From hot air balloon rides to spa days, these 26 experiences throughout Arizona make thoughtful, memorable holiday gifts.
There’s something special about giving a gift that turns into a great story. A scenic helicopter ride, a hands-on art class, a decadent spa day, or an unforgettable concert can create memories that last far longer than the holiday season. And here in Arizona, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences to choose from.
From outdoor adventures and culinary indulgences to creative workshops and unexpected discoveries, these local experiences offer something for just about everyone on your holiday shopping list. Best of all, you’ll be supporting Arizona businesses while giving someone something wonderful to look forward to.
Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale
Saddle up for a desert horseback ride
Give a taste of the Old West with a guided horseback ride through the Sonoran Desert. MacDonald’s Ranch in Scottsdale offers horseback and stagecoach tours, while Arizona Horseback Adventures in Cave Creek offers scenic trail rides, including sunset excursions.
Float above the Sonoran Desert
A hot air balloon ride delivers panoramic desert views from a vantage point you have to see to believe. Hot Air Expeditions and Rainbow Ryders offer flights over Greater Phoenix, complete with a celebratory post-flight toast.
Kick up some dust on an off-road adventure
Trade pavement for desert trails with Stellar Adventures or Desert Dog Adventures. Their Jeep, Hummer, and ATV/UTV excursions offer an adventurous way to explore the Sonoran Desert. Stellar also offers tasting tours combining off-roading with stops at local restaurants.
Paddle through the desert
Arizona’s waterways are a refreshing way to experience the desert landscape. Riverbound Sports and Cliff Creek Outfitters offer guided kayaking experiences on the Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake, with options for different skill levels.
Explore the history of two Phoenix landmarks
History lovers can explore the Wrigley Mansion, originally built by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., on a 45- to 60-minute guided tour. The Arizona Biltmore also offers a 90-minute history tour highlighting its architecture, famous guests, and nearly century-long legacy.
Discover Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece
At Taliesin West in Scottsdale, visitors can explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s former desert home and architectural laboratory. Experiences range from self-guided audio tours to a Sonoran Desert plant hike and tasting.
Create a custom floral bouquet
At Stemistry, coffee and flowers come together for a creative outing. Recipients can sip a specialty beverage, select their favorite stems and arrange their own bouquet, with no floral design experience necessary.
Give the gift of desert beauty
The Desert Botanical Garden showcases more than 50,000 desert plants, offering a peaceful escape among towering cactuses and other Sonoran Desert flora. Consider gifting admission or a membership to someone who enjoys nature, photography, or gardening.
Dive into family-friendly attractions
Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale offers several gift-worthy activities that are fun for the whole family, including OdySea Aquarium’s immersive SeaTREK experience, Butterfly Wonderland, Museum of Illusions, Cluville Kids Escape Room and the Boardwalk Big Wheel.
Sip cocktails in another world
Skip the ordinary bar tab and give an immersive cocktail experience instead. Carry On recreates a vintage-inspired flight, Platform 18 evokes a 1920s train journey, and UnderTow transports guests into a nautical-themed setting.
Splurge on a memorable meal
For a special occasion, Kai offers an award-winning fine-dining experience inspired by Pima and Maricopa traditions. JING in Scottsdale serves a lively weekend brunch with many of its regular-menu favorites as well, while Kauboi puts on a show with a flaming tomahawk steak carved tableside. At Prime, a Shula’s Steak House in Chandler, savor steaks and the best martini in town alongside spectacular Estrella Mountain views.
Give the gift of Vegas-style entertainment
Las Vegas comes to the Valley with the return of Gila River Resorts & Casinos’ Vegas Residency, running January through April 2027. The four-month series features 25 entertainers, with performances from comedian Iliza Shlesinger and rock band Kansas among the opening weekend highlights.
Treat someone to a luxury spa day
Three Valley spas offer distinct ways to unwind. Aji Spa at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass incorporates Indigenous-inspired treatments and Sonoran Desert ingredients. At The Phoenician Spa in Scottsdale, a booked treatment also includes access to hydrotherapy facilities, relaxation lounges, and a rooftop pool, turning an appointment into a full day of pampering. Meanwhile, Solstone Holistic Spa at the newly opened Denū Hotel & Spa in downtown Phoenix features a co-ed, Turkish-inspired hammam with cleansing rituals, alongside massages and body treatments.
Tucson and Southern Arizona
Explore Tucson by electric bike
Tucson E-Bike Adventures offers an active way to discover the city’s desert scenery, trails and local landmarks. Electric bikes provide pedal assistance, making the experience appealing to visitors who want to cover more ground without a traditional cycling workout.
Take sightseeing to new heights
Give an adventure lover a bird’s-eye view of Southern Arizona with Volare Helicopters. Scenic flights showcase Tucson’s desert landscapes and surrounding mountains from above, making this an extraordinary splurge for photography enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.
Zipline through Southern Arizona
Arizona Zipline Adventures in Oracle, about an hour north of Tucson, combines outdoor thrills with sweeping desert views. Its two-hour EcoTour features five ziplines ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet, with the final run allowing participants to race alongside a friend on parallel lines.
Go underground at Colossal Cave
A guided tour at Colossal Cave Mountain Park takes visitors through winding underground passages and impressive rock formations. The experience offers an introduction to Southern Arizona’s geology and natural history, appealing to families and curious explorers.
Taste your way through Tucson
Celebrate Tucson’s designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy with a guided culinary adventure. Tucson Food Tours and Taste of Tucson Downtown introduce participants to local restaurants, regional specialties, and the city’s distinctive food culture.
Sedona
Explore the red rocks by Jeep
Experience Sedona’s famous red rock scenery on an off-road adventure with Pink Adventure Tours, Arizona Safari Jeep Tours, or Sedona Jeep Tours. Tours offer an adventurous way to explore the area’s rugged landscapes, with options including stargazing excursions.
Tap into Sedona’s spiritual side
Sedona’s reputation as a wellness destination makes it a fitting place to gift a more introspective experience. Sedona Mystical Tours, Sedona Soul Adventures and Sedona Spirit Journeys & Vortex Tours offer experiences involving spiritual exploration, wellness practices and the area’s famous vortex sites.
Get creative with a hands-on art experience
Explore Sedona’s creative side with an artistic experience at Rovang Ceramics or Tiffanie Lord Designs. These local businesses offer opportunities to make something personal while experiencing the area’s thriving arts scene.
Sip your way through Arizona wine country
Treat a wine lover to a guided tasting adventure with Sedona Wine Tours. It’s an opportunity to discover regional wineries, sample Arizona wines, and enjoy the scenery without having to worry about driving between stops.
Flagstaff and Northern Arizona
Conquer an obstacle course in the treetops
At Flagstaff Extreme, adventure seekers navigate suspended obstacle courses, ziplines, and aerial challenges among the ponderosa pines. With five courses and more than 80 obstacles, the attraction offers options for adults, teens, and children.
Challenge friends to laser tag or axe throwing
Located along historic Route 66, FlagTag AZ offers indoor entertainment ranging from multi-level laser tag with scenario-based games to axe throwing and darts. Different activity packages and gift cards make it an option for families or groups of friends.
Give someone a closer look at the universe
At Lowell Observatory, astronomy enthusiasts can explore the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center and experience the outdoor dark-sky planetarium. Although the observatory doesn’t offer gift cards, you can purchase tickets in advance.
Kick off your shoes for a one-of-a-kind nature walk
At The Barefoot Trail in Bellemont, just west of Flagstaff, visitors ditch their shoes and navigate a one-mile forest trail through mud, sand, water, stones and other natural textures. Along the way, roughly 35 interactive stations incorporate balance challenges, reflexology paths and sensory activities. The seasonal attraction operates from May through October.
