Gift These Southern Experiences (No Wrapping Required!)

While building a pile of perfectly wrapped boxes under the tree can feel rewarding, gifting an experience can be even more magical and memorable. Plan an escape for you and your loved ones to check out these popular off-the-beaten-path Southern spots, and enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences while you’re there. From magical farm dinners to custom hatmaking, here is a fresh list of great experiences throughout the South to gift this season.

FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES

Stay at the Maker’s Mark Founders’ Home: The Samuels House
Bardstown, KY

The Samuels family, founders of Maker’s Mark bourbon, recently purchased and revitalized their old family home. You can book a stay for up to eight people on the gorgeous property full of bourbon-making history. Eight generations’ worth of Kentucky, bourbon, and Maker’s Mark artifacts fill the home. The rooms and spaces are beautifully appointed, cozy, and near lots of other stops along the bourbon trail. You can add on a unique private tour — “Sipping & Storytelling with Bill Samuels Jr.” — and a private chef dinner.

‘Outstanding in the Field’ Dinner Tickets
Florida

Outstanding in the Field (how cool is that name!?) is a culinary experience like nothing you’ve ever seen. Their traveling team sets up expansive, winding tables on hills, vineyards, beaches, meadows, fishing docks, and city streets. They partner with celebrated chefs and organic, sustainable farms to bring multi-course, communal means to the most delightfully unexpected places. They’re back in Florida this January, and three dinners are on sale: Holman’s Harvest (West Palm Beach), Anna Maria Island (Sarasota), and Sweetwater Organic Community Farm (Tampa). Get planning here!

Cooking Class at Southern Food & Beverage Museum
New Orleans, LA

Explore the history of Southern food and drink at SOFAB, a unique culinary museum in the heart of New Orleans. They offer a packed calendar of hands-on classes in Creole and Cajun cuisine. Each class is a two-hour exploration of Louisiana tastes and traditions and includes admission to the museum. Check out the upcoming events, and snag a gift card for your loved one here.

Wine and Yoga Retreat at Veritas Farmhouse
Afton, VA

This all-inclusive four-day retreat is a comprehensive hiking, yoga, food, and wine experience that will ignite the senses while resetting and rejuvenating the mind and body. Guests will hike the Blue Ridge, practice yoga, tour the vineyard and wine cellars of Veritas, and savor three chef-prepared meals a day. There are lots of four-day retreats throughout the year.

Lodge Museum of Cast Iron
South Pittsburg, TN

This belongs in both the food and shopping categories! This quirky new museum takes guests through the history of Lodge’s incredible cast-iron cookware, how it’s made, and how it’s impacted food culture since 1896. After spending a few hours touring the museum, they’ll want to shop at the Factory Store and grab a bite to eat at Big Bad Breakfast (opening soon).

UNIQUE RETAIL EXPERIENCES

Trovador Custom Hat Experience
Austin, TX

We’re itching to stay at Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate because of its wealth of unique on-property adventures. Surprise your loved one with the Trovador Custom Hat experience with local hatmaker, Ryan McGrath. They’ll be chauffeured in the hotel Mercedes to the Trovador studio, where they’ll embark on a two-hour private session designing a custom hat alongside Ryan. As he perfects size and shape, they’ll sip a cocktail or a glass of wine and pick trims, custom bands, and finishings. Trovador’s six-stage process takes a few weeks and will be shipped straight to their door in a custom Trovador hatbox.

Earscaping at Studs
Nashville, Charleston, Miami, Washington DC, Houston, Austin, and more USA locations

Women of all ages are leaning into the “earscaping” trend these days! An extra piercing or two (whether on the lobe or higher up on the ear) can create some extra real estate for more jewelry and self-expression. Studs leads the way in easy, safe, and fun ear piercing. Make your piercing person a piercing appointment (there are more than 10 locations across the country) and a gift card to cover the service and ear candy!

Concierge Boot Design at Miron Crosby
Dallas, TX

If you’re headed to Dallas and Aspen soon, or you need a reason, Miron Crosby’s concierge design service allows your giftee to create a one-of-a-kind pair of boots. They’ll start by picking a silhouette, leather, and other exotic materials. Then, add more custom touches like a monogram, ranch brand, logo, or even a handwritten message to be transcribed onto leather and sewn into the lining of the boot! What a special, wearable keepsake to pass down through generations.

NATURE-DRIVEN & LUXURY LODGING

David Wright Photo Safari at Greyfield Inn
Cumberland Island, GA

David Wright is an award-winning wildlife filmmaker and photographer who’s worked with clients like National Geographic and BBC. He’ll lead you through old-growth forests, along the 18+ miles of beachfront, and all over Cumberland Island’s historic sites and buildings. If you can’t make this five-day safari (Sunday, January 29, through Thursday, February 2, 2023), book Greyfield Inn anytime. Built by the Carnegie family in 1900, this all-inclusive destination is only accessible by their private boat. Enjoy cozy fires, moss-drenched verandas, fine dining, beach lounging, and so much more.

Luxurious Relais & Châteaux Gift Card
Multiple Boutique Hotels in the Southeast and Worldwide

The Relais & Châteaux stamp of approval denotes the best of the best boutique hotels with all of the most luxurious bells and whistles. Tennessee’s famed Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are both members, as well as Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, NC; Planters Inn in Charleston, SC;  The Swag in Waynesville, NC; and The Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro, NC. A Relais & Châteaux gift card is accepted at their roughly 562 properties in 67 countries. There is no better gift for the wanderlust-prone, so get shopping here.

Glamping in the Great Smoky Mountains
Gatlinburg, TN

Under Canvas is the award-winning leader in National Park glamping and outdoor resorts, and they’ve set up their safari-inspired accommodations just 10 miles from Gatlinburg and minutes from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Luxe amenities abound across the 182 acres of lush, wooded terrain … from a seasonal, farm-to-table menu and nightly s’mores campfires to live music and an activity concierge. Book a tent for the spring season, which begins in early April, here.

Recreation and Revelry at Southall Farm & Inn
Franklin, TN

If you saw our recent piece on Southall, you know you’re hankering for a vacation (or staycation) at the South’s buzziest destination. This newly opened luxury farm resort offers everything from fine dining and spa days to painting lessons and an adult ropes course. Guests can curate each day’s itinerary based on interests, and there are so many things to do no matter the time of year.

Cycle Trip with Hotel Domestique
Travelers Rest, SC

Cycling enthusiasts can explore pro cyclist George Hincapie’s favorite training routes, winding roads, and exquisite views of the Blue Ridge mountains. Professional instructors will make sure you’ve got all the right gear and guide you through challenging climbs and technical switchbacks. Afterward, unwind at Hotel Domestique, where you’ll enjoy opulent rooms, gourmet meals, house-made cocktails, and more well-deserved revelry. Read more about their packages here.

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Tickets to Leanne Morgan
Nationwide

Y’all already know that we cannot get enough of the funniest person in the South, Leanne Morgan (she was recently a FACE of the South!). Her live show is side-splittingly hilarious and perfect for anyone on your list who loves a girls’ night out or date night filled with laughs. Book her an early dinner reservation for a special night out. Check out her full tour calendar here.

Subterranean Tunes and Tours at The Caverns
Pelham, TN

At the bottom of Monteagle Mountain lies a music venue like no other. The Caverns is an underground cave system and famous concert hall with state-of-the-art acoustics, lights, concessions, and guided tours seven days a week. With a wide variety of acts on the schedule, you can enjoy an entire day of exploration here. Bring a light jacket — the cave stays about 59 degrees all year long! Click here for the performance schedule and here for gift cards.

Kentucky Derby Premium Packages
Louisville, KY

Oaks and Derby aren’t until May 5 and 6, 2023, but it’s the perfect time to gift a trip to Churchill Downs and snag a package with all the bells and whistles. Opt for ticket tiers like the Clubhouse, Courtyard, or Homestretch Club for a gourmet food buffet, open bar, and other amenities. Start planning your Kentucky adventure here.

Grand Ole Opry Circle Room Experience
Nashville, TN

A show at the Grand Ole Opry is a must for all country music fans. Add the Circle Room VIP experience to your tickets and you’ll get exclusive access to the Circle Room premium lounge before the show through the end of intermission, special hors d’oeuvres and delicious bites from Nashville favorites, two drinks at the top-shelf private bar, and a visit with the performing artist. Click here for more upgrade information.

While this list has merely touched the surface of fun, outside-the-gift-box experiences, we hope we’ve sparked some ideas for you … with minimal wrapping required!

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