Five Lower Manhattan Experiences That Make Perfect Gifts

Let’s be honest: Does anyone in your life really need another pair of slippers or a novelty mug? Finding the right gift can be challenging, but we think you can do better than a trinket from Amazon this year. Your favorite people deserve the best, and there’s nothing better than a unique New York experience. 

These experiential gifts are ideal for everyone on your list, from your sister who could seriously use a spa day to your friend who always knows about the buzzy art gallery openings before everyone else. 

Here are the best experiential gifts you can find in Lower Manhattan this season.

QC NY Spa 

Treat your loved one to a luxe spa day with iconic views of Lower Manhattan. QC NY Spa (112 Andes Rd.), located on Governors Island, just launched their holiday gift shop. You can buy a one-day admission for $186, which gives your recipient access to 20 wellness experiences including heated spa pools, saunas, steam rooms, relaxation rooms and more. You can also purchase a 75-minute massage for $261 or splash out on a couple’s spa day and massage bundle for $741. If you don’t have a clue what kind of treatment they like, you can also purchase gift cards from the QC NY Spa website. 

Wall Street Bath & Spa 88

For a more affordable but similarly luxurious spa day, gift them a massage or treatment at Wall Street Bath & Spa 88 (88 Fulton St.). They’ve got plenty of options including a hot stone massage for $140, a 60-minute deep tissue or Swedish massage for $120, a 90-minute deep tissue or Swedish massage for $160 and a signature body scrub for $80. But we’d recommend gifting your loved one a platza treatment, an invigorating experience in which the Platza Master exfoliates the skin with a broom of fresh oak leaves soaked in warm water. It’s truly unlike anything else they’ll unwrap this holiday season. In addition to spa treatments, you can also give the gift of a day pass to the bath house, which grants your recipient access to the onsite pools, saunas and other facilities for five hours. It costs $59.75 on weekdays and $64.95 on weekends or holidays. 

Day passes are available on a walk-in basis but reservations are required for spa treatments. You can make a reservation by calling 212-766-8600 or emailing [email protected].

IPIC Theaters

The film aficionado in your life will adore a gift card to IPIC Theaters (11 Fulton St.), where they can enjoy a cocktail or elevated snacks while watching the latest can’t-miss flick. Just saying, the new “Mean Girls” movie premieres on January 12. IPIC is offering a holiday gift card special right now, where for every $100 purchased, you’ll receive a $15 bonus card. Gift cards can be used at any IPIC Theater for movie tickets, in-theater dining, or food and drink at the affiliated restaurants.

PAC NYC

Your friend who’s always in the know about the latest cultural events will love the gift of a membership to Perelman Performing Arts Center (251 Fulton St.), better known as PAC NYC. You’ll give them a year of world-class theater, dance, music, opera and multi-disciplinary performances for the incredibly reasonable price of $50.

The Groundbreaker membership will give them early access to tickets throughout the season, as well as an invitation to a virtual talk with the artistic director and a members-only building tour. This and other membership tiers can be purchased through the PAC NYC website.

The Rink at Brookfield Place

Your most athletic friend or family member will jump — or perhaps Axel jump — for joy at this gift. The ice skating school at the Rink at Brookfield Place (230 Vesey St.) offers private and semi-private ice skating lessons with U.S. Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov and their team. Prices start at $55 for a 15 minute private lesson or $90 for a 15-minute semi-private lesson. Other options include a semi-private 45-minute lesson for $215, or a 4-pack of 30-minute semi-private lessons for $545. Additional options for private and semi-private lessons are available, all of which can be purchased here.  

photo: iStock