With many New Yorkers still working from home, you and your team may be looking for ways to get together again and reconnect. The city that never sleeps has tons of remote team-building events that will help your company with higher/improved morale, employee retention, improved teamwork and more.
To help you narrow things down and to help you get to know your coworkers better, we've put together a list of the top 30 team-building activities. From karaoke nights to scavenger hunts to sightseeing from the water on a private boat, there is something for everyone on this list. So grab your colleagues and get ready for some fun!
1. Walking Food Tours
Food brings people together like nothing else. And what better way to bond with your remote coworkers than by taking a walking food tour through one of NYC's many neighborhoods? From Chinatown to Little Italy, there are plenty of options to choose from. Not to mention, you'll get to sample some delicious food along the way! One for the books is Foods of NY Tours because they offer walking tours in some of the most iconic neighborhoods, led by expert guides.
2. Bike Tours
If you're looking for something a little more active for your day of fun with your coworkers, consider taking a bike tour of NYC. It's a great way to see the city and get some exercise in at the same time. There are plenty of companies that offer bike tours, but we recommend pedaling with Urban Adventures. They have a variety of tours to choose from, all of which are led by local guides who know the ins and outs of the city.
3. Big Onion Walking Tours
When you work remotely, it helps to get out of the office and stretch your legs among your peers. And what better way to do that than by taking a walking tour of NYC? Big Onion Walking Tours shows you layers of big Apple History by offering a variety of ethnic neighborhood tours, from Greenwich Village to the Brooklyn Bridge. No matter your choice, you're sure to learn something new about the city. And who knows, you might even make some new friends along the way!
4. Make Your Own Pizza
What's better than pizza? Making your own NY-style pizza, of course! And with so many great pizza places in NYC, it's easy to find a place that offers pizza-making classes. One of our favorites is Pizza School NYC, where you can participate in a team-building event that's oh-so cleverly disguised as a pizza party. Cozy Meal is another good one that offers team-building activities through its culinary classes. They have a variety of classes that teach you how to cook like a New Yorker. And the best part is, you get to eat your creations at the end!
5. Blacklight Bowling at Bowlmor
Bowling is one of the top things to do in NYC, and it has a long-standing tradition as being one of the best team-building activities. Bowlmor at Times Square is one of the best places to go bowling in NYC. But what makes this spot even better is its blacklight bowling. That's right, you can bowl in the dark! It's a great way to have some fun with your coworkers and let loose after a long day of work.
6. Madison Square Garden
Known as the "World's Most Famous Arena," Madison Square Garden is home to some of the biggest sporting events and concert performances in NYC. And if you're looking for a fun team-building activity, we recommend taking a behind-the-scenes tour of this iconic venue. You'll get to see areas that are usually off-limits to the public, like the locker rooms and behind-the-scenes of a live event. It's a great way to learn more about the Garden and its rich history.
7. The High Line
If you want to eat, drink and be merry and catch some beautiful views of the city with your remote team, The High Line is one of NYC's most popular attractions. And for good reason! This elevated park offers breathtaking views of the city, as well as plenty of opportunities to people-watch and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants along the way. Plus, it's a great way to get some fresh air and stretch your legs after being cooped up in your home office all day.
8. Prohibition-Themed Big Deal Casino Night
What better way to let off some steam with your remote team than by throwing a prohibition-themed casino night? Big Deal Casino offers everything you need to make your event a success, from casino tables and dealers to fun props and accessories. And if you're not sure how to get started, they even offer planning services to help you out.
9. Make Your Way Out of an Escape Room
Escape rooms are all the rage these days — and no wonder — they're tons of fun! They're also a great way to test your problem-solving skills with your team. No matter what your remote team's skill level is, there's sure to be an escape room that's perfect for you and your team. One of the escape rooms in NYC, we recommend trying out Nyctophilia. They have a variety of rooms to choose from, each with its own unique theme and challenges.
10. Play Games at a VR Arcade
If you're looking for a fun and unique team-building activity, look no further than a VR arcade. These arcades offer a variety of virtual reality games that are perfect for groups. And if you've never tried VR before, don't worry — they have plenty of options for beginners as well. One of our favorite VR arcades in NYC is VR World, which has a wide selection of games to choose from. If you're looking for something a little different, they also offer escape rooms and laser tag.
11. Virtual Office Happy Hour
Just because you're working remotely doesn't mean you can't enjoy a happy hour with your team. Enter the virtual office happy hour. With so many great apps and websites out there, it's easy to host a remote happy hour that everyone can enjoy. All you need are some icebreakers, a few cocktails, some snacks and good company. And if you want to make things even more fun, you can add a theme or games to your happy hour. And with so many great deliveries and takeaway options in NYC, you can have a happy hour anywhere you want!
12. Karaoke Night
Whether you're a karaoke enthusiast or not, karaoke is always a good time. And what better way to bond with your team than by belting out some tunes together? There are plenty of great karaoke bars in NYC, but our personal favorite is Gagopa Karaoke in Midtown. They have private rooms for groups, so you can sing your heart out without being interrupted. And if you need a little liquid courage, they have a full bar to help you out.
13. Take a New York Harbor Boat Tour
One of the best ways to see NYC is from the water with New York Harbor Tours, and you can enjoy sightseeing from the deck of your own private boat tour with them. For instance, their 90-minute Daytime Downtown Loop tour departs from Pier 25 downtown and loops around the tip of Manhattan and up the East and Hudson Rivers. During your company cruise, you will see all the historic and beautiful sights of New York Harbor including The Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, Jane's Carousel, The Freedom Tower and much, much more!
14. Do a Wine or Beer Tasting
NYC is home to some of the best wine and beer in the world, so why not take advantage of it with your remote team? There are plenty of great wine and beer tastings to choose from, so you're sure to find one that's perfect for your team. And if you want to make things even more fun, you can add a competitive element to your tasting by having everyone vote on their favorite wine or beer.
15. Take an Improv Class at PIT
Improv is a great way to bond with your team and have some fun. And what better place to take an improv class than at the world-famous Peoples Improv Theater? At PIT, you and your team will learn the basics of improv and have a blast doing it. You'll also get to see some of the best improv shows in NYC while you're there.
16. Visit the Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind museum that's perfect for groups. With over 80 optical illusions, you and your team will have a blast exploring all the different exhibits. And if you're looking for something a little bit more hands-on, they also offer a variety of interactive games and puzzles.
17. See a Show at the Blue Man Group
The Blue Man Group is one of NYC's most popular shows, and people come from all over the world to get their minds blown by their acts. But it's not just a stellar show — it's also an excellent way to bond with your team. That's because the Blue Man Group is all about teamwork, and you'll need to work together to solve the puzzles and games they present. You can catch them at the Astor Place Theatre in downtown New York City.
18. Indoor Skydiving at iFly
If you're looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity, indoor skydiving at iFly is the ideal choice. It's also perfect for groups, and you'll have a blast flying through the air together. And if you want to make things even more fun, you can add a competitive element to your session by seeing who can stay in the air the longest.
19. Chelsea Piers Fitness
If you and your team are fitness fanatics, then you'll love Chelsea Piers Fitness. They offer a wide variety of classes, from yoga to boot camp so that you can find the best workout for your team. And if you want to add a competitive edge to your workout, they also offer a variety of challenges and races.
20. Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock is one of NYC's most popular attractions, and it's easy to see why. The views from the top are absolutely stunning, and you'll get to see all of NYC's major landmarks. And if you want to make things even more fun, you can challenge your team to a scavenger hunt to see who can find the most landmarks.
21. Play Ping-Pong at Spin NYC
Spin NYC is a popular ping-pong club in NYC, and it's an amazing place to unwind with your team. They have a full bar so that you can grab a drink — plus — they also offer a variety of exciting games and challenges. Lastly, if you have a competitive streak and are a natural at ping-pong, you can even sign up for one of their tournaments.
22. Check out Central Park
Central Park is one of NYC's most iconic landmarks, and it's a wonderful place to spend a day with your team. There are plenty of great activities to do in the park, from exploring the Alice in Wonderland statue to renting bikes and riding around. And if you want to make things even more fun, you can challenge your team to a game of frisbee on the green or grab some sandwiches at one of the local cafes and have a picnic lunch in Sheep Meadow.
23. Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
This stunning Gothic cathedral is one of NYC's hidden gems, and it's the perfect place to explore with your team. With its beautiful stained glass windows and grandiose architecture, the Basilica is sure to take your breath away. And if you want to learn more about the history of the church, you and your team can take the Catacombs by Candlelight tour, where a professional guide accompanies you throughout while revealing the secrets of the Basilica.
24. Take an Art Class at The Art Studio NY
The Art Studio NY is the #1-Rated art class in the Big Apple, and it has been featured in the press at publishers on anywhere from ABC to Kourtney & Kim Take New York. It's also a great place to bond with your team while getting in touch with your creative side. They offer a variety of in-person and online art classes, from painting to sculpting, and you're sure to find something that everyone will enjoy. They also host corporate events, so your team can build morale while participating in collaboration, creative problem solving and goal achievement.
25. Ultimate Trivia Showdown
Trivia nights are always a good time, and they're even better when you're competing as a team. There are plenty of great trivia nights to choose from in NYC, so you're sure to find one that's perfect for your group. And if you want to make things even more fun, you can offer a prize to the winning team. The Ultimate Trivia Night event consistently gets good reviews, and you can book tickets here: https://teambuilding.com/events/ultimate-trivia-showdown to try them out for yourself.
26. Museum Hack
Museum Hack is a company that offers private, customized tours of some of the world's most popular museums. And they're not your average tour — they're far from it. These tours are designed to be interactive and fun, and they're led by professional guides who are passionate about art. They offer tours of The Met, The Museum of Natural History, and The Guggenheim, and they're sure to be a hit with your team. You can learn more about their tours, virtual team-building activities, corporate event and online storytelling workshops here: https://museumhack.com/about/
27. Scavenger Hunt with Stray Boots
If you're looking for a team-building activity that's a little bit different, why not try a scavenger hunt? Scavenger hunts are great for teams of all sizes and can be customized to fit your group's interests. And if you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of companies that offer ready-made scavenger hunts in NYC. We recommend using Strayboots, which offers both digital and in-person scavenger hunts.
28. Check out the Friends Experience
If you're a fan of the popular TV show FRIENDS, then this is the activity for you. The FRIENDS Experience is an immersive exhibit that features props and sets from the show, and it's the perfect place to take a selfie with your team. You can also buy merchandise, participate in trivia, and more. And if you want to make things even more fun, you can dress up as your favorite character.
29. Volunteer Together
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, and it's also a great way to build team morale. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available in NYC, so you're sure to find one that's perfect for your team. To find places to lend your time, you can search online at places like Eventbrite NY Volunteer Events to find anything from a STEM weekend function to the multitude of food pantries and soup kitchens in the city that need regular volunteers.
30. The Great Guac Off
The Great Guac Off is a team-building event that's perfect for groups of all sizes. It's a fun and interactive way to bond with your team, and it's also a great way to learn about other cultures. During the event, teams will compete to create the best guacamole dish, and the winning team will receive a prize. You can learn more about the event and how to sign up here: https://thegreatguacoff.com/about/.
Try Out New York Harbor Tours for Your Next Remote Team Building Activity
There you have it! Our top 30 picks for remote team-building activities in NYC. We hope you found this list helpful, and we encourage you to try out some of these activities with your team. If you're looking for more ideas, be sure to check out our blog for more great tips and tricks. And if you're looking for a breathtaking tour of New York by waterway for your team-building activities, be sure to check out our tour page for more information: New York Harbor Tours.