No matter the amount of people you are trying to bring together, team bonding activities are a great way to build relationships, camaraderie, and a sense of family. I mean, what could be better than stepping outside the four walls of your office for a few hours and having a little fun? Here in NYC, the city is crawling with tons of fun activities and exercises that would be perfect for your next employee outing. Without further ado, here are our favorite corporate team building activities right now in NYC.
Dig into your musical side with one of the various Candlelight concerts paying homage to your team’s favorite musician. From Adele to Taylor Swift to Fleetwood Mac, enjoy an evening in ambient lighting, listening to your favorite hits being performed by a string quartet. Beverages are sold during every showing and the concerts themselves are even offered at unique venues across the city.
Book your next team building event with Candlelight.
The Jury Experience is a thought-provoking event that puts you and your coworkers in the jury box. After closely examining the evidence and hearing all the testimonies, you’ll collectively decide the final verdict. The cases reflect real-world issues involving bias, technology, power schemes and intrigue, in a way that feels urgent and relatable. You’ll really get to know your team and their moral compass and you’ll certainly be discussing the trial in detail long after the experience is over.
This massive, free-roaming VR installation drops your entire team directly onto the International Space Station. Built around actual NASA missions and featuring mind-bending 360-degree footage shot in actual space, this experience lets your group float alongside real astronauts and take in staggering, panoramic views of Earth.
Maybe you and your co-workers enjoy jazz? “The Jazz Room” show has a space for everyone! A New Orleans-dedicated jazz show will draw you straight into the 1920s golden era of the genre. For the old souls out there, this is a no-brainer.
Take your crew out to the ballgame with an afternoon or evening with one of NYC’s baseball teams. The Mets and Yankees both offer group packages and hospitality options that are a perfect for a getaway from the office. Depending on the size of your group and your budget, you can choose from a variety of ticket options that can include catered food and drink, specific seating areas, and even additional memorabilia and collectibles. If you have a group of sports fans, this is a great way to bring people together while cheering on your favorite team!
Learn more about Mets group packages here.
Learn more about Yankees group packages here.
Swap the endless Slack notifications and fluorescent lights for an unapologetically playful escape. This totally immersive, multi-sensory wonderland is designed to trigger the happiness hormone, dopamine. Whether you’re playfully whacking your work bestie in the epic pillow fight zone or collectively finding your zen in the calming decompression room, Dopamine Land is bound to be a memorable team-building adventure.
NYC offers some of the best museums and exhibits in the entire world, and they are the perfect spot for a group outing with your team. With programs from Museum Hack, you can engage with museums and art like you never have before!
Their team building plans are led by art experts and include team building exercises about art, fun stories about the works you’re viewing, and icebreaker games that help you get to know each other better. Their goal is to “turn co-workers into team-workers” by introducing concepts of communication, teamwork, and leadership while at the museum. The museums you can choose from include The Met, The American Museum of Natural History, and so many more.
Everyone loves food, and going on a food tour is the ultimate experience for foodies! From a wine-tasting trip to Long Island to an Italian food tour of Little Italy, there’s something for everyone’s taste (literally!) Whether you want to find hidden gems near your office or explore a different neighborhood with your crew, you’re bound to find something yummy along the way!
Chelsea Piers is a great location for many group outings, but their specific team building programs they offer are perfect for any company of any size. These programs are traditional in nature and offer specialized coaches and exercises per session. Options such as rock climbing, bowling, dodgeball, and other strategic games are just some of the activities you’ll find in these programs.
Be sure to check out the Chelsea Piers team building page to learn more about the available programs and how to book them!
In need of some views and good vibes? Consider renting out a New York Media Boat for an afternoon out on the waters of NYC. Included in group bookings is a 1.5 hour narrated tour around the harbor of the city, which will surely be an awe-inspiring experience for your group. From gazing at the skyline to visiting famous landmarks, the picturesque views are perfect for capturing memories and photos that you’ll remember forever.
Learn more about their tours here or book other boat tours here.
If you’re looking to take one of your team bonding activities into your own hands, considering do it at The High Line. This popular outdoor location is a great spot to do anything from a picnic to a scavenger hunt. There are so many things to see and do on this nearly 1.5 mile walkway, so the world is truly your oyster! Such a great place to get some fresh air and have some fun.
Learn more about The High Line here.
Bring your group together with one of the most popular team bonding activities, escape rooms. While we recommend The Escape Game, there are so many escape room options around the city that you can book for large groups! Have your team work together to solve puzzles, work through riddles, and uncover clues to help discover a way out. What could be a better way to sharpen communication skills and build relationships that can translate back into the workplace?
Check out all of NYC’s best escape rooms here!
Nothing quite breaks the ice like belting out your favorite tunes! From ABBA to Jennifer Lopez, having some drinks and grabbing the microphone can be just the perfect outing! You can learn about each other’s music tastes and make some fun memories along the way! Check out our favorite karaoke spots in NYC here!
Looking for a spooky group outing for your team? Explore the legendary the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral by candlelight, as you and your coworkers earn access to behind the scenes and hidden areas of the church that are off-limits to regular visitors. You’ll learn about the church’s significance in New York history and uncover the final resting places of famous New Yorkers along the way. See ticketing options and inquire about group rates here.
Build valuable skills with your coworkers like communication and problem-solving, all while building some of the tastiest food you ever have! NYC’s collaborative cooking classes will surely strengthen bonds, build trust, and enhance teamwork amongst your crew. Check out our favorite cooking classes in NYC here!
Grab some drinks and break the ice! NYC is full of lovely happy hour deals that are perfect for any sized group! From pints of beer to tantalizing cocktails, there’s a vibe and setting for any group of employees (plus some sweet drink deals!). Check out our favorite happy hours in NYC happening now!
Fever, the creators behind the beloved Candlelight concert series, the Van Gogh Experience, Ballet of Lights, and so many more, offers tailored experiences for your corporate events! You simply have to fill out a quick form, and they’ll curate your very own team-building adventure. Organize your event here!
Not sure what your employees would like? Looking to treat a partner after a successful collaboration? Whatever the case may be, you can count on this corporate gift card to make giving hastle-free. The card features 150,000+ experiences available in 30+ countries , so that goes for your international clients, too! Select yours here.