31 Best Team Building Activities & Outings in NYC

Are you looking for NYC team building activities? You’ve come to the right place! One of the unique things about living in—or visiting—New York City is that there is definitely an abundance of outings and activities. No matter what you and your team are interested in, there’s certain to be a corporate outing in NYC that will suit your needs. 

Team Building Group Activities in NYC

First up are the best team building group activities! When your team needs to get out of the office as a way to get closer, the following options are always a great choice. Look through this list and choose your ideal New York team building activities today! 

1. Can You Solve The Escape Game? 

Whether you go to The Escape Game or one of the city’s many other escape room activities, your entire team is going to have a blast! At The Escape Game, your team will have to work together, which will improve their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. 

2. Scavenger Hunt at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Going on a scavenger hunt together will ensure that your team must band together. Watson Adventures features 12 different scavenger hunts as team building activities in NYC. Whether you want to take the funniest tour with The Met Madness Scavenger Hunt or solve a crime with The Whodunit at the Met Scavenger Hunt, your team will have a great time collecting clues together. 

3. Enjoy the Water on a Jet Ski Tour

A jet ski tour on the Hudson River is a safe and fun activity that your entire team can enjoy. See the Statue of Liberty by Sea, the Brooklyn Bridge, and more during this exhilarating water activity that your team will surely talk about for years to come.

4. Throw Axes at Bury the Hatchet 

Let’s face it; working with the same people day in and day out can sometimes allow hostilities to build up. If you want your team to work through any difficulties and end up as friends, it’s always a good idea to literally Bury the Hatchet. 

5. Immerse Yourself at Tidal Force VR 

Slip on headsets and enjoy this free-roaming, multiplayer experience! Each game has two options: a 40-minute game or a last-one-standing game. Since you’re trying to foster an environment where team building rules, we suggest going for the 40-minute game. Tidal Force VR can accommodate up to 12 players at once. Alternatively, they can bring their VR experience to your office. 

6. Get Physical at Chelsea Piers   

Chelsea Piers offers a customizable program that will include some type of sporting event. The challenge will be having fun while learning something new and different. Some of the options include pickleball, rock climbing, basketball, and sand volleyball. Once everyone is done sweating, change into some nicer outfits and relax during your private reception. 

7. Play Paintball Indoors at Area 53 NYC

Up to 30 players can compete at a time when you choose indoor paintball at Area 53 NYC. You can also book this team building in New York City event as a party, which will give you access to a separate party area. When it’s your turn to play, enter a 20,000-square-foot arena that features real-life obstacles and hazards. When you’re not playing paintball, you can hit the arcade! 

8. Laser Bounce Fun Center Lets You Get Shot Without Any Pain  

Some people are into paintball, while others prefer to play a game of laser tag. If you want everyone to participate without having to worry about any pain at all, Laser Bounce Fun Center is the place for your team! Once you enter the LED laser tag arena, you’ll find strobes, targets, blacklight and glow-in-the-dark obstacles, along with a superb sound system. 

9. Knock Over Pins at Frames Bowling Lounge NYC 

Looking for something more traditional to do as a team outing in NYC? Choose Frames Bowling Lounge NYC and prepare to find out where traditional meets the unusual! You can also select one of their special packages, such as the Executive Collection or the Red Carpet Affair, to add food and drinks to two hours of bowling time. 

10. Get Wild with Accomplice the Show 

Rather than simply sit in a theater, go on a scavenger hunt, or take a walking tour, you can do all three with Accomplice the Show. Adventure theater has never been wilder! During this outing, your team will solve puzzles, meet characters, and enjoy the fantastic wildness of real-life experiences that take place outside of any theater. 

11. Offer Suggestions at the New York Improv Theater

If you’ve ever wondered what your team would do when asked for improv suggestions, you’ve got to book your team to see a show at the New York Improv Theater. Instead of simply sitting back and watching, your team will have the opportunity to help direct the flow of the show. Enjoy original skits and songs that come directly from the suggestions your team makes! 

Fun Outdoor Corporate Events

When you want to take your team out of the office for a day outside, there’s no better choice than participating in outdoor corporate events in NYC. 

12. Capture the Fun of Childhood with Field Day

Do you remember being in elementary school and having a field day event each year? For most students, this was the one day of the year that they looked forward to the most. Now you can recapture that special feeling with an adult Field Day! Bring anywhere from 32 to 1,000 guests and spend 90 minutes doing unconventional challenges and classic games. This is one of the best corporate events in New York!  

13. Capture the City with a Midtown Manhattan Photo Scavenger Hunt

Corporate events in NYC can mean a lot of different things. This one will give you something you can keep forever, though! The Midtown Manhattan Photo Scavenger Hunt will require your team to work together as they solve trivia questions, take on exciting challenges, and use your smartphones to capture truly unforgettable moments. 

14. Get Out on the Water with Sea the City

Would you like to do something that most people would never dream of? Get your team together and book a hot tub tour through Sea the City! You and up to 19 other people can hop in Sea the City’s professionally maintained spas and take a 90-minute ride down the Hudson River. You’ll see the Manhattan skyline and Lady Liberty as everyone relaxes together from the hustle and bustle of being in the office. 

15. Root, Root, Root for the Home Team at Yankees Stadium

The New York Yankees may not be having their best season, but there is still nothing quite like going to a ballgame. Sitting in the sun, taking in all the sights, eating hot dogs, and munching on Cracker Jacks are part of what baseball is all about. Let the team know what you’re doing, and you’ll get a discount on tickets, too! 

16. Explore Nature and Art at Little Island

Does your team typically spend all day in the office? If you’re looking for company outing ideas in NYC that will brighten everyone’s day, why not plan a trip to Little Island? This urban oasis was built on the Hudson River and offers a ton of things to do—and most of them are free! You can host a lunch meeting here, move your body, see a stunning sunset from the amphitheater, or find a quiet moment to do yoga. 

17. Get Stunning Views at the Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo allows your team to see some of the world’s most fabulous animals while enjoying NYC as a backdrop for photographs. If you’d like, you can also add catering to your zoo visit, which will include a barbeque to eat as you look at sea lions, crocodiles, lemurs, and much more! 

18. Spend a Day Exploring Governors Island

For a team outing during the warmer months, why not head to Governors Island? You can escape to this 172-acre island without going far from the city. In fact, it’s only 800 yards away from Lower Manhattan. Once you arrive, you can look at all the public art displays or go on a nature walk. Your team can also feel free to walk around with impunity, as there are no cars allowed on the island. 

19. Consider What Freedom Really Means at the Statue of Liberty 

Has your team become a bit fractured due to everything that’s going on in American politics? One of the best team outing ideas in NYC may just help you resolve these issues. Plan a trip to the Statue of Liberty, and allow everyone to go inside of Lady Liberty. You can also tour the museum and even assign a group project: what does Lady Liberty’s pledge mean today? 

20. See All of Manhattan’s Classic Buildings at the Midtown Architecture Walking Tour 

This is a fantastic tour for anyone, but it would be especially appropriate for an architecture firm that’s looking for team building events in NYC. Learn about the buildings and their architects as you make your way through distinctive elements that were all the rage when they were built. The Midtown Architecture Walking Tour is led by a group with 50 years of combined experience, so you know it’s going to be good! 

21. Hudson River Recreation Let’s Everyone Relax and Play  

Even if your team has zero experience, you can still rent canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards and get on the water! The area you’ll be on the river is generally considered to be safe, and everyone must wear a life vest. The Hudson River Recreation experience lasts between 90 minutes and 150 minutes, giving everyone more than enough time to fully enjoy themselves. 

Unique Company Outing Ideas in NYC

Finally, we’ve got a list of unique company outing ideas for your team. Much like the outdoor team building activities in NYC we just shared, each of these fun team building activities in NYC is sure to be a hit! 

22. Learn Together at the Intrepid Museum 

Sea, air, and space all have one thing in common—there’s still a lot we don’t know about them. Make the task of finding out more about them one of your team building events in NYC! Check out the Intrepid Museum’s aircraft collection, watch a 3-D film, and go on a simulator. You can also schedule a guided tour through the museum to keep your team together. 

23. Sidewalk Food Tours Bring the City to Life 

If there are a bunch of foodies at your work, then the best team building outing in NYC has got to be the Sidewalk Food Tours. Take between five and 100+ people on a three-hour food tour throughout the city. They even have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food options at every single stop on the tour, so no one will be forgotten! This is one of the best corporate outings in NYC for foodies.   

24. Get Crafty at the Craft Studio 

Promising “an experience like nothing else in NYC,” the Craft Studio is open to people of all ages. Pick a craft kit and then work together to bring it to life. This place not only allows people to get messy, but it encourages it! 

25. Catch a Movie at the Alamo Drafthouse 

Sometimes, the best way to bond is through sitting in a dark theater together. Fortunately, that’s where the Alamo Drafthouse comes in! You can book a private event, and the Alamo Drafthouse will take care of the film, food, and fun. The only thing you’ll need to do is bring the people. 

26. Play Games and Drink at the Barcade

When it comes down to it, most of your team members would probably prefer to drink and/or play games together. So why not give them what they want? Barcade is NYC’s original arcade bar. Play classic games, ranging from Anteater and Asteroids to WrestleMania and X-Men. Book a party to include food and drinks! 

27. Have Your Minds Blown by Alex Voz 

The #1 best mentalist in NYC offers two forms of entertainment for corporate America: a traditional show or an inspirational speech, which will include some of his interactive magic. Alex Voz has been booked by major companies such as Amazon, Ted Talks, LinkedIn, and the NYSE. Your team will never forget him! 

28. Save Money by Hosting a Picnic in Central Park 

Do you want your team to feel appreciated without breaking the bank? Take them to Central Park for a picnic! Keep your group to under 20 people, and you won’t even need a permit. Simply show up, eat, and relax together. 

29. Create Art at Paint & Sip Studios  

Paint & Sip Studios can take anyone—even those with no artistic ability—and give them a fun outing. That’s why this is one of the best fun team outings NYC has to offer! Uncork your creativity together as you enjoy alcoholic beverages. Be aware that Paint & Sip Studios is a B.Y.O.B. business. 

30. Make Deliciousness at My Cooking Party 

Join together for a collaborative cookoff at My Cooking Party! There are four different programs to choose from, and each one is three hours long. This will give your team enough time to not only bring their creation to life but to also share it with the rest of their teammates. 

31. Sample the Best Beers at the New York Beer and Brewery Tour 

Sign up for a private tour through the New York Beer and Brewery Tour. Each tour comes with beer, luxury transportation, and food. You can also hire a beer expert to go on the tour with you, which should enhance everyone’s enjoyment. Choose from several different tours, including The Signature Tour, The History of Beer, and The New York Beer & Pizza Tour. 

What is One of the Best Outdoor Team Building Activities in NYC?

Now that you’ve seen 30 NYC corporate event ideas, what team building activity is the best? Well, that comes down to personal preference, of course, but we truly believe that Sea the City’s Hot Tub Boat and Jet Ski Tours are among the best experiences your team will ever have. Book your tour today!