If you are looking to gift an experience this holiday season, Chicago has so many options! Here are the best Chicago experience gifts.
The best Chicago experience gifts
One thing I love about Chicago is that there is always something for everyone. Theater, cooking classes, historic tours, you name it, Chicago has an activity for it. That's why I love the idea of giving a Chicago experience as a gift! Here are my favorites from all the options.
Chicago tours
Tour and Tasting at Chicago Winery
Chicago Winery is one of my favorite spots in the city! It's in Gold Coast, it's absolutely stunning, and they offer two tour options.
Wine Tour + Tasting: It's $45 per person, must be 21 and over, and it includes a 1-hour winery tour and tasting of 5 wines. The tours are available Saturday and Sunday, and I highly recommend making a dinner reservation for after your tour!
Date Night for Two: It's $220 for two people, and it includes a tour and tasting for two, a dinner reservation, and a $100 dining credit (included in the $220).
You can explore the tours and more on their website.
Prohibition Speakeasy Bus Tour
Hidden in Plain Sight: This is their downtown walking tour for $45 per person. This does not include drinks and food, so if you go to a bar and would like to order a cocktail, that's on you to pay for. You'll walk around to three iconic Chicago staples where everyone from gangsters to "Scofflaws" hung out back in the day.
Original Chicago Prohibition Tour: This is their original bus tour for $55 per person. You'll visit 4 speakeasies over 3.5 hours. This does not include drinks and food, so if you go to a bar and would like to order a cocktail, that's on you to pay for.
You can learn more about the tours on their website.
Craft Brewery Tour on Beer Barrel Bus
If you have a craft beer lover in your life, you should absolutely look into this all-inclusive Beer Barrel Bus! Tours are $85 and feature 3 breweries in Chicago, both large and small. You can book tours Thursdays - Saturdays.
You can explore their public and private tours on their website.
Devil in the White City Bus Tour
This is perfet for those Chicago history and true crime lovers in your life. This tour is based on the book Devil in the White City, and it'll take you to spots like the World's Fairgrounds and the Murder Castle of H.H. Holmes. This is a bus tour and is $69 per person.
You can learn more about the tour on their website.
Chicago Helicopter Tours
I have never done one of these, and want to so badly! From November 15 - January 1st, they are offering a holiday lights tour starting at $170 per person. If you want to opt for their normal tour, that starts at $110 per person.
You can learn more about their tours on their website.
Chicago Pizza Tour
The Original Chicago Pizza Tour: This is a 3.5 hour bus tour that takes you to 4 pizza spots, and you get to try 6 samples of pizza for $89 per person. They say to bring the whole family and come hungry! This tour runs Saturday and Sundays starting at 11am.
The Downtown Pizza Walk: This is a 3 hour walking tour where you'll get to go to 4 pizzerias and get at least 4 tastings for $69 per person. This tour runs Wednesdays and Fridays starting at $69 per person.
The Bucktown Pizza Crawl: This is a 2.5 hour walking tour throughout the Bucktown and Wicker Park neighborhoods! You'll go to 3 pizzerias and get at least 4 pizza samplings.
You can learn more about the tours on their website.
Cooking classes in Chicago
Sushi Making Class
There are a handful of options for Sushi classes in Chicago! I recommend either The Chopping Block or Get in the Kitchen! Get in the Kitchen is truly one of the most fun cooking classes I've ever been to. It gets rowdy, so if you're looking for a good time, I recommend booking that one!
Bettie's Chicago Cooking Classes
Bettie's Chicago has SO many options to choose from with cooking classes! From macron classes, to seasonal classes like Christmas cookie decorating, to savory classes like Chicago tavern style pizza or pasta making classes, they have so many great options.
Tutore Italian Cooking School
If you are looking for all things Italian cooking, you have to gift a class to Tutore! From pasta to pizza to charcuterie and tiramisu, they have every Italian cooking class under one roof. Plus, it's BYOB!
Spas in Chicago
Peninsula Spa
If you really want to splurge on a spa gift for the holidays, I highly recommend the Peninsula Spa. Right in the heart of Chicago, it's such a stunning hotel and even more beautiful spa.
Aire
I recently went to Aire Ancient Baths for the first time and it is seriously the absolute best! It's a magical experience. You can get a variety of packages including massages, couples massages, or just time touring their various baths. I could not recommend this more.
Face Foundrie
Face Foundrie has 3 locations around Chicago and 1 in Naperville! They specialize in all things face! There are so many different types of facials, and even mini facials that are only 20 minutes. This is a great gift for that skincare lover in your life.
H2O House Head Spa
If you have been on the internet recently, I'm sure you've seen head spas becoming all of the rage. I went to one, and can confirm it was INCREDIBLE. H2O House is a great option if you're looking to gift someone a head spa treatment!
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