Here is our list of the best corporate event ideas in Austin, Texas.
Corporate event ideas in Austin are places for you to host an activity or meeting for a work team in Texas’s most eclectic city. Example events include an escape room, Jester King, or Zilker Park. These activities aim to develop relationships and foster fun while helping the group enjoy the spirit and amenities of Austin.
These suggestions are in-person equivalents of virtual team socials, and are good ideas for company retreats, team offsites, fun group activities, and conference entertainment.
These activities are similar to team building activities in Austin and company outings in Austin.
This list includes:
- corporate event ideas in Austin for adults
- outdoor corporate events in Austin, Texas
- corporate party ideas in Austin
- large group corporate event activities in Austin TX
- corporate conference ideas in Austin
Let’s get to it!
List of corporate event ideas in Austin
Hosting corporate events can be tricky. These activities need to be fun, affordable, and interactive. Finding a local venue or event that fits your group and your budget is not as easy as it may seem. Here is a list of fun and engaging corporate event ideas in Austin.
1. Ultimate Trivia Showdown
Ultimate Trivia Showdown is a hosted 90-minute event that captures a game-show atmosphere. A professional performer will act as emcee and lead multi-round games of trivia. Teams face off in twists on traditional trivia such as Majority Rules and Champion Challenge that elevate the game beyond a standard pub night feel. The host will travel to your location and run the game within your space.
Learn more about Ultimate Trivia Showdown.
2. Storytelling Workshops
Storytelling is an essential skill in the workplace. In this two-hour workshop, team members will learn to make their words impactful. This activity is beneficial for employees in any department.
A seasoned host will travel onsite and guide the group through TeamBuilding’s proprietary storytelling framework. Following demonstrations and explanations of this narrative tool, attendees will break into small groups to practice composing stories. The groups will then reconvene for a sharing session and, if time allows, will continue to fine-tune the piece based on feedback.
Check out more information on Storytelling Workshops.
3. ScavBoss
In ScavBoss, teams follow fun storylines to solve riddles and puzzles. This game lasts one-and-a-half to two hours and will challenge team members to solve problems while working together. There are indoor and outdoor options available, and you can choose a theme to customize the experience. Our expert hosts will personalize the scavenger hunt and tailor it to your company and industry. In addition, team members will practice skills like strategic thinking and teamwork.
ScavBoss may be perfect for your team.
4. The Great Guac Off
When you participate in The Great Guac Off, you get much more than a food competition. This event begins with fun and entertaining mini-games filled with team building. Ultimately, team members will compete in a guacamole-making contest. With The Great Guac Off, you get a talented and informed host, all the items you need for chips and guacamole, and fun and exciting prizes.
You can host this event at your office or at one of the rental locations around Austin. BYOB is optional.
Check out The Great Guac Off.
5. Gingerbread Wars
If you are looking for a team-building event in the colder months, then Gingerbread Wars is just the thing.
During this activity, a facilitator will guide your team through fun games like trivia and Snowman Hustle. Then, attendees will compete to build the best gingerbread house. This one-and-a-half-hour event can take place at your office or a rental location in the city. You can also customize this activity with additional items like “Cookie Monster,” decorations, swag bags, and BYOB.
Learn more about Gingerbread Wars.
6. The Escape Hour Austin
Escape rooms are one of the best corporate party ideas in Austin. This activity is fun and engaging and gets the whole team involved. There are a variety of escape rooms in the Austin area. Escape Hour Austin promises an in-depth and elaborate escape game that engages all participants. These unique rooms are masterfully designed by the creative staff in Austin. For example, one of the most popular rooms they offer is Dead Man’s Cove. In this room, the adventure includes gold and swashbuckling clues. The games last for 70 minutes and are completely private.
Check out the Escape Hour Austin.
7. Jester King
One of the best corporate event ideas in Austin for adults is to head to one of the many local breweries. Jester King is beautifully situated in the hill country just west of Austin. This location is beautiful for hanging out and building camaraderie among your team. Jester King has done a fantastic job creating an atmosphere perfect for group hangouts complete with picnic tables, beautiful trees, and outdoor entertainment. You can bring along some icebreaker questions or team-building games and have fun. There is food available, and Jester King recently released some wine! The venue also regularly hosts special events like live music or goat yoga.
Check out Jester King.
8. Hops & Grain
This sustainable, East Austin brewery is one of the most Austin-y places to go. Besides having a taproom to taste beer, you can arrange tours and private parties. Hops & Grain is in East Austin, an area of the city growing exponentially and is one of the coolest areas to hang out. You can call ahead to arrange an area for your group. Then, you can bring the whole team for a beer flight and enjoy an Austin original.
Head over to Hops & Grain.
9. Zilker Park
Austinites know this sprawling park as “the jewel in the heart of Austin.” If you have been there, then it is clear how this landmark got its name. The park lies on the southern end of the city and offers breathtaking views of Austin. There is a spring-fed pool park-goers can swim in, a sculpture garden to peruse, and stand-up paddleboarding. You can plan your outdoor activities with your team. There is plenty of open space in this large park for field day activities, like an egg toss, three-legged race, or frisbee. With near limitless outdoor events, Zilker Park will entertain the entire team.
Explore Zilker Park and check out more outdoor team building ideas.
10. Stubbs BBQ
Stubbs is a famous BBQ joint in Austin, TX. In fact, you can get their BBQ sauce at grocery stores far from the city. However, this restaurant is more than just BBQ and is a leading live music venue in the city. A quick check of the website gives a schedule of which musicians are playing and dates of shows. Stubbs offers a wide variety of musical styles and local and national artists, thus finding a concert for your group to enjoy will not be hard. Plus, team members can enjoy some delicious BBQ while listening to great tunes with the group.
Check out the lineup at Stubbs BBQ.
11. Wanderlust
One of the most unique corporate conference ideas in Austin is heading over to Wanderlust for a wine-tasting event. The most remarkable thing about this venue is that all the wine is on tap, straight from barrels or tanks. This fact means that wine is fresh and delicious, and there are no bottles to discard. The knowledgeable staff can help you choose the perfect wines to complement snacks. With 56 different wines on tap, each taster will find something they enjoy.
Reach out to Wanderlust for more information.
12. Check out Street Art
Austin is becoming famous for the creative and innovative street art found throughout the city. One of the best outdoor corporate events in Austin is an art walk. There are many famous art icons throughout downtown Austin. If you have been in Austin long, then you have surely seen the I Love You wall. Unfortunately, Graffiti Park was closed in 2019 to make way for apartments, but Austin artists have not stopped celebrating street art. You can take a walk with your team and enjoy sites with engaging and thought-provoking images around the city.
Here is a good guide of street art in Austin for a few places to see.
13. Cafe Monet
Cafe Monet has been a landmark in the Austin craft community for years. This studio offers a variety of classes and events to entertain all interests. From wheel and clay classes to painting pre-made pottery, attendees will get to tap into their inner creativity. There is even an option for virtual parties! The staff will work with you to plan an in-person or remote event for your team. Plus, team members will have a new piece to decorate their desks. Pottery painting events are one of the best corporate party ideas in Austin, and Cafe Monet will help create a memorable time.
Reach out to Cafe Monet for more information.
14. Original Selfie Museum
Taking a good selfie is an art form. The Original Selfie Museum is an organization with several locations throughout America that provide the picture taker with clever and fun backgrounds for the perfect selfie. All an attendee needs is a charged phone and a fun attitude. You can book a corporate event by emailing the company ahead of time. Then, you can book a session for an hour or two for your team to take selfies and group shots to their heart’s content.
Pro tip: create a Slack channel for team members to share their shots after the event.
Check out the Original Selfie Museum.
15. The Roosevelt Room
Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Austin, The Roosevelt Room is the perfect location for your next corporate event. The venue has space for large groups and will work with you to curate a fun and engaging evening. The Roosevelt Room offers private cocktail classes for 8 to 100 guests that include cocktails, snacks, and personalized instructions. The staff is friendly and willing to work with you to craft an original experience.
Check out The Roosevelt Room.
16. Float the River in San Marcos
If you have spent any time in Central Texas, then you have heard of floating the river. For this event, ask your team to grab a swimsuit, towel, cooler, and LOTS of sunscreens and head south of Austin to San Marcos. There are various tubing companies that will loan you a tube and then pick you up at the end to bring you back to your car. These trips are several hours long, so be prepared for a full day of fun. This activity is fun and relaxing and will allow your team to connect while unwinding.
17. The Range
When in Texas, do as the locals do. Shooting is a common pastime in the state, and target shooting is one of the best large group corporate event activities in Austin. Shooting guns is deceptively fun. When it comes to gun ranges, there are many indoor and outdoor options for groups to utilize in Austin. You should consider a location that best fits the time of year and size of the group. In the winter and spring, the chance of rain or cold weather makes an indoor range desirable. However, the warmer months are great for outdoor ranges, which can also accommodate more participants.
The Range offers various shooting packages and group rates, and you are sure to find an option that works for your team. You can even shoot a machine gun at this facility!
Check out The Range at Austin.
18. Lone Star Riverboats
Lone Star Riverboat tours are one of the best corporate event ideas in Austin. These professionals have years of experience hosting large groups and are sure to make your event spectacular. The company includes catering, drinks, live music, and themes in the tour. Plus, the location is just minutes from downtown Austin. There are different vessels to accommodate up to 100 guests. This excursion is easy to make into a fancy night, and you cannot beat the breathtaking scenery around Lake Austin. You can host a holiday or formal event and encourage team members to show up in their best dress and dance the night away.
Plan a tour at Lone Star Riverboats here.
19. Bubble Soccer
If you have a fun team that loves physical activities, then bubble soccer is the perfect corporate event. You only need to provide space and the guests, and the crew at Austin Bubble Soccer takes care of the rest of the arrangements. There are packages suited for varying sizes of groups, from 12 to 35 participants. You and your teammates can spend a fun afternoon bouncing around in a giant bubble attempting to kick a soccer ball.
Check out Austin Bubble Soccer and more company field day activities.
20. Amy’s Ice Cream
Ice cream on a hot day is a fabulous treat. In fact, ice cream on any day is special. Planning a corporate event at Amy’s Ice Cream is a fantastic way to show your team you appreciate them. With several locations around Austin, there is bound to be a parlor near your office. Or, opt for a trek to The Arboretum and check out the stone cows while enjoying a cone.
Find an Amy’s Ice Cream location here.
Conclusion
Austin, TX is one of the best cities to entertain employees at corporate events. With a wide variety of facilitated and non-hosted events, not to mention the numerous outdoor activities, team members are bound to have a fantastic time. You are sure to find an event or activity to fit any budget or culture.
Next, check out these lists of conference breakout session ideas and summer team building ideas.
Grace He