15 Workshops & Classes in the USA Worth Booking

1.New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,000 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43Our pick

At the New Orleans School of Cooking, a local chef such as Lynn, Eric, Vivian, or Austin prepares gumbo, jambalaya, pralines, and other Louisiana favorites while sharing food lore and local stories. You watch rather than cook, then enjoy a full meal with beer, iced tea, coffee, and recipes to take home.

“This is not a small group!!! 48 people. Not what I was expecting. I should have known from the price. The chef was great and responsive, however sometimes hard to hear with rude guests that wanted to have their own conversations.”

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2.Instructor-Led Line Dancing Class with Souvenir Video

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,394 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $36

Learn beginner-friendly Nashville line dancing at a Broadway-area honky-tonk with instructors such as Jason, Lisa, Lauren, and Mallory. You’ll practice basic steps, vote on routines, dance for an hour, and receive a class video within two weeks.

“Be prepared to have some real fun! I brought my grown kids and we laughed our way through the entire class. Lisa was fun, energetic, and an amazing instructor—she kept it light, easy to follow, and totally entertaining. We all had a blast and can’t wait to go back!”

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3.New Orleans Hands-On Cooking Class with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,183 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162

At the New Orleans School of Cooking on St. Louis Street, you’ll prepare a Louisiana meal with a professional chef, then sit down to eat it with wine, Abita beer, or soft drinks. Classes hold up to 10 people and may feature Chef Eric, Austin, Cindy, Ricardo, Vivian, or another instructor.

“Chef Eric was unbelievable! He was patient, kind, and informative. The class was broken up into groups of ten. The AM session was easy enough, but when it wasn’t Chef was there to assist. Food was delicious!”

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4.Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 950 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $98

Meet Surf Shack Maui in Kihei for a two-hour beginner lesson led by instructors such as Mike, Ivan, Jay, Francisco, Justo, and Sofi. You will learn ocean safety, etiquette, and board basics, then practice in small waves with a board, rash guard, and booties provided. Photography may be available for an added fee.

“So great for beginners. You will definitely catch a wave. My 17 and 11 year old both got up. Instruction was clear.”

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5.Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 948 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Chef Forrest Parker leads a 90-minute walk from the Pineapple Fountain through Charleston’s historic district, linking architecture, slavery, crops, and Lowcountry cooking. The tour ends at a cozy bistro with a cooking demonstration, three-course lunch, wine pairings, and recipes to take home.

“Great tour and history lesson. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Chef Parker made the most delicious food. Company was great and I would highly recommend”

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6.Line Dancing Class with Keepsake Video

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 773 reviews · 1 hour · from $38

Join Stompin’ Grounds Entertainment for a one-hour Nashville line-dancing class at a historic Broadway honky-tonk. Instructors such as Jason, Lisa, Lauren, and Mallory teach two routines chosen by your group, with music for beginners through experienced dancers. Water and a free video are included.

“We had a wonderful time dancing. It was done at a comfortable pace, and our instructor was great.”

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7.Cajun and Creole Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 730 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $40

At the New Orleans School of Cooking in a restored French Quarter molasses warehouse, an English-speaking chef such as Lynn, Austin, Eric, or Dianne prepares gumbo, jambalaya, pralines, and other Louisiana staples while sharing food lore and local history. You eat the finished dishes, receive recipes, and get a store coupon.

“We learned a lot about local cooking. Got to taste the food that she demonstrated and bought things that would help us cool at home.”

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8.Brooklyn Graffiti Workshop with Local Artist

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 570 reviews · 1 hour · from $45

Meet artists Ghost Mims or Leaf at a small Bushwick studio for a one-hour, hands-on graffiti lesson. You’ll learn spray-can control, lettering, shading, and fill-ins, then help create a wall piece. Choose the canvas option to take home your own personalized artwork.

“This was such an awesome experience. Could not recommend it enough. It was artsy and educational.”

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9.Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet Outrageous Adventures Surf School for a 90-minute beginner lesson near Lahaina. Instructors including Scott, Tyler, and Patrick teach paddling, timing, and standing up, then help you catch waves in shallow water. Boards, booties, and rash guards are included, with lesson photos available for purchase.

“Kids had a great time. Kids were able to catch a lot of waves on a beautiful day in Maui. Would recommend.”

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10.Ground Zero Museum Workshop Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 463 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34Best value

At the Ground Zero Museum Workshop on West 14th Street, a museum guide leads you through Gary Marlon Suson’s 100 recovery-period photographs, rare World Trade Center artifacts, and a 15-minute film. BOSE audio stories, seating, and hands-on exhibits make this a personal, family-friendly experience.

“A total disappointment and waste of time. Don't bother with this ridiculous 'tour'. Go to the real Ground Zero museum downtown and then onto the reflection pools. Total waste of money and Viator should drop it off their sales list ! It was nothing more than a small room on West 14 th St, with several enlarged photos, objects found at Ground Zero and an audiovisual , that was from TV news. Just a scam, so disappointing !”

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11.Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

Meet your English speaking instructor at 20 Bicknell Ave, suit up, and learn surfing through 30 to 40 minutes of beach practice followed by ocean coaching. Boards, wetsuits, storage, and an outdoor rinse are included. Guides such as Dan, Kat, Ethan, and Nico have earned praise for patient instruction.

“Fantastic experience and instructor! Really would recommend for first timers specially”

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12.Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 425 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Meet Surfer Girl Academy for a two-hour Waikiki lesson with English or Japanese instruction. You’ll get a 20 to 30-minute beach briefing, surf gear, and about 70 minutes in the water with no more than eight people. Instructors such as Yuko, Noah, Mito, John, and Shuji are praised for patient coaching.

“It was a great experience. My 1st time to try surfing and I was doing better than expected. The instructor was very patient. Was fun. Thank you.”

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13.Po’ipu Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Meet at Koʻa Kea Resort on Poipu Beach for a 90-minute beginner surf lesson with instructors such as Kele, David, Dave, and Ikeake. You’ll learn paddling, pop-ups, and ocean safety on land before practicing in the water with a board, booties, and rash guard provided.

“Instructor was very patient and encouraging, both of us were able to get up during the lesson, would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn how to surf!”

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14.Hands-on Cajun Roux Cooking Class in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 356 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $163

At the Mardi Gras School of Cooking, you’ll spend about three hours making chicken and andouille gumbo, shrimp étouffée, and bananas Foster with a local chef. The class is hands-on, capped at 10 people, includes wine or soda, and ends with the meal you helped prepare.

“Very enlightening and memorable experience. Learned a lot. Mark was very informative. Will come back”

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15.Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $118

Meet Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei for a private 90-minute lesson in the bay. Instructors such as Nick, Luca, Jack, Patrick, Sean, and Tapu teach beginners and returning surfers with quality boards, rash vests, and patient one-on-one coaching. You check in 30 minutes early.

“Sean was an amazing instructor! My husband and I felt confident and were surfing on the first wave! The day was perfect and we had a blast.”

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