Updated: September 19, 2023

21 Unique Company Retreat Ideas in Boston, MA

You found our list of the best company retreat ideas in Boston, Massachusetts.

Company retreat ideas in Boston are activities that help employees learn about one another’s backgrounds, personalities, skillsets, and communication styles. Examples include Boston Harbor Island, Superhero Academy, and Archery Games. The purpose of these activities is to foster a level of trust and friendship among team members.

These activities are examples of team bonding experiences and group entertainment for adults. These ideas are similar to company outings in Boston and Boston corporate events.

This article contains:

  • corporate retreat ideas for big groups in Boston, MA
  • corporate retreat ideas for small groups in Boston, Massachusetts
  • company retreat entertainment ideas in Boston
  • company retreat locations in Boston
  • staff retreat activities in Boston
  • team retreat ideas in Massachusetts

Here we go!

List of company retreat ideas in Boston, MA

If you want your team to connect over fun staff retreat activities in Boston, then here are some suggestions for teams of any size.

1. Espionage! (Team Fun)

espionage banner

Espionage! is a world of spies, puzzles, and strategic challenges that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Here is what to expect during this thrilling event:

  • an expert host from teambuilding.com will meet you at the location of your choice with any needed supplies
  • the host will secretly divide your group into agents and spies
  • players will face exciting challenges, including engaging word searches, scavenger hunts, and code unscrambling
  • teams analyze clues, strategize with your team, and make crucial deductions to uncover the spies’ secret identities
  • a surprise visual effect or two

Espionage! will push your team’s limits, strengthen bonds, and unleash your collective intelligence.

Learn more about Espionage!

2. Superhero Academy (Popular)

superhero academy

You and your colleagues become the heroes in this engaging comic-book adventure!

Experience several exciting features:

  • 90 minutes with a world-class teambuilding.com host
  • superhero teams, costumes, unique names, powers, and backstories
  • exhilarating gauntlet games and intriguing puzzles that promote teamwork
  • captivating comic-book lore and stories
  • hosted at your chosen location with all materials provided

So unleash your inner superheroes, discover unity, and conquer challenges with Superhero Academy!

Learn more about Superhero Academy.

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3. The Great Guac Off™️ (Highly Rated)

Guacamole making competition

The Great Guac Off pits colleagues against each other in a friendly and flavorful guacamole-making competition!

Here is what awaits you at this avocado-based party:

  • Expert hosts and co-hosts will meet you at the location of your choice.
  • We will bring delicious guacamole ingredients and an assortment of dippers.
  • For an added twist, hosts can introduce a secret ingredient.
  • First, hosts will lead energetic warm-up games and icebreakers.
  • Then, teams will dive into avocado trivia and thrilling mini-games.
  • Finally, participants showcase their culinary skills by creating guacamole masterpieces.
  • Participants will give each guacamole creation a unique name.
  • A panel of judges will taste and score each entry.
  • At the end of the battle, a champion guacamole maker will win!

The Great Guac Off satisfies taste buds while cultivating strong bonds, enhancing communication skills, and fostering teamwork.

Learn more about The Great Guac Off.

4. Waterworks Museum

The Waterworks Museum offers visitors a unique experience, welcoming visitors with free admission. Guided tours explore the history of the Chestnut Hill High Service Pumping Station and the Boston Waterworks system. Special access tours provide a more in-depth look into the museum. Private tours and event hosting options are also available upon request.

Visitors can explore exhibits highlighting the history and significance of the Chestnut Hill Pumping Station and the Boston water supply system. The museum’s collection of steam engines is a prominent attraction, including Leavitt, Worthington, and Allis.

The museum also hosts special events, including guided tours and temporary exhibits like “Reservoir: What the Water Knows.” These exhibits offer a modern look at our relationship with water and nature. This museum is a great opportunity to learn more about waterworks systems.

Learn more about the Waterworks Museum.

5. Footlight Club

Established in 1877, The Footlight Club is America’s oldest community theater. The theater aims to present non-professional theater to a wide audience and preserve Eliot Hall as a community resource.

Currently in its 147th season, The Footlight Club has a long history of producing plays and musicals. Examples of previous shows include Stepping Out, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and A Carol Christmas. The theater is committed to community engagement, partnering with local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Additionally, The Footlight Club offers rental space in historic Eliot Hall for meetings, receptions, art shows, theatrical productions, and various events. With versatile spaces like the auditorium, dressing rooms, and parlor, Eliot Hall provides a unique venue for gatherings. So be sure to stop by when looking for company retreat locations in Boston!

Learn more about The Footlight Club.

6. Trillium Brewing Company

Trillium Brewing Company is a great place to take colleagues! The brewery collaborates with over 30 local vendors and also runs their own farm to source the best ingredients. The firm focuses on hospitality and innovation, creating a diverse range of beer, seltzer, and wine. For instance, you can try a Mango Lassi Sour and a Coconut Cake Stout.

If you are interested in hosting a private event, then you can book one of several available spaces. Trillium operates in multiple locations, including Fort Point, Fenway, Canton, and a farm in North Stonington.

Environmental responsibility is also important to Trillium, and they aim to give back by recapturing carbon dioxide and hosting community initiatives. Trillium Brewing Company’s commitment to quality, community, and sustainability makes them a great part of the Boston experience.

Learn more about Trillium Brewing Company.

7. Bella Santé Spa

Founded in 1996, the first Bella Santé spa started as a small skin care clinic and has since grown into the most awarded day spa in the Greater Boston area. The spa has multiple locations, a professional team of over 200, and numerous awards.

Bella Santé is dedicated to providing an exceptional spa experience focused entirely on you. Services include various massage therapies, skincare treatments, and med spa services. These offerings help retreat attendees relax, reduce stress, and promote mental clarity. These benefits can greatly benefit team building activities and workshops during the retreat. Bella Santé Spas adds a layer of relaxation, wellness, and self-care to the overall retreat experience.

Learn more about Bella Santé.

8. Boston Harbor Islands

For your company retreat entertainment ideas in Boston, you can take a day excursion to the Harbor Islands. This national and state park is easily accessible by boat from the heart of Boston. With various islands to explore, you will discover hiking, camping, and picnic spots, as well as a historic fort on Georges Island. Entry to the islands is free except for the boat ride cost. However, if there are more than 25 individuals in your group, you must submit a Group Authorization Form before your trip.

Learn more about Boston Harbor Islands.

9. Castle Island

When looking for historical team retreat ideas in Massachusetts, check out Castle Island. This island is a narrow piece of land just outside the city that played a crucial part in Massachusetts’ fight against British colonization. The primary feature of Castle Island is a military stronghold named Fort Independence.

The fort was first constructed in 1634 and has functioned as a historical monument. You can take advantage of daily, free tours to discover more about the building’s fascinating past. You may also go swimming, fishing, and even have a picnic on the island. The peaceful setting is ideal for a company retreat.

Learn more about Castle Island.

10. The Versus Arcade

Remembering fond memories together is a terrific way to connect as a group. In an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1980s, visitors to the Versus Arcade may play vintage arcade games like pinball and contemporary games. This activity is another exciting Boston retreat option, and it is conveniently situated in Downtown Crossing. You can book the whole space for a private business event and enjoy craft beer and pub fare from the on-site bar and restaurant.

Learn more about the Versus Arcade.

11. Igloo Bar

The Lookout Bar at the Envoy Hotel is a wonderful venue for a business retreat with its breathtaking views of the harbor. When temperatures drop in winter, the rooftop restaurant’s “igloos” provide welcome warmth. You may book an igloo for a private event for up to 10 people for a minimum of 2 hours. You will have a complete selection of food and drinks at your disposal, along with fleece blankets to keep you warm. Igloo Bar is a fantastic choice if you are considering corporate retreat ideas for small groups in Boston, Massachusetts. You and your team can have fun together playing games like trivia.

Learn more about Igloo Bar.

12. Plimoth Plantation

The Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum in the Boston region where visitors may see actors portraying pilgrims in a replica of a 17th-century town. This fascinating museum offers a look back into the past of Massachusetts and the life of its indigenous people. You could combine your journey with a team dining experience or a movie screening for all-day activity. Alternatively, you may hire one of the costumed role-players to give a talk at your retreat.

Learn more about Plimoth Plantation.

13. Archery Games Boston

Archery Games might be a fun company retreat activity for your workplace if many of your employees like adrenaline-packed movies. Archery Games Boston is the only combat archery arena in the region, giving an action-packed experience for your next team adventure. In this game, your teams will battle with bows and harmless foam-tipped arrows, with gameplay similar to dodgeball. The Archery Games are a friendly competition that emphasizes communication and collaboration. This room is available for hire for teams as small as eight people and as big as one hundred people. Archery Games Boston also provides mobile corporate events, where they transport everything to your workplace or other location if you cannot make it to the facility.

Find out more about Archery Games Boston.

14. Wachusett Mountain

Wachusett Mountain is one of Boston’s top ski resorts for company retreats. It takes about an hour to reach the location from downtown, and you can view the city skyline from the top. You can arrange a day trip or a venue close by for an overnight retreat for your company. If this is your first time on skis or snowboarding, then the Wachusett Mountain Learning Center has you covered with a wide variety of beginner-level courses. This activity offers opportunities to learn new skills as a team.

Learn more about Wachusett Mountain.

15. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

If you prefer indoor adventures, then you can visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center. The company has you covered with different corporate event packages. You and your team can participate in a treasure hunt at MINILAND Boston, ride the Kingdom Quest laser ride, or put on a virtual reality headset and compete in the Great LEGO Race. You could rent the whole place if you have a large group or participate in their monthly Adult Night.

Learn more about LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

16. Alice’s Table

Company retreats can be fun at Alice’s Table. The venue focuses on encouraging originality and creativity by using flowers. Whether in your workplace or one of the company’s numerous venue partner locations, the staff can help you design your team event. One to two hours is typical for an event, with the length of time varying based on how intricate the floral arrangement is. The fact that you get to keep your finished flower arrangement makes these kinds of craft-based team exercises fun for your team.

Find out more about Alice’s Table.

17. Chip-In Farm

One of the summer’s new pastimes in the Boston area is goat yoga, which is available at several regional farms. Goat yoga is like regular yoga, but a goat could get on your back to deepen your pose. This activity is a great way to spend time with farm animals and create memorable photographs. If you want to practice yoga but do not have time to drive to a farm, then you may have a teacher bring the goats to you!

Learn more about Chip-In Farm.

18. Brooklyn Boulders

Active teams looking for a workout will enjoy the physical challenge that Brooklyn Boulders provides. Brooklyn Boulders is a 40,000-square-foot climbing gym close to Boston in Somerville, Massachusetts. The venue caters to climbers of all skill levels, with areas dedicated to bouldering, auto-belay, top-roping, and lead climbing. Brooklyn Boulders is a great place to learn or improve your climbing skills, regardless of your team’s prior experience.

The space is available for rent if you want to host your team-building exercises privately. During your event, professionals will walk you through all the fundamentals of bouldering, and you will obtain your auto-belay certificate. A large rock climbing wall is a great way to build trust since you depend on your co-workers. Yoga, boot camp, and meditation are some optional extras you may add to your team activities.

Find out more about Brooklyn Boulders.

19. Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden, the first public botanical garden in the United States, is one of the top corporate retreat ideas for big groups in Boston, MA. Boston Public Garden is a lovely spot for a do-it-yourself team retreat activity when the weather is favorable. You can take in the view of the lagoon, fountains, monuments, and stunning native flora and animals. You can also organize a picnic and team activities in the park. You could have some music and the makings of a great team offsite to foster team unity and express gratitude for your team’s efforts.

Learn more about Boston Public Garden.

20. Trapology Boston

Trapology is an escape room in Boston. During your team event, you and your teammates will have one hour to follow a series of challenging clues, solve mind-bending riddles, and break free. The five options are the Drunk Tank, The Hustler, The Retreat, Crush Depth, and Steampunk Train. Individuals or groups of various sizes may enjoy a day at Trapology for a company retreat. Up to 10 participants can play in each of the escape rooms. If you have a bigger team, you can divide yourself into several rooms and battle against the clock and the other teams too.

Learn more about Trapology Boston.

21. Kendall Square

Known as “the most inventive square mile on the planet,” Kendall Square is a cluster of high-tech buildings where you will find sights, from scientific labs to start-up enterprises. Kendall Square is situated quite close to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When locals need a break from the daily grind, they may go to one of Kendall Square’s many pubs, boutiques, or restaurants.

The Kendall Center, for instance, is all business on the inside, but outside, guests may enjoy the sights and smell of fresh flowers in a rooftop garden, all free of charge. If you are in search of unique experiences in Boston, then visit Kendall Square for your company retreat.

Learn more about Kendall Square.

Conclusion

Boston always amazes its residents and visitors with its array of exciting events and seasonal outdoor activities. Retreats in Boston can be a lot of fun. You could hit the slopes, go ice skating, or spend a day at the Harbor Islands or Plimoth Plantation. Investing in company retreat activities in Boston is essential to boost employee happiness, engagement, and retention.

Next, check out team building activities in Boston and office scavenger hunt ideas.

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FAQ: Company retreat ideas in Boston, Massachusetts

Here are frequently asked questions about company retreat ideas in Boston.

What are some good corporate retreat ideas in Boston?

Some good corporate retreat ideas in Boston include Brooklyn Boulders, Versus Arcade, LEGO Discovery Center, and Castle Island. In addition to having a good time, your team will be working on areas of team building such as collaboration, communication, and bonding. As a result, your team members will grow as individuals and as a unit, have fun, and build friendships.

How do you plan a fun team retreat in Boston?

Organizing a successful team excursion depends on picking the correct activity. The first stage in planning an influential business event is establishing what you want to achieve. You may then choose the team-building package most suited to your requirements and the firm that provides it.

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Author:

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.
Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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