For those who value experiences over material possessions, Kansas City has a great variety of experiential gifts!
It can be difficult to track down all the options. So, we’ve curated a list of Kansas City’s best experience gifts. These are all local options that we personally recommend.
This guide covers experience gift ideas for adults. Many of these experiences are great for couples, but several can also be individual gifts.
There’s something for everyone in this list of Kansas City experience gifts!
Kansas City Experience Gifts They’ll Love
What’s better than gifting experiences? Gifting experiences that support local businesses. If you do plan on gifting material items, you can opt to purchase those at our many local gift shops!
Need ideas? We have a Kansas City gift guide to help!
1. Kansas City Craft Brewery Tour
Kansas City is one of the fastest growing craft beer destinations in the country. In fact, there are over 30 breweries in the KC metro.
If you have a beer lover in your life, they’re sure to enjoy themselves on a craft brewery tour. The tour takes you to Kansas City’s best local breweries for a behind the scenes look and tasting.
This tour company is very reputable and its one that we personally recommend to our out of town visitors. The reviews speak for themselves!
2. Pendergast Cocktail Classes
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: $65
For the cocktail enthusiast, a class at Tom’s Town Distillery is the ideal gift.
Tom’s Town is a historic distillery in The Crossroads that distills bourbon, gin, and vodka.
These classes are held on Wednesdays at 6:00p – it’s 90 minutes in their Libations Lab where you’ll learn to mix three seasonal cocktails with rotating recipes.
Beyond crafting drinks, their curriculum explores essential bar skills, the art of shaking vs. stirring, and shares historical insights into classic cocktails.
3. Kansas City Downtown Urban Hike
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: $49
Embarking on the KC Urban Hike, participants can expect a 4-5 mile guided tour through the urban heart of Kansas City. This hike is not just about the exercise; it’s a cultural journey that offers a mix of fitness and education, connecting hikers to the city’s rich history and modern vibrancy.
Hikers will maintain a moderate pace, suitable for keeping the heart rate up, and will navigate through diverse neighborhoods, encountering many hills along the way. The route is designed to explore the historical and contemporary landmarks, including street art.
This hike is positioned as the optimal way to experience the essence of Kansas City, learning about the history and the people behind the city’s most distinctive landmarks.
4. J. Rieger Distillery Tour + Dinner at Hey! Hey! Club
Neighborhood: East Bottoms
On a tour at J. Rieger & Co., you’ll take an hour-long journey through the iconic Kansas City distillery. The experience includes a historical overview of the brand, extensive access to the distillation process, and a guided tasting of their spirits, including Premium Wheat Vodka and Kansas City Whiskey.
Afterwards, a visit to The Hey! Hey! Club is in order. Open Wednesday through Saturday evenings, the venue inside the distillery delivers a Kansas City’s past-inspired cocktail experience in an intimate setting. The experience is tailored for a personalized and cozy atmosphere.
Book the tickets below and then make a separate reservation for dinner on their website.
5. Cooking Class at Billie’s Grocery
Neighborhood: Midtown
Pricing: Typically $125/person
Participants in the cooking classes at Billie’s Grocery can anticipate an engaging, hands-on experience led by skilled chefs. designed to boost their culinary skills.
After learning culinary skills and assisting with the food preparation, the class will come together to enjoy their meal family style.
What’s a great meal without good wine? Billie’s supplies the wine and cocktails are available to purchase. Bright, airy, and modern describe the cooking kitchen at Billie’s, creating a welcoming environment for learning and creativity.
With a diverse range of classes, from mastering fresh pasta to exploring the bold flavors of Korea, there truly is a class for every taste and interest.
6. Art Classes at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Neighborhood: Midtown
Pricing: $50 – $400, depending on the class
The historic and internationally-acclaimed Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers great gifts for the creative in your life. They offer an array of adult studio classes that invite participants to learn new skills, refine their talents, and find their place among other creatives.
From the drama-infused “Watercolor: Shadow and Light” class that teaches glazing techniques, to the exploration of landscapes in “Exploring Nature’s Canvas”, there’s a rich variety of classes to suit any artistic interest.
Drawing inspiration from the museum’s extensive collection, each class offers an immersive experience that fuses art history with hands-on technique. Whether it’s capturing the essence of Monet’s work or creating unique art books, these sessions are designed to unlock creativity and provide a welcoming environment for all skill levels.
7. Climbing Course Class at RoKC
Neighborhood: North Kansas City
Pricing: $35/class
At RoKC, individuals looking to engage in climbing courses can expect a comprehensive experience tailored to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned climbers.
The courses are designed to help participants elevate their climbing abilities, with offerings such as Intro to Climbing, Top Rope Course, Lead Course, and Anchor Cleaning Via Lower.
The gym operates on the principle of “build it to give it away,” ensuring that every person who walks in the door has the best possible experience, whether they’re climbing a ladder for the first time or looking to take their skills to new heights.
The mission is to provide a fun, inclusive, and adventurous environment where people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can learn and be challenged.
8. Belger Arts Studio Classes
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: Date Night is $100/couple, Individual Multi-Week Starts at $175
The couples pottery classes – a personal favorite of ours – are scheduled on select Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, providing a two-hour session of artistic collaboration.
Attendees can expect to engage in a hands-on experience, crafting pottery pieces in a relaxed environment. It’s a perfect blend of learning a new skill and enjoying a shared experience, led by expert (and very patient!) artists.
Afterwards, the pottery is finished (clear glazed & fired) by staff and can be picked up five weeks after your class.
For the more advanced creative, the in-person adult classes would make for a great gift. These classes are perfect for individuals seeking to either start their journey in ceramics or further develop their skills. Classes cater to all levels, with options like the Afternoon Beginning Wheel and Crack Molds designed for beginners.
For those with more experience, there are intermediate-level classes such as Glaze 1. Each class spans several weeks, allowing for a deep dive into techniques and skills.
9. Kauffman Performing Arts Center Membership
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
For the performing arts enthusiast, a membership to the premier Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a highlight in the Kansas City arts scene. There are two memberships tailored for individuals or couples:
- Just Me Membership ($75): This level includes pre-sale ticket access to Kauffman Center Presents performances, one complimentary ticket to two annual members-only concerts, and an invitation to annual backstage tours.
- Me Plus One Membership ($125): This membership extends the benefits to include two complimentary tickets to two annual members-only concerts, two complimentary drink tickets, one complimentary single-use garage parking pass, alongside pre-sale access, and the invitation to backstage tours.
Both membership levels provide an opportunity to enjoy a richer experience at the Kauffman Center, including special access to performances and exclusive member events.
10. Pop-Up Picnic at Loose Park
Neighborhood: The Plaza
Pricing: Starting at $199
At a Signature Pop Up Picnic in Loose Park provided by Pop Up Picnics KC, you can expect a luxury outdoor experience that’s both stylish and meticulously organized. Each picnic is a magical event where every detail is taken care of for you, from finding the perfect spot to setting up a beautiful picnic area, complete with fresh flowers and chef-inspired food that’s sure to impress.
The creators of Pop Up Picnics KC are dedicated to bringing people together over exquisite food provided by local KC caterers who focus on seasonal ingredients, ensuring each picnic is a unique and elegant experience that tells a story and creates lasting memories.
11. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Membership
Neighborhood: Midtown
Pricing: $70 for individual membership
Art lovers will treasure the opportunity to be a member at the famed Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The membership offers a range of benefits that enhance the experience of art enthusiasts and supports the museum’s mission.
Members receive free admission to most events and exhibitions, with daily free ticket allotments based on their membership level, and they also get discounts on certain signature events. Additionally, the museum provides complimentary parking for members during museum hours.
Moreover, members can take pride in supporting one of Kansas City’s most iconic institutions, renowned for its impressive architecture and collections
12. Tour of Arrowhead Stadium
Pricing: $65 Public Tour, $300 Private Tour for up to four people
This is the ultimate gift for Chiefs fanatics. At Arrowhead Stadium, the tours provide a comprehensive 90-minute adventure through the Chiefs’ hallowed grounds.
Visitors get to experience the press box with its panoramic view as well as the press box, Club Level, Field, Hall of Honor (highlights of the team’s past), Locker Room, Press Conference Room, Broadcast Area and Founder’s Club. These tours are available daily and require advance online booking due to their popularity and limited availability.
13. Classes at Local Pig Butcher Shop
Neighborhood: River Market
Pricing: $95 – $255
Meat enthusiasts will love a class at Local Pig, hosted on Sunday afternoons. The class is small in size, making it an intimate, hands-on experience. Classes are open to all skill levels and will provide an informative, engaging experience. Class participants will enjoy beer and food while you learn about meat, cooking, and butchery.
14. Charcuterie Workshop at Salumi Rose
Neighborhood: Waldo
Pricing: $75
Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie spread? Learn how to make your own at Salumi Rose’s charcuterie workshops!
Attendees will learn what goes into making the best charcuterie spreads and take their customized charcuterie box home. They’ll also burn their own design into a bamboo hardwood board, so they’ll have all they need to be able to host their own charcuterie night at home!
15. Hammerspace Community Workshop Classes
Neighborhood: Midtown
Pricing: Varies
For those who enjoy working with their hands and creating objects, a class at Hammerspace would make for the ideal gift.
This community space contains machines and tools that allow members to do their own screen printing, metal working, black smithing, and more. If you’re not a member, you can take one of their hands-on classes led by experienced instructors.
Classes include topics like knife making, bladesmithing, welding, and jewelry making, among others.
That’s A Wrap!
We hope you found our guide to Kansas City experience gift ideas helpful!
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