10 unique team offsite ideas to refocus and collaborate

Great teams aren’t built exclusively in conference rooms and Slack channels. They’re built over shared experiences—the kind that happen when people step away from their to-do lists and connect in a more personable setting. Whether it’s problem-solving in an escape room or exploring a new city, having conversations that don’t start with “Quick question🧵” builds trust and deep connections. 

A great offsite takes more than booking a guided tour and hoping for the best. Effective team bonding happens with a balance of structured activities and organic moments, giving teams space to recharge and return with boosted morale. Done right, it’s not just a retreat—it’s an investment.

In this guide, you’ll find team offsite ideas that push past the usual cliches, helping you plan a getaway that’s meaningful and memorable. 

Benefits of offsite retreats for remote teams

Remote work offers flexibility, but it’s also rife with unique team-building challenges. Without regular interaction, team members can feel disconnected, and collaboration falls out of whack. 

Bringing remote teams together in person—even just once or twice a year—is a powerful way to strengthen relationships, improve teamwork, and help colleagues engage with the company culture. Here are a couple of the main benefits.

Meaningful connections

Remote teams miss out on casual, face-to-face interactions that build trust, camaraderie, and empathy. Offsite retreats are an opportunity to connect on a personal level, forming bonds that encourage deeper teamwork. Informal discussions reveal common interests, shared hobbies, and values, which form the foundation for working together effectively once back in the "office." 

Reduction in burnout

Employees who spend long hours glued to their screens at home might feel isolated and alone, increasing the likelihood of burnout. Without the natural breaks of an office environment—chatting between meetings, grabbing coffee with a colleague—remote work can feel like an endless loop of tasks. 

Offsite retreats disrupt that cycle, giving team members a change of pace to unplug and reconnect. When teammates return to their home office, they’re not just refreshed, they're often more engaged, connected, and ready to collaborate. 

10 team offsite ideas

Landing in a new city with your team is already a break from the usual routine. No Slack conversations or back-to-back virtual conference rooms, just real discussions in an exciting new setting. But simply being in the same place doesn’t build strong connections. Managers need to create an agenda full of unique experiences. 

Whether it’s a simple icebreaker or a friendly sports competition, these ideas will make your offsite more than just a change of scenery. 

1. Play an icebreaker game

You gathered your remote team at a beachside resort or swanky big city hotel—but just being in the same place doesn’t guarantee easy conversation. Once everyone settles into the hotel, welcome them with an icebreaker that gets people talking beyond work. Easy icebreakers include “two truths and a lie” over dinner or a trivia challenge to spark some friendly competition. A little laughter and teamwork will set the tone for a great offsite right away. 

2. Brunch, followed by a brainstorming meeting

Most team offsites include a small measure of strategic work. A good rule of thumb is "food first, business second." Start the day with a leisurely brunch at a local spot—somewhere that makes the trip feel like a unique experience. Over coffee and pancakes, team members can catch up, swap travel stories, and settle into the locale before shifting gears into a strategy session.

3. Do something outdoors

Remote teams likely spend more time staring at screens than sunsets, so take advantage of the great outdoors while you can. Whether hiking a scenic trail, kayaking along the coast, or enjoying a city scavenger hunt, outdoor activities are great team-building exercises. They add a sense of adventure and challenge that can’t be replicated in front of a computer. Plus, nothing bonds people faster than tackling an obstacle course or taking in a breathtaking view. 

4. Explore a new city together

Whether you cart your team members off to New York City or Albuquerque, discovering a new place makes team-building activities feel extra special. Get creative with how you explore—organize a scavenger hunt through a public park, hit an improv show, or take a walking tour with a local guide. Whatever the activity, enriching your retreat location with fun activities encourages people to get to know one another on a deeper level. 

5. Share meals and drinks

Good food and drink have a way of bringing people together. Set aside time to bond over a long, relaxed dinner at a local hotspot or a cozy neighborhood café. Trying flavors unique to your destination is an experience within itself. Wine tours, tastings, or a street food smorgasbord can spark conversation and camaraderie. Stepping outside the usual routine encourages creativity, collaboration, and better team dynamics that carry over long after the trip ends. 

For a more hands-on approach, consider a small group cooking class. Nothing builds teamwork (and inside jokes) like trying to flip a perfect crêpe. 

6. Trivia night

A little friendly competition is a go-to icebreaker. Scope out a local bar with a trivia night for an energetic social setting, or rent a meeting space in the hotel for a more customized team-building game. Trivia challenges everyone to work together, think quickly, and maybe even discover some hilarious facts about each other. Plus, the winning team gets ultimate bragging rights—at least until next year’s offsite. 

7. Play team-centered sports

Nothing builds teamwork skills like a softball match or a game of beach volleyball. For teams that prefer less cardio and more strategy, an escape room or round of bowling keeps things fun without getting too sweaty. 

Sports encourage collaboration and communication in a natural, playful way, whether your team is in it to win it or just have a few laughs together. 

8. Play tabletop games

Team bonding doesn’t have to be high-energy to make a big impact. A laid-back game night with tabletop card games, or even a murder mystery challenge creates an easygoing space for team interaction. Set up in the hotel lounge or visit a barcade. Whether it’s a cooperative challenge or a cutthroat battle of wits, games make for socially engaging team-building exercises. 

9. Schedule free time for rest and relaxation

An offsite packed with back-to-back team-building activities can feel more like a marathon than a retreat. Give your team breathing room to recharge—whether that means exploring the city at their own pace or sneaking in an afternoon nap. Choosing a hotel with a spa and treating your team to massages and other relaxing treatments is the kind of personal touch that boosts morale.

10. Learn something new

An offsite is the perfect opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and learn something new. Sign the team up for lessons that tap into creativity, like a cooking class or dance lesson. Hands-on activities reflect a company culture that values learning and boundary-pushing, which supports individual growth and group problem-solving. 

Organize your team offsite with Engine

Are you ready to take your team offsite and create unforgettable memories? Let Engine help you organize your group trip, with special rates for groups of nine or more. Our all-in-one platform allows you to book airfare, hotel rooms, and car rentals all in one place with a customizable dashboard to track trends and tailor expense reports. 

Let us take the time and hassle out of group travel planning so you can focus on writing your team trivia questions.