I still remember the most thoughtful birthday gift I ever received, and it wasn't a physical item; it was an escape room booking. The gifter knew me well: I prefer the gift of a memory over a physical object. I love to support local businesses. And as a couponer, I always appreciate a gift more if I know it didn't break the bank.
A recent TD Bank survey found that interest in experience gifts is growing, so I'm not the only one who'd rather receive memories than material things. And through Nov. 2, you can save money on local experiences through Groupon with promo code HALLOWEEN . There are plenty of options under $50 and even some under $20.
In fact, I found a local escape room challenge that costs just $30 for four people after the promo code in my area. Just in case you needed an idea.
There’s a faster way to save. It’s in our app. Download the KCL app for free now .
5 Unique Local Experiences I Found on Groupon
The Groupon Halloween Sale runs through Nov. 2, and promo code Halloween saves you up to 75% (discount varies by experience). While the sale is called the Halloween Sale, not every experience is spooky, and your gift recipient can book the experience well past Halloween. In some cases, you have 120 days to book, meaning you could use this sale to shop for holiday gifts too.
Your mileage may vary, but when I looked for local experiences in my area (Austin, Texas) on Groupon, I found everything from cooking classes to escape rooms to kayak tours. Here are five of the best and most unique deals I found.
Escape Room Challenge, Just $7.40 per Person
In my area, escape rooms typically cost $30 per person or more. But this Groupon deal would gets you a booking for four people for $29.60, which breaks down to just $7.40 per person after applying promo code HALLOWEEN .
Your recipient has 120 days after purchase to book the escape room, so they'll have plenty of time to put their team together.
Cooking Class, 35% Off
A 2-person booking for a local cooking class near me is $103.20 after promo code ($51.50 per person). This is a particularly good deal when you consider it's about what you'd pay for a nice dinner out, except you're also getting a 2-hour hands-on class out of it.
60-Minute Float Therapy Session, 62% Off
After the promo code, a 1-person booking for a 60-minute float comes out to $33.75 (regular price $89). Having done a 60-minute float, I can tell you it feels much longer than 60 minutes — in the best way. This is a luxury gift on a shoestring budget.
Sunset Kayak Tour, 37% Off
In my city, sunset kayak tours are popular (and often pricey) because they provide the best vantage point for viewing the bats that fly out from under the bridge as the sun sets. Normally, you'd pay $57 per person, but this deal gets you a price of $36.01 (and it's a 2-hour guided history tour as well).
Secret Food Tour, 22% Off
I've actually had my eye on this foodie tour for a while, and the usual discount is around $10. But the Halloween Sale gives you $20 off and a price of $69.49 per person.
The value of this gift comes from how much food you get in addition to the city tour. The tour makes six stops and lasts three hours, and, in my city, you get to sample barbecue, tacos, smoothies, and more from local restaurants. The tour is offered in plenty of other U.S. cities too, and the food varies by local cuisine.
Know Before You Buy
If you're gifting a Groupon experience for the first time, here are some things you should know:
-
The gift or package you get from Groupon isn't a reservation. You or your recipient will need to book with the vendor directly.
-
There may be some blackout dates and times for experiences you buy on Groupon.
-
You'll generally need to book the experience by a certain deadline. If you miss that deadline, vendors usually let you apply the Groupon certificate amount toward your booking, but you may need to pay the difference.
-
Some smaller tours have a limited capacity, so you may not get the exact time or date you want.
Related Reading:
