Celebrate this season by giving your family members and friends a gift they’ll never forget. With so much to enjoy around town, or a short drive away, make time and experience your best investments for the coming year.
Take a Ride on the Christmas Lantern Express
The Three Rivers Rambler is a tourist train operation that takes passengers on a scenic around Knoxville. Climb aboard the Christmas Lantern Express to enjoy decorations and treats, plus a special visit with Santa Claus. It’s a perfect early gift to the kids when winter break hits. www.threeriversrambler.com/christmastix
Glass-Blowing Workshop at Pretentious Glass Co.
Give the gift of glassblowing basics with a one-on-one workshop, which results in your own drinking glass, paperweight, or ornament. (Book yourself a workshop while you’re at it.) pretentiousglassco.com
Cooking Classes at The Cutting Edge
Sign up the family, your best friend, or your sweetheart for private cooking lessons, or join them in a group class to learn techniques, methods, and recipes for the coming year. Celebrate food with those you love the most. thecuttingedgeclassroom.com
A Long Weekend in a Bolt Farm Treehouse
Featured as one of Travel & Leisure’s Top Treehouse Hotels in the World, whisk away your spouse for a long, lazy weekend atop a mountain in Whitwell, just northwest of Chattanooga. These luxury guesthouses come in all shapes and sizes – including domes. www.boltfarmtreehouse.com
An Xtreme Xperience at AMP
Designed by Formula One architect, Hermann Tilke, the Atlanta Motorsports Park offers a two-mile road course where you can ride along with an expert driver or drive the Supercar yourself (peep the list of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches online). Be sure to get a Spectator Pit Pass for those who go to watch. thextremexperience.com