take a look...
Museums, Zoos & Gardens
Colorado Railroad Museum
I think it's safe to say that most of us have a train buff on their gift list. If that's true for you, then membership for Colorado Railroad Museum would make a wonderful gift. This outdoor museum in Golden covers 15 acres with a railyard full of trains from the 1880s through to the 1980s. Visitors can take train rides around the museum grounds, explore the trains on display, watch a model railway, check out the exhibits in the depot building, and so much more.
Membership includes free admission, free train rides, special member appreciation days, 10% off most merchandise and 10% of party rentals.
More more information about Colorado Railroad Museum membership visit
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens is one of my favorite places in the city. A tranquil garden filled with plants from all around the world, ponds, greenhouses, restaurants, sculptures, and even a fun rooftop playground, the Gardens really are a great place for visitors of all ages.
Membership for Denver Botanic Gardens includes free year round entry to both the main gardens on York Street and Chatfield Farms in Littleton, advance ticketing and discounted tickets for special events, members only previews and events, and 10% discount at onsite shops and restaurants. As Denver Botanic Gardens is a member of American Horticultural membership can be used for reciprocal benefits, including free entry, at other AHS member gardens across the country. For the full list visit https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/.
For more information about Denver Botanic Gardens membership visit https://www.botanicgardens.org/join-give/membership.
Denver Children's Museum
For families with young children, membership to Denver Children's Museum makes a fantastic gift. This fun museum in the heart of Denver features indoor and outdoor play spaces that are sure to delight.
Annual membership includes unlimited entry, two single use guest passes, $2 off entry for friends, 10% off merchandise and food, discounted entry for special events, discounted rides on the Denver Trolley and more. As Denver Children's Museum is a member of the Association of Children's Museum your membership can be used for discounted or free entry at other ASC locations across the country. You can find the full list of ASC locations at https://findachildrensmuseum.org/.
For more information about membership for Denver Children's Museum visit https://www.mychildsmuseum.org/get-involved/membership.
Denver Museum Nature & Science
Denver Museum of Nature & Science is always a hit with the whole family. With exhibitions focusing on dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures, Colorado's geologic treasures, the human body, wildlife, ancient Egypt, Native American cultures, space, and so much more, there really is something for everyone.
Annual membership is a great way to visit DMNS while also supporting all the work they do. Membership comes with unlimited entry for a year plus perks including 10% off merchandise and food, invites to special members only events and previews of new exhibitions. As DMNS is a member of the Association of Science & Technology Centers your membership can be used for discounts (and even free tickets) at other ASTC museums around the country. This is an especially great perk for families that travel a lot. For the full list of ASTC museums visit https://www.astc.org/.
For more information about membership options at DMNS visit https://www.dmns.org/join/memberships/.
Denver Selfie Museum
Got someone on your gift list who loves taking selfies? Gift them a membership for Denver Selfie Museum! This fun venue features fun backdrops and props for memorable selfies - or pics of your kids if you're like me!
Membership provides unlimited entry to all Original Selfie Museum locations across the country, discounts for guests, and VIP invitations for special events.
For more information about Denver Selfie Museum membership click here.
Denver Zoo
For animal lovers, Denver Zoo membership is a great option. Not only does membership give you access to view the zoo's resident animals, but it helps the zoo with conservation efforts. It's a win-win!
Annual membership includes unlimited entry for a year, special members only hours and events, guest passes, carousel and train ride passes, discounts on food and merchandise and so much more.
For more information about Denver Zoo membership visit https://denverzoo.org/membership/.
Meow Wolf Convergence Station
Meow Wolf Convergence Station has been my absolute favorite place to visit in Denver ever since it opened in 2021. If you enjoy immersive art that feels like you've been transported to a whole new dimension, then Convergence Station is a must see.
Meow Wolf now offers annual membership in the form of their Denver Portal Pass! Each pass is valid for unlimited entry for one whole year and up to five (named) adults and five (named) children can be added to one pass making it perfect for families. Perks include 10% discount off additional tickets for any Meow Wolf location, merchandise, food and beverage.
For more information and to purchase a Denver Portal Pass visit https://meowwolf.com/portal-pass.
Museum of Illusions
The latest museum to open in Denver is already a big hit with visitors of all ages. Museum of Illusions Denver opened just a few months ago and is a must see experience. Visitors will find themselves immersed in mind blowing exhibitions that leave you hanging upside down in an RTD car, scaling the walls of an building, seeing doubles (or more) of themselves, towering over their suddenly tiny friends, and so much more.
Membership for Museum of Illusions is not available, however timed entry or flexible entry tickets would make a fantastic gift.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://moidenver.com/buy-tickets.
Adventures & Play
Elitch Gardens
Who doesn't love a good theme park and water park? Elitch Gardens is a Denver institution bringing joy to Colorado families for With daring rollercoasters, kiddie rides, wave pools, lazy river, towering water slides and so much more there's something for everyone at Elitch Gardens.
Season passes for Elitch Gardens make for a wonderful gift. As well as unlimited entry during the 2024 season (April - October) season passes now include entry to the holiday light extravaganza Luminova and the Halloween themed Fright Fest. Season passes also include free parking, two free passes for friends, a souvenir refillable cup, and in park discounts.
Find more information about Elitch Gardens season passes visit https://www.elitchgardens.com/season-passes/.
Ice Castles
Ice Castles is one of my all time favorite events here in Colorado and I'm super excited that it is back after a two year hiatus. Imagine walking through a wonderland of ice sculptures, ice caves, twinkling lights, and even ice slides. That's Ice Castles!
Tickets to see the Ice Castles would make for a magical Christmas gift - and I think we could all do with a little magic under the tree this year.
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Junkyard Social Club
What could be better for families than a play space where the kids can get creative with both indoor and outdoor fun while parents can relax, or even catch up on a little work, with a coffee or even a beer? If this sounds great to you, then you must check out Junkyard Social Club in Boulder.
Junkyard Social Club is one of my favorite places for kids. The play equipment is all made of salvaged materials which means it looks like no other playground around. As well as being a great place to play, they offer day camps and workshops as well as hosting both family friendly and adults only events.
Membership for Junkyard Social Club includes free admission, 15% discount at the cafe, 25% discount for select events and programs, and $10 discounts of camps.
For more information about Junkyard Social Club membership visit https://junkyardsocialclub.org/memberships/.
National Parks
A National Parks pass would make a fantastic gift for friends and family no matter where they live in the US! Membership covers entry to National Parks across the country making it a great gift to encourage adventure.
A National Parks pass would make a fantastic gift for friends and family no matter where they live in the US! Membership covers entry to National Parks across the country making it a great gift to encourage adventure.
Each annual pass covers all passengers in one vehicle which makes it a great gift for families, groups of friends, housemates etc.
You can purchase annual pass cards in person at most National Parks or online here.
Pikes Peak Railway
For a Colorado experience like no other, tickets to ride the Pikes Peak Railway would make a wonderful gift. This cog railway is not only the highest in the country but also takes you up to a height of 14,115 feet. A great way to cross a 14er off your list!
The views from the top are stunning as are those on the way up and down. Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife. We spotted marmots, big horn sheep and even a few bears!
Tickets for Pikes Peak Railway can be purchased at https://www.cograilway.com/ride/purchase-tickets/.
Royal Gorge Bridge Park
Royal Gorge Bridge Park makes for a wonderful day trip from Denver. As well as the iconic bridge (the highest suspension bring in the country!) visitors will find a museum, a carousel, a really fun playground, a gondola ride and add on activities such a a zipline.
Annual passes are available for families and individuals. Single visit tickets are also available for purchase as a gift. You can find annual pass information here.
Colorado State Parks
Colorado is home to 42 state parks with a wealth of diverse landscapes, wildlife and climate. With lakes, mountains, towering red rocks, historical sites, prairies, wildlife viewing, fishing, camping, hiking, watersports, and so much more, Colorado's State Parks have something for everyone.
Colorado is home to 42 state parks with a wealth of diverse landscapes, wildlife and climate. With lakes, mountains, towering red rocks, historical sites, prairies, wildlife viewing, fishing, camping, hiking, watersports, and so much more, Colorado's State Parks have something for everyone.
An annual pass for Colorado State Parks would make a fabulous gift for the outdoorsy person on your gift list. Like the National Parks pass, this one covers all passengers in the car, so it's great for families, groups of friends or room mates alike.
You can purchase a state parks pass in person or at https://www.cpwshop.com/privilegepos.page.
Classes & Demonstrations
Buff City Soap
Have you ever made soap before? What about bath bombs? We have made both before at Buff City Soap and it was so much fun! A soap and bath bomb making workshop at Buff City Soap is a fantastic gift. Not only is it a fun time making the soaps and bath bombs, but you get to take them home with you too, so it's like two gifts in one. Plus it all smells divine!
To purchase a custom Buff City Soap workshop visit https://buffcitysoap.com/pages/store-locator.
The Inventing Room
When sweet treats and science come together something absolutely magical happens. Glow in the dark cotton candy, freeze dried candies, and bubbling and smoking liquid nitrogen sundaes are just a small taste of what you can expect to find at a Sugar Science demonstration at The Inventing Room in Denver.
Tickets for Sugar Science demonstrations can be purchased online, but they do sell out quickly. Gift vouchers are also available. You can purchase both at https://tirdenver.com/sugar-science.
Little Kitchen Academy
Do you have a child who loves to cook on your gift list? Little Kitchen Academy in Denver offers amazing cooking classes for toddlers through to teens. Each class is three hours long and kids will learn an array of age appropriate kitchen skills as well as cooking something delicious to bring home.
Gift vouchers can be purchased for single classes, multiple classes and even annual membership. To purchase visit https://littlekitchenacademy.com/locations/denver-9co/.
Will you be gifting experiences this year? Let me know if you gift any of the ideas I shared here!
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