The holiday season offers a wonderful opportunity to think outside the box and gift memorable experiences to family, friends, and that special person in your life, all within the charming area of Montgomery County, Maryland. We’ve curated a selection of our top experience gifts that highlight some of the county’s finest attractions, classes, museums, performance venues, and entertainment locations. Elevate the time you spend with your loved ones in Montgomery County.
Did you realize that by choosing these experiences as gifts, you’re also contributing to environmental sustainability? The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s annual Gift Outside the Box initiative encourages consumers to opt for greener gifts this holiday season, thereby minimizing waste. Additional eco-friendly gift ideas include buying local crafts marked with the “MoCo Made” label, membership in community-supported agricultural programs for fresh produce, or items from certified local green businesses.
Almost all the experiences mentioned in this post offer gift cards, providing your recipients with the flexibility to indulge when they choose.
For the Weekend Explorer
Yurts at Little Bennett Campground: Enhance your camping adventures by staying in a cozy yurt at the Little Bennett Campground, which is part of Montgomery Parks located in Clarksburg. Each yurt accommodates up to six guests, featuring a double bed futon and two full-size bunk beds (remember to bring your own linens). Equipped with an outdoor grill and picnic table, it ensures a comfortable stay, complemented by nearby bathhouses complete with restrooms and showers.
Sip, Savor, and Relax on the Tastemakers Trail: As winter sets in, it’s the perfect time to cozy up at various farm breweries, wineries, and cideries. Enjoy the warmth of a heated tent or smokeless fireplace at Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company or Windridge Vineyards, both of which feature gas fireplaces. For those seeking an enclosed setting, Doc Waters Cidery offers private igloos and fire pits for rent, while Hip Flask Rooftop Bar in Bethesda boasts private igloos providing stunning city views.
Discover New Heights at SportRock: SportRock is an indoor rock climbing venue where adventurers can escape the elements while honing their climbing skills. Whether you are a novice or an expert, they offer courses that cover safety techniques and climbing skills. Located at the Rio Lakefront, guests can enjoy a variety of dining and shopping options after their climbing excursions.
Lockhouses Along the C&O Canal: The Canal Quarters Lockhouse program, overseen by the C&O Canal Trust, invites guests to experience life as a historical lockkeeper for a night—or even three! Each of the seven restored lockhouses, five of which are in Montgomery County, showcases period furnishings that reflect the era in which they were built. A thoughtful virtual “stocking stuffer” includes the C&O Canal app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Pedego Electric Bike: Fully immerse yourself in the local scenery with a Pedego electric bike. Effortlessly traverse Bethesda, hop onto the Capital Crescent Trail to the National Mall, or enjoy a leisurely ride along the Potomac River on the C&O Canal Tow Path.
For The Outdoor Adventurer
Adventure Park at Sandy Spring: Experience an exhilarating day of ziplining, climbing, and axe-throwing at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring. With 14 unique trails of varying difficulty, you can face over 200 challenges within their Aerial Forest. Additionally, you can test your skills at Adventure Axes, DC’s top outdoor axe-throwing destination featuring a variety of targets and games—ideal for family and friend bonding experiences.
Go Ape Adventure Park in Rockville: For another exciting tree-top adventure, visit Go Ape Adventure Park, located in Rock Creek Regional Park. Here, you can zipline and climb among the treetops, or tackle their unique forest escape room, where guests solve various puzzles in a natural setting.
Calleva in Poolesville: Offering a distinct range of outdoor experiences, Calleva’s programs encompass summer camps, wilderness education, and sustainable farming. For those eager to navigate the Potomac River, consider gifting a memorable whitewater kayaking and river tour.
Topgolf in Germantown: Topgolf transforms socializing into an exhilarating gaming experience, merging technology with entertainment. A visit to Topgolf reveals a lively atmosphere filled with energy and excitement. Each venue features numerous climate-controlled hitting bays for year-round enjoyment, accompanied by HDTVs both in the bays and throughout the restaurant and sports bar area.
For the Creative
VisArts in Rockville: Inspire the creative spirit in someone special with a class at VisArts. With an array of intimate courses to choose from, including ceramics, drawing, jewelry making, and painting, your gifting options are vast. Additionally, consider booking an art party for adults or children to celebrate a special event. Their award-winning Winter Craft Week Camp allows children aged 5-12 to socialize while enjoying hot cocoa, ice skating at The Square in Rockville, and engaging in winter-themed art projects.
KID Museum: Situated in Bethesda, the KID Museum stands as the nation’s largest educational makerspace for children, fostering creativity and innovation. Visitors can explore a variety of interactive zones, including a digital media lab, creative coding areas, electronic music-making stations, 3D printing facilities, and artist studios that blend electronics, textiles, and circuits. A range of workshops led by resident artists, scientists, and inventors are held weekly, featuring activities like robotics, soldering, and toy-making. Consider purchasing an annual family membership as a thoughtful gift.
Glass Blowing Classes: Montgomery County offers two venues for those interested in glassblowing experiences. Art of Fire in Gaithersburg provides interactive glass-blowing sessions where you can create unique items like bowls or ornaments. Meanwhile, Glen Echo Glassworks, located in the historic Glen Echo Park, offers introductory glassblowing classes as well as individual lessons.
For the Performance Lover
Music Center at Strathmore: Enjoy an evening of live music featuring renowned international artists representing various genres, including folk, rock, blues, pop, R&B, jazz, world music, and classical at the Music Center and Mansion at Strathmore. Upcoming performances in the 2025-6 season include acclaimed acts like David Foster, RENT in Concert, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic, alongside various cover bands.
Round House Theatre: As one of the premier professional theaters in the region, the recently renovated Round House Theatre showcases exceptional new plays and musicals performed by talented artists from across the country. Its mission is to enrich the community by delivering bold, outstanding theatrical and educational experiences designed to inspire empathy and foster conversation.
Olney Theatre Center: The Olney Theatre Center is an excellent locale for enjoying family-friendly productions. This cultural hub presents a diverse lineup of professional shows, blending the talents of various artists, students, and audiences.
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Nestled in downtown Silver Spring, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center serves as a modern hub for film exhibitions, education, and cultural activities. Anchored by the restoration of the renowned architect John Eberson’s historic 1938 Silver Theatre, the facility features 32,000 square feet of new construction housing two state-of-the-art stadium theatres. AFI Silver Theatre hosts various film festivals, including AFI DOCS, the AFI European Union Film Showcase, and the AFI Latin American Film Festival.
