Give the Gift of Going (Staunton-Style)

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Stumped by the hunt for the perfect gift for someone who already has everything? Don’t give up just yet, and, by all means, don’t fill up their space with more junk! This year, give those people the gift of going. The smiles when they open their presents will be genuine and the memories they make will last a lifetime. From family adventures and chances to learn new skills to show tickets and personal indulgence, here’s a big roundup of Staunton’s best activity and experience-based gifts. 

Tours and Outdoor Adventures

The Shenandoah Valley is beautiful. Here’s how to gift it!

• A Shenandoah National Park Annual Pass provides a year’s worth of access to 200,000 acres of “cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows.”
• The VA State Park Annual Pass lets you visit Virginia’s 44 parks and their “thousands of campsites, hundreds of cabins, more than 700 miles of trails and convenient access to Virginia’s major waterways.”
• Contact Star Ballooning to schedule an amazing opportunity to view the Valley from the sky. 
• Visitors to Grand Caverns can explore underground in several different ways. Pick from walking tours, history tours, and challenging (and dirty) adventure tours.
• Get out and explore on horseback. Call Star B. Stables to delight a horse lover with a trail ride through Augusta County.
• Send your favorite adventurer on a guided hike, canoe trip, tree or rock climb, wilderness skills workshop, or spelunking adventure with Vivid Earth Adventures. 

History Experiences

• The Frontier Culture Museum Annual Pass provides a year’s worth of history and educational programming.
• You can also gift an annual membership to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum which includes year-round admission, members-only events, and discounts.
• You don’t need to be a history buff or a train buff to enjoy a ride on the Virginia Scenic Railway. Tickets and gift cards make popular presents!

Classes, Lessons, & More

Here’s how to make the life-long learners in your orbit happy.

• Know someone who is passionate about creating, but doesn’t have the space or expensive equipment? Consider gifting them a membership to Staunton Makerspace, where they can try metal working, woodworking, digital graphics, 3-D printer, laser cutting, and more.

• Silverline Theatre Exchange’s gift cards are good for performances and a variety of classes for youth (as young as Pre-K) and adults.
• The Art Hive hosts a range of classes, and it’s easy to share them when you buy a gift card online.
• Blow a glass ornament at Sunspots Studios.
• Staunton Clayground has a big selection of classes you can gift, or give a gift card so your creative friends can pick their own.

• Do you know someone who has always wanted to try fly fishing? Middle River Outfitters and South River Fly Shop can teach them how and guide them on a trip to practice those new skills.
• Queen City Music Studios offers individual and group lessons in voice, guitar, piano, and a variety of other instruments.

Entertainment

You can’t go wrong with tickets to a good show!

• Have a cinephile to shop for? Treat them to a night out with a Visulite gift card. 
• Blackfriars Playhouse’s electronic gift certificates are good for public ticketable events including shows, education programs, and engagement events. 

• ShenanArts gift cards can be used for tickets to shows at both the main stage and in the new ShenanArts Underground location.

• How about treating your music-loving friends to tickets to the 2026 Red Wing Roots Festival?
• Staunton Music Festival offers a variety of gifting options, including the new Virginia Commission for the Arts’ (VCA) Passport Program, online tickets, and passes to Baroque Fest, Summer Festival, and Annual.

Great Eats

Think of all the nights you’ll be too busy to cook in the new year. And what about those upcoming special occasions? Gift certificates from any of Staunton’s restaurants make wonderful gifts.

Family Fun

Here are some sure-fire ways to make everyone in the family happy.

• Crack the Code Escape Room’s gift certificates and electronic vouchers are valid for any room for one year from the date of purchase. 
• The person who already has everything does not already have a selfie with an alpaca. Fill this void in their life with a Walk-A-Paca tour at Point of View Alpaca Farm!
• Animal lovers will go wild for the Virginia Safari Park. Surprise them with tickets, annual memberships, animal encounters, and gift cards to redeem in the gift shop.

• Fastrax has go carts, batting cages, laser tag, and so much more. Treat a fun-loving kid or family to some high-octane fun.

Personal Services

You know that friend who’s too cheap to spend money pampering herself? Help her help herself.

• Along with its regular menu of services, the spa at the Blackburn Inn is offering a festive Christmas Duo Massage, a 90-minute massage and aromatherapy experience guaranteed to melt away the holiday stress!

• Mill Street Body and Soul’s gift cards are redeemable for a full menu of services, including mani-pedis, facial treatments, makeup sessions, aroma therapy, and more!
• Elite Nails & Spa sells gift cards for manicures and pedicures.
• Let’s Shine Detailing is running a December special. Give the gift of a clean car!
• Brown Dog Blooms makes every season special with subscriptions for spectacular bouquets of locally-grown flowers.

• Harmony Harvest offers bouquet subscriptions and passes to pick your own flowers.
• Home team fans take note: You can buy several types of Staunton Braves season ticket packages for the 2026 season.

Getaways as Gifts

Spoil your out-of-town friends and you in-town neighbors with a night away at one of Staunton’s best lodgings.

• North Mountain Outfitter hosts several types of ranch-style getaway weekends, complete with horseback riding, hearty food, and cozy bunkhouse accommodations.
• Celebrate the season and the season’s best beer by gifting an evening in a private igloo or an overnight stay at Stable Craft Brewing.

Sports

Everyone wants to get in shape in the new year. These gifts can help.

• Give the gift of balance with a single or 10-class pack of classes from Phoenix Fitness and Yoga.
• YMCA Membership includes a variety of fitness classes, use of fitness facilities, pool, racquet courts, and much more.
• You’ll score a hole in one when you give a golf membership (or lessons with the pro) at Gypsy Hill Golf Course.

Close that Amazon browser! These Staunton-area experiences make more memorable, thoughtful gifts.