Welcome to Xperience Days' ultimate birthday gift guide. 

We've updated our list of the best experience days to give someone for their birthday, because even though we're out of the tumultuous year of 2020, it's still nice to have something to look forward to. Read on for our top picks!

Although times can be tough, we happen to believe that the future is bright, and there’s no reason why your birthday gifts shouldn’t reflect that. Experience gifts are the best presents, because they make tangible a future worth looking forward to. Whether your giftee is an adrenaline junkie or prefers their feet on solid ground, thank you very much, we have a huge range of unique experience gifts for birthdays, no matter who they are or what they love to do.

Browse our list below to find the perfect gift – and give them something to look forward to!

Hang Gliding Austin – $279

This is one for the adrenaline junkies, and those who prefer to soar through the air as opposed to having their feet planted firmly on the ground. There’s certainly something to be said for that attitude. After all, it’s the scary, adrenaline-inducing experiences that really shape us as people and build character. Philosophical musings aside, it’s also just an excuse to for a bit of fun!

Your adrenaline junkie giftee will meet their instructor at the airfield in Texas, where they’ll watch a short introductory video before heading out to take flight. Their instructor will show them how to safely launch their hang glider, running down a shallow hill into a soft breeze before floating 3 to 5 feet above the grassy landscape. As they watch the scenic fields and sparkling waters of rural Texas shrink below them, they’ll discover first-hand the sensation of flying like a bird! Their instructor will be secured to them at all times to guide them on their airborne adventure.

NYC Food Cart Walking Tour – $65

Anyone who knows anything about food knows that New York City is the perfect place to find a variety of different cuisines.

Perhaps the best representation of the many cultures and cuisines fostered by NYC’s creative culinary scene is the city’s food trucks. This tour takes your hungry giftee on a journey through the best, most unique and most delicious food cart fare; Falafel, Korean short ribs, waffles with toppings, jerk chicken and Mexican chocolate brownies are just some of the delicacies covered during this mouth-watering tour. All your giftee has to do is show up on a (very) empty stomach. While they sample NYC’s best portable food, they’ll get to know the vendors who make it their mission to fill the hungry bellies of the Big Apple. Everyone from struggling families to former 4-star restaurant chefs are cooking up a storm on the streets of New York, further proving the diversity of the city’s culinary scene!

Wine Appreciation Class in Temecula – $80

We all know someone who loves wine. (If you can’t think of who it is, it’s you.) However, if you’re buying for a wine-lover, how do you know exactly what they like? Even if you do know what they like, are you just adding to the big pile of their favourite Rosé they’ve already been bought? (I mean, not the worst thing in the world, but still…) if you’d like to take your wine-loving giftee’s appreciation to the next level, this Wine Appreciation Class in Temecula will teach them everything they need to know about their favorite drink in the serene and picturesque setting of Falkner Winery. Surrounded by peaceful greenery, your giftee can relax into their experience as they learn how to taste wine using all of their senses, how wine is produced and why the grape growing process is so important. They will also learn how to properly pair food and wine, how to determine the quality of wine, and the regional qualities of Temecula Valley Wines. Plus, they will sample and compare wine through the ageing process. When their class is over, they can explore the winery or enjoy lunch at the vineyard’s own restaurant. After completing their wine-filled adventure, they’ll feel like a true connoisseur – making them very useful (… or possibly very annoying?) at dinner parties!

Clermont Off-Roading Adventure – $165

For adrenaline junkies, there’s no better gift than the ability to live out their racer fantasies. This Clermont Off-Roading Adventure allows them to do just that, in their choice of vehicle. They’ll choose from an ATV or dune buggy and begin the off-road ride of their life! Their guide will lead them around the purpose-built track packed with inclines, sand holes, hills and more. A truly thrilling experience, perfect for those who love to drive, or just enjoy the thrill of the race track!

Discover Scuba Diving in Washington D.C. – $100

Ideal for those water babies who have a birthday coming up, or anyone whose childhood fantasy was being a mermaid… (What?! …No? Just me?)

Give them a fun underwater adventure to celebrate growing another year older. Whether they have tried scuba diving before or are brand new to it, this lesson will cater to their skill level and introduce them to the fascinating underwater world. Arriving at the swimming pool in Alexandria, VA, they’ll meet their instructor, who will teach them the basics of scuba starting at the shallow end before progressing to deeper water – if the participants are comfortable – experiencing the thrill of breathing underwater as they swim freely.

New England Full Day Guided Hiking Trip – $115

If you have a giftee based in New England who loves the great outdoors, gift them with this outdoor adventure ending at the peak of Mosquito Mountain. During their six hour excursion, they’ll be introduced to their guide for the day who will give them a safety briefing before driving them to the starting point. After a leisurely 2 mile hike, your active giftee will have the opportunity to enjoy the 360 degree panoramic view of the unbelievable landscape below; Mosquito Pond, Moxie Pond, nearby Pleasant Pond Mountain, Sugarloaf and Mount Katahdin.

New York Guitar Lesson Package - $225

Do you know someone who’s always wanted to learn the guitar but never got around to it? This guitar lesson package in New York is a unique experience gift made just for them. No longer do they have the excuse of ‘Oh, I don’t have the time’ or ‘I can’t afford lessons’ or, ‘I just got my nails done and acrylics don’t go with finger picking’… Now you can put the ability to learn right into their hands, as they discover everything they need to know in order to get started on their instrument. They’ll be taught by a professional guitar teacher in a supportive and encouraging environment. This is an in-depth 5 lesson package, so your giftee will soon be on their way to becoming the next Jimi Hendrix! … Okay, maybe not quite, but it’s a start. (Even Jimi had to start somewhere!)

New for 2022!

Now, we're diving into some brand new experiences we've added to this guide for 2022. Browse the unique gifts below to find the perfect present for that special someone (or for yourself!).

Manhattan Architecture and History Walking Tour - $75

If your giftee is local to New York City or even just visiting for the weekend, this in-depth tour of Manhattan makes a perfect birthday gift. 

Mid-town Manhattan is one of the busiest, noisiest and most overwhelming districts in New York City, with a skyline made up of iconic landmarks such as the Chrysler, Flat Iron and Empire State Buildings. But these structures didn’t just spring up overnight. The expert guide on this excursion will escort your giftee through these famed streets, discussing the 19th and 20th Century innovations which helped New York to literally grow! Tour highlights include a visit to Madison Square Park, The New York Public Library and of course, the Empire State Building, concluding with an all-important visit to the historical Grand Central Station. The perfect gift for any New York lover, or those who love the adventure of exploring a new city!

Texas Motor Speedway NASCAR Experience - $440

If you're looking to buy a birthday gift for a petrol head, look no further than this thrilling Texas track day. 

This three-hour stockcar adventure is the perfect way to make dreams of being a race car driver come true. The fun begins when your giftee meets their instructors in the pit. Here, they will discuss what makes these amazing machines so unique, learn how to drive the racing line and discuss all of the safety procedures they need to know before taking the green flag. Once the orientation is complete, they'll get buckled in with a 5 point Simpson racing harness and wired in to electronic communications. After this one-of-a-kind racing day, your giftee is sure to be smiling from ear-to-ear, with you to thank!

Boston Northern Lights Jazz Cruise - $58

Pull out all the stops with this magical Boston jazz cruise, perfect for birthday giftees who love music and a relaxing experience on the water. Locals to the city of Boston will find a new unique way to see their home patch, and visitors will love this one-of-a-kind Boston adventure. 

The evening begins as your giftee steps aboard the elegant Northern Lights yacht, and meets the friendly captain and crew. Once they select their seat, they will be able to sit back and relax to the smooth and funky sounds of jazz. As the yacht cruises the harbor they will be able to watch the city lights dazzle on the waters. How they spend the evening is up to them - they can purchase a cocktail from the bar, stroll along the deck, or dance to the music of the live band. When they return to the shore, they'll feel serene and ready for a fun evening out on the town.

Purchase a cocktail from the bar and take a stroll on the deck or dance to the music of the live band.

New Orleans Music and Jazz Tour - $59

If your giftee is a music-lover, they'll love this guided jazz tour of New Orleans!

During this two hour tour they'll explore the city that gave birth to the smoothest genre of music, and learn about the history of jazz before heading out to some of the best live music locations in town featuring the city’s best local musicians.

Their Big Easy musical adventure begins when they meet their friendly and local guide at the beautiful Louis Armstrong Park. As the group takes a stroll through the park that is named after one of the jazz greats, they will learn about the historical origins of jazz music. Next, they'll be escorted through the Marigny neighborhood and to the famous Frenchmen Street to visit the best local music venues around. There, they can have a beer as they look out for impromptu street performances and go behind the scenes to see the bands between sets. The tour concludes at the nightly art market, showcasing local artists work from sculptures to photography.

Thanks for reading!

That concludes our list of unique birthday gifts to give now and enjoy later, updated for 2022. Thanks for reading! We hope you’ve found something special, and if you’re still searching, you can browse our full range of unique experience gifts for birthdays and special occasions here. If you’ve got questions about any of our experiences, please feel free to leave a comment – we’d love to hear from you!