17 Top Experience Gifts in Indianapolis for 2025

These experience gifts in Indianapolis make the most of the culture, famous sports teams and Midwest charm that make the city great. Whether you’re sports-mad, a budding gourmet or an art lover, you're spoiled for choice in Indy. Our picks cover all interests and price points, making them ideal gifts for revelers at any age and a great way to surprise your giftee with new or favorite experiences rather than material things. 

Indianapolis is thriving. According to Axios, recent years have seen unprecedented growth in tourism. That's no fluke. The city balances its Midwest identity with modern luxuries and a whole bunch of unique character. Even if the person you're buying for is a longtime local, there's always more to discover.

So, what is a good gift for people who like experiences? Look for something that immerses them in local culture and activities. We’ve rounded up some of our faves that capture truly Indiana experiences, both in the city and in surrounding areas. They are as fitting for everyday celebrations as they are for birthdays, anniversaries and other special days. Many also make great date ideas in Indianapolis. 

Jump to Section

• Unique Experience Gifts in Indianapolis
• Best Experience Gifts in Indianapolis
• Experience Gifts in Indianapolis for Adults
• Luxury Experience Gifts in Indianapolis
• Experience Gifts in Indianapolis FAQs

Unique Experience Gifts in Indianapolis

1. Cooking Classes

Cooking classes make excellent experience gifts in Indianapolis for foodies and budding gourmets. You can find cooking classes in Indianapolis covering everything from homey Midwest tenderloins and sweet corn to exotic global cuisine. 

Or, help them learn new skills and recipes by booking them into an online cooking class that they can enjoy from the comfort of home. These classes also make great team-building activities in Indianapolis for the next time you're looking to bring your crew together.

2. Improv Class

Studying improv is a fun indoor activity in Indianapolis that doesn't just have to be for the theatre geeks among us. Improv can do wonders for communication and listening skills, as well as explore acting and comedic timing. Plus, it's just really fun! Enroll your giftee in an improv class for an interactive and dynamic experience gift in Indianapolis at venues like ComedySportz or Crossroads Comedy Theater.

3. Ghost Tour

The Midwest is full of haunting locales and Indianapolis is no different. You can find tours in the city and surrounding environs that detail the more morbid and spooky history of the region, including a deadly presidential curse, ghostly racecar drivers and haunted theaters. Lockerbie Square’s brick walkways and Irvington’s old houses set the mood before a word is spoken. Check out Irvington Ghost Tours or visit the haunted and historic Hannah House, which hosts a yearly paranormal fair. 

4. Murder Mystery Dinner

Check out dinner experiences from Dinner Detective in Indianapolis that kill two birds with one stone, with both a great meal and engaging entertainment that allows your lucky giftee to help solve a grisly murder. The rotating cast keeps the humor lively while the plot twists and turns enough to hook even the skeptics. If they're murder mystery game buffs, this is the birthday experience gift in Indianapolis for them.

5. Perfumery Class

Give them the chance to learn the history of perfume making and make their own signature scent at the Truly Fragrance Bar, with regularly scheduled classes taught by professional scent designers. They'll learn to distinguish the base, heart and top notes, sharpening their nose surprisingly fast. This is a Valentine's Day gift for her that you'll struggle to top in years to come.

Best Experience Gifts in Indianapolis

6. Candle Workshop

Book them in to learn how to make beautiful and luxurious candles at Penn & Beech Candle Co. in downtown Indianapolis. They'll learn all there is to know about candle-making, mixing, scenting and designing candles that they'll then be able to take home and enjoy. The next time you visit, there'll be an aroma in the air that's unique to them. A candle-making workshop is an ideal birthday experience gift in Indianapolis for creative types. If they're constantly restyling their space, this will open up a whole new dimension of DIY home décor.

7. Theater Tickets 

Indy is home to a number of professional and amateur theater companies, including Indiana Repertory Theatre and the Actor’s Theatre of Indiana. Local theaters are also host to major Broadway touring shows, all of which make a great experience gift for kids in Indianapolis, along with anyone you know who is a lover of the performing arts.

8. Art Museum Passes

For a fun and educational experience gift in Indianapolis, give museum passes or memberships to The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Described as a place for both nature and art, this gift for art lovers spoils them with expansive exhibition halls and botanical gardens to wander endlessly. The museum hosts a large collection of American and international art and makes a perfect Indiana experience gift for anyone with a creative streak. 

9. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Help them see the city from above with a romantic hot air balloon ride, which makes one of the best experience gifts for couples or a memorable date night. Check out rides from Indy Hot Air or Midwest Balloon Rides, which will take them over the city and the surrounding region. If you're looking to tick off a bucket list idea, they even offer classes on flying these giant wonders.

Experience Gifts in Indianapolis for Adults

10. Paint and Sip

For a fun and relaxing experience gift in Indianapolis, enroll your giftee in a local paint and sip, which allows them the chance to get creative and pick up new art skills while enjoying some of the best cocktails in town. Paint and sips in Indianapolis are the perfect mix of rewarding and social, making it easy to meet you people while getting a grasp of the fundamentals of painting.

11. Boozy Arcade Visit

For a fun gift experience perfect for adults, organize a night out at Tappers Arcade Bar or 16-Bit Bar and Arcade, both of which offer a wide selection of video games and old-school pinball machines. They won't be able to resist getting sucked into this wormhole, enjoying hours of playing, drinking and eating delicious pub-style food. It's like an experience gift for kids in Indianapolis, only it's for adults.

12. Distillery Tour

Arrange a visit to Four Finger Distillery for tastings, tours and educational sessions on spirit making. The restaurant serves great food and the beautiful tasting rooms make for a fun evening or afternoon outing that will leave them with a deeper appreciation for their favorite beverage. This great experience gift in Indianapolis for couples will open up their whiskey cocktails to a world of new possibilities.

13. Thrill Experiences

Find adrenaline-boosting ziplining classes at Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park. They'll get their fix flying around the zipline and outdoor obstacle courses. These sessions make a great experience gift in Indianapolis for adventurous types.

Luxury Experience Gifts in Indianapolis

14. Spa Day

Book them a day of relaxation at Woodhouse Day Spa-Bottleworks with their choice of massages, nail care, facials and saunas. You can also spend a weekend together at the nearby famed French Lick Resort, known for its luxurious spa experiences, for an excellent experience gift near Indianapolis for him or her. 

15. Flight Lessons

A great luxury experience gift in Indy for the aviation-obsessed is flight training and lessons from Jeff Air. They'll be taken through rigorous training modules, air safety lessons, and eventually take to the skies in one of their light aircraft. Large classes are easily accessible or one-on-one flight training sessions can be arranged for a more focused experience gift in Indianapolis.

16. Sports Box Rental

For a luxury experience gift in the city, rent a box at one of Indianapolis’ sporting arenas. The city is home to 11 professional teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, the Pistons, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and of course, the famous Indy 500 race each year. Host a group or private party at an arena as a luxe and lively experience gift with catered refreshments.

17. Bed & Breakfast Stay

This Midwest city is home to a number of charming historic inns and bed & breakfast stays housed in lavish homes and estates that make a great weekend experience gift in the city. Treat your loved one to a stay at Stone Soup Inn and enjoy the beautiful rooms, hearty meals and tranquil escape.

Experience Gifts in Indianapolis FAQs

How to Surprise Someone With an Experience Gift?

If your giftee loves surprises, try surprising them in the moment, with impromptu tickets and things that delight. If they require a bit more planning and preparation, you can pair tickets, passes or other paper details with other gift options like a bottle of whiskey with details of a distillery visit or sports tickets with a fun t-shirt. 

How to Gift Experiences Instead of Things?

A great way to introduce a gift is through experience gift cards like Classpop! creative gift cards which give access to many different types of experiences, like workshops and paint and sips, as well as allow your giftee to easily choose what they’d like to experience.

These dynamic experience gifts in Indianapolis are great if you want to give a singular Indiana experience to anyone on your list. For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!