7 Charlotte experiences you can give as gifts this holiday season
As much as I love finding the perfect present for all my loved ones each December, I find that I tend to lean toward giving them experiences rather than material items. That’s my preference when I’m on the receiving end, as well — I’d rather receive an experience that I can do with someone than get an item I’d keep all to myself.
If you feel the same way and you’re looking for a few Charlotte area experiences that you can give in lieu of material gifts this holiday season, I’ve got a few ideas for you.
(1) Pour your own custom candles at The Candle Bar.
Open daily except Mondays; see available time slots here. $35 per person. The Candle Bar, 1800 Camden Rd.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Candle Bar by Paddywax (@thecandlebar.co) on Nov 1, 2018 at 1:44pm PDT
This Nashville concept just opened in Charlotte last month, and we’re already seeing it all over Instagram as folks flock there for an aesthetically (and aromatically) pleasing bonding experience. All you do is select the vessel of your choice, choose a scent you love, then pour your candle. Plus, the whole experience is BYOB, so you can sip a glass of wine while you do it.
Pro tip: Your candle will take three hours to set, and you can either come back to get it after that time frame or pay $8 to have it shipped to your home. I’d recommend grabbing a meal somewhere nearby in South End, or maybe shopping around for a bit — then coming back to retrieve your masterpiece.
(2) Learn to cook together at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen.
Check the events calendar for dates and times. Classes start at $65. Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen, 2104 South Blvd.
A post shared by Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen (@chefalyssaclt) on Jun 21, 2017 at 5:53pm PDT
Whether you’re looking for a fun experience to share with a significant other, your parents or your friend group, Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen offers a variety of unique classes that fit the bill. Choose from five different levels of classes based on availability, so whether you’re looking to cook with someone who barely knows how to make toast or who could whip up a five-course meal in a flash, there’s something for you.
Pro tip: We love the “Comfort Foods Done Right” classes, which are suitable for those who fall into Chef Alyssa’s Beginner Plus, Intermediate and Intermediate Plus levels. (Yup, that’s us.)
[Related: Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen plans to move to a new location next year.]
(3) Enjoy outdoor adventures at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
Main grounds and trails open dawn until dusk. Pass activities open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Water activities return March 2018. Day passes $59. Annual passes $199. USNWC, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.
Trying to buy an experience for an adventurer? Consider a pass to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, where you can try all sorts of outdoor activities together, from zip lining to ropes courses to climbing and beyond. You could buy an individual day pass (or multiple day passes) for $59 each, but in our opinion, the annual pass is by far the best value at $199. By the time you’ve visited the USNWC on four individual days, your season pass has paid for itself.
Pro tip: If you opt for the annual pass, you’ll be able to enjoy as much whitewater rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and every other day pass activity as your heart desires — for a full 365 days from first use. We love spending summer days on both the flatwater and the whitewater.
(4) Pair (and taste) wine and cheese with the pros at 7th Street Public Market.
Every other Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m. $25. 7th Street Public Market, 224 E. 7th St.
A post shared by Alicia Thomas (@aliciarthomas) on Jul 26, 2017 at 4:31pm PDT
Whether you’re trying to find a gift for a sommelier, a cheesemonger, or just someone who seriously appreciates a good wine and cheese pairing, this is the ideal choice. You can join Assorted Table Wine Shoppe and Orrman’s Cheese Shop every other Wednesday to taste five pairings of wines and cheeses, and the pairings will change from one class to the next.
Pro tip: Class participants also receive 10 percent off of any cheese purchases the night of the event and $5 toward your wine purchase at the end of the night. So, the second experience you give your loved one can be an encore tasting of your favorite wine and cheese pairing of the evening.
(5) Go climbing together at Inner Peaks in South End.
Open daily; find hours here. Day passes $28 each. Memberships $69/month. Inner Peaks, 2220 S. Tryon St.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Inner Peaks Climbing (@innerpeaks) on Jan 15, 2018 at 4:01pm PST
Climbing is an exhilarating experience to share with someone you love, so skip those usual boring trips to the gym in favor of a more exciting activity that is still a full-body workout. Inner Peaks is a state-of-the-art climbing gym, great for beginners as well as experienced climbers, that also offers a comprehensive fitness center. They’ve also got a location in Crown Point, if South End isn’t convenient for you.
Pro tip: If you’re buying for someone you live with, you can get a household membership that is $69/month for the first person, then $40/month for each additional person who lives at your address.
(6) Experience speeds up to 160 MPH in a NASCAR ride-along.
Available select dates; check schedule here. Prices start at $99. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 555 Concord Pkwy, Concord, NC.
If you’re shopping for a thrill-seeker, then a NASCAR ride-along could be the perfect experience to give them the adrenaline rush they’re looking for. Hit top speeds of 160 MPH in a full size NASCAR style stock car — the same cars driven by the professionals on Sundays.
Pro tip: Think they’d rather drive the car on their own than go on a ride-along? You can give them that experience, too — but prices start at $359 if they’d rather put the pedal to the metal on their own.
(7) Tour your favorite watering holes in NoDa or Uptown with the pedal-powered Trolley Pub.
Rides available daily; check schedule here. $37 per seat or $425 to reserve all 14 seats. Tours available Uptown and in NoDa.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Trolley Pub Charlotte (@trolleypub.charlotte) on Aug 2, 2018 at 7:28am PDT
For a unique way to explore the bars and breweries in NoDa or Uptown, you and your friends can climb aboard the Trolley Pub. This pedal-powered, eco-friendly, pub-crawling trolley seats up to 14 people. Tours usually last about two hours, during which time you’ll stop by two or three of the neighborhood’s best booze-serving locations. This is a great experience to get for someone who prefers to work for their beer.
Pro tip: The Trolley Pub is BYOB! As long as you don’t bring glass bottles or hard liquor, you can drink freely while you pedal from place to place.
This story was originally published December 13, 2018 at 12:02 AM with the headline "7 Charlotte experiences you can give as gifts this holiday season."