Brrr… can you feel that? On the very tip of your nose, in the cold cloud that appears in front of your mouth when you talk? That’s winter! Objectively the most festive – but possibly the least physically active – season. The days are getting shorter, the weather’s getting colder, and the urge to go outside is growing less and less with each chilly day. Don’t fight the urge – you can learn to surf, hike up a mountain, swim in the sea and have a picnic on the beach in summer: the season for doing! Right now, get comfy, grab a blanket and settle down with a cup of hot cocoa. We’re here to round up our favorite cozy, indoor experience days for the winter. Who said staying in can’t be fun?

Bucks County Intro to Fencing Lessons – $119

Sports don’t need to consist of chasing a football around a muddy field. Discover a unique new indoor sport this winter! Fencing is a long-wearing sport, originating in Spain just a liiiittle while ago, at around 1458. Though it began as military training, it was appropriated as a sport by the English aristocracy in the mid-18^th century, and us peasants have been practising it for fun and competition ever since.

You don’t need to be a member of the aristocracy to enjoy fencing, you can practice it right in Lambertville, NJ, or Hatfield, PA at the Bucks County Academy of Fencing. Here, you’ll meet your experienced instructor. Don’t worry, we know the sword-like implement they’re wielding (known as a Foil, Epee, or Saber, depending on the style of lesson) makes them appear intimidating – but they’re friendly and professional. Over the course of three one-hour group lessons, you’ll discover first-hand the thrill of this ancient sport. Throughout your lessons, your USFCA certified instructor will discuss the history of fencing, while teaching you basic footwork and hand positions. By the end of this three week course, you will have learned the basic skills you need to know in order to take up the sport.

Boston Dance Lesson - $100

Well, winter is the perfect time to practice your moves for all those summer weddings, right? … in all seriousness, you don’t need an excuse to learn a new skill, especially one as fun as dancing! This private lesson in Boston is led by a professional dance instructor, who will pass on their knowledge and experience onto you. (Well – let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. they’ll teach you how to dance.)

Your instructor will show you the basics of salsa, waltz, rumba, tango, cha cha, foxtrot, or samba. You'll learn rhythm, timing, steps, and basic combinations with turn patterns. Before you know it, you’ll be dancing professionally!

Cleveland Glass Fusing Class – $149

Talk about a unique hobby! This glass fusing class in Cleveland, Ohio will show you how to make your very own masterpieces out of glass. Local glass artisan Sheree Ferrato will show you all the tricks, tips and techniques you’ll need to fuse your own delicate work of art, choosing from a pendant, tile, small sushi plate, votive or drapery candle. Throughout your art lesson, you will learn about the heating cycle of glass, how to use a table top kiln, plus the techniques to design a dichroic pendant.

At the end of your experience, you’ll be able to take your masterpiece home and display it with pride – or give it away as a gift, if you can part with it!

Los Angeles Indoor Rock Climbing – $55

Yes, we know, it’s a revolutionary idea; exercise doesn’t need to take place outdoors. You don’t need to run through your local park on an icy morning, your toes turning to icicles in your sneakers. In fact, you can learn a new skill, strengthen your muscles, and get a good workout all from the comfort of an indoor rock gym! (We know the fact this gym is in sunny LA kind of negates our point… but hey, even Angelinos like to stay indoors sometimes.)

This rock climbing lesson in Costa Mesa is designed for beginners, so you don’t need to be nervous about trying this adventurous sport for the first time. Your experienced climbing instructor will show you the ropes, plus provide all the equipment you’ll need to get started.

During your 2-hour class, you’ll learn introductory top rope skills, including how to put on your harness, tie-in with a double figure eight climbing knot, and use a friction-plate-type belay device to hold the rope for another climber. If you get stuck, don’t worry; your personal instructor will be there to help.

Once your introductory class is complete, you’ll have a week to come back to the rock gym and practice your new skills. The perfect way to pass time this winter!

Denver Whiskey and History Tour - $85

Well, whiskey is a great for keeping warm after all… this Denver distillery tour is the perfect way to spend a chilly day in Colorado, learning all about your favorite beverage while enjoying plenty of samples!

You'll learn how bourbon, rye and scotch are made in Denver's beginnings as a Wild West town. Your experience will begin when you meet your guide at Nallen's Irish pub, where you'll learn how Irish whiskey is made and try a few glasses. The next stop includes sampling some bourbon, scotch, and rye, before moving onto your final stop, a local whiskey brewery. 

Orlando Pirates Dinner Adventure – $100

Arrr… you swashbucklin’… land-lovin’… arrr… okay, we haven’t brushed up on our pirate-speak recently, but that’s no reason not to trust us when we say that this Orlando Pirates Dinner is the perfect gift for anyone looking for a slice of adventure with their evening meal! Join the evil Captain Sebastian on this epic and interactive dinner show, and get swept up into a narrative packed with action and adventure. Set on-board an authentically replicated 18^th century Spanish galleon, this Broadway-quality show will have you hooked (sorry) from start to finish.

New York Guitar Lessons - $225

Why not pick up that skill you’ve been putting off learning all summer? That’s right; we see your old guitar in the corner, gathering dust as a family of spiders have a little party on the fretboard. Don’t worry – everyone’s got a dusty guitar, unfinished novel, or unused paintbrush set mocking them as the months tick by. You can make use of that instrument! All you need is a helping hand, and this five-lesson guitar package is the perfect way to learn. Your instructor will teach you the fundamentals of music and how to play the guitar in a friendly and open atmosphere. Lessons include use of the instruments and a comfortable environment to play in, so all you have to do is show up!

Seattle Barista Class – $195

There’s nothing quite like a hot cup of coffee on a cold day, and where better to enjoy it than the U.S.A.’s coffee capital, Seattle?

As coffee has become more and more popular over the years and evolved into something much more than a way to stay awake, a whole culture has evolved with it. ‘Hipster’ coffee bars, artisanal beans, and latte art are just a few of the products of this culture – and encapsulating them all, a new term for those who prefer the finer things: ‘Coffee snob.’

Coffee snobs are picky about their morning pick-me-up, and want to know that what they’re drinking is as good as it can be. Forget the naysayers, and embrace the coffee snob within! Why not learn to brew the perfect espresso during this 3 hour barista class in Seattle? This hands-on class takes place at a premier barista school in Kent, Washington, and is taught by friendly and professional latte artists. Discover how to extract espresso, diagnose taste problems, and steam milk properly, with tips and recipes for competition-quality espresso beverages!

Houston Wine Tasting Class – $63

I mean… it’d be rude not to, wouldn’t it? If you’re going to be indoors, you may as well enjoy some wine, and this fundamentals of wine class in Houston is the perfect way to learn more about this sophisticated tipple. This introductory class is held at a renowned Houston wine shop near Rice University, where you will learn wine basics from an accredited wine educator. You’ll learn about the history of wine, how it’s made, perfect food pairings and more!

Thanks for visiting!

… Thanks for reading our guide to indoor activities this winter! We’re sad to see you go, but before you leave, take this umbrella with you, because it’s started raining while we’ve been talking. And these mittens, because the cold snap’s about to start. And this hat. Oh… you know what, why don’t you just stay indoors? And while you’re there, settle down to browse our full range of winter experiences and activity gifts here. After all, the winter weather is a great excuse for online Christmas shopping. E-certificates are delivered instantly via email, so no matter how late you’ve left it (eek), you’ll still have something to surprise them with on Christmas day.