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Give The Gift Of Experience. Adventures, Classes and More.

Updated for 2022!

By Melissa Shrader Editor/Publisher Fort Collins Macaroni Kid November 28, 2022

Are you wanting to give a more meaningful gift this year?  Consider giving something special from a local business or something from far away that will impact a community that needs a little help.

Think both locally and globally for your gifts this year and create a new tradition. 

Local Businesses are great for finding something unique and it's in hand right away. Some places do offer delivery or curb side pick up.

There are so many wonderful local businesses that have some amazing things.  We put together a list of wonderful local businesses to support.


Experiences -  

Chippers Lanes (Fort Collins) for a great time with friends and families. 

Loveland Laser Tag (Loveland) Climbing, bumper cars and of course laser tag. 

Front Range Ride Guides (Fort Collins) will lead you to places you've never been before. Classes and tours for all abilities. 

Spavia Foothills (Fort Collins) for those who want or need a little me time. 

The Tranquil Spa (Loveland) is perfect for a luxury spa experience for someone who has everything. 

The Rialto (Loveland) offers entertainment of all kinds. Music, Movies, Comedy, Performances and so much more. You can experiance something new and different every time you go. Get swept away at the Rialto.

The Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) has performances from both local and international performers. You can find just the right experiance to gift to every person on your list. 

Northern Colorado Fishing Outfitters - Fishing Guides (Fort Collins) is perfect for someone who loves to fish or wants to learn.  

Rocky Mountain Adventures (Fort Collins) will take you on the ride of your life down the Poudre River rafting! Bring a friend or make it a family adventure. 


Unique Fun Experiences - 

Fort Collins Tours (Fort Collins) Featuring Ghost Tours (yes they have one for kids), Local History and Brewery tours (yes this is for adults). You can find something for those on your list who desire to have fun and learn a bit about Fort Collins hidden history and the best local brews! 

Rent a Jeep in Estes - Remember an experience can happen any time of year. You can buy it now and use it later. Jeep tours are open year round. Consider a trip to Estes and Rocky Mountain National Park. You can take a tour, spend the day enjoying the local stores, and find a great place to eat. 

Head to Denver for Light House Immersive experience. The Lighthouse Art space in Denver has some fun immersive experiences. You can get lost in Monet and impressionists immersive experience going on November 18, 2022 - January 8th 2023. They also offer other wonderful experiences including Immersive Nutcracker (November 19 - December 31 2022), and Immersive Van Gogh (November 19, 2022- January 7, 2023). 

Meow Wolf Convergence Station is an amazing place to get lost and found in. There are so many different things to see and experience it's amazing! The journey is an immersive psychedelic, mind-bending art and an underlying rich narrative as you take a journey of discovery into a surreal, science-fictional epic. 

Spend a night or weekend at a fancy resort. There are many all over NOCO and Colorado. Play Tourist in your own town or find a place you've never been. 

Just get out and explore! Book an adventure. Try river rafting or fly fishing. Rocky Mountain Adventures offers both! 

Take A Hike (or snowshoe)! Many of our hiking trails can also be great for snowshoeing depending on the time of year. You can pick a date buy a pass (if needed) and put a "coupon" in a card. Wrap it up in a bow and your good to go! 

Gift Cards are good for experiences too like Mini Golf, spa day, and so on. 

Give the gift of education. Sometimes it's fun to give someone something that will enhance their education. If you know someone on your list is struggling with reading or math, a class or some tutoring may be just the perfect gift.

Hot air balloon rides are a wonderful fun surprise! Try one from Fair Winds Balloon Rides

A biking tours are amazing in our mountains! No matter where you want to go, city, country, mountains or ghost tour you can find a unique and fun experience for the whole family. For a serious tour check out Northern Colorado Lizard Head Cycling Guides. Front Range Ride Guides are great and offer some unique tours.

Go on a picnic. This caught my eye as my daughter loves a mystery! Book a Mystery Picnic


Food!

Colorado Cherry Company (Big Thompson) has a ton of locally made products that will delight anyone on your list. 

Kilwins (Fort Collins) has been a staple in Fort Collins for ice cream, chocolate and fudge. Everyone loves a sweet treat from time to time.

Ku Cha Tea (Fort Collins) is a fantastic unique gift. Tea for every taste. 

Mary's Mountain Cookies (Fort Collins) is one of our favorites! You have to try the Wookie Cookie or any of the other wonderful cookies. Not in the mood for cookies? Try the ice cream. 

Nuance Chocolate (Fort Collins) is gourmet chocolate at it's best. Gifts of chocolate are always welcome. 

Rocket Fizz (Fort Collins) is perfect for those searching for the nostalgic candy fix. Great for stocking stuffers or a simply wonderful surprise. 

Little Bird Bakery (Fort Collins) has some unique gluten free goodies and unique treats that will surprise and delight those who have special dietary needs. If you want to stop by and have some soup its a great place to warm up too! 

The Cupboard (Fort Collins) has something for those who love to cook as well as eat. Sweet treats you can buy from the case. Specialty items that will make recipes burst with flavor. Pots Pans and specialty items to help the cookin your life cook their best. 

Vern's Toffee Shop (Fort Collins) is a staple and has been around for - well- forever. At least as long as I can remember. They have the best toffee around. 


All Around Wonderful Stores: 

Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys (Fort Collins) is the perfect place to find something for the kids. They have new and old style toys as well as the best in kids clothes around. Unique diverse and simply wonderful. 

NUMMIES® By Dream Designs LLC.  (Fort Collins) Body Therapy Heat/Cool items. Unscented pillows, wraps, noodles, packs and more.

Trimble Court Artisans (Fort Collins) is an art and craft co-op gallery featuring unique work from over 50 local Colorado artists.
Loveland Museum and Gallery (Loveland) has beautiful gifts from local artisans. You will find something beautiful and unique for anyone on your list. 

Earl's Floral and Gifts (Loveland) has so many wonderful Unique gifts.  Jewelry, clothes, candles, purses, and of course flowers and plants.

Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Center (Estes Park) is also a wonderful place to find something uniquely Colorado. 

Akinz (Fort Collins) has great clothes for Colorado style living. It's one of our favorites. 

Pilar Boutique (Loveland) has beautiful clothes for the hard to shop for lady in your life. 

United Health Gift Shop (Loveland) has some wonderful items from around Colorado too. 

Four & Twenty Blackbirds (Windsor) is just the spot for fine gifts for those looking to have great accent pieces in their house. Décor from furniture to pictures, trinkets, jewelry and such too. 

Memory Lane Antiques (Windsor) is just that. Full of antiques, ornaments, clothes, furniture, jewelry and more. Tons of local items too. 

Windsor Lake Coffee Ice Cream Bakery also has goods from local artisans. 

Wind Horses Mandalas and Flags Bellvue area is a great cause with wonderful mandalas. 

Doc Holidays (Laporte)has holiday decor and more. 

Masonville Mercantile has unique romantic clothing, old time items and décor and food. They also have wonderful wedding dresses and suits too. 

Blue Stone is the place for the rock hound. Tons of geodes, and other wonderful finds. 

The Rancher's Wife (Berthoud) is packed from wall to wall with vintage items of all kinds. You will definitely find something for everyone on your list. 

Sugar Mill Vintage & Antique Depot (Mead) is full of surprises around every corner. 

Nicole's Warehouse (Johnstown) has vintage and antiques that everyone will love. 

For The Love Of Roses (Milliken) is truly Unique. For the rose lover indeed. Potpourri, Pictures, jewelry sets and gift cards for the rose enthusiast. 

Classes:

The Cooking Studio (Fort Collins) has classes for all ages and abilities. You will make someone's year with a class or a series of classes from The Cooking Studio. 

Studio H (Fort Collins) fine arts classes are incredible. For all ages and abilities.  Bring out their inner self-expression, individuality, and creativity as Studio H guides them through their artistic journey.

Elkhorn Flyshop (Loveland) is perfect for the fisher in the family. Learn to fish, tie flys, and rod building among other classes. 

Ginger & Baker (Fort Collins) cooking up all kinds of fun mainly for adults. 

Lambspun (Fort Collins) teaches how to weave wonderful crafts. 

My Sister Knits (Fort Collins) and so can you or your sister. Classes for all kinds of items to knit. 

Rebel Unicorn Crafts (Timnath) does online classes that will bring out you or your recipient's inner artist. 

Love Performing Arts Center (Loveland) Classes, Workshops, Dance, Saber Fencing, Theatre, Tai Chi, Yoga,  Martial Arts,
Events, Music & Venue Rental, Monthly Shows & Seasonal Shows. Something for everyone! 

Studio Vino (Loveland) is the perfect place to gather friends and family for an artistic experience.

Loveland Academy of Music (Loveland) give the gift of music to anyone at any age. 

Artisan You (Loveland) has classes and take home kits for all ages and abilities. Pick your pottery and paint. Choose a class and learn to make jewelry and more. 

YMCA (Johnstown & Virtual) has fitness classes and more. Just explore and find the perfect class for friends and family. 


If you are looking to donate on behalf of someone as a gift we have a great list of charities that you can contribute to.  

I know for a fact that Gift Cards are King! Many love the flexibility of gift cards. You can get them for almost any local business and they can be used for almost anything the recipient wants. Food, Service or Retail you can be creative with your gifting of the cards. 


No matter how you shop supporting local home town businesses is the best way to support our local economy.