Would love to hear any ideas regarding gifting experiences to college-age/young adult kids. For the past couple of holidays we have “gifted” our three college/young adult kids with experiences. Nothing crazy expensive- my husband and I work in education and we are paying for multiple college students so as much as I’d love to take them abroad, it’s not in the cards right now; maybe next year. Two years ago we gave them concert tickets to an iconic show and we went as a family/overnight trip. Last year we gave them a weekend white water rafting in the Adirondacks. Trying to think of things to give this holiday season along those same lines, cost-wise. Not too crazy, but fun. Would love any ideas from folks who have planned/done something similar. Thanks!
We typically gift experiences too. Memberships to museums or botanical gardens; concerts; theater shows; sporting events; special/fancy dinners; wine clubs.
What part of the country are you in?
Those are great ideas, but I’m trying to think of family “group” ideas/adventure- something fun we can do together since our opportunities to be together as a family are limited these days!
Northeast/NY.
I had a great time with my college student at the Canadian side of Niagara Falls this summer. We drove, but I bet a family train trip there and back would be a lot of fun— and it’s supposed to be beautiful.
I know there are hotels and inns in Vermont that offer things like falconry, or off road driving schools. There are companies in Maine that provide dog sledding experiences. You could certainly go snowmobiling somewhere as a group.
Ski weekend in the Catskills. Michelin star dinner for the whole family in NYC or a weekend in Hyde Park with a meal at the CIA.
Oh – dog sledding sounds awesome! Adding it to my list!
Great thought, but we live close enough to Canada/NF, that they’ve been several times.
Maybe a great white shark tour?
Please make sure any shark tours you might think of don’t engage in chumming.
Annual National Park Pass - for if you or they get to other parks.
Or an annual park pass for your state.
Some great ideas so far! Some possibilities I’ve also come up with are a weekend in Toronto or Quebec.
Montreal/Quebec train trip - or car trip?? Toronto?
Lol, we cross posted! 
I was going to suggest a weekend in Old Quebec – we went a number of years ago and it was amazing and charming. We even took a horse-and-buggy ride to really feel part of the ambience! But probably very cold in winter!
If you are open to a delayed trip experience, the Thousand Islands are gorgeous in the summer.
Yes, definitely open to delay trip! Actually, the past two years were delayed trips- given and “wrapped up” at Christmas, but trips occurred in May or June, for weather reasons. Shockingly, despite living in NYS, we’ve never been to the Thousand Islands! I’m open into looking into suggestions there!
We had an amazing weekend on the Canadian side in Gananoque - lots of quaint BnBs, restaurants, shops, and some of the site seeing boat cruises (a must do) originate from there. There are two castles - Boldt and Singer, that you can visit by boat. Some of the cruises specifically stop at the castles which are both on islands.