Updated: July 27, 2022

20 Company Retreat Ideas in Milwaukee, WI

You found our list of company retreat ideas in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Company retreat ideas in Milwaukee are a great way to promote employee morale and collaboration during special events. Examples include History Third Wave, The Great Guac Off, and Miller Park. The importance of a business retreat is to improve team morale, motivate employees, and improve communication within the organization.

These ideas help with retreat location planning, retreat activities, and executive retreat ideas. The experiences are similar to company outings in Milwaukee and Milwaukee corporate events.

This article contains:

  • corporate retreat ideas for big groups in Milwaukee
  • corporate retreat ideas for small groups in Milwaukee
  • company retreat entertainment ideas in Milwaukee
  • company retreat locations in Milwaukee
  • staff retreat activities in Wisconsin
  • team retreat ideas in Milwaukee

Here we go!

List of company retreats ideas in Milwaukee

Known as “the City of Festivals,” Milwaukee boasts a variety of festivals and activities that will keep you entertained during your company retreats. If you are looking for a more planned activity to bring your employees closer together, then the following is a list of fantastic team retreat ideas in Milwaukee.

1. The Great Guac Off

The Great Guac Off is a great idea for a team-building event in the Milwaukee region. The activity combines the pleasure of creating guacamole with the advantages of teamwork. You could be in for a rude awakening if you think your guacamole recipe hits the hardest. The event’s pleasant hosts will hand out ingredients and dippers, facilitate group photos, and award prizes.

Mini-games like Trivia-cado and House Builder will round out the competition. To decide who made the greatest guacamole, contestants may try each other’s dishes and then cast votes based on factors including presentation and taste. The Great Guac Off might boost morale and output in the workplace.

Learn more about The Great Guac Off.

2. Ultimate Trivia Showdown

Ultimate Trivia Showdown is an excellent option for staff retreat activities in Wisconsin. Your staff members will battle to see who can answer the most questions correctly and win the most points. The event’s professional performer facilitators would begin by dividing the participants into smaller teams. After that, the presenter will ask a series of questions designed to throw participants off their game. These unique spins on classic trivia games need more than a passing knowledge of random information to prevail. This game show format fosters teamwork and healthy competition. Ultimate Trivia Showdown is a terrific way to bond as a team while also providing a fun and informative activity for its participants.

Learn more about Ultimate Trivia Showdown.

3. Pride Trivia

Pride Trivia banner

Pride Trivia is a great option if you are searching for adult-oriented group activities for your retreat. The hour-long trivia competition will leave each participant wiser and more confident. Participants who identify as part of the LGBTQ community will feel a strong sense of recognition from the game’s material. The thoughtful questions can spark workplace conversations around diversity and inclusion. There are also variations of the event to suit other cultural celebrations. With so many community holidays celebrated annually, the numerous accessible team trivia games are perfect for the occasion.

Learn more about Pride Trivia.

4. Minute Madness

minute madness

Minute Madness is a high-stakes event full of mini-challenges. During this one-hour activity, teams face off in a series of one-minute mini-games. Due to the intensity of the game, Minute Madness works best in a natural or open environment. Your hosts will provide the necessary resources, travel to your location, and take care of set up and clean up. You can experience thrilling, physical challenges as a team can help individuals learn to cooperate and bond.

Find out more about Minute Madness.

5. Milwaukee Public Market

The Milwaukee Public Market is a bustling downtown food complex where many independent food sellers sell dishes to hungry customers. The Madame Kuony Demonstration Kitchen also hosts culinary classes and corporate outings. The workshops range from French to Filipino cuisine, and the team-building events include tailor-made, highly interactive culinary challenges for your group.

Learn more about Milwaukee Public Market.

6. Estabrook Park

One of Wisconsin’s most beautiful spots is Estabrook Park. You should not miss this location if you are looking for corporate retreat activities to do in Milwaukee that makes the most of the city’s stunning natural scenery. Wild torrents crash onto the boulders. Hilltops are carpeted with grass and dotted with trees and flowers. Covered pavilions will keep the snow off your shoulders in the winter, while shaded bridges will be welcome on hot summer days.

You can also explore the nature trails, enjoy sports on the athletic courts, or hike along the nature paths. The top attractions welcome all visitors and provide enough entertainment to keep you busy for hours.

Learn more about Estabrook Park.

7. Electric Duffy Boat

Taking your team out on the lake is a great company retreat idea. With a Duffy Boat, you will not even need any sailing experience to have a good time. These environmentally friendly boats are “as simple to operate as a golf cart.” Rates for a two-hour rental begin at $89 on Wednesdays and increase for weekends and peak times.

You can bring food and drink on board or stop at a nearby pier for a picnic. The boats can take between eight to 12 people, making this activity one of the best corporate retreat ideas for small groups in Milwaukee. All renters under the age of 30 must pass an internet safety course.

Learn more about Electric Duffy Boat.

8. Historic Third Ward

The Historic Third Ward, in the heart of Milwaukee, offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history. This old warehouse district has stores, theaters, art galleries, performance houses, and creative companies.

The location has developed into a center of culture that respects its historic past while looking forward to the future of the arts. The Historic Third Ward is home to the Broadway Theatre Center and the Milwaukee Public Market, two popular tourist destinations. You can take a ride on the downtown Milwaukee streetcar system to view the sites during the day and then hit the town at night to experience the city’s lively bar, pub, and speakeasy scene.

Learn more about Historic Third Ward.

9. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

Even though it is not the only casino in Wisconsin, the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in the middle of Milwaukee is among the finest. The high-end hotel offers jacuzzi baths and spa treatments. Duck, lamb, sushi, and steak are all on the menu at the four-star restaurants. Several pubs are available so you can unwind with a drink after a day of sightseeing or traveling.

However, Potawatomi’s casino is the main selling point. Various high-stakes adult entertainment options are available, from slot machines to poker games. Even if you can not make it to the races to view the horses in person, you may still place bets at the casino. The Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee is the ultimate destination for company retreat entertainment ideas in Milwaukee.

Learn more about The Potawatomi Hotel and Casino.

10. Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory

Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, or “The Domes,” as the locals call it, is a triplex of enormous domes that serve as a hybrid of greenhouses and botanical gardens. All sorts of plants, from dense jungle vines to arid desert cacti, call these places home. You can decide your preferred adventure for the company retreat by visiting one of the several themed domes.

The Rainforest Domes are a great place for walks with the canopies serenading you. A guided tour of the desert dome can help your team learn about climate change. The third dome, called the “show dome,” has a continually changing program of seasonal and holiday themes, where you will see fir trees in the winter, sunflowers in the summer, and blushing peonies in the spring. You can soak in the natural surroundings while riding the garden train.

If you are looking for company retreat locations in Milwaukee, you might consider visiting the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. You will get all the splendor and grandeur of nature without the effort of a trek through a city park.

Learn more about Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory.

11. Lake Geneva Canopy Tours

You can take your group on an exciting outdoor company retreat with Lake Geneva Canopy Tours. Set in a picturesque 100-acre forest, this challenging course includes nine zip lines, a high ropes course, and hiking paths. Outside, you will find a patio with a fire pit, a picnic area, and a conference room inside. Businesses in the Lake Geneva area may provide catering services. Pricing for their team-building activities begins at $60 per person for corporate entities and $35 per person for non-profits.

Learn more about Lake Geneva Canopy Tours.

12. Wauwatosa Curling Club

Instead of kickball, consider trying a new Olympic sport at the Wauwatosa Curling Club. This local league provides ice time for team-building exercises, with a two-hour session for 20 people. The trained facilitators will break your team into smaller groups and teach the rules, safety measures, and etiquette of curling before competing in a game. You should dress warmly in loose-fitting clothing since the temperature will hover around 40 degrees.

Learn more about Wauwatosa Curling Club.

13. Miller Park

Miller Park in Milwaukee is a haven from the Wisconsin winters. This park is the only baseball stadium in North America with a retractable, fan-shaped canopy that can be closed over the field to keep the field from freezing. As a result, even in the thick of winter, you will not have to worry about missing a single game, concert, movie, or rally!

Miller Park was built primarily to host athletic events in Milwaukee, from baseball to soccer and even a bowling championship. Besides the sports, Miller Park still has enough to offer. Popular music artists and bands perform in yearly concerts. At the “Arctic Tailgate” event, held each day in the winter, guests may warm themselves with complimentary doughnuts and hot cocoa while waiting for the day’s tickets to go on sale.

Learn more about Miller Park.

14. Save Milwaukee

Visiting an escape room may be a fun and productive way to bond as a team, but choosing a room that is appropriate for your members is vital. Unlike other escape rooms, you will not have to divide up into smaller groups at Save Milwaukee since the games may accommodate as many as 20 participants. In a mysterious art gallery, you and your team have 60 minutes to work together to solve an interactive puzzle.

Learn more about Save Milwaukee.

15. ComedySportz

When it comes to improv, ComedySportz is in a league of its own. A professional referee will oversee the competition between two teams as they engage in improv games at this team-building event. CSz’s curriculum is called Applied Improvisation and is designed to improve your ability to communicate with coworkers and teach you creative improv abilities you can apply on the job. This activity is a fun, up-to-date corporate retreat idea that will do wonders for the spirit of your business.

Learn more about ComedySportz.

16. Milwaukee Food Tours

Wisconsin is famous for its cheese, but the state’s cuisine also has a wide range of international specialties introduced by German, Polish, and Slavic immigrants. Corporate events with Milwaukee Food Tours are a great way to network while sampling local specialties, including sausage, pierogi, and goulash. You may take a bus that seats up to 28 people, walk, or ride a streetcar to get about. You may also go on a Black History Tour of Milwaukee’s civil rights history, a Churches and Chocolate Tour, or a Holiday Lights Tour.

Learn more about Milwaukee Food Tours.

17. Game Show Battle Rooms

Team building competitions at Game Show Battle Rooms can be a lot of fun for every player involved. The facility can accommodate groups of eight to 64, with a maximum of 32 players per playing space. Every team member has a chance to participate in either the Classic Showdown or the Primetime Showdown. Games may range from “Friendly Feud” to “Wheel of Phrases” to “Name That Price.” While food is prohibited inside the arena, local craft beer and other refreshments are for sale.

Learn more about Game Show Battle Rooms.

18. Milwaukee County Zoo

When it comes to Wisconsin zoos, the Milwaukee County Zoo has one of the best collections. In the zoo, you will see animals from around the world, from cheetahs and gorillas to siamangs, elephants, kangaroos, and polar bears. The zoo should be on your list if you have many animal lovers on your team.

Miniature train rides throughout the zoo are available for guests. The zoo also has playground equipment, carousels, tree huts, and hands-on dinosaur exhibits that you may find interesting. If you wish to fly above the buildings of Milwaukee, then you may enjoy a ziplining course. The Milwaukee County Zoo is a major attraction in the city and will keep you occupied whether you are looking for a wild day of thrills or a relaxing evening with the animals.

Learn more about Milwaukee County Zoo.

19. Splash Studio

Your team can visit Splash Studio, a do-it-yourself painting bar on Milwaukee’s East Side, for one of the city’s most tried-and-true company retreat ideas. Attending these artist-led sessions will allow you to create your own work of art on canvas or wood. You can choose between semi-private sessions or buy out the whole place for a maximum of 88 guests. You can also host a workshop offsite at your business or at a rented location.

Learn more about Splash Studio.

20. Discovery World

Unlike conventional museums, Discovery World really has interactive exhibits. The venue is not the kind of place where you have to whisper reverently and walk very carefully around fragile, precious antiques for fear of breaking them. Instead, guests are invited to interact with the exhibits in whatever way they see fit, including prodding, spinning, slapping, juggling, and playing.

Discovery World is fascinating science and technology museum where you may let your creativity run wild. The Great Lakes of Wisconsin inspire many of the exhibits at this museum, such as the touchable sharks, stingrays, and starfish in the museum’s ten-tank aquarium.

You may take a trip on a sailboat from the 19th century with three masts on the Milwaukee River. Team members who would rather not get wet may still have a good time. You can take guitar lessons, make a circuit board or a laser-cut cardboard home in the design lab, or see a STEM-themed play performed live. Discovery World is a great location if you prefer corporate retreat ideas for big groups in Milwaukee.

Learn more about Discovery World.

Conclusion

These Company retreat ideas in Milwaukee just scratch the surface of what this warm and inviting city has to offer, from breathtaking zip lines to regional culinary excursions. You will find these suggestions useful, whether you are planning to attend a cultural event or hold a workshop at a private location in downtown Milwaukee or the surrounding countryside.

Next, check out fun activities for groups in Milwaukee and Milwaukee team building ideas.

FAQ: Company retreat ideas in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

What are some good corporate retreat ideas in Milwaukee?

Some good corporate retreat ideas in Milwaukee include sampling local dishes with Milwaukee Food Tours, solving puzzles at Save Milwaukee, or visiting Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory.

How do you plan a fun team retreat in Milwaukee?

Since teamwork is going to be the major theme of your corporate retreat, it is best to organize it in collaboration with the rest of your staff. You should make sure everyone on your team gets an opportunity to pitch in with planning the retreat, and stress the importance of collaborative effort. If you go, you will be able to identify creative ideas and identify potential leaders.

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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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