City Guides

18 Best Experience Gifts in Chicago for 2025

by: Kristy Bowen

Last Updated on Oct 2nd 2025

Giving experience gifts in Chicago is about giving a part of the city itself. The Windy City packs in more than 7,300 restaurants, 60+ museums, and hundreds of theaters — plenty of raw material for gift-giving that suits birthdays, anniversaries and “just because.” Don't believe us? Check out the overflowing cultural event calendar from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, which runs everything from neighborhood arts to lakefront festivals.
Experience gifts can welcome new visitors and help locals see their beloved hometown in a new light. A great place to look is the recipient's hobbies and interests. Whether it's crafting, cooking, relaxing or sports, we’ve rounded up our favorite experience gifts in Chicago that go far beyond what material objects can offer.

Foodie Experience Gifts in Chicago

1. Cooking Classes

cooking classes experience gifts in Chicago — *Give them a taste of something new (via Classpop!)*

Chicago is a city known for its memorable food, from city classics like classic Chicago hot dogs to deep-dish pizza. The city’s various neighborhoods also represent their own flavor and cultures of food, which often blend several cuisines. That's why a great experience gift for foodies in Chicago is enrolling someone in a local cooking class — look for sessions that nod to neighborhood staples (West Loop pasta nights, Pilsen salsas, Argyle Street Vietnamese).

By the end of the session, they'll be an expert on all things Chicago foods. If they're feeling more adventurous, they can also explore global cooking styles and how to craft exquisite baked goods. If you're unsure which class they want to take, get them a gift certificate for cooking classes so that they can choose.

2. Brewery Tour

A Revolution Brewing tour is one of the most satisfying experience gifts Chicago beer lovers can get — steam from the mash tun, hop aromatics, and a guide who can explain why Anti-Hero hits the way it does. After the walkthrough, the Avondale taproom is steps away for fresh pours and a soft pretzel, which keeps the whole outing in one easy, happy loop. It’s relaxed, social, and great for comparing flights without guesswork, which makes it a natural pick for Chicago experiences for couples who want something low-key but memorable.

3. Pizza Tour

Chicagoans have serious, sometimes combative, opinions about pizza. Whether it's a classic deep dish or thin-crust served tavern style, the city offers varieties and toppings to suit every foodie’s desires. Book a Chicago Pizza Tour for a guided hop that contrasts a caramelized-edge deep dish with a crisp tavern-cut thin crust, plus bite-sized backstories on how those styles took root in different neighborhoods.

It’s one of the most effortless experience gifts in Chicago for pizza-obsessed friends — the itinerary and tastings are handled, and the only job left is choosing a favorite.

Creative Chicago Experience Gifts

Join our email list for exclusive deals, local events and fun inspiration for living a more creative life.

4. Art Classes

women in painting class as chicago experience gift — *Unlock their inner artist (via Classpop!)*

Whether your recipient is a seasoned artist or brand-new to the brush, a local art class is one of the most satisfying experience gifts Chicago offers — they’ll learn new painting techniques and create something they can live with, not just look at.

Instructors keep beginners moving from idea to finished work without getting stuck on perfection. It’s a low-pressure way to spark a creative habit that lasts beyond the gift date. It's the perfect gift for artists in Chicago, both old and new.

5. Pottery Classes

Pottery is perfect for hands-on creatives who like tangible results — bowls, cups and small planters they’ll use again and again. Local pottery classes keep groups small, so everyone gets real wheel time and clear trimming and glazing pottery guidance. The studio’s pickup days double as mini-gallery moments, which helps newcomers see shapes and finishes they might try next.

It’s a calm, focused experience in Chicago to gift that still feels social and memorable. Friday date-night sessions suit Chicago experiences for couples who want something low-key and hands-on.

6. Design a Personal Scent

Give fragrance lovers a studio session to remember. At Aroma Workshop in Lincoln Park, a scent stylist walks your recipient through floral, citrus, wood, and musk accords — they’ll blend, test on skin, and leave with a custom formula printed on the label for easy reorders.

It’s hands-on without being messy, and the result feels personal in a way a boxed perfume never can. A smart pick for an experience gift in Chicago for her when you want something truly unique.

7. Paint and Sip

paint and sip as experience gift in Chicago — *Help them meet new people and explore their creative side (via Classpop!)*

Paint and sips make a great experience gift in Chicago for both beginners and seasoned artists. They offer a chance to make a cool piece of art while socializing and enjoying cocktails. A teaching artist keeps things easygoing while guests follow along to create their own masterpiece.

Paint and sip in Chicago makes a perfect group gift or date night experience gift with a celebratory and educational bent. It's also a creative date idea in Chicago, especially for a first date, as they encourage conversation and self-expression while you paint and get a little bit tipsy.

Unique Experience Gifts in Chicago

8. Museum Membership or Passes

couple viewing dinosaur skeleton at Chicago Field Musueum — *Fuel their curiosity (via The Field Museum of Natural History)*

Chicago is home to some of the most renowned museums in the world which house classic and modern artwork, archaeological finds, natural specimens and items reflecting local Chicago history.

What is a good experience gift for a family? A great experience gift in Chicago for the lifelong learner or curious soul of all ages is an annual membership or day passes to one of the city’s great institutions, like The Field Museum of Natural History, The Chicago History Museum or the Art Institute of Chicago.

9. Dance Classes

A great experience gift in Chicago is enrollment in one of many Chicago dance classes. From swing at West Loop studios to salsa and bachata in the South Loop, the options fit every comfort level — great Chicago experiences for couples who want a fun night that isn’t just dinner.
For a ready-made date, start with a beginner class and you’ll both leave with a few go-to steps you can use at weddings or on your own living-room floor. That mix of long-term fun and instant payoff makes this one of the easiest Chicago experience gifts to give.

10. Comedy Club Outing

As home to the renowned Second City, Chicago is known for its rich comedy and improv scenes that have spawned some of the great comedic talents of the past 50 years. For a sure thing, book the showcase at The Second City Chicago — tight writing, fast improv, and a room built for laughter.

It’s a layup for fun birthday experiences in Chicago, and one of the most unique experience gifts Chicago can offer a recipient who prefers memories over merch.

Luxury Experiences in Chicago to Gift

11. Rent a Luxury Airbnb

couple having staycation as experience gift in Chicago — *Get a new perspective of the city (via Canva)*

The luxe options on our list are amazing picks for the locals looking to explore staycation ideas in Chicago. While Chicago has much to offer in terms of excellent hotel stays, get a more residential experience by staying in some of Chicago’s most posh Airbnb stays.

Located in the heart of the city, many have panoramic views of the city’s most popular areas like the Loop, The Magnificent Mile and River North. It’s an easy way to give an experience gift in Chicago that feels indulgent without requiring weeks of planning. A luxury weekend perfect for a birthday experience gift in Chicago.

12. Join a Boat Tour

Chicago is defined as much by its beautiful waterways as it is by its land. The lakefront and the river are ever-dominant in the city. For architecture lovers, the gold standard is the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise on Chicago’s First Lady — experts point out details you’d otherwise miss, from art deco crowns to postmodern angles, as the skyline opens around each bend. Book golden hour and enjoy the glow of the soft light off the facades. It's a Chicago experience that's a lock to wow out-of-towners.

Best Experience Gifts in Chicago for Him

13. Sports Tickets

tickets to Wrigley Field experience gift Chicago — *Sport is a key part of the Chicago identity (via Canva)*

Chicago is known for its fervent sports fans. For them, the best experience gift in Chicago is single-game or season tickets to one of the amazing teams that call Chicago home like the Bulls, the Bears or the Blackhawks. Sports tickets are one of the best Chicago gifts for first-time visitors. Work this into your shortlist of Chicago experiences to gift when you want to give them memories that feel undeniably “Chicago.”

14. Chicago Auto Show

A great experience gift for him in Chicago during the winter months is the annual Chicago Auto Show, which brings the opportunity to peruse cars that are both state-of-the-art and old classics. Hosted in mid-February, it makes an excellent Valentine's Day experience gift. Held at McCormick Place, the Auto Show offers hands-on thrills — Jeep crawls, ride-alongs and concept debuts you usually only see online.

15. Axe Throwing

A fun way to work out some stress and get in some physical activity is an evening at Bad Axe Chicago, which offers a great chance for team building activities in Chicago, socialization and competitive fun. It's a great experience gift in Chicago for birthdays and other occasions. It’s also a fun date jar idea for when seeing a movie feels a little stale.

Best Experience Gifts in Chicago for Her

16. Custom Candle Making

candle making experience gift Chicago — *Help them set the mood (via Canva)*

What better way to take home a great souvenir from a fun experience than a candle? You can take candle-making classes in Chicago that furnish wax, scented oils and other supplies to make your new favorite candle scent. As Chicago experiences for couples go, it’s relaxed, creative and easy to enjoy before dinner on Argyle or Bryn Mawr. A purposeful and unique experience gift in Chicago like this beats another coffee mug every time.

17. Spa Day

Trade experience gift cards for a reservation at AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago, where a candlelit thermal circuit — warm, hot, and cold pools plus a salt float — turns downtime into an experience worth clearing a calendar for. Spa days make the best Chicago experience gift for girls’ nights, bridesmaid outings and birthday gatherings. It’s an easy yes for experience gifts Chicago for her, but couples sessions make it just as appealing after a long week. When your goal is deep calm, not souvenirs, this is one of the best Chicago experience gifts going.

18. Personal Styling Consultation

A great experience gift for her in Chicago is giving the recipient a chance to find their style and best colors in fashion, accessories and makeup. Treat her to a session with Nordstrom Personal Stylists at Michigan Avenue — free appointments that help tailor outfits to Chicago’s real conditions: lake-breeze layers, transit-friendly footwear and day-to-dinner swaps that work from the Loop to West Loop. It’s one of the smarter experiences in Chicago to gift because it will show up every morning in the closet.

Whether you are gifting an experience to a Chicago resident or looking for the perfect welcome or goodbye gift for visitors, Chicago has a vast number of great experience gifts as perfect for those who call the city home as they are for first-time visitors.

For even more fun experience gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!