Here is our list of the best company outing ideas in Washington DC.
Company outing ideas in Washington DC are team building activities that your workforce can partake in the DC metro area. Examples of these outings include escape games at Insomnia Escape, Hullabaloo Rage Room, and a cruise of the Potomac River. The purpose of these activities is to foster team bonding, relieve work-related stress, and increase workplace productivity.
These ideas are examples of team bonding activities, executive retreat ideas, small-group team building, and ways to have fun at work with employees. The list contains indoor team building inspiration and outdoor team building ideas.
These gatherings are similar to corporate event ideas in DC and DC team building events.
This list includes:
- group outing ideas for adults in Washington DC
- team building outings in Washington DC
- work team outings in Washington DC
- corporate outings in Washington DC
Here we go!
List of company outing ideas in Washington DC
From visiting the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Garden to VR games at VR Zone and touring the White House, here is a list of our best company outing ideas in Washington DC.
1. The Great Guac Off
The Great Guac Off is a fun team building activity in Washington DC where participants compete to make the best guacamole. First, the guide will lead your team through mini-challenges such as avocado-themed trivia. As one of the best corporate outings in Washington DC, teams will have a challenging, collaborative, and fun experience. Participants will learn the art of healthy competition as they bond. You can host this activity in your office, a rented space, or conference space. The one-and-a-half-hour event accommodates from six to over three hundred attendees.
Learn more about The Great Guac Off.
2. Gingerbread Wars
Gingerbread Wars is a team building activity where participants compete to make a gingerbread house. To start, participants will partake in team building games such as Snowman Hustle and trivia, followed by the gingerbread house-making competition. You can also opt for the add-ons such as Deck the Halls, Cookie Monster, and BYOB. You can host this holiday activity at your office, rental locations, or conference spaces. The one-and-a-half-hour activity accommodates from six to over three hundred participants.
Learn more about Gingerbread Wars.
3. Museum Hack
Museum Hack offers a two-hour museum adventure full of epic photo challenges, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and other interactive team activities. The Museum Hack team can customize your scavenger hunt to suit your company’s mission and values. For instance, teams can learn about service in the Roman Empire, tech innovations, and ancient healthcare. Museum Hack tours are among the most popular group outing ideas for adults in Washington DC that enhance team bonding while also teaching the country’s rich history. Museum Hack accommodates from two to over three hundred attendees.
4. Ultimate Trivia Showdown
The Ultimate Trivia Showdown is a 90-minute team building activity where teams will compete in an epic quiz-style competition. A professional entertainer will lead your workforce through a series of engaging and unique trivia such as the Champion Challenge and Majority Rules. Teams will determine who is the brightest as they bond and learn healthy competition tips. Ultimate Trivia Showdown team building outings in Washington DC accommodates six to over three hundred participants.
Learn more about Ultimate Trivia Showdown.
5. Storytelling Workshops
The art of storytelling directly impacts productivity in your company. If you want your team to learn vital storytelling tips and how to best use them, then you must consider Storytelling Workshops. For two hours, participants will have an interactive communication training session. Ideal for advanced and beginner storytellers, experts will teach your team impactful and effective communication tactics. Your team will also practice and develop the new skills they will learn, leaving every attendee with the confidence to put the tips into use. Storytelling Workshops accommodate from two to over 300 participants.
Learn more about Storytelling Workshops.
6. ScavBoss
Scavenger hunts are among the most popular work team outings in Washington DC. However, you can take your scavenger hunts a notch higher through ScavBoss. Team building experts will lead your workforce through a series of fun storylines, game mechanics, and puzzles that will challenge even the smartest team player. You can choose between indoor and outdoor hunts and customize the searches to your industry, theme, or company mission. ScavBoss accommodates from six to over three hundred participants.
ScavBoss may be perfect for your team.
7. Volunteer at Common Good City Farm
Volunteering activities will teach your team the importance of being part of a community. Common Good City Farm is an organization that uses urban farming to create an informed, vibrant and well-nourished community. By emphasizing sustainable urban agriculture and intensive vegetable production, Common Good City Farm has offered the community over ten tons of fresh produce.
Your team can volunteer at this organization and partake in farm tasks such as planting, weeding, harvesting, and composting. Teams will also learn about the food system and sustainable agriculture practices. Volunteer activities at Common Good City Farm are best for small teams since the organization hosts groups of up to 15 attendees.
Learn more about Common Good City Farm
8. Escape Games at Insomnia Escape
Insomnia Escape offers private games where participants will accomplish a mission by solving puzzles and finding clues to escape within 60 minutes. One of the key advantages that your team will have with Insomnia Escape is the opportunity to bond since the company only offers private games.
Examples:
- Dungeon Things – After a terrible thunderstorm cuts off power, you have a unique opportunity to find your missing friend and investigate the disappearance of children from Lindale town within 60 minutes. This escape game has a difficulty level of eight and accommodates two to ten players.
- The Mafia – Participants will retrieve documents from the notorious Cosa Nostra mafia. Teams need to be very smart and cautious and complete this dangerous mission within 60 minutes. The Mafia has a difficulty level of seven and accommodates two to nine players.
- The Patient – You will investigate mysteries happening at St. Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital within 60 minutes. The venue has unexpected scenario twists and the unsettling atmosphere of a psychiatric hospital. With a difficulty level of ten, The Patient is one of the best escape rooms in Washington DC for teams that want a challenging activity. This activity accommodates two to nine players.
The cost of these escape games in Washington DC starts at $89.
Learn more about Insomnia Escape.
9. Tour the White House
A visit to the White House can be one of the most memorable corporate outings in Washington DC for your team. Your team will tour the public rooms in the East Wing, the China Room, the State Dining Room, and get a view of the White House Rose Garden. However, the tour requires prior planning. You can start by submitting your team’s info at least 21 days before the scheduled date. All White House tours are also free, making it an excellent addition to your free team building activities in Washington DC. Be sure to remind all attendees to carry a valid ID and foreign nationals to have their passports.
Learn more about The White House.
10. VR Games at VR Zone
VR Zone offers various activities, from VR games and VR art to VR escape rooms. VR Zone boasts experts in social VR entertainment where participants can enjoy activities using some of the best VR technology available today. For a truly immersive experience, VR Zone ensures that teams have the best technology, such as Oculus headsets, Vive tracers for total body immersion, and HTC Vive wireless technology.
If you select the arcade mode, you can enjoy the library of over 35 games and switch from one game at any time. You will pay $49 per hour for VR arcade games and $49 for VR escape rooms per hour. The cost of a free-roaming VR arena is $29 per person, while private events start from $449.
Learn more about VR Zone.
11. Hullabaloo Rage Room
Work stress and frustrations can get in the way of your team’s productivity. Rather than suppressing stress, you can offer your workforce an avenue to let out any frustrations in a fun way. Hullabaloo Rage Room offers an outlet where participants will break and smash inanimate objects in a safe zone. If you are looking for an affordable rage room price, then the BYOB package is your best bet. For the BYOB package, teams will bring their breakables at $25 and experience a 15-minute break loose session. Other packages range from $25 to $120.
Learn more about Hullabaloo Rage Room.
12. Visit the Rock Creek Park
The Rock Creek Park is a 1,700-acre parkland that you can use for an afternoon team visit. As a thriving host for native species, the Rock Creek Park is a space of tranquillity and peace. The wooden and serene trails can offer teams a wide array of activities.
Examples:
- Horse riding at Rock Creek Park Horse Cente
- Boat riding at Thompson Boat Center
- Play Tennis at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center
- Play golf at Park Golf Course
- Watch a show at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre
- Indoor stargazing
You can also plan a team hike or a picnic and enjoy the serene park environment. Some sites at the park have picnic tables and barbeques.
Learn more about Rock Creek Park.
13. Watch Soccer at Audi Field
Perfect for any team of soccer fans, Audi Field is a soccer-specific stadium with seating of 20,000 people. Teams can cheer on matches by DC United, Washington Spirit, or the NSWL. Audi Field also offers catering services with dishes such as chicken wings tossed in special sauce or half-smoked sausages. You can go a step further and treat your team with the premier seats that come with wine, beer, and all you can eat. You may even enjoy special discounts if you have many attendees.
Learn more about Audi Field.
14. Visit the Eastern Market
A farmers market visit is among the most immersive team building outings in Washington DC. Being the oldest food market still running, Eastern Market serves its original function as a public market. Your team will have an opportunity to meet vendors, taste specialties grown and produced in the Washington DC area, and even take some produce home. Depending on the season, you can expect to find a variety of locally grown fruit, cheese selection, artisanal bread, meats, vegetables, and fresh flowers. You will also find handmade arts and crafts such as wood carving, jewelry, hair accessories, and pottery.
Since the Eastern Market visit is a free team event, you can give teams $50 to $100 to spend in the market. Let attendees opt between trying out foods in the market or doing their grocery shopping. You can also do a short scavenger hunt and offer incentives to the winning participants.
Learn more about Eastern Market.
15. Concert at The Anthem
Attending musical events is among the best group outing ideas for adults in Washington DC that you can use to promote team bonding. The Anthem is a music venue and an auditorium that can accommodate 2,500 to 6,000 attendees. The 57,000- square foot venue offers a wide array of musical events from talented and well-known performers.
The Anthem features an acoustically advanced city hall that hosts internationally celebrated artists and local performers. And with the comfortable seating, variety of food and drinks, and movable stage and backdrop, expect your workforce to have the time of their lives. Be sure to select an event that most participants want to attend, or let your team choose their concert of choice.
Learn more about The Anthem.
16. Ride Roller Coasters at Six Flags America
If you are looking for thrilling team outing activities in Washington DC, then the Six Flags America is a must-try. Situated just 15 minutes from Washington DC, Six Flags America offers ten kiddie rides, thrill rides, shows, and roller coasters, including the Batwing and the 200-foot-tall Superman. If you want to enjoy water activities, then teams can access Hurricane Harbor, the largest water park in Maryland. Participants can access numerous water slides and the world’s largest wave pool.
A one-day ticket costs $29.99. For groups of more than 15 attendees, you will enjoy special discounts.
Learn more about Six Flags America.
17. Visit United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden may be one of the most underrated places in Washington DC. However, being one of the oldest botanic gardens in Northern America, a tour of the botanic garden is educational and relaxing. The United States Botanic Garden is home to the National Garden, and the serene Bartholdi Park is home to a variety of plant life. With some species rare and endangered, the botanic garden visit is a one-on-a-lifetime memory that you can use to show the importance and diversity of flora. You will also teach your team the different plant life’s cultural, ecological, therapeutic, and economic benefits.
The United States Botanic Garden is open every day throughout the year and does not have an admission fee. This idea is perfect for teams looking to add events to their list of free team building outings in Washington DC.
Learn more about United States Botanic Garden.
18. Food Tasting at Eden Center
If you are a food lover, you will enjoy the trip to Eden Center. Being one of the major hotspots for food lovers in Washington DC, Eden Center attracts crowds of locals and tourists. The center is the biggest Asian mall in the United States East Coast. You will enjoy over 130 dining establishments and shops that primarily provide Asian cuisine. Your team can also try a variety of Vietnamese goods such as bakery items and stir-fried dishes.
If you want to create a more interactive experience, then carry out mall scavenger hunts at the mall. Teams can compete to get specific accessories, traditional herbal remedies, clothing, and foods.
Learn more about Eden Center.
19. Visit Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Garden
Located near the Anacostia River, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Garden is Washington DC’s last tidal marsh. The park and aquatic garden tour provide a pleasant sight of water gardens, artificial ponds, walking trails, and wetlands. Teams will also enjoy different plant and animal species, not to mention the peaceful ambiance. In addition, you can lead teams to look out for wildlife at the park, such as otters, birds, reptiles, minks, and foxes.
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Garden does not charge an admission fee.
Learn more about Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Garden.
20. Outdoor Adventures at Go Ape
Go Ape is an adventure park where teams can enjoy various high adrenaline outdoor activities. Participants can get the desired thrill while others get over their fear of heights. Teams will also learn the importance of motivating and supporting each other both at work and off work.
Examples:
- Treetop Adventure- Teams will enjoy a two-to-three-hour aerial journey of the forest canopy. Participants will start with climbing a rope ladder or stairs up the trees, followed by navigating wobbly rope bridges, and lastly, a thrilling zipline back to the forest floor.
- Treetop Journey- The Treetop Journey is the perfect Go Ape activity for participants who are starting high ropes. You will enjoy over 20 obstacles and two ziplines.
- Axe Throwing- Teams will stick an axe into the target for one hour.
- Monkey Drop- As one of the best outdoor activities for thrill-seekers, enjoy a high jump 40 feet off the ground.
Go Ape offers iconic and thrilling outdoor activities while ensuring that safety practices are in place. Be sure to book before heading out to Go Ape.
Learn more about Go Ape.
21. Potomac River Tours at Capital River Cruises
As a major defining topography in Washing DC, a Potomac River team cruise is a great team building idea. A cruise along the Potomac River, the fourth largest river along the East Coast of the US, offers teams plenty of chances to socialize and see many monuments in Washington DC. For instance, teams may catch views of the John F. Kennedy Centre, the Washington Monument, and the Georgetown waterfront. You can also engage your team in other work team outings in Washington DC, such as paddling, Whitewater rafting, boat races, kayaking, and surfing.
Check out Capital River Cruises.
22. City View at The Capital Wheel
If you want your workforce to catch an amazing view of Washington DC, then The Capital Wheel is the perfect team building idea. Participants will sour 180 feet above the Potomac River and get views of DC, Virginia, and Maryland. In addition, guests can catch a view of the Washington Monument, the National Harbor, and the Masonic Temple of Alexandria.
The Capital Wheel provides climate-controlled and comfortable gondolas that accommodate up to eight people at $15 plus tax. Seniors pay $13.50 while children under 12 years pay $11.25 plus tax. If you want the VIP treatment, you will pay $50 plus tax.
Learn more about The Capital Wheel.
Conclusion
Washington DC boasts of numerous activities and fun places that teams can visit. From fostering team bonding to boosting workers’ productivity and improving relations, team outing ideas are worthwhile investments. Depending on your budget, you can alternate between free and paid team building activities in the area.
Next, check out these lists of team building happy hour ideas and company outings in NYC.
Grace He