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.
Book your next team building event with Candlelight.
2. The Banksy Museum
Immerse yourself in the world of notable artist Banksy! There are a variety of different pieces inspired by Banksy’s work at The Banksy Museum. There are various rooms that bring his art and message to life. Every month there are also a series of free film screenings with your ticket. Go here for more info and tickets for a team bonding moment!
3. Step into another world at “Tonight With The Impressionists, Paris 1874”
Very different from the modern approach of Banksy, “Tonight With The Impressionists, Paris 1874” brings the past to you. Turn the clock back to the start of impressionist art in France. Step back in time 150 years with cutting-edge virtual reality headsets, reconstructed rooms and 3D views. You and your crew can even meet Monet and his contemporaries as budding artists on the cusp of their careers! Go here for details and tickets.
4. Compete at in Squid Game challenges
Play five different games inspired by the beloved show and have some friendly competition with your colleagues. You’ll never see the final challenge coming, it’s truly a surprise! There’s also an arcade and bar where you can hang to chat all about show as part of the night market. You can also shop for Korean snacks and exclusive Squid Game merch. Grab your favorite co-workers and book this fun team bonding moment here!
5. Travel to Ancient Egypt at ‘Horizon of Khufu’
This ground-breaking virtual reality experience can take you and your colleagues to ancient Egypt. Walk freely and explore the Great Pyramid of Giza with VR headsets in a space spanning more than 10,000 square feet. This experience has greeted over one million guests globally, for group bookings to secure your spot, go here for more info!
6. Be whisked away together at “We Call It” performances
Maybe you and your co-workers are enjoy jazz? How about seeing some Flamenco and Tango? “We Call It” shows has something for everyone! A New Orleans dedicated jazz show will be happening as well Dracula cabaret and Sleeping Beauty ballet shows. For more info on group bookings go here!
7. Continue the competition & challenge your co-workers to a soccer match
Ready for a little friendly competition? NYC Footy, a coed soccer league across the five boroughs, offers the chance for colleagues to swap their suits for jerseys and hit a nearby field. Although it’s a competitive program, it’s not overwhelming, and all skill levels are invited to join the fun.
If you’re kicking around the idea of getting a mini soccer team going in your office, this inclusive, engaging opportunity has grown into the nation’s largest adult soccer league. Visit its website to learn more.
8. 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.
9. 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.10. Take a food tour & go to tastings all around the city
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!
Book tastings around NYC here.11. 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!
12. 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 or book other boat tours here.
13. 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.
14. 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!
15. 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!
16. Get up close and personal with NYC catacombs
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.
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!
21. Organize an event, just for your team
Fever, creators behind the beloved Candlelight concert series, We Call It performances, the Van Gogh Experience, Dining in the Dark 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!
22. Gift your employees, partners or clients a corporate gift card
