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.
1. Have a sing-along to music from your favorite artist at a Candlelight Concert
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 the Beatles, 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 different venues across the city. Choose your favorite artist and book one of the shows now!
See the full lineup of Candlelight performances here.
2. Conquer the NYC streets in The Great Gotham Challenge
The Great Gotham Challenge is an immersive puzzle adventure that combines mind-bending puzzles, live theater, food, history, and embedded technology. As the clock ticks, teams of four compete in a battle of code-breaking, riddle-solving, and (of course) googling as you race to find and decode a series of interactive clues around the city.
GGC hosts some of the most epic large-group teambuilding events in NYC, featuring extravagant set pieces and how’d-they-do-that moments! You can book one of their “off-the-rack” challenges for your team or have them create something completely custom for your company.
Inquire about bookings here!
3. Become closer friends at the FRIENDS™ Experience
Immerse yourself and your teammates in a world of one of the 90’s most popular sitcoms, Friends! The Friends Experience is the perfect way to step back in time, relive the memories of the show, and have a laugh with your coworkers. Complete with photo opportunities, interactive experiences, live props and items from the show, and even a real life Central Perk coffee shop, there’s so much you can do with your team while you’re here!
Be sure to inquire about group rates here.
4. Compete in NYC’s first live game show, Game of 1000 Boxes
Communication and teamwork is what makes any team strong, and these traits will be put to the test in the Game of 1000 Boxes. This experience is NYC’s first ever live game show that will test your knowledge and problem-solving skills. After splitting into teams, up to 32 players will compete against one another in order to win a mystery box of prizes! This activity is perfect for breaking team members out of their comfort zone all while working toward the ultimate goal: being the winner.
Learn more about the experience here.
5. Enroll in a team-building program at Chelsea Piers
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!
6. Spend a day at the ballpark with the Yankees or Mets
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.
7. Explore NYC’s finest museums
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.
Learn more here.
8. Encourage some friendly competition with axe throwing
Looking to play for bragging rights among your team? Axe throwing is a great way to encourage some competition within your group. Live Axe in Manhattan is one of our favorite axe throwing bars where you can have a few drinks and throw some axes with some friends. Group reservations can me made all throughout the week, but we advise you to pick a weekend to organize something like this! If you and your crew really love it, you can even join one of their axe throwing leagues and compete against other teams.
Learn more here.
9. Take a food truck tour around the city
Everyone loves food, and taking a food truck tour through the streets of NYC is a delicious way to have some team bonding time. Through Turnstile Tours, you’re able to book different food truck tours based on different neighborhoods of the city. 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!
Inquire here about private tours.
10. Charter a boat for a day
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.
11. Walk & talk through The High Line
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.
12. Conquer one of NYC’s escape rooms
Last but not least, 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!
13. Take in a night of Spanish flamenco
Renowned flamenco artist Yolanda Osuna is coming back to NYC to present her passionate flamenco show…captivating the Spanish art form in an incredible venue. Admire the production by the Royal Opera of Madrid with your employees, all while taking in the raw power of dance! Group bookings are available now ahead of the shows. Buy your tickets here!
14. Sing your hearts out at karaoke
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!
15. Be transported to a galaxy far away at The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody
Travel to a galaxy far, far away with your coworkers as you watch the burlesque parody of The Empire Strips Back unfold. The hilarious and seriously sultry dancers will bring you and your team to a Star Wars-themed world of burlesque fantasy that you’ve never seen before! Buy tickets to The Empire Strips back here!
16. Get up close and personal with NYC catacombs
Looking for a spooky group outing for your team? Explore the legendary 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.
17. Get culinary with group cooking classes
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!
18. Up your art intake with one of NYC’s unique exhibitions
NYC’s constant come-and-go art exhibitions are what makes the city so great. Why not build a “I was there for that moment” with your team at one these experiences? Exhibits like Small is Beautiful (miniature art), Banksy in New York (gallery of works by the mysterious artist), and the Museum of Digital Experiences (immersive all-digital museum) are all in town just now…so make a memory with your crew now!
19. Plan a classic happy hour
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 beers to tantalizing cocktails, there’s a vibe and setting for any group employees (plus some sweet drink deals!). Check out our favorite happy hours in NYC happening now!
20. Relive the 1920s at The 18th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party
This Prohibition-era-inspired lawn party is the perfect company outing! Between live jazz music on two stages, Paper Moon photo booths, vintage clothing vendors, croquet, 1920s motor car exhibition, dance lessons, a pop-up barber shop, carnival games, and much more…you can spend hours here! It’s happening this year on August 12-13 at Governors Island! Buy your tickets to the Jazz Age Lawn Party here!