Syracuse Experiences to Gift this Holiday Season
Last updated on December 27, 2024.
Tis the season for holiday shopping, and we are all anxious to buy the perfect gifts for our loved ones. But we also face a world of consumerism and clutter. So this Christmas, and for other future occasions, consider giving the gift of an experience. Help someone create memories, tap into their creative side, and spare some space at their home with these Syracuse experiences worth gifting.
A Wandercuse Passport
It goes without saying that I think the Wandercuse passport makes an excellent gift. It’s also the perfect size to fit inside a card or a stocking. Giving the gift of a Wandercuse passport encourages the recipient to explore more local businesses – museums, shops, restaurants, etc – while also saving them some money.
Crafting & Art Classes in Syracuse
Clayscapes Pottery Workshops and Classes
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at homemade pottery, you’ve got to visit Clayscapes Pottery. Longtime potter Don Seymour purchased a portion of Laguna Clay in 2003 to open up his own pottery business. The next year he added a studio, and a few years later the gallery was added. Now, the Seymour family has made Clayscapes the premier pottery studio in Syracuse.
Interested folks can register to take classes at the studio year-round. Each course lasts 8-10 weeks. For shorter experiences, people can register for one-day workshops to focus on specific pottery techniques.
Make a Custom Candle or Perfume with From Smoke Fragrance Co.
Generic candles and perfumes are overrated for gifts. For years people have been receiving the commercial gift sets that every store has for the holiday season. But gifts should be more personal! Instead, gift someone the opportunity to create their own custom candle or perfume. Sarah at From Smoke Fragrance Company actually has a degree in perfumery, and is an expert at scent blending.
* Did you know that From Smoke is also a participating business on the Wandercuse passport? Passport holders save 10% at the candle & perfume bar.
Right Mind Syracuse
If you’re gift shopping for someone with a flair for creativity and art, Right Mind Syracuse is the answer. Owner Claire McKenney has built a team of incredibly talented women to help lead craft classes all across Syracuse. The workshops include everything from mocktails and blankets to jewelry and terrariums. Claire partners with dozens of restaurants, breweries, and community spaces around town so participants can also enjoy local food and drink while crafting.
Classes range in price from $32 to $75, depending on the craft. Gift cards can be purchased online for any amount, and the recipient can choose and book the workshop of their choice.
* Did you know that Right Mind is also a participating business on the Wandercuse passport? Passport holders save 10% on all workshops.
Cooking Classes in Syracuse
Vince’s Gourmet Cooking Classes
Did you know that the Italian deli and grocery in North Syracuse offers cooking classes? They do! And they are pretty great, with instructors who are experts at making delicious food while having a lot of fun. Vince’s Gourmet has a full calendar of cooking classes, including everything from how to make homemade pasta to cooking soups, sauces, and full meals.
Participants get all the ingredients to make their food on-site, a recipe to take home, and a 10% discount in the shop on the day of the class. Many of the classes end in a sit-down meal when everything is cooked. Vince’s cooking classes are also available for private parties.
Museum Memberships
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Gift the gift of animals with advocacy and education. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a Syracuse landmark. And for good reason. The AZA-accredited zoo is making huge strides in animal conservation. The zoo famously made national headlines in 2022 when they were home to the miracle “ele-twins” births.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo memberships range from single to family +1, and even include senior and grandparent options. Zoo members enjoy reciprocal admission at 150+ zoos and aquariums across the country and get a free membership t-shirt. Member discounts are offered at the zoo café, gift shop, and for birthday parties and special events.
Another unique gift option at the zoo? An animal adoption. Senior keeper packages provide funding to the zoo for the specific animal. The adopting “parent” then receives a photo of their animal, a stuffed animal, animal fact sheet, and adoption tote bag. Adoption packages are $60 and are available for about a dozen different animals at the zoo.
The Wild Animal Park
The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango is a privately owned zoo providing high-level care to a wide variety of animals. It is also the only zoo in the state with all six big cats in residence. While The Wild is only open from April through September, the interactive experiences at the park are worth every penny. Plus, there are special events in the evenings during October, November, and December for Halloween and Christmas.
Season passes for The Wild are $60 for the regular zoo, $60 for the drive-through safari, or $90 for a combo season pass. The passes do not include admission for the special holiday events.
Like the Syracuse Zoo, The Wild Animal Park also offers adoption packages. Adopters each receive a photo of their animal, a stuffed animal, and an adoption certificate. Adoption packages are $60 and are available for almost any animal at the park.
Erie Canal Museum
The city of Syracuse thrived because of the Erie Canal, connecting NYC ports to the midwest. And the Erie Canal Museum highlights the incredible history of the waterway. Today, the museum has a collection of historical artifacts, replicas, and educational displays. The museum is known for its historic lectures series throughout the year and annual gingerbread gallery display for the holidays.
Memberships to the Erie Canal Museum begin at $50 and include a variety of perks. Members get discounts at the gift shop and on museum programs. They also receive a tote bag, subscription to the museum’s newsletter, and free admission for a family to the gingerbread gallery.
* Did you know that the Erie Canal Museum is also a participating business on the Wandercuse passport? Passport holders save $10 on an annual membership.
The MOST
There is no better place for a kid to be a kid in Syracuse than at the Museum of Science and Technology. With so many interactive and educational exhibits, no two visits to the MOST are the same. Add to that the special events and National Grid Exploradome movies, and there’s reasons to keep coming back.
Memberships to the MOST start at $59 per year for individuals and go up through household premier memberships that include guests. Member incentives include discounts to the gift shop, Exploradome, birthday parties, and day camps as well as reciprocal admission to other science museums.
* Did you know that the MOST is also a participating business on the Wandercuse passport?
The Everson Museum of Art
Syracuse’s fine art museum is one-of-a-kind. Starting with the unique architectural design my world-famous I. M. Pei, and adding to it all the innovations it has made in art museum history, the Everson is truly something special. In addition to its permanent collections, the museum has several rotating exhibits, a brand-new one-of-a-kind restaurant, and the annual Festival of Trees.
Membership to the Everson begins at $60 for an individual and caps at $240 for a fellow-level household membership. Benefits include invitations to opening receptions, free guest passes, subscription to the museum bulletin, and reciprocal admission at select museums. Members enjoy discounts on classes, at the café, and in the gift shop.
* Did you know that the Everson Museum is also a participating business on the Wandercuse passport?
Unique Experiences
Animal Encounters at Little Ray’s Nature Center
Do you have someone who absolutely loves animals on your list? Then gift them one of the most unique experiences in Syracuse: an animal encounter. Little Ray’s is a Canadian-based nature center whose only location in the US is right here in Syracuse, in Destiny USA. The place is a mix between museum and zoo, all housed in one location. Visitors to the center can learn about the animals through informational displays as well as hourly animal talks.
While the center doesn’t offer memberships at this time, they do have both guided tours and animal encounters. Guided tours provide admission for up to 4 people including 60 minutes spent with a staff member providing in depth knowledge about the animals in residence. For the animal encounters, guests can choose from the sloths, fennec foxes, or tamandua for an up-close-and-personal experience. Can’t decide? A VIP tour combines the guided tour with an animal encounter.
Theater Tickets
Syracuse has a robust theater scene, showcasing a wide array of live performances. If you have a theater-lover on your list, consider getting them tickets to an upcoming show. Choose from the Broadway in Syracuse performances at the Landmark Theatre, or any of the shows at Redhouse Arts Center, Syracuse Stage.
Sports Tickets
If you’ve been in Syracuse for a day or a decade, one things is certain: we love our sports teams. Even when they aren’t having the best season. So if you have a sports lover on your list, you’re in luck. You can purchase tickets to the Syracuse Crunch, Syracuse Mets, or any of the Syracuse University games.
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