Help me: Experience gift ideas

[surferguy]

I’d like to gift my wife a series of “experience gifts” for Christmas.


I’d like to do a series of these for the year so ideas for anytime of the year are welcome.

I’d like these to be for in and around the Calgary area if possible (up to an hour away is ok - eg Banff).

Date night ideas?

Events coming through town?

Unique ideas?

I need help.

[Locke]

I havent done it personally, but you can get Helicopter rides around the mountains, and I think the take-off point is the Casino off highway 1, so its not too far out of the City.

Maybe look into that?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by surferguy

I’d like to gift my wife a series of “experience gifts” for Christmas.


I’d like to do a series of these for the year so ideas for anytime of the year are welcome.

I’d like these to be for in and around the Calgary area if possible (up to an hour away is ok - eg Banff).

Date night ideas?

Events coming through town?

Unique ideas?

I need help.

I took an espresso class at Phil & Sebastian. I think that could be good couples experience. There’s also a coffee and latte art one as well. Some of those Grape Escape events from Co-op or the Beerfest would be fun too. If you’re into that.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Locke

I havent done it personally, but you can get Helicopter rides around the mountains, and I think the take-off point is the Casino off highway 1, so its not too far out of the City.

Maybe look into that?

You realize that we non CPA have to pay for these rides right?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by surferguy

You realize that we non CPA have to pay for these rides right?

What?? They charge for those? What is this world coming to?

Oh...I thought Helicopters were like free Public transport. I was wondering why more people dont use them to get around. They're very efficient.

[WhiteTiger]

This would be a 'later in the year' idea, but my wife and I quite enjoyed "Pumpkins After Dark". We went late, so the kids were almost all gone, and it was mostly couples doing the walk.

[Lumby Lager]

Zoo lights runs until January 7th. You could do dinner somewhere nice on the same day.

[bagofpucks]

There are the drive through lights at Spruce Meadows too if she’s into that kind of thing.

My wife really enjoyed some of the various cooking classes she’s done and I’ve also heard good things about the “paint and drink wine” evenings that some places offer.

[Sr. Mints]

Go to Peyto Lake when it's -22 in your Mazda 3 with low profile tires that you neglected to winterize that year, spend an hour shovelling the ice, build a fire, put skates on your feetcicles, skate for an hour, pray for northern lights, clear skies, and no snow, then drive to Golden at 11:30 cause Lake Louise was booked up*cough*too expensive: magical.

No idea why that relationship ended.

[EVERLAST]

https://www.google.com/travel/search...3M&ictx=1&sa=X

[burn_this_city]

Sulphur Mountain gondola and lunch or dinner at Sky Bistro.

[D as in David]

Dog sledding based out of Canmore.

Kananaskis Nordic Spa.

[DownInFlames]

Aspen Crossing has themed train excursions.

https://aspencrossing.com/railway/

[Locke]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

Aspen Crossing has themed train excursions.

https://aspencrossing.com/railway/

I've done a few of these and they are a blast.

[TheIronMaiden]

The Rosebud theatre is always a neat little thing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Dog sledding based out of Canmore.

Kananaskis Nordic Spa.

I'm going to guess, based on my Helicopter suggestion, that we have to be cognizant of a budget.

Because I've done both things you recommended, and I think they are excellent recommendations for things to do in Alberta, but...they ain't cheap.

I went to the Nordic Spa during COVID and...oh...it was AWESOME! One third capacity? It was great.

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

Aspen Crossing has themed train excursions.

https://aspencrossing.com/railway/

Just a heads up, we have done a few of the kids based ones and they had always been great, but the last one we went on in the summer was very mediocre. It seemed like they had way less staff and the food for the adults was one of the worst things I have ever been served. Obviously, it could have been just a bad day, but maybe check out some recent reviews.

[schteve_d]

Dinner theatre, I think, is a great date night. I haven't been in quite some time but the food at Stage West was fantastic the last time I was there.

Last year for Christmas I sent my parents to Cuisine Et Chateau. The do interactive cooking classes. Some where your meal is prepared in front of you and you dine, some where you cook your dinner under their direction. My parents enjoyed it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Just a heads up, we have done a few of the kids based ones and they had always been great, but the last one we went on in the summer was very mediocre. It seemed like they had way less staff and the food for the adults was one of the worst things I have ever been served. Obviously, it could have been just a bad day, but maybe check out some recent reviews.

Really? Thats interesting.

My mom has her motorhome on a lot at Aspen and I've been there numerous times and the one thing I've always found absurd has been the quality of the food.

I've never had a bad meal there. In fact I often state that I think the Beef Dip at their local little pub is the best. They grow their own vegetables and their meat is all locally raised.

Anyways, you're right, it could have just been a bad day.

[Amethyst]

Tickets for a show with Calgary Philharmonic, Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Projects, Arts Commons.

The Asylum for Art on 14 St SW has brunch and music on the weekends.

Ollia's Macarons on 17 Ave has macaron making classes (haven't been to them but they sound interesting).