Here is our list of the best company outings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Company outings ideas in Philadelphia are events that take teams to exciting locations outside work to spend quality time together. These events let team members bond while enjoying fun, informative activities. For example, taking a food tour, playing a few rounds of pool, or enjoying a concert together are outings that bring teams together outside the office. These activities promote interaction, boost morale, and encourage bonding among associates in The City of Brotherly Love.
These activities are examples of employee engagement ideas, company offsites, and relationship-building activities. These activities are similar to Philly team building events and corporate event ideas in Philly.
This list includes:
- company outings for small groups in Philadelphia, PA
- company outings for large groups in Philadelphia
- company outings for adults in Philadelphia
- corporate outing ideas in Philadelphia
Let’s get started!
List of corporate outing ideas in Philadelphia
With so much history packed into a setting with a contemporary vibe, Philadelphia offers corporate outing ideas that cover a wide range of interests. Here are some of the best ideas to check.
1. Philly Magic Gardens
At Philly Magic Gardens, the guiding principles are diversity, community, originality, and inspiring others through self-expression. Created by artist Isaiah Zagar, this outdoor art space features towering walls and whimsical floors covered in brightly colored mosaics. Visitors can experience the artful surroundings in a 40-minute guided tour, followed by 20 minutes of self-guided wandering of the grounds to see more. There are also neighborhood tours available, including an exploration of more than 40 public artworks around the gardens.
You can follow the trail to Philly Magic Gardens.
2. Espionage! (Team Favorite)
Teams can enter the thrilling world of secret agents with Espionage! This team building experience takes you on a journey of spies, puzzles, and strategic challenges.
Espionage! includes the following:
- 90 minutes with a world-class host to lead the experience
- undercover teams of spies and agents
- secret identities and deception
- clever code scrambles, word searches, and scavenger hunts
- group discussions and strategic thinking to uncover hidden identities
We will meet you at your preferred location and provide all the necessary supplies for this thrilling game. Espionage! will boost your creative thinking and competitive spirit.
Learn more about Espionage!
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3. Field Day (Popular)
Your team can go on a journey of interactive outdoor games and competitions with Field Day! This captivating experience is designed to improve relationships and develop crucial workplace skills.
Here is what you can expect:
- a 90-minute session with a highly experienced facilitator
- classic childhood games and new outdoor competitions
- activities that will spark childhood memories
- photo ops to capture team memories
In addition, we will bring all the necessary materials to your chosen location. If you are looking for an activity that fosters teamwork, promotes friendly competition, and cultivates camaraderie, then check out Field Day!
Learn more about Field Day.
4. Museum for Art in Wood
Art enthusiasts will love checking out the Museum for Art in Wood. As the name suggests, this venue showcases artwork made from wood. Exhibits include sculptures, furniture, videos, works on paper, and turned items. Self-guided tours are free, while groups of ten or more have a small fee. Thus, this museum is a budget-friendly way bond. Teams can also go to events at the museum, such as crafting workshops and speaker series. Folks looking for handmade items can explore the shop for art, furniture, accessories, and home goods.
Learn more about the Museum for Art in Wood.
5. Opera Philadelphia
Taking your team to the opera is a unique experience. Opera Philadelphia aims to bring opera to the modern stage and connect with today’s audiences. Performances occur at several venues around the city, including the Academy of Music and the Field Concert Hall. Folks can watch productions like Madame Butterfly and 10 Days in a Madhouse. To make performances more accessible, the firm projects closed captioning lyrics above the stage. Thus, viewers can follow along with the plot even if the show is not in English. Teams unfamiliar with opera can check out the website prior to the performance to learn more about the genre.
Learn more about Opera Philadelphia.
6. Bok Bar
During the warmer seasons, Bok Bar is a great spot for a team outing! From April to October, you can get a drink at this rooftop bar to enjoy cocktails and an amazing view. Each month, the bar features a local chef for a residency program, so you can always grab delicious food. Examples of previous dishes available include fresh oysters, Argentinian flavors, and Venezuelan meals. Plus, the venue holds regular events, such as sunset yoga, salsa classes, and Boktoberfest. Best of all, dogs are allowed to visit!
Learn more about Bok Bar.
7. Penn Racquet Sports
Active teams will enjoy an outing to Penn Racquet Sports. The facility is home to three centers, which are the Hecht Tennis Center, Hamlin Tennis Courts, and Penn Squash Center. In total, the facilities have 20 different tennis courts available. Plus, squash players can enjoy 12 courts.
If you are interested in learning how to play tennis, then you can take one of Penn’s many adult courses. Lessons range from teaching the basics in Tennis 101 to testing skills in Adult 4.0+. You can also book private lessons to quickly improve your game. Further, Penn offers squash lessons and court reservations.
Learn more about Penn Racquet Sports.
8. Neighborhood Potters
If you are looking for a hands-on team building experience, then check out Neighborhood Potters! This shop makes functional pottery to try to make dining more exciting. Folks can take classes at this venue, most of which last several weeks. Participants will learn skills like hand building and wheel throwing. Once teams complete their pieces, they have a month to pick them up from the studio. Class space is limited, so be sure to sign up quickly. You can also purchase pottery from the storefront if you are interested.
Learn more about Neighborhood Potters.
9. Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Philadelphia has a long history of Dutch residents, and visitors can experience the ultimate in Dutch cooking at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord! This venue is the largest smorgasbord in the US and features over 200 feet of delicious Dutch meals. Diners can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day except Sundays. The menu includes classic dishes such as scrapple, brisket, and pierogies. After filling up on Dutch delicacies, you can head over to the farm market. This market features many products, from baked goods to Shady Maple specialties to takeout meals. Before leaving, you can also stop by the gift shop to snag books, collectables, and quilts.
Learn more about Shady Maple Smorgasbord.
10. Pizzeria Beddia
If you have a small team and are looking for a unique experience, then consider stopping by Pizzeria Beddia! This restaurant has pizza, of course, but they also offer a one-of-a-kind hoagie omakase experience. Omakase means “chef’s choice,” so there is no set menu. Instead, diners will eat whatever the chef prepares. Firms can book this intimate experience for groups of up to six. Tickets include a cocktail, small plates, several hoagies, pizzas, and signature soft serve. If you have a larger party but would still like a private experience, then consider the restaurant’s pizza parties! Groups of six to 24 can book a family-style experience featuring small plates, salads, pizzas, and soft drinks. Be sure to stop by for an interesting meal!
Learn more about Pizzeria Beddia.
11. Eastern State Penitentiary
History buffs on your team will love visiting this building! In its heyday, Eastern State Penitentiary was the most expensive and well-known prison in the world. Famous criminals like “Slick Willie” Sutton and “Scarface” Al Capone served sentences here. Visitors can enjoy either a daytime or a nighttime tour. During the day, teams can explore with a guide and learn about the penitentiary’s history as well as its influence on modern structures. In addition, the site offers an audio tour with stories from three former wardens and 25 guards and prisoners. Viewers can also check out art installations and exhibits like Al Capone’s cell. Brave teams can also explore the space at night! The night tour includes the same features as the day tour, plus guests get to enjoy an outdoor beer garden. Supposedly, the penitentiary is haunted, so watch out for ghosts as you explore!
Learn more about Eastern State Penitentiary.
12. Independence Park
Your list of company outings for large groups in Philadelphia should include a trip to Independence Park. You can book guided tours of Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, to give team members a window into the most significant moments in the country’s birth. Across the quad, the Liberty Bell stands ready to receive visitors on a first-come-first-served basis. Scheduled events focusing on American history happen throughout the year.
Details about Independence Park will help you plan your visit.
13. Private Coffee Classes
Coffee can be just as complex as wine in terms of taste, body, and bouquet. Private classes explaining the essence of coffee make thoughtful company outing ideas in Philadelphia for teams who crave java. With a one-hour tasting session like those at Function Coffee Labs, coffee lovers can explore the roasting process and how bean choice affects flavor while sampling various brews. Teams can also attend courses covering how to prepare the perfect pour-over for their daily enjoyment or learn the secrets to perfecting espresso from their home machine.
Learn more about private classes at Function Coffee Labs.
14. Buffalo Billiards
Head-to-head competition over a pool table at Buffalo Billiards makes a great Philadelphia team outing for game lovers. The warm, welcoming atmosphere gives the vibe of an old-time pool hall, complete with a bar and grill for enjoying beverages and bites. There are daily happy hours, pinball, dart boards, skeeball machines, and shuffleboard decks to get everyone in on the game hall fun.
Learn how to rack them up at Buffalo Billiards.
15. Lucky Strike Bowling
The swankiest bowling alley in Philadelphia is ready for a corporate outing with your team. As an iconic location in the bowling world, Lucky Strike brings its Hollywood sensibility to the City of Brotherly Love. The retro design, neon accents, and funky décor give visitors something special to look at while they wait their turn. Teams can split up for tournament-style play or spread into smaller groups for more personal competitions.
Details on setting up an outing for your team are available at Lucky Strike.
16. Wonderspaces Immersive Art Experience
Teams with an artful side will find Wonderspaces enchanting. This gallery immerses visitors in interactive art installations highlighting technology and modern life. Teams can explore rooms where their shadows come to life, paint walls with the motion of their bodies, explore light projections, and view inventive animation all around them. This corporate outing encourages associates to engage with the art as part of the experience.
The details and schedule for Wonderspaces will help you plan your outing.
17. Comedy Improv Class
For corporate outing ideas in Philadelphia that emphasize communication and interaction, try a comedy improv class. These fun exercises provide instruction to expand critical skills while offering uproarious entertainment. Walnut Street Theater has courses that teach techniques for fast thinking, comfortable public speaking, and off-the-cuff interactions. Associates can add a valuable tool to their arsenal in an easy-going atmosphere where humor and enjoyment are the norm.
Class descriptions at Walnut Street Theater will help you decide on an outing.
18. Concert at Union Transfer
A concert in an auditorium that was once a railroad luggage transfer station is a company outing that blends culture and history. This acclaimed theater space welcomes musical acts of all genres, with a focus on indie and bands that are a bit off the beaten path. If your team includes music nerds who love a good live act, then you can arrange tickets for your group at the box office and avoid costly processing fees. You can spend the saved money on refreshing drinks and light snacks at one of the three bars inside the theater.
The Union Transfer show schedule has a great line-up.
19. Ghost Tour of the City
The spooky side of Philadelphia’s history awaits in a selection of nighttime ghost tours. These after-dark guided excursions take place in various locations around the city. Highlights include cemeteries and haunted houses, as well as landmarks like Independence Hall and the First Bank of the United States. You can stroll among the ghosts of historical figures and spectral citizens as your guide tells tales to chill your spine. Those brave enough to embark on a tour will see one of America’s oldest cities from a new shiver-inducing perspective.
If your associates have nerves of steel, then a ghost tour makes a thrilling Philadelphia team outing.
20. Dinner Cruise
Dinner cruises make relaxing company outings for adults in Philadelphia. Cruisers will enjoy striking skyline views while gliding along the Delaware River. These outings include a buffet meal on a luxurious craft, energizing music provided by a DJ, and a view of famous landmarks like Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Naval Shipyard. Tours last between two and a half and three hours and include games and entertainment and highlights of the cityscape. There are also lunch and brunch cruises available for daylight events.
There are schedules and cruise descriptions available to help plan your event.
21. 9th Street Italian Market Tour
The oldest outdoor market in America is an outing that combines food and history in a scenic city setting. Participants can enjoy a walking tour of this charming neighborhood, with stops and samples at bakeries, delis, and artisan shops. World-famous Philly cheesesteaks are also on the menu, as are regional produce and farm fare, deli specialties, and handmade chocolates. Tours accommodate groups of 12 to maintain the personal feel, making these outings great company outings for small groups in Philadelphia, PA.
Learn more about taking a market tour to plan one for your crew.
Conclusion
Philadelphia provides historical sites, exciting city-based activities, and scenic tours for associates to enjoy together. The dining scene, the history, and the culture blend to create an environment primed for fun team building interactions. With so many activities available, there are outings to satisfy teams of all interests.
Next, check out this list of company outing ideas in NYC and this guide to finding local team building activities.
